ome people mistakenly believe that the the meat is the most important part of a roast dinner. Sure, a roast chicken or a slow-roasted pork shoulder is a beautiful thing… but it would be nothing without the real star of the show – the roast potato.
We're here to show you how to cook roast potatoes to perfection. Firstly, go for a floury, high-starch variety of spud: Maris Piper are ideal as they’ll give you really light and fluffy centres. Serve these much-loved classics with any roasted or grilled meat, or they can be enjoyed on their own with a big green salad. And the best bit? The oven does most of the work for you. These roast potato recipes do require an oven, so we’ve put together a few budget-friendly tips to help you save energy in the kitchen.
Turn your oven off 5-10 minutes early – the residual heat will continue to cook the potatoes
Avoid opening the oven door while the potatoes are cooking – every time you do, heat is lost and more energy is then needed to bring it back up to temperature. So unless the recipe asks for it, don’t peek!
Use glass or ceramic trays as they retain heat better than metal ones
Parboil your potatoes in the microwave, to save using the hob. It’s quicker and uses less energy
Whether you’re looking for a traditional, fail-safe roast potato recipe or a winning flavour combo you haven’t tried before, we have eight delicious recipes to get you inspired.
This foolproof recipe is filled with loads of tips and tricks that are guaranteed to take your spuds to the next level. Jamie’s top tip for the ultimate roasties? Gently squash each potato with a masher to slightly flatten them – this expands their surface area and creates mega crunchy edges. You’re welcome.
Potatoes flavoured with lemon, garlic and sage are grilled until beautifully bar-marked, then roasted until lightly golden. These roasties work perfectly with roasted rump steak, roasted red onions and an amazing round lettuce salad from Jamie’s Steak Night in Together. But however you serve them, they’re sure to go down a storm.
Choose from three different flavour combos: olive oil and rosemary; butter, sage and clementine; or goose fat and thyme – every one’s a winner! Once your potatoes are parboiled, add your chosen flavour combo and simply pop them in the oven until they’re gnarly, bubbly and golden brown.
Not your traditional roastie recipe, these balsamic potatoes with sweet red onions, thyme, garlic and rocket are a real treat. Be brave and have a little faith with this one – balsamic vinegar adds a delicious tang and infuses the potatoes with the most incredible flavour. Serve as a side dish with any roasted or grilled meat, or enjoy as a lovely lunch with a big green salad.
These are the ones Jamie serves up at Christmas, but we reckon this super easy and proper tasty recipe is great all year round. Fragrant herbs like sage work so well with roast potatoes, while the orange peel gives the dish a burst of zing. Make sure to keep your potatoes in a single layer on the roasting tray to keep them nice and crispy.
Lemon roasties with coriander and oregano make the perfect accompaniment to a delicious lamb shank, roast chicken or a whole baked fish. Using a pestle and mortar to bash the coriander seeds will release maximum flavour. Plus, these roast potatoes are vegan and gluten-free, so it’s one everyone can enjoy!
There’s nothing more satisfying than a beautiful tray of crispy roast vegetables, and you can’t go wrong with this classic combo of potatoes, parsnips and carrots. The veggies caramelise beautifully in the oven, creating the most incredible flavours and textures. Serve with a roasted centrepiece and gravy for a delicious Sunday lunch.
A flavoursome twist on classic roasties, this recipe uses a metal skewer to create crunchy potato spirals. Potatoes are dusted with Parmesan, cumin, garlic and smoked paprika, and once ready, dipped in a zesty lemony yoghurt. Once you’ve mastered this technique, you’ll want to make this recipe again and again.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our incredible Sunday roast recipes or our guide on how to cook the perfect roast dinner.