What makes cast iron potatoes so special? It's all in the cooking method. By roasting them in a sizzling hot cast iron skillet, you'll get a perfectly caramelized exterior and a fluffy, tender interior. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and bursting with flavor, there's nothing quite like a perfectly cooked cast iron skillet potato.
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There's so many benefits to cooking in a cast iron skillet. Cast iron heats evenly and holds heat well, making it ideal for cooking dishes that require a consistent temperature, like roasted potatoes. Check out my Mexican roasted potatoes for another cast iron skillet recipe that's super delicious.
Over time, a cast iron skillet develops a seasoning, which is a layer of polymerized oil that gives food a unique, rich flavor. When properly seasoned, your cast iron pan can be almost as non-stick as a coated pan. This means you use less oil when cooking, and cleaning up is easier.
Top Tip: If you love potatoes, you should check out my 45 Amazing Vegan Potato Recipes.
🧡Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
🧡Cast iron potatoes can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or even a main dish.
🧡This recipe uses simple, affordable ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. And, it's very budget friendly.
🧡Cast iron potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a delicious caramelized flavor that comes from roasting in a hot skillet.
🧡The hands-on prep time is minimal, and so is the clean up.
🛒Ingredients
- Potatoes: When it comes to roasting potatoes in a cast iron skillet, it's best to choose potatoes that have a high starch content and a low moisture content. This will help them develop a crispy exterior while staying fluffy and tender on the inside. Good choices are Russet potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes.
- Vegetable Oil: The best choice for roasting potatoes in a cast iron skillet is a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil. These oils can withstand high temperatures without burning, which means your potatoes will have a crispy exterior without any burnt flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is preferable to fresh garlic in this recipe. Although I almost always recommend fresh garlic, this is one of the few instances when you should use garlic powder, as fresh garlic will burn in the oven.
- Salt: Salt is a natural flavor enhancer, and I highly recommend using it, unless you're on a low sodium diet.
- Black Pepper: We're using a ½ a teaspoon in this recipe, to give the potatoes a bit of a spicy kick.
- Paprika: Choose smoked paprika for a rich, smoky flavor.
- Thyme: Thyme has a warm, savory flavor that pairs well with the earthy flavor of potatoes. Thyme also has a subtle sweetness that balances out the spiciness of the paprika and the pungency of the garlic powder.
🥔How To Make Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the diced potatoes, vegetable oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika and thyme. Mix well until the potatoes are evenly coated.
- Heat a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned potatoes to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes start to brown.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before serving.
- If you want to, sprinkle the cast iron potatoes with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
🍽️Serving Suggestions
- Top With Vegan Cheese: Sprinkle your cast iron potatoes with shredded vegan cheese while they're still hot from the oven. The cheese will melt and create a deliciously gooey topping.
- Make A Vegan Dip: Whip up a quick and easy vegan dip to serve alongside your potatoes. Some options could be vegan sour cream and chives, Sriracha aioli, or guacamole.
- Add Some Veggies: Serve your potatoes with a side of roasted or sautéed vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers. This adds a nice contrast in texture and flavor.
- Serve With Vegan Chili: Top your cast iron potatoes with a hearty vegan chili for a filling and satisfying meal. You can even add some vegan sour cream or vegan cheese on top for extra flavor.
- Make A Vegan Loaded Potato: Top your cast iron potatoes with vegan sour cream, chives, vegan bacon bits, and any other toppings of your choice, like diced tomatoes or avocado.
❄️Storage Instructions
Refrigerator:
To store leftover cast iron potatoes, you should allow them to cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container or resealable bag. Store the potatoes in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
When you're ready to reheat them, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat with a little bit of oil or butter. Stir frequently until they are heated through.
It's worth noting that while leftover cast iron potatoes can be reheated, they may not be as crispy as when they were first cooked. So, it's best to enjoy them fresh whenever possible.
Freezer
Technically, you can freeze cast iron potatoes, but the texture and flavor may suffer as a result. Potatoes tend to become mealy and watery when frozen, and the high heat used in cast iron cooking can make this problem worse.
If you do decide to freeze cast iron potatoes, make sure they are fully cooled before placing them in an airtight container or resealable bag. To prevent freezer burn, make sure the container is tightly sealed and remove as much air as possible.
When you're ready to reheat the potatoes, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat them in the oven or on the stove using the same methods as for leftover potatoes. However, keep in mind that the texture may not be as crisp as it was originally.
Overall, it's best to enjoy cast iron potatoes fresh if possible. If you do have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator and reheat them within a few days for the best flavor and texture.
🙋Frequently Asked Questions
To season a cast iron pan, first preheat your oven to 400°F. Rub a thin layer of neutral oil (such as vegetable oil) all over the pan, including the handle and exterior. Place the pan upside-down on the middle rack of the oven, with a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom to catch any drips. Bake for one hour, then turn off the oven and let the pan cool completely in the oven before removing it. Repeat this process a few times to build up a strong seasoning layer.
To clean a cast iron pan, rinse it under hot water while scrubbing gently with a brush or non-abrasive sponge. Do not use soap or steel wool, as this can damage the seasoning. Dry the pan thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towel, then rub a thin layer of oil all over the interior and exterior of the pan to prevent rusting. Store the pan in a cool, dry place.
Potatoes can stick to cast iron if the pan is not properly seasoned or if the heat is too high. However, if the pan is well-seasoned and the heat is at the right temperature, potatoes should not stick to the pan. It's important to use enough oil or butter when cooking potatoes in a cast iron pan to help prevent sticking, and to avoid moving or stirring the potatoes too much until they have formed a crispy, golden crust.
Craving More Easy Vegan Potato Recipes?
Perfect Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
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📖 Recipe
Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 large potatoes
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. There's no need to peel them.
- Slice potatoes lengthwise into quarters. Then, cut each quarter into 1 inch cubes.
- In a large bowl, combine the diced potatoes, vegetable oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, and rosemary. Mix well until the potatoes are evenly coated.
- Heat a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned potatoes to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes start to brown.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before serving.
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