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These French Style Potatoes are smothered in duck fat then baked until crispy, mixed with caramelized onions and garlic, and coated with a mixture of crushed chili and fresh lemon juice. Super easy to make, this Lyonnaise potatoes recipe is a great flavor packed way to kick up your potato game!
This recipe was originally published in April 2018. It has been updated for content.
These French style potatoes are coated in a mixture of caramelized onions, fresh chopped garlic, crushed chili pepper and lemon for an amazing boost of fresh flavor.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these classic lyonnaise potatoes are cooked in duck fat and so delicious. Because, well, duck fat.
Lyonnaise potatoes are a classic French side dish typically pan fried until crispy. If you've ever been to a French restaurant and gotten a potato side, it was likely these lyonnaise potatoes.
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Cooking Method
The traditional method is in a skillet on the stove. They are par boiled then sauteed in butter in on the stove. This lyonnaise potatoes recipe first par boils the potatoes, then cooks them with duck fat in the oven to get them crispy. I find baking them in the oven eliminates the mess of pan frying.
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Difference Between Lyonnaise Potatoes and Dauphinoise Potatoes
Lyonnaise potatoes are typically sautéed in butter and garlic, while Dauphinoise potatoes are typically cooked in cream.
Why This Recipe Works
- The use of duck fat adds an amazing deep richness to the potatoes. Plus it helps them to crisp up nicely.
- Crisping them in the oven is much neater than frying them on the stove top. Plus, it's more hands off.
Step By Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. We want our potatoes sliced thin, so I recommend using a mandolin to slice them about ¼-1/8" thick.
Then we parboil the potatoes to remove some of the extra starchiness. Parboiling makes it easier to get the nice crisp potato we are after.
Bring the water to a boil and add the potatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes (depending on thickness of the potatoes) and drain thoroughly.
Layer the potatoes on a baking sheet and cover them with the duck fat. It may be easier to melt the duck fat for this step so you can drizzle it on. Bake them in the oven for 20 minutes.
While your potatoes are baking, heat the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat and add the onions.
Cook the onions for about 5-10 minutes, stirring periodically, until they are softened and golden brown.
We don't want to totally caramelize them, just turn them golden brown so the sweetness starts to come out. Our goal is to bring out just a little of the sweetness from the onions, but still leave them intact.
After your potatoes have been cooking for 20 minutes, remove from the oven and cover with the cooked onions and chopped garlic.
Place them back in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove them from the oven and sprinkle them with crushed red pepper and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice while still hot.
Expert Tips
- Use Russet potatoes because they will crisp up the best.
- Use a mandolin to ensure the potatoes are sliced thin enough.
- The duck fat can be substituted with butter, cooking oil (not as good flavor), bacon fat, etc.
- Be careful not to overcook the potatoes while par boiling. They should only be cooked for 1-2 minutes.
- If potatoes are not crisp enough, pop them under the broiler for a couple minutes - be careful not to let them burn.
- The onions should be soft and golden brown - we don't want to totally caramelize them, just cook them long enough to bring out the sweetness.
- Add more or less crushed red pepper depending on your spice preference.
Serving Options
- To make a meal, serve them alongside this Instant Pot Coq Au Vin or this Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu;
- They are also great to serve with grilled meat dishes like these Grilled Cornish Game Hens or these Grilled Lamb Chops;
- They are also great for breakfast - serve them with these Baked Egg Cups, this Avocado Toast or Cheesy Sausage Quiche.
All the Favorite Potato Recipes
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes;
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes;
- Duck Fat Smashed Potatoes;
- Easy Scalloped Potatoes;
More Classic French Dishes
- Creme Brulee;
- Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu;
- Instant Pot Coq Au Vin;
- Baked Brie Appetizer;
- Browse ALL the French Recipes!!
Did you make this Lyonnaise Potatoes recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
Recipe
Lyonnaise Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lbs. potatoes, sliced thin (about 2 large potatoes)
- ¼ cup duck fat
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 onion sliced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp. crushed red pepper
- 1-2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Parboil sliced potatoes in boiling water for 1-2 minutes.
- Spread potatoes on a baking sheet and cover with the duck fat and salt. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and saute until they start to soften and lightly brown, 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Remove potatoes from oven after 20 minutes and add the cooked onions and chopped garlic. Place back in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and toss with the crushed red pepper and fresh lemon juice.
Expert Tips:
- Use Russet potatoes because they will crisp up the best.
- Use a mandolin to ensure the potatoes are sliced thin enough.
- The duck fat can be substituted with butter, cooking oil (not as good flavor), bacon fat, etc.
- Be careful not to overcook the potatoes while par boiling. They should only be cooked for 1-2 minutes.
- If potatoes are not crisp enough, pop them under the broiler for a couple minutes - be careful not to let them burn.
- The onions should be soft and golden brown - we don't want to totally caramelize them, just cook them long enough to bring out the sweetness.
- Add more or less crushed red pepper depending on your spice preference.
Nutrition
Jo
I'm a potato addict and love all things potatoes. This dish is new to me and I love how delicious it looks and sounds. Those caramelized onions on top makes it all interesting. Can't wait to try it
Danielle
Potatoes are just the best!!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
This is one of my very favorite ways to prepare potatoes. It is so yummy, and a side dish that goes with almost anything! I can't wait to make this!
Danielle
Thanks Ashley!
Mahy
The flavor from the duck must make whoever tries these potatoes go "Whaaaaaat?!". I am sure everyone will be super excited about the flavor and will unlikely ask for anything else to it - so delicious!
Danielle
The duck fat really adds something special 🙂
April
I am so ready to make these potatoes. They look delicious and will be a perfect side to what I am planning to make this weekend - yum!
Danielle
Thanks April!
Ramona
Perfect looking side dish. I am sure the flavours are to die for. I am saving this, it's a must make super soon dish. We love onions and potatoes. The lemon addition must make such a flavour difference to this, I never thought of adding lemon juice. Very nice. I cannot wait to make this now.
Danielle
The lemon really adds a fresh taste to the dish 🙂
Brenda
Duck Fat is the best! I can't wait to try this one. Thanks so much for sharing this Danielle!
Danielle
You're welcome Brenda! Duck fat is definitely the best 🙂
Adrianne
What a perfect side dish these are! I would love to try them with so many options. Having a bbq soon so will have to give them a go.. Cheers!
Danielle
Hope you love them Adrianne!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
OMG, those crispy edges are calling my name. This is a great potato recipe -- and would go great with so many mains!
Danielle
The crispy edges are the best part 🙂
kim
Such an easy, flavorful recipe! Love this one!
Danielle
Thanks Kim!
Cindy @ A Uniquely Edible Magic
I adore Lyonnaise potatoes—I can eat these just by their own! Interesting use of duck fat to make them crispy on the outside and give them flavour.
Danielle
Crispy roasted potatoes are just the best, right?
Healthy World Cuisine
Oh my word! do not know how we missed this recipe. This one has comfort food written all over it. Potato and onions and crispiness.
Danielle
Total comfort food!
Thao @ In Good Flavor
The first time my husband and I had lyonnaise potatoes as at a fancy schamancy steakhouse. It was delish! My husband LOVED it. I never thought to make them at home. Going to score brownie points if I make these!! Pinning!
Danielle
Potatoes with onions is just so simple and delicious! I hope your husband likes them if you make them (and you too)!
Gloria
OMG...I am a potato fanatic. Combining potatoes with those onions...perfection. This would be great as a brunch or dinner side dish. I just might share!!
Danielle
Thanks Gloria! I know, potatoes are the best!
Sues
Yes to the duckfat!! And all that nice crispiness. This is totally my ideal kind of potato dish!
Danielle
I'm all about the duck fat!
Pam
Duckfat and potatoes is a match made in heaven! I didn't even realize you could get it on Amazon!!
Danielle
Totally! So much easier than hunting it down at the store!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
oh wow what a great flavor this must have just by looking at this!
Danielle
Thanks Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I could legit make a meal out of these. Or imagine how yummy they would be for breakfast with a poached egg and hot sauce. Ok, now I'm hungry 😉
Danielle
YES, poached egg on top would be amazing!
Soniya
This potato recipe is looking so delicious and interesting ☝️ I have never heard of this before! Can't wait to try it 🙂 saving it for later!
Danielle
Thanks Soniya! I hope you get a chance to try it!