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What are Hash Browns?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Hash browns are a potato dish made by grating, julienning, or finely dicing potatoes and then frying them. There are a number of different forms of hash browns, and numerous individual cultural variations such as rösti and latkes. Many North Americans associate hash browns with breakfast food, although they may be eaten at other times of the day as well. A wide assortment of restaurants offer hash browns, and they are also very easy to make at home.

The potatoes used in hash browns can be prepared in a number of ways. Some cooks, for example, pre-cook them by baking or boiling, so that they will cook all the way through on the stove. Others use raw potatoes, grating them coarsely and then patting or squeezing them dry so that they are not excessively starchy. The potatoes may also be mixed with other ingredients such as onions, zuccini, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and anything else the cook might imagine.

Apples are sometimes mixed into hash browns.
Apples are sometimes mixed into hash browns.

Once the potatoes and other ingredients have been shredded and mixed, they are pan-fried, typically in a heavy pan which will conduct heat evenly. Butter, oil, or a combination of both may be used to make hash browns, and the heat is usually held around medium. When the heat is ideal, the hash browns will become brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. Most cooks press hash browns down as they cook, forming a flat potato cake.

Hash browns are typically made from potatoes.
Hash browns are typically made from potatoes.

Some cooks form their hash browns into patties or shapes like tater tots. These shapes can make the hash browns easier to manage as they cook, since a full pan of hash browns is tricky to maneuver. Once fried to perfection, the hash browns are served with condiments like salt, pepper, ketchup, applesauce, hot sauce, and sour cream, depending on personal taste and the region of the world. Sides such as sausage and eggs are common in North America.

Hash browns are often seasoned with salt and pepper.
Hash browns are often seasoned with salt and pepper.

Swiss rösti are hash browns which may be mixed with onion, bacon, apples, and other ingredients before being formed into roughly circular potato cakes. Many Swiss think of them as a classic dish, and they can be served with any meal, not just breakfast. In the Jewish tradition, latkes are a form of hash browns which are used in the celebration of Hanukkah. Latkes are mixed with small amounts of matzo flour, onion, and eggs, and they are formed into small patties which are fried in oil. Another variant on the theme is boxty, a type of Irish potato pancake with a fine consistency almost like a pancake.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

chivebasil

I like hash browns but I have always preferred breakfast potatoes. I think the flavor of breakfast potatoes tends to be better and I like the texture and consistency better as well. There is something about hash browns that always kind of put me off. It's like eating a big pile of worms.

whiteplane

My mom is famous for her cracker barrel hash brown casserole. It is basically just cheesy potatoes but the flavor of this particular casserole is amazing.

She got it out of an old country cook book. The recipe actually calls for you to shred your own has browns. My mom uses the frozen variety and I'm sure the dish tastes exactly the same. She usually serves it at Thanksgiving or brings it to potluck suppers.

nextcorrea

I like my hash browns with diced peppers and onions and ham mixed into them. If you eat them this way it is a complete meal in one dish. Throw in a couple of eggs and some cheese and you have a feast.

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    • Apples are sometimes mixed into hash browns.
      By: xiangdong Li
      Apples are sometimes mixed into hash browns.
    • Hash browns are typically made from potatoes.
      By: mbongo
      Hash browns are typically made from potatoes.
    • Hash browns are often seasoned with salt and pepper.
      By: uwimages
      Hash browns are often seasoned with salt and pepper.
    • Latkes are a popular hash brown dish served during Hanukkah.
      By: Anyka
      Latkes are a popular hash brown dish served during Hanukkah.