Potatoes O’Brien

Serve for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

By
Coco Morante
Coco Morante
Coco Morante
Coco began developing recipes for Simply Recipes in 2016 and is the author of five cookbooks. She is an industry expert on Instant Pot cooking.
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Updated February 19, 2025
Coco Morante
Potatoes O'Brien in a skillet at a breakfast table

Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

When I’m in the mood for a savory breakfast, a potato dish has to be on the plate. Even better if the potatoes are golden, crispy, and well-seasoned, making for the perfect forkful when combined with fried eggs. 

Potatoes O’Brien are basically home fries with the addition of diced bell peppers and onions. You let the potatoes take their time to get nice and crispy in a skillet, then add the rest of the vegetables during the last few minutes of cooking so they caramelize a bit but still stay crisp-tender.

What Is Potatoes O’Brien?

It’s not completely clear where this dish originates from. Despite its Irish-sounding name, Potatoes O’Brien likely came to be in the United States in the early 1900s. Two possibilities are restaurants in Boston and New York named Jerome’s and Jacks, respectively. My favorite (probably apocryphal) tidbit I read in my research claimed that a chef nicknamed Beefstew O’Brien was responsible. What a name and what a legacy! 

Potatoes O’Brien is such a versatile side dish—it can be served with just about any protein to make a satisfying meal. Steak and eggs with potatoes O’Brien is a hearty grand slam of a morning meal. For dinner, try the potatoes alongside roasted chicken or pork chops. At lunch, they pair well with a slice of frittata or quiche. 

Potatoes O'Brien in a bowl

Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

Make Potatoes O’Brien Your Own

I like to add some seasoned salt to my breakfast potatoes to give them a little color and added flavor. Widely available Lawry’s will do the job, or you can use a different seasoning blend if you like. Try swapping for garlic salt, lemon pepper, or even a Cajun or Creole seasoning blend for a kick of spice. 

And of course, there should be hot sauce and ketchup at the table, so everyone can flavor their potatoes as they like. 

Breakfast Potatoes

Potatoes O’Brien

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Servings 4 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or other neutral oil

  • 2 large (1 1/2 pounds) russet potatoes, scrubbed clean and diced

  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced

  • 1/2 green bell pepper, diced

  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced

  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, such as Lawry’s

  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, optional

  • Salt, to taste

Method

  1. Cook the potatoes: 

    Heat the oil in a medium to large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes and cook, tossing them around every minute or two, until they are cooked through and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

  2. Add the seasonings, peppers, and onion: 

    Add the bell peppers and onion, along with the seasoned salt, black pepper, and cayenne, if using. Toss to combine.

  3. Finish cooking and serve:  

    Cook the potatoes and vegetables, tossing them often, until the peppers and onions are just cooked through and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes more. Taste, seasoning with more salt, if needed. Transfer to plates and serve right away. 

    The potatoes will keep, refrigerated, in a tightly lidded container for 3 to 4 days. Reheat a serving in the microwave for a minute or so, in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, or in an air fryer at 400ºF for 3 minutes, tossing once halfway through cooking.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
250 Calories
7g Fat
42g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 250
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 361mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 85mg 424%
Calcium 43mg 3%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 1060mg 23%
*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. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.