Stuffed Hash Browns

Stuffed hash browns have all the crispy goodness of regular hash browns, plus some delicious add-ons. This recipe includes crumbled bacon and melted cheese, but there are so many ways to play with this concept. As long as you follow some of the basic principles for cooking crispy hash browns (outlined below), you can just have fun with the rest—adding any ol’ meats, vegetables, cheeses and herbs that you like. If you’re a home cook that prefers a low-to-no-fuss approach, recipes that use frozen potatoes are a great place to start.

Ingredients

• Hash brown potatoes: This recipe calls for frozen hash browns, but you can also use shredded Yukon Gold potatoes to make your own crispy hash brown potatoes.
• Onion: Finely chopping your onion helps it to blend right into the hash brown mix. Feel free to use white, sweet or yellow onion here.
• Pepper: Fresh, coarsely ground black pepper cuts through the savory richness of stuffed hash browns, helping to balance its flavors.
• Olive oil: We recommend using a light olive oil so it blends in with the other flavors of this recipe.
• Cheese: Though we like pepper jack, you can use Monterey Jack, cheddar, Havarti or any other melting cheeses.
• Bacon: Crispy, crumbled bacon gets folded right into these stuffed hash browns. Instead of tossing the drippings, learn how to use leftover bacon grease—you can even use it in place of the olive oil in this recipe.
• Sour cream: A spoonful of sour cream acts as a cool, creamy foil to the crispy, savory flavors of the hash browns.
• Green onion: This variety of onion complements savory flavors well, and is mild enough to eat raw.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes

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In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with onion, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Cook one side of the hash browns

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In a small cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of oil over medium heat. Once the skillet has warmed, place about 1 cup of the potato mixture into the pan, pressing down to flatten it with a spatula. Cook the potatoes without stirring them until the bottom is golden brown, about four to five minutes. Drizzle them with 1 teaspoon of oil and flip them.

Step 3: Flip and stuff the hash browns

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Cook the second side until the bottom is golden brown, about four to five minutes, sprinkling 2 tablespoons of cheese and 2 tablespoons of bacon during the last minute of cooking.

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Step 4: Finish stuffing and serve

Fold the hash browns in half and slide them onto a plate. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients and top the stuffed hash browns with sour cream and green onion.

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Stuffed Hash Browns Variations

• Substitute the bacon: Instead of bacon, you can use any other meats you prefer. For example, chopped breakfast sausage, Mexican chorizo or chicken sausage.
• Make it eggy: There are a few ways to play around with this recipe by adding an egg. For example, you can mimic shakshuka and crack a few eggs into the pan alongside the hash browns. Or, you can make this hash brown egg brunch dish, which combines the same ingredients into a fluffy casserole.

How to Store Stuffed Hash Browns

To store leftover stuffed hash browns, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat stuffed hash browns, place a pan over medium-high heat and once warmed, add a little oil and the hash browns. Place the cover on and after a few minutes, flip to finish reheating.

Can I freeze stuffed hash browns?

Yes, this recipe freezes well. Simply wrap any leftovers in storage wrap or foil and place them in an airtight container. Store stuffed hash browns in the freezer for two to three months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them as directed above.

Stuffed Hash Browns Tips

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Why won’t my hash browns get crispy?

In order to make crispy hash browns, you’ll want to be sure to remove as much moisture as possible. After all, potatoes are mostly water, so unless treated properly, they’ll become soft and moist in the pan instead of brown and crispy.

What is the secret to making good hash browns?

Apart from the tip mentioned above, it’s important to heat your oil correctly. In other words, if you place your hash browns down and they don’t make that signature “ssss” sound, your oil isn’t hot enough. Also, don’t move the hashbrowns around until it’s time to flip them.

Should you thaw frozen hash browns before cooking?

It’s important to thaw frozen hash browns because they need to release the water they’ve gathered in the freezer. The easiest way is to let them thaw in the fridge overnight and then place them in a colander, pressing the water out of them.