Smothered Potatoes with Onions and Peppers
Smothered potatoes with onions and peppers are generously seasoned and sauteed on the stovetop until fork-tender. Enjoy this quick and easy Southern side dish with a hearty main dish for a satisfying meal.
Looking for more potato side dishes? Then try my Roasted Cheesy Ranch Potatoes, The Best Candied Sweet Potatoes, and Smothered Green Beans and Potatoes next.
Just when you thought you knew all the potato recipes, here comes smothered potatoes! Create this delightful comfort food by caramelizing onions and using fresh peppers. The potatoes are a mouthwatering mesh of soft potatoes infused with savory, peppery flavor.
Why you will love Smothered Potatoes:
Quick & Easy! This easy recipe comes together in just 30 minutes.
Versatile! These potatoes taste great with a variety of main courses and you can even add more veggies or protein to make it a skillet meal.
Super Affordable! At any given time, I have each of the simple ingredients needed to make this delicious side dish.
What are Smothered Potatoes?
Smothered potatoes are sliced and sauteed potatoes, usually cooked with onions, bell peppers, and a small amount of liquid to steam and tenderize them. It’s a Southern side dish that pairs well with a variety of dishes.
The Best Potatoes for Smothered Potatoes
Make smothered potatoes using your favorite potatoes. I chose russet potatoes but red potatoes, baby potatoes, or Yukon gold potatoes are excellent options too. You can even use a mix if you prefer.
Ingredients for Smothered Potatoes Recipe
To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Russet potatoes: There’s no need to peel them. Slice them into ¼-inch slices.
- Olive oil: Use this to saute the onions, peppers, and potatoes.
- Bell pepper: Thinly slice peppers. You can use a red, yellow, or green bell pepper; whichever you prefer.
- Onion: Thinly slice the onions so they cook faster and at the same rate as the peppers. Use yellow onions or white onions.
- Seasoning: Season the potatoes and veggies with seasoned salt (more or less to taste), garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Water: This adds moisture to make the potatoes even more tender.
How to Make Smothered Onions
Thoroughly clean the potatoes with water until there is no more debris or dirt on them. Then cut them into thin slices, about ¼ inch thick.
Add the potatoes to a large bowl and season them with the seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Then mix the potatoes with the seasoning until everything is fully coated.
Add olive oil to a shallow, large skillet and heat oil over medium heat. Now add in your sliced bell peppers and onions and allow them to saute for 2-3 minutes, turning them every minute to ensure they don’t burn.
Once the onions and peppers are softened, add your seasoned potatoes directly into the skillet and mix them in with peppers and onions.
Now add your water to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and allow the potatoes to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed and the potatoes are softened.
Add salt and pepper as needed. Serve right away, and enjoy!
Tips
- Slice the potatoes evenly. Use a mandoline slicer so they’re uniform. It’s also quicker to slice.
- Gently handle the potatoes when flipping. They’re thin so they’re prone to breaking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat them in the skillet or microwave until warmed through. You can also toss them in the air fryer to crisp them up and enjoy with breakfast.
Variations for Smothered Potatoes
- Meat: Pair smothered potatoes and smoked sausage, steak, or ground beef.
- Seasoning: Add cajun or creole seasoning for a Louisiana kick of flavor.
- Veggies: Add green beans, broccoli, mushrooms, or cabbage for extra nutrients.
- Potatoes: This recipe works with sweet potatoes as a substitute but it will take additional cooking time.
- Oven Baked: Place smothered potatoes with onions and bell peppers in the oven for a hands-off recipe. Use a cast iron skillet for an easy transfer from the stove to the oven.
- Liquid: Some recipes use chicken stock/chicken broth and butter instead of water and olive oil.
- Toppings: Add shredded green onions, cheddar cheese, or gravy to make them even more satisfying.
FAQ
More delicious side dishes you’ll love
- Skillet Fried Potatoes with Smoked Sausage
- Garlic and Herb Mashed Red Potatoes
- Delicious Steakhouse Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 Russet potatoes sliced into ¼ inch slices
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 green Bell pepper thinly sliced
- ½ large Onion thinly sliced
- 1 ½ tablespoon Seasoned salt more or less to taste
- 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ cup Water
Instructions
- Thoroughly clean your potatoes with water until there is no more debris or dirt on them. Cut the potatoes into thin slices, about ¼ inch thick slices.
- Add your potatoes to a large bowl and season them with the seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix the potatoes with the seasoning until everything is fully coated.
- Add your olive oil to a large shallow skillet and heat it up over medium. Now add in your sliced bell peppers and onions and allow them to saute for 2-3 minutes, turning them every minute to ensure they don’t burn.
- Once the onions and peppers are softened, add your seasoned potatoes directly into the skillet and mix them in with peppers and onions.
- Now add your water to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and allow the potatoes to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed and the potatoes are softened.
- Add salt and pepper as needed. Serve right away, and enjoy!
