These loaded hash browns take an everyday breakfast staple to the next level. Simple fried potatoes get topped with all your favorite fixings, including bacon, cheese, and sour cream, to create a breakfast worth craving.
A plain baked potato isn't all that interesting until it gets topped with all the fixings. Then it becomes something worth getting excited about. I feel the same way about hash browns. A plate of shredded fried potatoes is fine, but it pales in comparison to one topped with shredded cheese, chopped bacon, scallions, and sour cream. Go on, give it a try.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's a hearty and satisfying cast iron breakfast that comes together in one skillet or griddle.
- It requires only 5 ingredients and less than 20 minutes of effort.
- You can scale it to feed as many or as few people as you want.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Shredded hash browns--Frozen, pre-shredded hash browns are perfect for this loaded hash browns recipe, however, if you're camping and don't have access to a freezer, you can make them with shredded fresh potatoes. If you use fresh potatoes, I recommend squeezing them through a sieve or paper towel before cooking to remove some excess water.
- Bacon--You can use any type of bacon for this recipe, however, I find that thick cut bacon is easier to cook on an outdoor griddle. The thin stuff sometimes sticks. If you've got extra bacon, chop it up and use it to make another indulgent breakfast, like this breakfast poutine.
- Cheddar--Use full-fat Cheddar cheese for best results, and always grate it yourself. The pre-shredded stuff doesn't melt well.
Important Steps
- Cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Set aside.
- Add the shredded potatoes to the bacon fat and season with salt and pepper. Fry until browned and cooked through.
- Chop the bacon. Stir it into the cooked hash browns.
- Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook until melted. Serve, topped with scallions and sour cream.
FAQs
This is a meal unto itself and doesn't really need anything extra, but if you want a full breakfast, feel free to make some griddle scrambled eggs or fried eggs to go alongside.
Using a large outdoor griddle allows you to easily scale the recipe, however, serving becomes a little more tricky. You can get everyone to line up and take a scoop directly from the griddle, but I find it simplest to use a large spatula to carefully transfer the hash browns from the griddle to a serving platter in batches.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- If you've got an excessive amount of bacon fat in your skillet or griddle, remove some before adding the hash browns. You only need 1 to 2 tablespoons of fat.
- The cheese will melt easiest if it's covered. If using an outdoor griddle, cover it with the lid while the cheese is melting; if using a skillet, place a piece of foil over the skillet for the final few moments of cooking.
- Like your food spicy? Try adding a drizzle of hot sauce!
- This recipe is suitable for gluten-free diets.
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Recipe
Loaded Hash Browns
Equipment
- Griddle or cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon
- 3 cups frozen shredded hash browns
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 scallions thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
Instructions
- On a griddle or in a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 12 minutes. Set aside.
- Carefully add the hash browns to the bacon fat and cook until tender and beginning to crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- While the hash browns are cooking chop the bacon into small pieces. Stir it into the cooked hash browns.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the top and cover the griddle or skillet to let it melt, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Top with scallions and sour cream and serve immediately.
Notes
- Drain some fat--If you've got an excessive amount of bacon fat in your skillet or griddle, remove some before adding the hash browns. You only need 1 to 2 tablespoons of fat.
- Covering your skillet--The cheese will melt easiest if it's covered. If using an outdoor griddle, cover it with the lid while the cheese is melting; if using a skillet, place a piece of foil over the skillet for the final few moments of cooking.
- Spice it up--Like your food spicy? Try adding a drizzle of hot sauce!
- Dietary--This recipe is suitable for gluten-free diets.
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