Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (2024)

  • Vegetable Sides
  • Vegetarian Sides
  • Roasted Vegetables
  • New Potatoes
  • Thanksgiving Side Dishes

A riff on salt-crusted Colombian potatoes with buttery, herb-flecked crusts.

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated September 27, 2023

Trending Videos

Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Simmering in heavily salted water dries out the exteriors of the potatoes and thins the skins.
  • Tossing with butter infused with herbs and alliums before roasting gives these potatoes deep herb flavor and crisp, buttery crusts.

I first encountered salt-crusted Colombian potatoes while having lunch with my wife’s uncle in Bogotá. Tiny new potatoes bursting with buttery flavor under a crisp, salty, crystallized crust. Their appearance was mesmerizing and their flavor intoxicating. I'm a salt fiend (and you've gotta be to enjoy a dish like this), but I'd never tasted anything quite like this before.

Back in the States, I’ve recreated these Colombian-style salt-crusted new potatoes a number of times. Here are the basics:

First, get your hands on some new potatoes. Next, put the potatoes in a pot, cover them with cold water, then add salt. And I'm talking a lot of salt—I use about a half cup for a batch of potatoes.
Once the salt is in, bring the water to a boil and let the potatoes cook steadily, giving them a stir every once in a while, until the pan runs completely dry. Once all that liquid is gone, let the potatoes rest for a few minutes. As they cool, you'll begin to see a hardened crystallized crust form on them.
Potatoes cooked in heavily salted water lose a good 15% of their initial weight. This is presumably due to osmosis, the tendency of a solvent (in this case the potatoes' internal moisture) to travel across a membrane from an area of lower solute concentration (inside the potato) to an area of higher solute concentration (outside the potato).

Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (3)

The result is a potato that has a more intense potato flavor and denser, creamier texture (as opposed to the fluffier texture of plain boiled potatoes). The skin of salt-boiled potatoes also ends up thinner and more delicate. Even if you plan on rinsing off all the salt, I'd still suggest boiling potatoes using this method if more intense flavor is your goal.

Oven-bound

I wondered what would happen if I subsequently roasted these delicate-skinned, wrinkly spuds. I tossed them with a bit of butter, threw them into a cast iron skillet, then parked them in a 400°F (200°C) oven, tossing them every once in a while until they developed a golden appearance.

Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (4)

The result was the crispest whole-roasted new potatoes I'd ever tasted, with intensely potato-y centers.

I happened to have some extra herb butter lying around from testing out my Herb Butter-Roasted Spatchco*ck Turkey. It was flavored with sage, parsley, thyme, shallots, garlic, and chives—all flavors that would go pretty darn well with potatoes. It doesn't take a huge mental leap to see where this is going, does it?

I melted the herb butter in a little saucepan, tossed my salt-boiled and rinsed potatoes in it, then placed them on a rimmed baking sheet to roast.

Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (5)

I tossed them with more herb butter just as they came out of the oven to double up on that fresh herb flavor.

Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (6)

For years now, my Ultra-Crispy Roast Potatoes have been a staple on my fall and winter table, but they just may have found a competitor for that coveted spot on the Thanksgiving spread.

November 2014

Recipe Details

Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes

Active20 mins

Total90 mins

Serves8to 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds new potatoes, scrubbed and rinsed

  • 1/2 cup kosher salt

  • 2 medium cloves garlic

  • 2 tablespoons roughly choppedchives

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves

  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

  • 1 small shallot, thinly sliced

  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Add salt and stir to dissolve. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a low boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has completely evaporated and potatoes are covered in a film of salt, about 45 minutes. Drain and rinse potatoes of excess salt.

    Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (7)

  2. While potatoes simmer, combine garlic, chives, parsley, sage, thyme, and shallot in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse, scraping down sides as necessary, until finely chopped and no large pieces remain. Scatter butter chunks on top. Pulse until hom*ogeneous paste is formed. Season generously with salt and pepper and pulse to combine. Potatoes and herb butter can be made ahead to this stage for up to 5 days before continuing.

    Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (8)

  3. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet or broiler pan with aluminum foil. (If potatoes do not all fit on one rack, use 2 baking sheets, rotating top to bottom halfway through cooking.) Heat herb butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted. Toss potatoes and half of melted herb butter in a large bowl to coat. Transfer to baking sheet and roast, shaking pan occasionally, until crisp all over, about 20 minutes. Re-melt remaining herb butter. Transfer potatoes to a large bowl and toss with remaining herb butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper (you probably won't need any extra salt). Serve.

    Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (9)

Special Equipment

Food processor and rimmed backing sheet

Read More

Colombian-Style Salt-Crusted New Potatoes

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
215Calories
5g Fat
40g Carbs
5g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8to 10
Amount per serving
Calories215
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g6%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 12mg4%
Sodium 718mg31%
Total Carbohydrate 40g14%
Dietary Fiber 4g15%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 20mg99%
Calcium 36mg3%
Iron 2mg12%
Potassium 1001mg21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Extra-Crispy Herb-Roasted New Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do I keep my roast potatoes crispy? ›

Keep potatoes crisp in a warm oven if you're serving them in 1-2 hours. If there is a slight wait before everyone eats, don't cover the crispy potatoes—this traps steam which will make the potatoes soggy. Just keep them in the oven, but turn the temperature to the lowest setting.

Should I use olive oil or vegetable oil for roasted potatoes? ›

Roast potatoes verdict

Vegetable oil is the ideal choice for those who like a subtle, or blander flavour from their roast potatoes, because it cooks best at a medium heat and so the potatoes won't take on too much flavour from the oil. This also means the potatoes won't overpower other dishes.

What herbs are good on potatoes? ›

We suggest parsley, rosemary, and thyme as a classic and simple way to season the potatoes, but really, any herbs or spices are welcome here. Try hot smoked paprika and turmeric for spicy, herbal potatoes or za'atar and cumin for floral, smoky potatoes.

Why can't i get my roast potatoes crispy? ›

Here's a few ideas you could try:
  • make sure they're completely dry.
  • use more oil.
  • open the oven door so that the moisture leaves the oven.
  • use more heat, sometimes it's necessary (you could read it up in your oven's manual)
  • use potatoes that have less flour / starch. Use waxy potato types such as anya or russett.
Mar 11, 2021

What makes potatoes crunchy? ›

Parboiling the potatoes in alkaline water breaks down their surfaces, creating tons of starchy slurry for added surface area and crunch. Offering you the choice of oil, duck fat, goose fat, or beef fat means you can get whichever flavor you want.

Why won't my potatoes get crispy in oil? ›

A: This sure sounds a lot like potatoes that have been stored too long, in too cold of an environment before cooking. When potatoes are held below 41°F for too long a period, the starches convert to sugar and it changes the cooking chemistry.

What is the best oil to roast potatoes in? ›

Neutral, low-cost oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, corn oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, etc., work well for roasting. These oils have a high smoke point, allowing the potatoes to get very hot to achieve maximum crispiness.

Can you put too much oil in roast potatoes? ›

Also, be mindful of the oil. Potatoes can react like sponges; too much oil can make your potatoes appear to be soggy. Try placing oil in a spray bottle or using an aerosol to apply the oil to the potatoes. Lastly, ensure that the potatoes are dry before you add the oil.

What is the best fat to use for roast potatoes? ›

I've always used vegetable oil/rapeseed oil to get the best results. You can also use dripping from the turkey or beef you've been roasting too which adds even more flavour. But in reality, any oil works fine! Goose fat is basically the ideal fat here, but obviously it's not then vegan if you want it to be.

What is the most flavorful potato? ›

Potato 'Arran Pilot' - First Early

This traditional, first early variety produces white tubers with firm, waxy flesh. Renowned for its deliciously earthy flavour, Potato 'Arran Pilot' should be cooked straight from the ground to be enjoyed at its best. Eat hot or cold as a new potato or as a fabulous salad variety.

What organ is potatoes good for? ›

Potatoes are abundant in potassium, says the National Institutes of Health, a mineral that supports your nerves, muscles, kidneys and heart.

Do you put seasoning before or after cooking potatoes? ›

It is best to season the potatoes before or during cooking, rather than after they have finished cooking. When you season the potatoes before or during cooking, the salt and other spices can penetrate the potatoes and enhance their flavor throughout. This can help to create a more even flavor throughout the potatoes.

Should I dry potatoes before roasting? ›

To have a truly marvellous roast potato, one must simply let the potato dry completely after parboiling, before roasting in extremely hot fat. If you have two ovens you can cook them separately to your roast at a different temperature.

Should you boil potatoes before roasting? ›

You don't NEED to, though if you want nice crispy potatoes with fluffy insides, par-boil cut potatoes for ten mins or so, drain in a colander and then shake well to break up the surface. Put into very hot oil and roast until cooked.

Why put flour on roast potatoes? ›

Roast for 1hr until golden and crisp, and don't forget to turn them occasionally to ensure they cook evenly. Here's a few tricks to try to make them even more delicious. Sprinkle your parboiled potatoes with flour. This gives potatoes extra crunch.

How do you keep roast potatoes from getting mushy? ›

Try placing oil in a spray bottle or using an aerosol to apply the oil to the potatoes. Lastly, ensure that the potatoes are dry before you add the oil. Excess moisture will increase the cooking time of potatoes and may result in soggy spuds.

Why are my roasted potatoes not getting soft? ›

To ensure that your potatoes become soft and tender, consider using the right type of potatoes, ensuring even and appropriately sized cuts, providing sufficient liquid, and avoiding overly long cooking times.

Why put potatoes in cold water before roasting? ›

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

Why does soaking potatoes in water make them crispy? ›

Soaking the sliced potatoes in water helps to draw out some of the starch from the middle of the potato, resulting in a sturdier, crispier French fry.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ms. Lucile Johns

Last Updated:

Views: 6237

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ms. Lucile Johns

Birthday: 1999-11-16

Address: Suite 237 56046 Walsh Coves, West Enid, VT 46557

Phone: +59115435987187

Job: Education Supervisor

Hobby: Genealogy, Stone skipping, Skydiving, Nordic skating, Couponing, Coloring, Gardening

Introduction: My name is Ms. Lucile Johns, I am a successful, friendly, friendly, homely, adventurous, handsome, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.