There is something truly magical about a perfectly crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside roast potato. This Homemade Roast Potatoes Recipe brings that magic straight to your kitchen. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a little patience, you’ll achieve golden, crunchy edges that give way to a tender center. Whether served as a comforting side or the star of a roast dinner, these potatoes are guaranteed to become an all-time favorite in your home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity—each ingredient plays an important part in delivering that perfect balance of crispiness, flavor, and color.
- 2.5 lbs starchy potatoes (Russet, Maris Piper, or Yukon Gold): These varieties yield the ideal fluffy texture inside while crisping beautifully on the outside.
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, duck fat, or beef dripping: The fat you choose influences flavor depth and the crispness you crave.
- 1 teaspoon sea salt: Enhances every bite with just the right amount of seasoning.
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper: Adds a subtle kick that lifts the flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed (optional): Gives a warm aromatic touch without overpowering the potatoes.
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or parsley, chopped (optional): Fresh herbs bring brightness and a splash of color to your dish.
How to Make Homemade Roast Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by peeling your potatoes and cutting them into evenly sized chunks. Consistency is key here to ensure even cooking and that every bite has the perfect crispy edge.
Step 2: Boil the Potatoes
Place your potato chunks in a pot filled with cold salted water. Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 7 to 10 minutes until they’re just tender when poked with a fork. This step sets the stage for the fluffy interior.
Step 3: Roughen the Edges
Drain the potatoes thoroughly, then return them to the colander and give them a good shake. This roughens their edges, which helps create all those gorgeous crispy bits when roasted.
Step 4: Preheat the Oven and Fat
Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and place your chosen fat—whether vegetable oil, duck fat, or beef dripping—in a baking tray. Let it heat in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until shimmering hot. This sizzling fat bath is the secret to that crackling crunch.
Step 5: Coat the Potatoes in Hot Fat
Carefully add your potatoes to the hot fat and gently turn them to coat every side. The fat immediately sears the outside of the potato chunks, locking in moisture and starting the crisping process.
Step 6: Roast to Perfection
Roast your potatoes in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes, turning them carefully once halfway through the cooking time. This ensures even golden-brown color and that all sides get beautifully crispy.
Step 7: Season and Add Herbs
Once roasted, sprinkle with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and, if you like, some fresh herbs like rosemary or parsley. The aromas at this point are absolutely irresistible!
How to Serve Homemade Roast Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh herbs such as rosemary or parsley instantly perks up the dish, giving it bursts of fresh flavor and a lovely pop of green that makes the potatoes look as good as they taste.
Side Dishes
These roast potatoes pair beautifully with classic roast dinners featuring roast chicken, beef, or lamb. They also shine alongside veggies like honey-glazed carrots, garlic sautéed greens, or a crisp green salad for a lighter touch.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your potatoes stacked in a small tower on a rustic wooden board, or nestle them in a warm bowl topped with a dollop of sour cream and chives for a casual comfort food vibe. They also taste fantastic dipped into aioli or your favorite mustard sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh for up to 3 days and keep their flavor remarkably well.
Freezing
While freshly roasted potatoes are best enjoyed immediately, you can freeze leftover cooked potatoes by flash freezing on a tray and then storing in a freezer-safe bag. They’re best used within 1 month for optimal texture.
Reheating
To bring leftover roast potatoes back to life, place them in a hot oven (around 400°F/200°C) for 10-15 minutes. This helps restore their crispy exterior and warms them through perfectly without turning soggy.
FAQs
Can I use waxy potatoes for this Homemade Roast Potatoes Recipe?
Waxy potatoes tend to stay firm and don’t fluff up as well when roasted. It’s best to use starchy potatoes like Russet, Maris Piper, or Yukon Gold for that fluffy interior and crispy edge combination.
Is duck fat necessary, or can I use vegetable oil?
Duck fat adds incredible richness and depth of flavor, but vegetable oil or beef dripping also works wonderfully. The key is to use a fat with a high smoke point to get that golden crunch.
Why do I need to roughen the potatoes after boiling?
Shaking the potatoes in the colander roughs up the edges, which increases surface area and creates more crispy bits as they roast. It’s a small trick that makes a huge difference!
Can I add other herbs besides rosemary or parsley?
Absolutely! Thyme, oregano, or sage also complement roast potatoes beautifully. Just add fresh herbs towards the end of cooking or after roasting to keep their vibrant flavor.
How long can I keep cooked roast potatoes in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, roast potatoes stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them properly to restore their crisp exterior and enjoy as if freshly made.
Final Thoughts
Making your own Homemade Roast Potatoes Recipe is one of the easiest ways to elevate any meal with minimal fuss. Once you nail that perfect golden-crisp texture and fluffy inside, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed roast potatoes any other way. Give this recipe a try, and get ready for plenty of compliments at your table!
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Homemade Roast Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: British
Description
Crispy, golden homemade roast potatoes cooked to perfection using traditional roasting methods. These potatoes are boiled until tender, shaken to roughen the edges for extra crispness, and then roasted in hot fat with optional garlic and herbs for a flavorful and satisfying side dish.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2.5 lbs starchy potatoes (Russet, Maris Piper, or Yukon Gold)
Fat and Seasoning
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, duck fat, or beef dripping
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Optional Additions
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel and cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks to ensure even cooking.
- Boil Potatoes: Place the chopped potatoes in a pot of cold salted water and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and simmer for 7–10 minutes until the potatoes are just tender but not falling apart.
- Drain and Roughen: Drain the potatoes well and transfer them to a colander or bowl. Shake them gently to roughen the edges, which helps create a crispy texture when roasted.
- Preheat Oven and Fat: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the vegetable oil, duck fat, or beef dripping into a baking tray and heat in the oven for 5–7 minutes until very hot.
- Coat Potatoes in Hot Fat: Carefully add the potatoes to the hot fat in the baking tray and turn them to coat all sides evenly, allowing the rough edges to absorb the fat for crispiness.
- Roast Potatoes: Roast in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes, turning them once halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crispiness on all sides.
- Season and Serve: Once roasted to a golden crisp, season the potatoes with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and the optional smashed garlic and chopped rosemary or parsley before serving for added flavor.
Notes
- Choosing starchy potatoes such as Russet or Maris Piper provides the best texture for roasting.
- Roughening the edges after boiling is key to achieving extra crispiness.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with duck fat or beef dripping for richer flavor.
- Adding fresh herbs and garlic is optional but enhances the taste beautifully.
- Make sure the fat is hot before adding the potatoes to prevent sticking and promote crisping.
