Crispy Cheesy Hash Browns with Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

• 8 russet potatoes (8–9 medium potatoes, peeled)
• 5 tbsp cornstarch
• 4 oz cheddar cheese (shredded)
• salt (to taste; also used to salt the boiling water)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1.5 tsp garlic powder
• oil (for frying; about 1 inch in the skillet)
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise (for the sauce)
• 2 tbsp ketchup (for the sauce)
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (for the sauce)
• salt (to taste, for the sauce)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (for the sauce)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (for the sauce)
• 0.25 tsp smoked paprika powder (for the sauce)
• 1 tsp lemon juice (Pickle juice may be used instead)

Steps

1. 1

   Peel the potatoes.

2. 2

   Place the peeled potatoes in a pot of salted water and boil for about 8 minutes, just until they are partially cooked. The centers should remain firm.

3. 3

   Drain the potatoes very well, then let them cool until they are easy to handle.

4. 4

   Grate the cooled potatoes using the large holes of a box grater.

5. 5

   Spread the grated potatoes out for a few minutes so excess steam can escape. If they feel particularly wet, gently squeeze out the excess moisture.

6. 6

   Add the grated potatoes, cornstarch, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to a bowl. Gently mix until evenly combined.

7. 7

   Take a portion of the potato mixture and firmly press it into a thick rectangle or oval. Repeat with the remaining mixture.

8. 8

   Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat until it reaches 360°F.

9. 9

   Carefully add the shaped hash browns to the hot oil and fry for about 3–4 minutes per side, until deeply golden and crispy.

10. 10

    Transfer the fried hash browns to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate and let the excess oil drain.

11. 11

    For the sauce, mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, smoked paprika, and lemon juice—or pickle juice—until smooth and creamy.

12. 12

    Serve the hash browns hot and crispy with the dipping sauce.

Notes

The source does not specify the number or exact size of hash browns produced. Oil absorption and nutrition will vary depending on the amount of oil used and absorbed during frying.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• side dish
• vegetarian
• gluten-free
• fried
• crispy
• cheesy
• American comfort food