Hash brown

Hash browns are a potato dish typically made from shredded, diced, or otherwise chopped potatoes that are fried until browned and crisp.

Hash browns are a potato dish typically made from shredded, diced, or chopped potatoes that are fried until browned and crisp. They are commonly served as a breakfast food in North America and are also sold in frozen, refrigerated, and dehydrated forms. The dish is widely associated with breakfast service, especially in diners and other North American breakfast settings.

Definition

Hash browns are a potato preparation made by frying shredded, chopped, diced, or boiled potatoes until browned. Dictionary sources consistently describe them as a breakfast or brunch side dish.

Preparation and styles

Common preparations include shredded potatoes formed into a loose layer or patty, as well as cubed country-style versions and O'Brien hash browns with peppers and onions. Some recipes also include onion, fat, and binding ingredients depending on the style.

Use in North American food culture

Hash browns are especially common in North American diners and breakfast menus. They are also sold widely as a mass-produced convenience food in frozen, refrigerated, and dehydrated forms.

Name and history

Reference sources note that the dish and its name have long been associated with American usage, with earlier forms such as 'hashed brown potatoes' appearing in historical discussion of the dish. The exact origin remains uncertain in the available sources.