By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 6
424 cal · 30 min
German Potatoes
Recipe GLPR67a58db378570d
Crispy, golden sliced potatoes sautéed with caramelized onions in rendered shortening—a classic German side dish with deep, savory flavors. Simple ingredients combine to create a rustic comfort food that pairs beautifully with hearty mains.
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Ingredients
4 pounds potatoes, peeled
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup diced onion
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the peeled potatoes and simmer until just tender enough to pierce easily with a fork, about 12–15 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them. Drain well and let cool until comfortable to handle.
Once cooled, slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
Heat the vegetable shortening in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until softened and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes.
Add the sliced potatoes to the skillet, stirring gently to coat in the hot fat. Cook undisturbed at intervals to allow the potatoes to develop a golden-brown crust, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes total.
Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Comments
This is a straightforward, budget-friendly side dish that checks every practical box for a Charlotte weeknight. Potatoes, onion, and shortening are pantry staples at every major chain—Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Kroger, Walmart, ALDI—with no special trips needed, and the cost per serving lands under $0.50 when you factor in bulk potato prices. The 30-minute timing is honest for diced potatoes and a quick sauté; reheats well the next day in a skillet or microwave. The only minor drawback is that vegetable shortening is less common in modern kitchens than butter or oil, which might mean a brief shelf hunt, but it's standard stock everywhere and adds authentic richness that vegetable oil cannot replicate.
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