Wondering what goes with potatoes? Learn the best ingredient pairings, meal ideas, popular flavor combinations, and other helpful tips.
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Knowing what goes well with potatoes gives you a starting point for putting meals together using the ingredients you already have on hand.
Whether you want to reduce food waste, get more creative in the kitchen, or improve your cooking skills, it starts with understanding what flavors pair well together.
What Are Potatoes?
Potatoes are a tuber, which is a type of starchy vegetable in the nightshade plant family. They come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and textures.
Although there are over 5,000 potato varieties, some of the most popular varieties are russet, new, fingerling, Yukon gold, red, purple, and baby potatoes.
Helpful Tips
When To Buy
Potatoes are in peak season from August through October. But due to the various growing regions, they're available year-round. Look at the seasonal produce guide to see what's in season right now.
What To Look For
Look for potatoes that are firm, well-shaped, smooth (with small eyes), and free from cuts and bruises. Avoid potatoes that are green, shriveled, or soft.
How To Store
Store in a cool, dry place on the countertop or pantry and ideally in a mesh bag or basket to ensure good ventilation.
What Goes Well With Potatoes?
Vegetables
Arugula, bell peppers, carrots, cauliflower, celery, celery root, chile peppers, garlic, ginger, kale, leeks, morels, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, peas, ramps, rutabaga, scallions, shallots, spinach, sweet potatoes, turnips, winter greens, and winter squash.
Fruit
Lemons, and tomatoes.
Spices
Bay leaf, caraway seeds, cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, garam masala, ground mustard, nutmeg, paprika, black and white pepper, saffron, kosher salt, and turmeric.
Herbs
Basil, chives, cilantro, dill, lavender, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, sage, sorrel, and thyme.
Non-Dairy/Dairy
Butter, buttermilk, cheese, cream: use coconut cream or cashew cream for dairy-free, milk, creme fraiche, sour cream, and yogurt.
Proteins
Bacon, beef, caviar, chicken, eggs, lamb, mussels, oysters, pork, pork belly, salted cod, sausage, and steak.
Pantry Items
Black truffles, chickpeas, chili oil, dijon mustard, mayonnaise, olive oil, olives, stocks: chicken and vegetable, vinaigrettes, vinegar: champagne, sherry, white wine, and dry white wine.
Popular Potato Pairings
- bacon + cheese + onions
- chives + sour cream + cream + garlic + parmesan cheese + rosemary
- cream + leeks + oysters
- cheese + winter squash
- leeks + nutmeg
What To Make With Potatoes
Potatoes are a staple ingredient in various cultures throughout the world. They're used in savory dishes and can be baked, boiled, roasted, fried, or grilled.
Everything from chips to bread rolls to starch to vodka are made from potatoes.
Popular breakfast foods made with potato include Spanish tortilla, tater tots, hashbrowns, healthy breakfast hash, and breakfast potatoes.
Potato side dishes include mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, twice baked potatoes, crispy smashed potatoes, patatas bravas - a popular Spanish tapa meaning spicy potatoes, oven baked fries (or french fries), roasted fingerling potatoes, potato croquettes, Hasselback potatoes, Greek lemon potatoes, loaded potatoes, potato latkes or fritters, and warm potato asparagus salad.
Main dishes include dairy free potato soup, curry, and thinly sliced potato on pizza or a savory galette.
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