Stewed Potatoes
Are you ready to try my easy Southern stewed potatoes recipe? With a butter coating, these tender and soft stewed potatoes never last long on my supper table.
I was tickled that so many people wanted to know how I made the potatoes that were pictured with last week’s meatloaf. Stewed potatoes are the ultimate old-time Southern comfort food and something I make fairly often for my family. They are so stinking easy to whip up and make a filling side dish to go with just about everything. I can also honestly say that there have never been any left, no matter how much I make. That’s right y’all, this one is a plate-licker.
The thing is, they are so easy that I found myself trying to come up with a more complicated recipe to bring you instead of mine because I was a little embarrassed at how simple this butter stewed potato recipe is. Don’t worry, I came to my senses. After all, the whole premise of Southern Plate is to bring you the recipes that folks in my family use every day. That’s the great thing about traditional Southern food: in its natural form, it is simple as can be and very inexpensive.
So here we go, my last-minute no-fuss side dish that everyone loves. All you need is potatoes, butter, salt, and water. Basically, all you need to do to make my easy stewed potatoes is to boil the potatoes and then stir in the butter before serving. That’s all there is to it. If you don’t already make stewed potatoes in your house I hope you’ll give these a try because until you taste them, you won’t believe something so easy could be so good.
Recipe Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Unsalted butter
- Salt
- Water
How to Make Stewed Potatoes
Fill a large pot about 1/2 to 3/4 full. You basically just want enough to cover your potatoes.
I salt my water a little bit and then put it on to boil while I get my potatoes ready.
Peel dem taters…
Some folks like to use vegetable peelers, but now I use my old trusty paring knife.
Then slice them into thick and chunky slices.
Place potatoes in the boiling water and cover them.
Bring to a boil.
You want to continue boiling the potato chunks until they are fork-tender (10 to 15 minutes or so).
Usually, I just stick a fork down into my water and see if it splits in half like this, then I know they are done.
Once they’re done, take the boiled potatoes off the heat, pour them into a colander, and drain well.
Now I just put them back into the pot and toss in a stick of butter or margarine.
Cut butter into little pats so it melts quicker.
Add a little more salt.
A good rule of thumb is to start with about half a teaspoon.
Let the butter melt and stir them up well.
Spoon them out to serve.
Season with extra salt and black pepper to taste and enjoy your old-fashioned stewed potatoes.
Okay, just one more close-up because I couldn’t resist! How delicious do they look?!
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can easily reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Recipe Notes
- For extra flavor, if you have any bacon drippings or bacon grease floating around, add a couple of tablespoons when you add the butter.
- Another way to add more flavor is through dried herbs and spices. When you stir in the , add a teaspoon of or .
Recipe FAQs
How many potatoes do you use?
I usually do one to two for each person, depending on the size of my potatoes. If they are small, I might do two or three per person. If you end up with leftovers (which I never do), these refrigerate and reheat well so if you’re in doubt, just make a few more. I promise they won’t go to waste!
What are the best potatoes to boil?
I recommend Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes, but any kind of white potatoes work.
What’s the difference between mashed potatoes and stewed potatoes?
The main difference is that you add cream or milk to your mashed potatoes or creamed potatoes, whereas all you add to your stewed potatoes is butter. You also don’t mash your stewed potatoes before serving (although if you want to, I’m not gonna stop you).
How do you serve Southern stewed potatoes?
The traditional Southern way to serve stewed potatoes is with cornbread and black-eyed peas. This was such a common supper growing up! But nowadays, you can serve them as a side dish with any kind of main meal. Here are some suggestions: chicken fried steak, pork chops, meatloaf, roast chicken, and a Southern Plate favorite… fried chicken. Add a side of like fresh green beans and you’re good to go.
Another option is to serve the Southern side dish with some toppings, like shredded cheddar cheese, hot sauce, chopped green onion, cooked crispy bacon bits, and/or sour cream.
Do I have to peel my potatoes?
Yes, I recommend peeling the potatoes for stewed potatoes as unpeeled potatoes take away from that creamy texture, which we definitely don’t want!
Here are more potato recipes:
Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes (Freezer Friendly)
Homemade Mashed Potatoes With Evaporated Milk
Ingredients
- enough potatoes for those you want to feed
- 1 stick unsalted butter or margarine
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Fill a pot 1/2 or 3/4 full with water and add a teaspoon of salt. Put on to boil.1 teaspoon salt
- Peel potatoes and cut them into thick slices. Place potatoes in boiling water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender.enough potatoes for those you want to feed
- Drain boiled potatoes in a colander. Place back into the pot and add butter and salt. Stir and allow butter to melt.1 stick unsalted butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon salt
- Serve warm.
Video
Nutrition
“Tell me who you go with and I’ll tell you who you are.”
Submitted by Sue Bankston, who heard it from her dear mother growing up.
Making these tonight with some pintos and your mama’s meatloaf! I just love all your family’s recipes!
My momma used to fix these with just a bit of Velveeta cheese!! Talk about yummy!!! Have you ever had a recipe for stewed tomatoes?? My husband’s Granny used to fix them and he loved them but again she has passed and nobody knows the secret!!
My mom made stewed tomatoes with canned (whole, smashed) tomatoes, torn chunks of bread (great for using up the heels that no one wanted) and a bit of sugar, no idea if this is what you’re looking for but that’s what we called it.
This is my favorite food when I am sick. I love stewed potatoes and we always have them with BBQ chicken (cooked in a skillet, not the grill). I do add the flour so there is plenty “thincken”.
LOL We always called it “Thicknen” as well, and that is why I could NEVER find the recipe. We called it “new potatoes with thicknen”. Are you sure we aren’t related? 🙂
We just might be somewhere along the way, regardless you are family now!
I’ve looked everywhere for this recipe. I remember having these a child. Thanks for posting!!!!
Something to add, which is the way my family has always made Stewed Potatoes, is to add a medium sized sweet vidalia onion to the pot, and slice it in quarters, letting it boil along with the potatoes. Also, black pepper; it helps counteract the salty butteryness. You can do half an onion, if you prefer. This particular recipe goes perfectly with salmon patties, by the way!
Love this dish. So easy and yummy.
I will tell you a less fat way, cube the potatoes I prefer yukon golds because they already have a buttery taste and peeling is not necessary and is healthier as well. Place in pot and just cover with water add a sprinkle of salt, when tested with a fork and done, drain all but a few tablespoons of water depending on how many potatoes you have, now add about 2 T of butter or more if you must but 4 should be more than enough. Add some fresh chopped italian parsley, more salt and pepper, put the lid on and the fire low,keep an eye on it and stir often until the water has been absorbed, this is accomplished in mere minutes. It is basically parsley buttered potatoes but leaving just that little of water in makes the biggest difference on the texture and also not having so much butter in it. Enjoy!