hash browns
See also: potato
Also known as: shredded hash browns
Shredded or diced potatoes, sold fresh (refrigerated) or frozen, pre-prepped to skip the peeling and shredding a scratch hash brown would need. Traditionally pan-fried into a crispy cake, but the shredded form also works stirred into a soup or chowder as a quick way to add potato without dicing whole potatoes.
Buying guidance
Refrigerated ("fresh") bags are usually near the eggs or breakfast items and haven't been frozen; frozen bags are shelf-stable in the freezer section. Either works interchangeably in a soup, since both are already shredded and mostly raw.
Substitutions
- Potatoes, peeled and coarsely grated at home -- fresher, more work.
- Diced potatoes -- a different texture (chunks rather than shreds), but works fine in a soup where the potato will cook through either way.
- Instant mashed potato flakes, added separately -- not a texture match, but adds potato flavor and thickens the soup.
Tips & common mistakes
Refrigerated hash browns can be treated with a preservative that keeps them from browning -- if a recipe wants them pan-fried crispy first, check the package, since some varieties brown better than others.
Storage
Refrigerated bags keep for a couple of weeks unopened per their date; frozen bags keep for many months in the freezer.