Spud lovers everywhere know that with the right seasoning, the humble potato deserves star status — even when it’s technically considered a side dish.
Consider the sheer possibilities for potato recipes: roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, potato wedges, French fried potatoes and more. Multiply those by the types of potato you can use, such as russet potatoes, yellow potatoes, baby red potatoes and sweet potatoes, and it can feel like a totally tubular challenge to choose just one.
To help you narrow down your options, we’ve assembled a list of some of our favorite potato side dishes. Whether seasoned with garlic and mashed, coated with barbecue spices and roasted or air-fried to a crisp, the following nine potato recipes are ones that never miss.
GARLIC ROASTED POTATOES
Tossed with a sea of herbs and spices—including oregano, paprika, thyme, garlic powder and sea salt—these tender-crisp roasted potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. As a dinner side dish, they pair perfectly with roast chicken, steak or even fish. And if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they make a savory breakfast accompaniment.
CHEESY SCALLOPED POTATOES
Dig into layers and layers of cheesy, spudly goodness with these scalloped potatoes. Made with two-and-a-half pounds of russet potatoes, this cheddar-studded potato dish is enough to serve a crowd. It’s seasoned with McCormick® Whole Thyme Leaves and garlic powder—along with salt and pepper — so the flavor is creamy as well as bright.
SLOW COOKER SCALLOPED POTATOES
With a little planning — and a slow cooker — busy moms and dads can proudly serve scalloped potatoes even on hectic weeknights. It takes just 15 minutes of morning prep for these creamy au gratin potatoes, which start on the stove and then transfer to the slow cooker for six hours. Made with McCormick Original Country Gravy Mix, parsley and cheddar cheese, these potatoes could be a meal, all on their own.
GARLIC MASHED POTATOES
If you’re bored with plain old mashed potatoes, this Garlic Mashed Potato recipe ratchets up the classic dish with the addition of McCormick Garlic Powder, McCormick Ground White Pepper and the secret crowd-pleasing ingredient: sharp cheddar cheese. While the recipe calls for russet potatoes, which are known for their light, fluffy texture when mashed, try experimenting with yellow potatoes for more of a rich and creamy mouth feel.
CAJUN ROASTED POTATO WEDGES
Tossed with olive oil, McCormick PERFECT PINCH Cajun Seasoning and salt, these robust, baked potato wedges may make you question the need to ever fry potatoes again! The Cajun seasoning has flavors of onion, garlic paprika, red pepper and thyme, adding a little intrigue to every bite.
GERMAN POTATO SALAD
Salty, tart and loaded with bacon and red potatoes, German potato salad always makes a flavorful addition to barbecues and potlucks. This recipe brings together a symphony of spices and seasonings — including McCormick Perfect Pinch Gluten Free Salad Supreme Seasoning — to make a satisfying potato salad, served warm.
BUFFALO-STYLE AIR FRYER FRENCH FRIES
This popular potato recipe brings together three things people love: French fries, Buffalo seasoning and an air fryer. Even better, you can make this potato recipe in basically three steps: 1. Season a bag of frozen fries with oil and McCormick Air Fryer Buffalo Seasoning Mix. 2. Air fry ‘til crispy. 3. Serve with a side of ranch. (Consult the original recipe for greater detail). Share these tangy taters next game day, or enjoy them yourself, any time.
