Potato Hash with Bell Peppers and Onions

Yield: 5 to 6 servings

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

More than just a simple breakfast staple, this potato hash offers a delightful blend of simplicity and robust flavor, making it a favorite for many reasons:

• Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The harmonious combination of tender, crisp potatoes, sweet bell peppers, caramelized onions, and fragrant garlic creates a depth of flavor that is truly remarkable. Each bite is a savory explosion, complemented by the fresh brightness of parsley and the salty tang of Parmesan.
• Hearty and Fulfilling: This isn’t just a light starter; it’s a substantial meal designed to keep you satisfied throughout your morning. It’s the perfect fuel for a busy day or a relaxing weekend.
• Effortlessly Simple: Don’t let the gourmet taste fool you—this recipe is incredibly easy to follow, even for novice cooks. With straightforward steps and common ingredients, you’ll achieve professional-level results in your home kitchen.
• Remarkably Versatile: While perfect as is, this hash serves as an excellent canvas for customization. It can be easily adapted with different vegetables, proteins, or spices to suit your dietary preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
• The Epitome of Comfort Food: There’s an inherent warmth and coziness in a pan of perfectly browned, savory potatoes. This hash evokes feelings of comfort and nostalgia, making it ideal for those mornings when you crave something truly special and comforting.

Ingredients for the Perfect Hash

Crafting the perfect potato hash begins with selecting quality ingredients and understanding their role in building flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil: This is our primary cooking fat, chosen for its high smoke point and a subtle, pleasant flavor that complements the vegetables. It helps to achieve that desired golden-brown crust on your potatoes.
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter: Adding butter alongside the olive oil is a trick chefs use to infuse a richer, nuttier flavor and to promote deeper browning without the butter burning too quickly. It contributes significantly to the hash’s overall deliciousness.
• 4 large or 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into ½” cubes: The choice of potato is crucial for hash. Russet potatoes are excellent for their starch content, which leads to a wonderfully crispy exterior. Yukon Golds are another fantastic option, offering a creamier interior. Ensure they are cut into uniform ½-inch cubes; consistency in size is key for even cooking.
• 1 onion, diced: A foundational ingredient, yellow or white onions provide a pungent sweetness that caramelizes beautifully during cooking, adding profound depth to the hash. Dicing them ensures they soften and meld seamlessly with the other ingredients.
• 1 red bell pepper, diced: Red bell peppers bring a vibrant splash of color, a delightful sweetness, and a tender-crisp texture. You can experiment with green, yellow, or orange bell peppers, or even a medley, for different visual appeal and nuanced flavors.
• 2 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped: Fresh herbs are essential for brightening the dish. Parsley adds a clean, herbaceous note and a touch of freshness that cuts through the richness of the potatoes. It’s best added at the end to preserve its vibrant flavor and color.
• 3 garlic cloves, minced: Garlic is the aromatic backbone of this hash. Minced finely, it disperses its pungent, savory notes throughout the dish, elevating every single bite. Be careful not to burn it!
• Salt and pepper, to taste: These fundamental seasonings are vital for drawing out and enhancing all the other flavors. Don’t underestimate their power; season generously as you cook and adjust just before serving.
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese: The final touch that adds a salty, umami-rich layer of flavor. Freshly grated Parmesan melts wonderfully over the hot hash, creating an irresistible finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions for a Flawless Hash

Achieving the perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender interior requires attention to detail. Follow these steps for an amazing hash:

1. Prepare Your Skillet: Begin by heating the olive oil and unsalted butter in a large, heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet over medium heat. A sufficiently large skillet is vital; overcrowding the pan will steam your potatoes instead of browning them. Ensure the fats are shimmering and fully melted before adding your first ingredients.
2. Initial Potato Cook (Covered): Add the peeled and uniformly cubed potatoes to the heated skillet. Toss them gently but thoroughly to ensure each potato cube is coated with the fragrant oil and butter mixture. Once coated, place a lid firmly on the pan. Allow the potatoes to cook, undisturbed and covered, for 10 minutes. This crucial initial step steams the potatoes, ensuring they become tender on the inside before we move on to crisping them up.
3. Add Vegetables and Achieve Golden Browning: After 10 minutes, remove the lid from the skillet. At this point, the potatoes should be partially cooked and tender. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the pan, distributing them evenly among the potatoes. Continue to cook for another 15 minutes, stirring the hash occasionally—about every 3-4 minutes. During this stage, the increased heat and uncovered cooking will allow the moisture to evaporate, encouraging the potatoes and vegetables to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust and a delicious crisp texture. Ensure you scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate them back into the hash and prevent sticking.
4. Infuse with Aromatics: Once your potatoes and vegetables have achieved that desired golden-brown hue and tenderness, it’s time to add the fresh aromatics. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and minced garlic. Continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. This brief cooking time is perfect for allowing the garlic to become fragrant without burning and for the parsley to release its fresh, herbaceous notes. The goal is to infuse the hash with these flavors without overcooking them.
5. Final Seasoning and Serving: With the aromatics perfectly integrated, season your hash generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed; don’t be afraid to add more if it needs it. Give it one final, gentle stir to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed. Finally, sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the hot hash. The residual heat will gently melt the cheese, creating a wonderfully savory and slightly gooey finish. Serve immediately and savor every delicious bite!

Tips for the Crispiest, Most Flavorful Hash

Achieving restaurant-quality hash at home is simple with these expert tips:

• Avoid Overcrowding: This is perhaps the golden rule for crispy hash. If your skillet is too full, the potatoes will steam rather than brown. If you’re cooking a large batch, it’s always better to cook it in two separate batches to ensure ample space for browning.
• Uniform Cubes are Key: Consistency in potato size is crucial for even cooking. Aim for ½-inch cubes so they all cook through at the same rate and crisp up beautifully together.
• Consider a Pre-Soak (Optional): For an extra crispy result, some chefs recommend soaking the cubed potatoes in cold water for about 30 minutes before cooking. This helps remove excess surface starch, which can inhibit browning. After soaking, drain them thoroughly and pat them completely dry with paper towels before adding them to the hot pan.
• Choose the Right Skillet: A large, heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet is your best friend here. A good nonstick surface prevents sticking and makes flipping and stirring effortless, contributing to even browning.
• Master the Heat Control: Pay close attention to your stovetop’s heat. If the hash is browning too quickly on the outside but isn’t tender inside, reduce the heat slightly. If it’s cooking but not crisping, increase the heat a notch. Consistent medium-high heat is generally ideal once the lid is off.

Delicious Variations & Serving Suggestions

This potato hash recipe is wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to tailor to your preferences or whatever you have on hand. Get creative and make it your own!

Customization Ideas:

• Add Protein: For a more robust meal, incorporate cooked and crumbled bacon, diced ham, breakfast sausage, or even leftover shredded chicken or turkey. Add these during the last 5-7 minutes of cooking to warm them through and meld flavors.
• Extra Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and flavor by adding sliced mushrooms, diced zucchini, corn kernels, or a handful of fresh spinach. Add heartier vegetables with the bell peppers and onions, while delicate greens like spinach should be stirred in during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking until just wilted.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can add a welcome kick. For an earthy, smoky depth, try adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika along with the garlic.
• Different Cheeses: While Parmesan is delightful, feel free to experiment with other shredded cheeses like sharp cheddar, creamy Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack for a different flavor profile and a gooey finish.
• Alternative Herbs & Spices: Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs can be added to the pan during the potato browning phase for an earthy, fragrant aroma. A sprinkle of onion powder or garlic powder can also enhance the savory notes.

Perfect Pairings:

While this hash is delicious on its own, it truly shines when paired with other breakfast classics, elevating your entire meal:

• Eggs, Any Style: The ultimate companion! A runny fried egg, a perfectly poached egg, or a fluffy scramble makes an ideal topping. The rich yolk mixing with the crispy potatoes is a match made in breakfast heaven.
• Creamy Avocado: Sliced or mashed avocado adds a beautiful creamy texture, healthy fats, and a fresh contrast to the savory hash.
• Zesty Hot Sauce: For those who love a bit of a fiery kick, a liberal drizzle of your favorite hot sauce is an absolute must.
• Cooling Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt can add a wonderful cooling tang that contrasts beautifully with the savory, rich flavors of the hash.
• Bright Fresh Salsa: A spoonful of vibrant, zesty fresh salsa (pico de gallo) can cut through the richness of the potatoes, adding a burst of fresh flavor.
• Warm Toast or Biscuits: Perfect for soaking up any delicious remnants or serving alongside as an additional carb.
• A Side of Fresh Fruit: Balance out the heartiness of the hash with a refreshing bowl of seasonal berries, melon, or sliced oranges.
• Your Favorite Morning Beverage: Complete your breakfast spread with a steaming cup of coffee, a glass of fresh orange juice, or a soothing cup of tea.

This Potato Hash with Bell Peppers and Onions isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s the kind of dish that brings warmth and joy to your kitchen, filling your home with incredible aromas and your plate with comforting flavors. So, the next time you have a lazy morning ahead, gather your ingredients, fire up your skillet, and treat yourself to this sensational hash. You deserve it!