Southern Stewed Potatoes
Southern Stewed Potatoes are one of those simple, comforting dishes that don’t need much to be delicious. Made with just four ingredients, every bite brings together the familiar flavors of potatoes, butter, salt, and pepper. They also make a wonderful side dish to serve alongside BBQ chicken or other hearty meals.
There are plenty of ways to prepare old-fashioned Southern stewed potatoes.
Some recipes use bacon grease or lard, while others add flour or cornstarch to the cooking water to create a thicker sauce. Different Southern regions have their own variations, but I prefer keeping things simple with butter, salt, and pepper.
The result is tender, buttery potatoes with plenty of flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Russet Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into roughly 1-inch cubes. They don’t need to be perfectly uniform.
Salt: About 1 teaspoon works well, but you can adjust the amount to your taste.
Pepper: Add as much pepper as you prefer.
Butter: Butter gives the potatoes a rich, comforting flavor, although some people prefer using bacon fat.
How to Make Stewed Potatoes
Cut: Peel the potatoes and cut them into approximately 1-inch pieces. Place them in a pot and add enough water to cover them.
Cook: Cook the potatoes uncovered over medium heat for about 20–25 minutes, or until they are tender and can easily be pierced with a fork.
Add: Turn off the heat and add the butter, salt, and pepper.
Mix: Gently mix everything together until the potatoes reach your preferred consistency. Be careful not to over-mix them.
How to Store
Transfer leftover potatoes to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
FAQ
How do you eat stewed potatoes?
Stewed potatoes are served as a side dish rather than as potato soup. Scoop the potatoes onto a plate with a slotted spoon so you don’t end up with too much of the cooking liquid.
Should I drain any of the water once the potatoes are done cooking?
When the potatoes are finished, the water level should be slightly below the potatoes. There is no need to drain it. As you mix in the butter, salt, and pepper, the cooking liquid will combine with the potatoes and create a thicker sauce.
Tips & Tricks
The amount you mix the potatoes will affect their final texture. The more you mix, the smaller and softer the potato pieces will become. Avoid over-mixing, or the potatoes can turn into something resembling potato soup.
For the best texture, mix gently and leave some chunky pieces of potato throughout the thick, buttery sauce.
