Hash browns are a popular breakfast side dish made from shredded or riced potatoes that are fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They have a delicious salty, starchy flavor that pairs well with many different proteins and meats at breakfast or brunch. When choosing a meat to serve with hash browns, you’ll want to consider the flavor profile and heartiness to balance the potatoes. Quick answer – Sausage, bacon, ham, and chorizo all make excellent complements to a plate of hash browns.
Meats That Pair Well with Hash Browns
Sausage
Sausage is one of the most classic and delicious meats to enjoy with a serving of hash browns. The savory, seasoned meat provides a perfect counterpoint to the starchy potatoes. Pork sausage patties or links have a milder flavor that allows the potato flavor to still shine through. Spicier chicken apple sausage or turkey sausage also complement hash browns nicely. Serve 2-3 sausage patties or links per person along with the hash browns for a satisfying hearty breakfast.
Bacon
Crispy, salty bacon is another top choice for serving with hashed browns. The crunch and strong savory umami flavor contrasts nicely with soft, absorbent potatoes. Opt for thicker cut bacon strips to provide more meaty bites along with the potatoes. Bacon has a fairly dominant flavor, so be sure not to overpower the potatoes completely. 2-3 strips per person is usually sufficient alongside a scoop of hash browns.
Ham
Sliced ham steak or chopped ham work well for adding saltiness and a meaty texture to balance hash browns. Opt for smoked or cured ham to provide the most flavor. Chopped ham can be sautéed right into the hash browns to incorporate the meat throughout. For serving ham on the side, thick sliced ham steaks are a nice option. The salty meatiness and hint of sweetness enhances the potatoes. Serve 1 ham steak or about 1/2 cup of chopped ham per person.
Chorizo
Spicy Spanish chorizo sausage has an intense smoky, paprika-forward flavor that pairs amazingly with fried potatoes. The consistency of crumbled chorizo works perfectly mixed right into the hash browns for even distribution throughout. For a brunch dish, serve 1-2 ounces of cooked crumbled chorizo per person mixed with the fried potatoes. The spicy sausage kicks up traditional hash browns for a more exciting flavor.
Other Meats to Consider
Chicken Sausage
While not as common, chicken sausage can also make for an excellent savory addition to hash browns. Look for flavors like apple chicken sausage or sun-dried tomato. The milder chicken meat allows the potato flavor to still be prominent. Cook up 2-3 oz of sausage per person to serve alongside or on top of the hash browns.
Ground Beef or Turkey
For ahearty meat and potato meal, freshly browned ground beef or turkey cancomplement hash browns. Use 80% lean ground beef or 93% lean ground turkeyfor the best flavor. Cook 4-6 oz of crumbled meat per serving to match thehash browns. Season the meat simply with salt, pepper and a pinch of garlicpowder so it doesn’t compete with the potatoes.
Corned Beef
For an Irish brunch twist, try pairing your hash browns with salty seasoned corned beef. The tender brisket has loads of flavor from curing spices that enhance the potatoes beautifully. Chop or slice the cooked corned beef to serve alongside the hash browns. Pair about 2-3 oz of chopped corned beef per person with the fried potatoes for balance.
Tips for Serving Meat with Hash Browns
Cook the Meat First
It’s best to cook any meat or sausage before starting on the hash browns. Bacon, ham or sausage can all be pre-cooked in advance. For sausage, bacon or ham, bake them in the oven or pan-fry until cooked through and lightly crispy on the edges.
Season Simply
When seasoning additional meat, use a light hand to allow the potato flavor to still be prominent. Just a touch of salt, pepper and herbs is usually sufficient. Avoid overly complicated rubs or marinades that could compete with the hash brown flavor.
Chop Small
Cut any additional meat into small pieces before combining with hash browns. This allows the meat to be distributed evenly throughout the potatoes. Aim for a small dice on meats to match the shredded potato texture.
Get Crispy
When frying up any meats, be sure to cook them until nicely browned and crispy on the edges. This adds great texture contrast with the soft hashed potatoes. Crispy, crunchy bacon or sausage edges pair particularly well.
Mix and Match
Don’t limit yourself to just one meat with hash browns. Combining a few options creates an even more dynamic flavor and texture profile. Try sausage AND bacon, or ham with a bit of chorizo mixed in. Get creative!
How to Cook Hash Browns
To enjoy hash browns with your chosen meat, here is a simple method for frying up perfect crispy browned potato hash:
Ingredients:
– 3-4 russet or Yukon gold potatoes, shredded
– 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
– 1 tsp salt
– 1/4 tsp pepper
– 1/4 tsp garlic powder
– 1/4 tsp onion powder
Instructions:
1. Shred uncooked potatoes using a box grater or food processor. Place in bowl of cold water for 5 minutes to remove starch. Drain well and pat completely dry with paper towels.
2. Heat 1/4 cup oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
3. Add shredded potatoes to the hot pan and spread out evenly with spatula. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
4. Cook for 5-6 minutes, pressing down with spatula occasionally until potatoes begin to crisp and brown on underside.
5. Flip and cook another 5-6 minutes, pressing down again with spatula, until golden brown and crispy on both sides.
6. Transfer to plate lined with paper towel. Serve hot along with desired cooked meat.
Full Meal Ideas with Hash Browns
Bring your hash browns and meat together into complete hearty brunch meals by adding eggs, toast or biscuits on the side.
Hash Browns with Sausage, Eggs and Toast
Fried eggs, buttered whole wheat toast and fresh fruit salad
Hash Browns with Bacon and Biscuits
Flaky buttermilk biscuits, sliced tomato and avocado
Hash Browns with Ham Steak and Fried Eggs
Cheddar cheese, sautéed peppers and onions
Hash Browns with Chorizo and Poached Eggs
Black beans, queso fresco, salsa and avocado
Hash Browns with Ground Beef and Biscuits
Sausage gravy, scrambled eggs and fresh fruit
Nutrition Information
Hash browns offer carbohydrates from the potatoes along with vitamins and minerals. Pairing them with protein-rich meats makes the meal more balanced and nutritious. Here is the nutrition data for 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of some common hash brown meat partners:
| Meat | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pork Sausage | 333 | 13g | 29g | 1g |
| Bacon | 542 | 29g | 45g | 1g |
| Ham | 139 | 18g | 5g | 2g |
| Chorizo | 452 | 25g | 38g | 2g |
As you can see, all of these meat choices provide significant protein and fat to complement the starchiness of hash browns. Bacon offers the most fat and calories, while ham provides protein with less fat and calories than the other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to prepare hash browns?
The best method is shredding potatoes either by hand or using a food processor, then squeezing out excess moisture and frying in oil over medium-high heat until deeply golden brown and crispy. Pushing down with a spatula while cooking helps form the iconic hash brown cake shape and texture.
Can I make hash browns ahead of time?
Yes, you can shred raw potatoes up to 24 hours before frying. Simply store them in a bowl of cold water in the fridge until ready to cook. Drain and pat completely dry just before frying. Pre-cooking and reheating hash browns does not work well.
What oil is best for frying hash browns?
Vegetable oil, canola oil and olive oil all work well. Avoid unrefined olive oil which has too low of a smoke point. The oil should be about 1/4 inch deep in the pan and heat to 350°F-375°F for crispy hash browns.
How long do hash browns take to fry?
Most recipes call for 8-12 minutes total frying time. Cook 4-5 minutes per side, pressing down occasionally with spatula, until deep golden brown. Cook time depends on how thinly you shred the potatoes.
Can I freeze leftover hash browns?
Cooked hash browns do not freeze well, but you can freeze the shredded raw potatoes to use later. Pat the potatoes very dry, spread in a single layer on a sheet pan, and freeze. Then store in an airtight bag up to 2 months.
Conclusion
Hash browns have a delicious flavor and texture that pair perfectly with a variety of breakfast meats. Top choices include sausage, bacon, ham, and chorizo. Cook the meat first until crispy, then match with freshly fried hash browns. Keep seasoning simple to let the potato flavor shine. A hearty plate of hash browns and meat provides protein, carbs, and fat to fuel your day. This classic meal combo is a satisfying way to enjoy this versatile potato side. Whether going out for Sunday brunch or cooking breakfast at home, hash browns and meat is a foolproof tasty combination.