Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best, and these humble Ukrainian Potatoes are just that: simply delicious. This is a super easy side dish to make, and because you’re using baby potatoes, it’s ready in a jiffy. When you want to add serious flavor to a meal, give these tasty taters a try!
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Potatoes, a staple in countless cuisines worldwide, often take center stage or perfectly complement a main course. While I’ve always loved potatoes, my early experiences with bland, boiled versions left much to be desired. As a professional chef, this culinary challenge ignited a passion to discover the most flavorful potato recipes on the planet. My journey led me to countless techniques and ingredients, but some of the most remarkable discoveries have been in the realm of simple, time-honored dishes. Among these, Ukrainian Potatoes stand out as an exceptional example of how a few quality ingredients can transform a humble vegetable into an unforgettable culinary experience.
This recipe for Ukrainian Potatoes is not just another side dish; it’s a celebration of flavor, tradition, and simplicity. It’s the kind of dish that elevates any meal, whether served alongside succulent grilled steaks, a perfectly pan-fried cutlet, or even as a standalone vegetarian delight. What makes it truly special is its ability to deliver a profound flavor punch without demanding hours in the kitchen. The secret lies in fresh, vibrant ingredients and a straightforward preparation method that allows their natural deliciousness to shine.
The essence of this dish hinges on using fresh, raw garlic, minced as finely as possible. A chef’s trick I swear by is grating the garlic on a microplane grater (careful with your fingers!). This technique creates an incredibly fine garlic paste, ensuring its intense flavor is evenly distributed throughout the potatoes. The sharp, pungent bite of the raw garlic is beautifully mellowed by the warmth of the freshly boiled potatoes, yet it retains a potent aroma and taste. When combined with rich butter and aromatic fresh dill, the result is a harmonious blend of savory, fresh, and utterly comforting flavors that will undoubtedly make these potatoes a new favorite at your table.
What You’ll Love About These Easy Ukrainian Potatoes
You’ll quickly understand why these Ukrainian Potatoes have earned a permanent spot in my recipe rotation. Here’s what makes them truly exceptional:
- Effortlessly Quick: This is a potato recipe that truly lives up to its “easy” moniker. Thanks to baby potatoes’ fast cooking time, you can have this flavorful side dish on the table in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.
- Flavorful Yet Balanced: These potatoes boast a rich, savory taste from the garlic, butter, and dill, but the flavors are perfectly balanced. They enhance your main course without overpowering it, making them an ideal companion to almost any meal.
- Satisfying & Economical: Potatoes are naturally filling and highly affordable, making this an incredibly budget-friendly side dish. It’s perfect for feeding a family or doubling the recipe to cater to a larger crowd. Plus, any leftovers are a treat the next day!
- Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you’re serving a casual family dinner or hosting a special gathering, these dill potatoes are sure to be a hit. Their simple yet exquisite flavor appeals to a wide range of palates.
Essential Ingredients for Authentic Ukrainian Potatoes
Crafting these simple yet intensely flavorful Ukrainian Potatoes requires just a handful of quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating the dish’s distinctive taste and texture.
- Baby Potatoes: You’ll need approximately 2 pounds of baby potatoes. These small, tender potatoes are ideal because their skins are thin and don’t need to be peeled, saving you time. They also cook quickly and uniformly. You can use any variety of baby potatoes – red, Yukon Gold, or a mix. If some are larger than others, simply cut them in half to ensure even cooking. Always remember to trim off any undesirable spots before boiling.
- Fresh Dill: This is undeniably the star herb of the dish, giving it its signature fresh and aromatic character. This recipe is truly for dill lovers; its vibrant, slightly anise-like flavor is prominent and essential. Dried dill simply will not provide the same fresh, bright taste and aroma, so make sure to use fresh dill for the best results.
- Fresh Garlic: The importance of fresh garlic cannot be overstated here. Avoid using pre-minced jarred garlic, as it lacks the pungent, vibrant flavor that fresh garlic provides. For an authentic taste, finely mince 3 cloves of fresh garlic. As Chef Jenn’s tip suggests, grating it on a microplane grater is an excellent way to achieve an ultra-fine texture that blends seamlessly and releases maximum flavor.
- Cooking Oil: A neutral-flavored cooking oil is essential for this recipe. Options like extra virgin olive oil (mild variety), vegetable oil, or canola oil work perfectly. The oil helps to carry the flavors and contributes to the overall texture without imparting its own dominant taste.
- Butter: I prefer to cook with salted butter as it enhances the overall seasoning. If you’re using unsalted butter, you may want to add an extra pinch of salt to the mixture to balance the flavors. The butter contributes richness and a creamy texture that coats the potatoes beautifully.
How to Prepare Easy Ukrainian Potatoes: A Simple Method
Making these incredibly delicious Ukrainian Potatoes is surprisingly simple, proving that extraordinary flavor doesn’t always require complex cooking techniques. Follow these three easy steps for a perfect side dish every time:
- Boil the Potatoes: Start by placing your baby potatoes in a pot of generously salted cold water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are just fork-tender. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. The key is to cook them thoroughly but without letting them become mushy.
- Drain and Toss: Once the potatoes are perfectly tender, immediately drain them thoroughly. While they are still steaming hot, transfer them to a mixing bowl. This heat is crucial as it helps the butter melt quickly and the garlic and dill to release their full aroma and flavor. Add the butter, finely minced fresh garlic, cooking oil, and chopped fresh dill to the hot potatoes.
- Serve Immediately: Gently toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated with the buttery, garlicky, and dilly mixture. Serve these flavorful potatoes right away to enjoy them at their best, when the flavors are most vibrant and the potatoes are still wonderfully warm and tender.
Step-by-Step Visual Guide for Ukrainian Dill Potatoes
To ensure your Ukrainian Potatoes turn out perfectly every time, here’s a detailed, step-by-step process, complete with visual cues (though actual images are placeholders, imagine seeing the process unfold):
Chef Jenn’s Top Tips for Perfect Ukrainian Potatoes
As a professional chef, I’ve honed a few tricks that ensure these Ukrainian Potatoes are always a showstopper. Follow these tips to maximize flavor and minimize effort:
- Embrace Fresh Garlic: This is non-negotiable. The punch of fresh garlic is what sets this dish apart. Mince it as finely as humanly possible, or better yet, use a microplane grater to achieve a paste-like consistency. This allows the garlic flavor to infuse thoroughly without any large, overwhelming chunks.
- The Dill Dilemma: Fresh is Best: I cannot stress enough the importance of fresh dill. Dried dill simply won’t cut it for this recipe. Its flavor is subdued and lacks the vibrant, grassy notes that are essential to Ukrainian Potatoes. If you have extra fresh dill, don’t let it go to waste! Wash it, pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels, then chop it and store it in a freezer-safe bag. It will retain its flavor for 2-3 months and can be used in other recipes like soups, stews, or even omelets.
- Don’t Skimp on Salted Water: Boiling your potatoes in generously salted water is crucial. Potatoes absorb salt during cooking, which seasons them from the inside out. This makes a huge difference in the final flavor profile compared to adding salt only at the end.
- Timing is Everything: Add the butter, oil, garlic, and dill to the potatoes immediately after draining them, while they are still steaming hot. The residual heat from the potatoes will melt the butter and oil, creating a beautiful emulsion that coats each potato and activates the aromatic compounds in the garlic and dill, infusing the dish with maximum flavor.
- Batch Cooking for Brilliance: Consider doubling the recipe. These potatoes are so good that you’ll want leftovers! Cooked leftover potatoes can be pan-fried in butter the next day until golden brown and crispy, creating a completely new and equally delicious dish. They make an excellent base for a quick breakfast hash or a hearty lunch.
- Experiment with a Touch of Acidity: For an extra layer of brightness, a tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar can be added along with the dill and garlic. This cuts through the richness of the butter and enhances the fresh flavors.
Recommended Pairings for Potato Lovers
If you enjoy the simple comfort and versatility of potatoes, here are a few other delectable recipes you might love. These dishes showcase potatoes in different forms, from cheesy breads to sophisticated gratins, offering something for every potato enthusiast.
Potato Cheese Bread
Au Gratin Potato Stacks
Blackstone Potatoes
Make It A Complete Meal: Serving Suggestions
These versatile Ukrainian Potatoes are much more than just a side dish; they are a flavorful foundation that complements a wide array of main courses. Their rich, garlicky, and dilly profile makes them an excellent companion to both hearty meats and lighter fare. Here are some ideas to help you build a complete and satisfying meal:
- Hearty Meat Pairings: Their robust flavor stands up wonderfully to rich meats. Consider serving them with succulent Smoked Meatballs, a perfectly grilled steak, or any pan-seared pork or chicken cutlet. The freshness of the dill cuts through the richness of the meat, creating a delightful balance.
- Sausage & Poultry: These potatoes are also fantastic with various types of sausage, from grilled bratwurst to spicy Italian links. For poultry, they pair beautifully with roasted chicken, baked chicken thighs, or even a simple pan-fried turkey breast.
- Vegetarian Options: While often served with meat, these potatoes can be the star of a vegetarian meal. Pair them with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables like asparagus or green beans, or even a hearty mushroom ragu. A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top adds a nice tangy contrast.
- Breakfast & Brunch: Don’t limit these potatoes to dinner! Reheat leftovers by pan-frying them until crispy, and serve alongside eggs, bacon, or sausage for an elevated breakfast or brunch. They make an excellent base for a quick and satisfying potato hash.
- Soups & Stews: For a comforting meal, these potatoes can be served alongside a steaming bowl of borscht or a creamy mushroom soup, adding texture and flavor.
Storage and Reheating Tips
While these Ukrainian Potatoes are undeniably best enjoyed fresh and hot, leftovers are a delicious bonus and can be easily stored and reheated. To keep them fresh and flavorful, transfer any leftover potatoes to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This ensures they maintain their taste and texture without drying out.
When it comes to reheating, you have a few excellent options to bring them back to life:
- Microwave: For a quick reheat, place the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and warm them in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Adding a small pat of butter or a tiny splash of water before microwaving can help revive their moist texture and prevent them from drying out.
- Stovetop: My preferred method for reheating is on the stovetop. Heat a tablespoon of butter or oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the leftover potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through and start to get a lovely golden-brown crisp on the outside. This method is particularly good if you want to enjoy a slightly different texture for your leftovers.
- Oven/Toaster Oven: For a larger batch or if you prefer a crispier exterior without constant stirring, spread the potatoes on a baking sheet and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and slightly crispy.
Leftover Ukrainian Potatoes are incredibly versatile. Beyond just reheating, they can be transformed into a delicious potato salad by adding some mayonnaise, mustard, and celery, or used as the base for a savory breakfast hash with onions and peppers. Don’t let a single tasty tater go to waste!
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Ukrainian Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds baby potatoes
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh dill
- ¼ cup cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons butter I cook with salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until just fork tender, about 10-12 minutes, depending on their size.
- Drain the potatoes and while still steaming hot, toss them with the butter, garlic, cooking oil, and dill and serve right away.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Fresh garlic is the key. Mince it as finely as you can, or grate it on a microplane grater.
- If you have extra dill left over, wash it, lay it on a paper towel to dry, and then pop it in the freezer in a baggie. It’ll keep for 2-3 months and you can use it in other recipes.
- Dried dill won’t be good in this recipe; you really do need to use fresh dill.
- Double the recipe so you’ve got cooked leftover potatoes for another meal. Then, pan-fry them in butter – they’re delicious when they’re golden brown and crispy!
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.