Discover the Lyonnaise potatoes recipe, a delightful dish with fried potatoes, caramelized onions and aromatic spices. Dare to experience the authentic taste of French cuisine and prepare these Lyonnaise style potatoes to bring a little bit of France into your own kitchen!
I chose to prepare this easy Lyonnaise potatoes recipe because it always fascinates me how simple flavors can create such a delicious dish. It is a classic and comforting recipe, perfect to complete any meal or to be served as a main dish.
If you like this combination of potatoes, onions and butter, you will definitely appreciate other potato dishes such as:
The history of Lyonnaise potatoes
Lyonnaise potatoes are a classic dish from French cuisine, known for their rich taste and delicious aromas. This classic lyonnaise potatoes recipe has become an iconic element in French gastronomy and has deep roots in the culinary history of the Lyon region.
The origin of these potatoes a la lyonnaise can be traced back to the 19th century, during the Belle Epoque, in the city of Lyon, located in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. Lyon is famous for its rich culinary tradition and authentic cuisine, and Lyonnaise potatoes are part of this culinary heritage.
Basically, Lyonnaise potatoes are a combination of fried potatoes and onions caramelized in butter, often topped with aromatic herbs and spices. The recipe was created to capitalize on the local ingredients available in the area – potatoes were abundant in the region and onions were a staple in the local cuisine.
Lyonnaise potatoes quickly gained popularity due to their irresistible flavor and crunchy, creamy texture. The way the onions caramelize in the butter adds a sweet and rich taste that contrasts nicely with the fried potatoes. This dish has become an integral part of restaurant menus and home kitchens in Lyon.
Over the years, Lyonnaise-style potatoes have spread the reputation of French cuisine throughout the world and have become a classic recipe of French gastronomy. Today, these potatoes remain a beloved and appreciated dish, both in France and in the rest of the world, for their savory taste and distinct aroma.
Lyonnaise potatoes ingredients
If you want to know what are Lyonnaise potatoes, or “Pommes Lyonnaise” in French, made of, here is the ingredients list for the authentic recipe.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are the main ingredient in this traditional lyonnaise potatoes recipe. This gives the necessary texture and substance to the preparation. You can choose types of potatoes that are suitable for frying, such as red or thin-skinned potatoes. Cut them into thin slices to allow for even cooking.
- Butter and Olive Oil: Both fats add a rich taste and an additional level of flavor to the potatoes. The butter gives it a touch of creaminess, and the olive oil adds a light and subtle aroma. You can use a combination of these two fats to get the best taste balance.
- Onions: Onions add sweetness and flavor to Lyonnaise potatoes. Slice the onion thinly to allow the uniform caramelization. Caramelizing the onion is essential to get the characteristic taste of this recipe.
Tips:
What technique yields a beautifully browned Lyonnaise potato? Check out the tips below.
- Choose quality potatoes, which are suitable for frying and have a thin skin, so that they are tastier and cook evenly.
- Caramelize the onion patiently. This process can take between 20 and 45 minutes, but it is essential to obtain the sweet and rich taste of the recipe.
- Use a non-stick pan to avoid sticking and burning the potatoes. You can start frying with butter and olive oil, then add onions and potatoes.
- Do not caramelize on high heat. Caramelizing the onion and cooking the potatoes should be done on medium heat to avoid burns.
- Thin Slices: Start with thinly sliced potatoes. The thinner they are, the more surface area there is for browning. You can use a mandoline slicer for uniform slices.
- Even Slicing: Try to slice the potatoes as uniformly as possible to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Dry the Potatoes: After slicing, pat the potato slices dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Moisture on the surface of the potatoes can inhibit browning.
- Hot Pan: Preheat the pan over medium-high to high heat. You want the pan to be hot when you add the potatoes.
- Single Layer: Avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook the potato slices in a single layer, allowing them enough space to make direct contact with the hot surface of the pan.
- Don’t Stir Too Often: Let the potato slices cook undisturbed for a while to develop a crust. Stirring too often can prevent browning. Flip them over when one side is nicely browned.
Variations for the authentic Lyonnaise potato recipe
- Adding garlic: Some prefer to add garlic to the recipe for a more intense and aromatic taste. Garlic can be minced or thinly sliced and fried together with onions and potatoes.
- Herbes de Provence: For a twist of Mediterranean flavor, you can add a mixture of herbs from the Provence region of France. These herb combinations include rosemary, thyme, oregano and other aromatic herbs.
- Lyonnaise potatoes with bacon: For extra flavor, you can add bacon or diced bacon. This ingredient gives the dish a rich and crunchy taste. Try my recipe for crispy vegan bacon!
- Sweet potatoes: Instead of regular potatoes, you can use sweet potatoes for a sweeter and more colorful version of the recipe.
- Lyonnaise potatoes with cream or cheese: Some add grated cheese, such as Gruyere or Parmesan cheese, to obtain a creamier and more aromatic dish.
- Vegan Lyonnaise potatoes: If you want a vegan version of this recipe, you can replace the butter with olive oil or use my vegan butter recipe.
- Oven baked Lyonnaise potatoes: Baked Lyonnaise potatoes are a delicious and convenient way to enjoy this classic dish with less stovetop attention
What to serve with Lyonnaise potatoes?
- Meat: Lyonnaise potatoes are often served as a delicious side dish with various types of meat. You can try pairing them with a tender steak, lamb steak or grilled chicken. The rich taste and crunchy texture of the potatoes perfectly complement the salty flavors of the meat.
- Fish: If you prefer a lighter option, you can combine Lyonnaise potatoes with fish-based dishes, such as grilled salmon or cod fillet with lemon sauce. The contrast between the fried potatoes and the freshness of the fish will provide a wonderful taste experience.
- Vegetables: For a vegetarian version or to complete the dishes with vegetables, you can serve Lyonnaise potatoes with a fresh green salad or baked vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini or peppers. This combination offers a perfect balance between the taste of the potatoes and the freshness of the vegetables.
- Omelette: These French-style potatoes can become the main ingredient of a delicious omelette. Add beaten eggs over the fried potatoes and caramelized onions to create a juicy and aromatic omelette.
- Cheeses: For extra flavor, you can melt a little cheese on top of the Lyonnaise potatoes. Cheeses with rich flavors, such as Gruyère cheese or blue cheese, go well with the caramelized taste of onions and potatoes.
- Sauces: These French-style potatoes can be accompanied by delicious sauces, such as mushroom sauce, Béarnaise sauce or even a red wine sauce. These sauces perfectly complement the dish and add a touch of sophistication.
- Salads: For added freshness, serve the Lyonnaise potatoes with a green salad, such as a Caesar salad or a mixed salad with your favorite dressing. This will perfectly balance the rich taste of the potatoes.
How to make Lyonnaise potatoes – recipe
Lyonnaise Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 kg 2.2 lbs potatoes, peeled and thinly-sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions peeled and finely sliced
- ½ cup green onion chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large pan, place the sliced potatoes and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and let the potatoes simmer for 4 minutes, then drain them.
- In the same pan, heat a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add half of the pre-boiled potatoes and half of the sliced onions.
- Sauté until the potatoes become golden and slightly crispy, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the remaining potatoes, onions, butter, and oil.
- Continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes until the onions caramelize, and the potatoes turn a beautiful golden brown.
- To serve, garnish with chopped green onions and season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Nutrition
If you make this, please leave a review and rating if you liked this recipe! ★★★★★
ben
Friday 8th of March 2024
Great recipe!