Description
Classic Ina Garten potato kugel brings crispy comfort from Jewish culinary traditions. Russet potatoes and onions create golden, crunchy edges that welcome dinner guests with irresistible warmth you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 6 large eggs
- 2 small onions, finely diced (about 1.5 cups)
- 2 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsps schmaltz (chicken fat) or olive oil
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 1 bunch chives, chopped (¼ cup), plus more for serving
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite oven to 375°F and generously coat a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Onion Infusion: In a medium skillet, warm schmaltz or olive oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onions with fresh thyme and ground black pepper until translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs.
- Potato Integration: Transfer caramelized onions to a large mixing bowl. Fold in thawed hash brown potatoes and finely chopped chives, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Egg Seasoning: Whisk whole eggs with kosher salt until combined and slightly frothy, creating a smooth binding liquid.
- Final Assembly: Gently pour seasoned egg mixture over potato-onion blend, folding carefully to integrate all components uniformly. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading into an even, smooth layer.
- Baking Process: Roast in preheated oven for 40-50 minutes until edges transform to a rich golden brown and center becomes completely set and firm.
Notes
- Potato Perfection: Choose fresh, high-quality hash browns for the best texture and flavor in your kugel.
- Oil Infusion: Use schmaltz for authentic Jewish flavor, but olive oil works as a great alternative with lighter taste profile.
- Seasoning Secret: Don’t skip the fresh thyme during onion sautéing – it adds subtle, aromatic depth to the entire dish.
- Crispy Topping Technique: Ensure golden-brown edges by spreading mixture evenly and baking until top develops a beautiful, crisp crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg