This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe

A breakfast just isn’t complete without a delicious side of golden hash browns! Never made them? Read this post for the easy how-to!

Hash browns are one of the best breakfast sides—similar to breakfast potatoes! Once you learn how to make your own, you can serve them with pancakes and eggs, or use them in casseroles and breakfast burritos.

hash browns on a plate with bacon and strawberries

Homemade Hash browns

Hash browns are a breakfast STAPLE at our house. We love them on the side of eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, toast, you name it! They are super simple to whip up and only take a few minutes to make.

If you’ve never tried making your own hash browns, you will be pleasantly surprised with how easy they are. The hardest part is probably peeling the skin off the potatoes, but we let the kids help with that.

These can be made in under 10 minutes. You can make them ahead of time, freeze them, and heat them up in a skillet whenever you’re craving a side of hash browns with your breakfast of choice. Say no to store-bought hash browns and go with homemade—SO much tastier, I promise!

process shots of peeling, shredding, and soaking potatoes for hash browns

How to Make Hash Browns

PEEL & RINSE. Start by peeling all of your potatoes. Rinse them off and shred them with a cheese grater—watch your fingers!

SOAK. Next, fill a big bowl of cold water. Place the potatoes in the water to help get rid of some of the starch. Drain the potatoes and then pat them dry with a paper towel to get rid of any extra moisture.

COOK. Heat up a skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and melt. Add the potatoes to the skillet in a single layer. Then let them cook until they are browned (about 5 minutes). Flip the potatoes and cook on the other side until browned.

SEASON. Season the hash browns with salt and pepper. If you want to add a little spice you can sprinkle in a bit of cayenne pepper and paprika. YUM right??

how to cook hash browns in a skillet

hash brown potatoes Tips + Tricks

Want to get the perfect not-at-all soggy hash browns? Here are some tips and tricks that you should remember!

  • Really rinse the potatoes in water to get rid of most of the starch. This will help to cook the hash browns evenly throughout.
  • Squeeze the potatoes with a paper towel after you have shred them. Get any excess water out of there!
  • Make sure to season with salt and pepper generously!

Freeze for later: You can’t freeze raw potatoes (otherwise they get really gross!), but by following these simple instructions you can make really great freezer hash browns to cook later, or use in other recipes.

Follow the recipe like usual, shredding and soaking your potatoes. After you drain your potatoes, blanch them in boiling water for about 3 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse in cold water (that way they don’t continue to cook), pat dry and then pack into freezer safe storage containers or bags.

When you’re ready to use them, you can cook them straight from the freezer, or use them in recipes like Slow Cooker Hash Brown Casserole, Breakfast Pie, or Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole!

homemade hash browns on a plate with bacon and strawberries

Serve homemade hash browns on the side of:

Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!
5 from 10 votes

Hash Brown Recipe

By: Lil' Luna
A breakfast just isn't complete without a delicious side of golden hash browns! Never made them? Read this post for the easy how-to!
Servings: 4
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 18 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 russet potatoes
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!

Instructions 

  • Peel potatoes, rinse and shred with a cheese grater. Get rid some of the starch by placing potatoes in a large bowl filled with cold water.
  • Drain potatoes and pat dry with paper towels, making sure to get out any excess moisture.
  • Add butter to your skillet and let melt on medium heat. Add potatoes to the dish in a layer and let cook until browned (about 5 minutes) and then flip and cook on the other side.
  • Season with salt and pepper. To add spice, add a bit of cayenne pepper and paprika.

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 81mg, Potassium: 444mg, Fiber: 1g, Vitamin A: 265IU, Vitamin C: 6.1mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you're creating in the kitchen!

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  1. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    Hash browns are always a pArt of our breakfast. It doesnt matter what it is. Always have potatoes on hand just for this dish.

  2. Misty says:

    5 stars
    One of my families FAVORITE side dishes for breakfast is this recipe! We love Hash browns!!

  3. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    I love almost any type of potato. These HASH BROWNS are so yummy!

  4. Joy says:

    5 stars
    This recipe makes It look super easy & fool proof! We love hash browns at our house! They are a quick, delicious breakfast side!

  5. Jessica Burgess says:

    5 stars
    I had been needing a hashbrown recipe that I loved for YEars and i finally found one! Thank you!

  6. Toni says:

    5 stars
    This is so good!! My kids enjoyed it! Delish!

  7. Aimee Shugarman says:

    5 stars
    Our favorite breakfast side dish.

  8. Melissa says:

    5 stars
    my family loves hash browns – great recipe, thank you!

  9. Katie says:

    5 stars
    As an idaho girl, I loved these! So good.

  10. Paige Cassandra Flamm says:

    These look fab! I know what we’re having Saturday morning 😉

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.com

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay!! Enjoy!!