11/10/2026
🥔✨ There's a side dish that has anchored the Irish Sunday dinner for generations: the roast potato. Floury potatoes were parboiled, shaken until their edges turned fluffy, then tossed into smoking hot goose fat or beef dripping so they came out of the oven with a shattering golden crust and a cloud-soft middle.
🔥 It looks simple, but the technique is what matters, and once you have it, every roast dinner improves. Serve them beside roast chicken, bacon, or a joint of beef.
🍽️ Serves 6 | Total time: 1 hr 20 min
INGREDIENTS
- 3 lb (1.35 kg) floury potatoes (Rooster, Maris Piper or Russet), peeled and cut into 2 inch (5 cm) chunks
- 2 tbsp coarse salt, for the boiling water
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) goose fat, beef dripping or vegetable oil
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, to finish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat the oven to 425F (220C). Put the fat in a heavy roasting tray and place it in the oven to heat for at least 15 minutes.
2. Put the potatoes in a large pot of cold water with the coarse salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are soft but the centers are still firm.
3. Drain well and leave the potatoes in the colander to steam dry for 5 minutes.
4. Shake the colander firmly a few times so the edges roughen and fluff up. These rough edges become the crisp crust.
5. Carefully add the potatoes to the hot fat, turning each piece to coat. Scatter in the thyme.
6. Roast for 45 to 55 minutes, turning once at the halfway point, until deep golden brown and crisp.
7. Drain on paper towel, season with flaky salt, pepper and parsley, and serve hot.
What did the roast potatoes at your family's Sunday table taste like, and who was in charge of them?