Austrian Erdäpfelschmarrn - grated pan fried potatoes

Erdäpfelschmarrn, a delicious Austrian potato side dish traditionally served with Tafelspitz, Apfelkren, and Chives Sauce. I like this side dish a lot because it is quick and easy to prepare, costs little, and tastes delicious!

The word Erdäpfel means potato, and you will only find this term in Austria. In Germany, you say "Kartoffel." I'm mentioning it if you want to visit Austria and maybe want to order a Tafelspitz with Erdäpfelschmarrn at Plachutta so you can use the appropriate Austrian expressions.

Here in Austria, people may be a bit stubborn with the language. In old-established, traditional restaurants, people like to emphasize the old Austrian terms.

So it starts with Erdäpfel for potato, a Palatschinke (pancake) is not called Pfannkuchen here, and "rote Rüben" (beet root) is never called "rote Beete".

I could still list a multitude here, but it is about the Erdäpfelschmarrn recipe today. 🙂

🥘 Ingredients

• 17.64 oz (750 g) raw potatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ Onion
• 2-3 tablespoon Oil (Rapeseed- or Olive Oil)

🍽 Equipment

• Frying Pan (or cast iron skillet)
• Cooking Pot
• Grater
• Wooden Spoon
• Kitchen Knife
• Cutting Board
• Mixing Bowl

🔪 Instructions

Put the unpeeled raw potatoes in a suitable cooking pot and fill it with water. Add a teaspoon of salt and boil the potatoes until they are firm to the bite. (When you pierce the potatoes with a fork and the fork goes through with ease, the potatoes are ready.)

This takes between 20-30 minutes. Strain the potatoes and peel them (be careful hot!). 

Now grate the potatoes into a large mixing bowl.

Once finished, peel half the onion (you can use the whole one, depending on your preferences) and chop it. 

Add 2-3 tablespoons of oil to a frying pan and fry the onion a little. Then add the grated potatoes and mix well with the onions. Season with salt; that's all it takes. Spread the grated potatoes evenly across the pan and let them turn brown.

It is important here not to stir constantly but only turn the potatoes occasionally. This way, they will be deliciously fried and taste better.

Continue until the potatoes no longer let water and are well fried (Don't let them burn!).

And voila! Your delicious Erdäpfelschmarrn is ready. Serve it with Tafelspitz, apple horseradish, and chive sauce, and they also pair very well with an air fryer asparagus! You can add some crispy onions without deep frying too!

💭 Top tip

How to avoid a soggy Erdäpfelschmarrn?
Make sure the oil in the pan is hot before frying. In our case, this is not a problem, where you already roast the onion beforehand. But if you don't want to use the onion because of intolerance, remember to heat the oil before adding the grated potatoes to the skillet.

Ensure that the moisture the potatoes lose during roasting has completely evaporated. After that, it is only a matter of achieving the desired degree of browning, and the Erdäpfelschmarrn is then perfect to enjoy.

Do I have to boil the potatoes first?

For this traditional recipe, yes. If you work with raw potatoes, you run the risk of burning the potatoes. The method with raw potatoes is better for, for example, hash browns. So for all those who like it crispy and firm.

📖 Variations

In addition to boiled meat, spinach, and fried egg are excellent with Erdäpfelschmarrn. With this alternative, you can easily make a meat-free main dish. You can also switch the Erdäpfelschmarrn with German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer).

Another variation, which is less Christmassy, but works well for an all-day meal, is Erdäpfelschmarrn with grilled knockwurst. 

More potato recipes for you to try

• Duchess potatoes in the oven
• Duchess potatoes on the gas grill
• Potato flour cake with eggnog
• Stewed potatoes (by Moon and spoon and yum)

📖 Recipe

⛑️ Food Safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.