Baked or Sautéed Lyonnaise Potatoes

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 10/19/19
Lyonnaise potatoes recipe

The Spruce
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
253 Calories
14g Fat
30g Carbs
4g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 253
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 69mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Protein 4g
Calcium 32mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The classic dish of Lyonnaise potatoes is named after the city of Lyon, in France. This French dish requires lightly boiling sliced potatoes before sautéing in butter with lightly caramelized onions. The potatoes are finished with fresh chopped parsley. Alternatively, the potatoes can be baked in the oven.

Slice the potatoes into rounds nearly 1/2-inch in thickness so they will not fall apart easily as you sauté and turn them. For cooking, a nonstick or seasoned cast iron skillet are good choices.

Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet onion
  • 6 tablespoons butter (divided)
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes (or similar baking potatoes)
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt (to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Garnish: parsley (fresh minced)

Steps to Make It

Note: there are two great methods you can use to create these Lyonnaise Potatoes: using the stovetop or the oven.

Stovetop Method

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Lyonnaise potatoes
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  2. Peel the onion, cut it in half lengthwise, and then cut it into thin slices.

    Cut onion
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  3. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. When the foaming subsides, add the onion slices. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until the onion has softened and browned, stirring frequently. Remove the onion to a plate and set aside.

    Melt butter and onions
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  4. Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and slice them into rounds between 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch in thickness (about 3/8-inch).

    Peel potato
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  5. Put the potato slices in a deep, heavy saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat to medium-low and continue boiling for about 2 minutes.

    Put potatoes in saucepan
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  6. Drain and set aside.

    Drain potatoes
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  7. Put the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the same skillet the onions were cooked in and place over medium to medium-high heat. Add the potatoes to the hot fat and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the slices are browned, stirring and turning frequently. Try to keep the potato slices intact while turning and stirring.

    Put butter in skillet
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  8. Add the onions back to the pan and heat through.

    Add onions back
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  9. Turn the potatoes out onto a warm serving platter.

    Turn potatoes
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  10. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Oven Method

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients
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  2. Heat the oven to 400 F.

  3. Follow steps 1 through 5, above, using a large oven-safe skillet.

  4. Layer the cooked and drained potato slices and browned onions in the skillet, sprinkling the layers lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

    Potatoes in skillet
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  5. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and golden brown.

    Place skillet in oven
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  6. Transfer the potatoes (all in one piece, if possible) from the skillet to a warm serving platter.

    Potatoes on plate
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  7. Sprinkle the potatoes with salt, pepper, and fresh chopped parsley.

    Serve
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  8. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Variation

  • Add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic to the skillet with the onions about 1 minute before they are finished cooking; remove to a plate with the onions and continue following the recipe above for stovetop or oven method.