Hash Browns Vs. Home Fries: What’s The Difference?

A tale of two potatoes.

"Home fries or hash browns, hon?"

If you've ever ordered breakfast at a diner, you've probably been asked this question, perhaps by a harried waitress. And you probably paused before responding. What is the difference between home fries vs. hash browns, anyway? Aren't they both breakfast potatoes? Well, yes. And no. They’re both made from potatoes, but when it comes to hash browns vs. home fries, these two dishes have their own unique flavors and textures. Read on to see what sets them apart from one another and how to prepare them.

What Are Home Fries?

Home fries are cubed or diced potatoes that are cooked in a skillet until they are brown and crisp on the outside and meltingly tender inside—perfect for mopping up runny egg yolks or extra gravy from a plate of biscuits. If you're a fan of steak fries, you're probably a fan of home fries.

A combination of diced potatoes, chopped meats, and vegetables can also be referred to as a hash, like in our Potato-Bacon Hash recipe.

How To Cook Home Fries

The potatoes are usually well-seasoned and pan-fried with thinly sliced onions, which caramelize as they cook, adding sweet and savory notes. Chopped bell peppers or chile peppers are another common addition to home fries.

If you're making home fries from scratch, use a cast-iron pan and a combination of butter and olive oil for the most flavor and better browning. Some recipes call for parboiling the potatoes, or boiling them in water for just a couple of minutes, before frying. This allows the interior of your home fries to become softer and creamier.

What Are Hash Browns?

Hash browns, on the other hand, are all about texture. Potatoes (usually russet potatoes) are thinly shredded, then fried in oil until they are golden and crisp with frizzled edges. You can shred the potatoes by hand with a food processor or grater or buy them pre-shredded and frozen.

The potato shreds are fried in a hot skillet on both sides, like a pancake, so that the entire exterior is wonderfully crispy. Or you can get creative and use them to make the crust of a quiche. If your ideal French fry is skinny and crunchy, with no fluffy interior to speak of, hash browns are probably your breakfast potato of choice.

How To Cook Hash Browns

Shredding potatoes produces a lot of liquid. Whether you use pre-shredded potatoes or shred them yourself, be sure to squeeze out as much moisture from the potatoes as possible. That starchy liquid will prevent the hash browns from browning nicely as they cook.

Hash browns can be seasoned simply with salt and pepper or with added spices like cayenne pepper and onion powder. Get a thin layer of oil shimmering in a skillet, spread the hash browns in a thin layer, wait until the bottom side has turned golden brown, then flip.

How To Get Tasty Results

There are a few tricks for getting perfect results with any breakfast potato. For home fries, steam them first to ensure a crisp exterior and soft interior. Our Breakfast Potatoes recipe calls for steaming them in the microwave for busy mornings when time is of the essence. Thanks to steaming, they can also be prepared the night before and ready for frying in the morning.

For hash browns, peel each potato as you use it to prevent browning. Shred the potatoes with a food processor or by hand using the largest holes of a box grater. Put the shreds in a bowl of cold water to prevent browning while you shred the remaining potatoes. Before frying, be sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the water soak.

How To Elevate Simple Breakfast Potatoes

Delightful on their own, home fries are equally delicious in your favorite breakfast dishes and casseroles. Use them in Freezer Breakfast Burritos or as a main ingredient in Cheesy Sausage, Egg, and Hash Brown Casserole. They make a hearty one-pan breakfast in Leftover Turkey Hash.

Hash browns are tasty enough that there’s no reason to go beyond simple hash brown patties. But they’re so good, why not use them in other ways? Swap out bread with hash browns, and you’ll never look at breakfast the same way again. The Cowboy Hash Brown Breakfast Sandwich layers bacon, egg, and cheese between two hash brown patties. Add hash browns to your favorite frittata or our Mini Hash Brown Frittatas for a delicious crust. Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake can be made in individual ramekins or a 13x9 casserole for the ultimate comfort dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are they called home fries?

While the origin is unclear, home fries were probably named to distinguish them from French fries. According to Merriam-Webster, the term was first used in 1951. Hash browns were first offered on menus around New York City in the 1890s.

Are home fries Southern?

Home fries are a breakfast staple in the South, often eaten alongside a plate of eggs and bacon. They can serve as the main dish or a side dish. Other regions have variations of home fries with names like fried potatoes or bistro potatoes.

What is the difference between hash browns and Southern hash browns?

Hash browns are shredded potatoes that are fried until crispy and brown with no soft interior. Southern-style hash browns are diced potatoes that are fried until the exterior is crisp and the interior is soft, essentially home fries.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.