My husband, Jo is an ”okay” cook. But when it comes to making Bratkartoffeln “German fried potatoes” he is the BEST. He even makes better Bratkartoffeln than his mum and oma. You know what this means right? Because I’ve learned so many recipes from them, such as German doughnuts or roasted duck.
This is the one and only recipe that I’ve learned from Jo. Today I’m proud to say that I’m as good as him, even though he hates admitting it.
My mum and oma in law often use pre – cooked potatoes to make their fried potatoes. This recipe however makes them using raw potatoes. In my opinion they taste way better. They also don’t break easily and become mushy.
The secrets to making the best Bratkartoffeln from scratch is soaking them in cold tap water, using less fat when frying and turning the potatoes occasionally.
This recipe is very easy, uses only 4 ingredients: potatoes, onions, bacon and oil. And it only takes 35 minutes to make. Jo always adds caraway seeds, to his fried potatoes. This recipe omits them. But hey, feel free to add a half a teaspoon caraway seeds if you wish. You can make this recipe vegetarian too. Simply leave out the bacon.
You can eat Bratkartoffeln just like that or serve them as side dish to any dish of your choice, ranging from Schnitzel to Cevapcici. Jo enjoys eating them with fried eggs.
What you’ll need to make German fried potatoes aka. Bratkartoffeln
- 800 g / 28 oz potatoes
- 150 g/ 5 oz bacon
- 2 medium onions
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons sunflower oil, for frying
NOTE: Making this recipe requires only few tablespoons of oil. You can either use margarine or sunflower oil or mix both.
You’ll also need:
- 1 large skillet/ pan
- bowl
- tap water for soaking potatoes
- wooden spoon
- knife
- cutting board
How to German fried potatoes with bacon and onions
First peel the potatoes, cut them into thin slices and soak them in cold tap water for few minutes. This is important so that the starch will be removed. This prevents the potatoes from sticking together and becoming mushy.
In the meantime peel and finely cut the onions.
Heat the oil at a medium – high heat. Using your hands remove the potatoes from the soaking water, shake off the excess water and add them to the skillet. Fry the potatoes for 5 minutes on one side.
NOTE: You can also pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or strain them.
After, turn the potatoes for the first time and cook them for another 5 minutes .
Then turn the potatoes, add bacon and mix well. Let cook for another 5 minutes, turning occasionally!
After add the onions to the skillet. Give everything a good turn and cook for 5 minutes. Reduce the temperature to medium – low and let cook for another 5 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper if necessary and serve. Enjoy!
More easy and quick recipes
German fried potatoes
Ingredients
- 800 g/28 oz potatoes
- 150 g/ 5 oz bacon
- 2 medium onions
- 3 tablespoons sunflower oil for frying You can also use margarine or any oil of your choice or mix both.
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- First peel the potatoes, cut them into thin slices and soak them in cold tap water for few minutes. In the meantime peel and finely cut the onions.
- Heat the oil at a medium - high heat. Using your hands remove the potatoes from the soaking water, shake off the excess water and add them to the skillet.
- Fry the potatoes for 5 minutes on one side. After, turn the potatoes for the first time and cook them for another 5 minutes .
- Then turn the potatoes, add bacon and mix well. Let cook for another 5 minutes, turning occasionally! After add the onions to the skillet. Give everything a good turn and cook for 5 minutes. Reduce the temperature to medium – low and let cook for another 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper if necessary and serve.
Notes
- It's important to soak the potatoes so that the starch will be removed. This prevents the potatoes from sticking together and becoming mushy.
- You can also pat dry the potatoes with paper towels or strain them, instead of using your hands.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear from you! Simply write a review and add rating to it.
Yum! These look delicious and I’ll be trying them this weekend for sure! 😁 We love German dishes!
Thank you for stopping by Melani. I’m glad you like this recipe. Feel free to search my site my often, because I have a couple of German dishes. Happy cooking! 🙂
These look so good! Will need to try one day 😁
They’re indeed yummy and super simple to make too. 🙂
Looks amazing!
Thanks Anna!
I learnt something new and will try it!! new Chef in the house, as from today!! thanks so much Ester
I’m glad to hear that Sirkka. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to stop by anytime 😉
I AM MAKING THESE AS I TYPE FOR A QUICK WARM LUNCH. I LIVED IN GERMANY 6 YEARS AND ALL THE FOOD IS FAB. I ESPECIALLY LOVE POTATOES AND FRIED IS EVEN BETTER. DANKE SCHON