Spain on a Fork > All Recipes > Tapas > Spanish Poor Man´s Potatoes | One of Spain´s Most Iconic Dishes
All Recipes, Tapas / November 9, 2020

Spanish Poor Man´s Potatoes | One of Spain´s Most Iconic Dishes

These Spanish Poor Man´s Potatoes, known in Spain as ¨Patatas a lo Pobre¨, are one of Spain´s most classic recipes. Made with everyday simple ingredients, loaded with flavors and super easy to make.


This dish originates from the Spanish medieval times, it was peasant food, made with ingredients that where grown in the land, no fancy stuff here. In today´s society, it´s served everywhere in Spain, from neighborhood tapas bars to high-end restaurants.


In Spain, these potatoes are typically served as a tapas appetizer. I prefer to serve them as a side dish next to a couple fried eggs. Either way you dice it, this is one of Spain´s best potato dishes.


TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: When you boil the potatoes, make sure not to over boil them. You want them al dente. That way they don´t break apart when you fry them. Usually about 10 minutes is the perfect timing.

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY SWISS DIAMON FRYING PANS
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL
SPANISH SEA SALT

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Watch the Video Below on How to Make Spanish Poor Man´s Potatoes

4.75 from 4 votes
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Spanish Poor Man´s Potatoes | One of Spain´s Most Iconic Dishes

Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Spanish
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

  • 3 yukon gold potatoes
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 2 small onions
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 65 ml
  • sea salt & black pepper
  • handful freshly chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Cut 3 yukon gold potatoes into rounds that are a 1/4 inch thick, then cut each slice into 4 evenly sized quarters, add the potatoes into a stock pot, fill with cold water, just enough to cover the potatoes, heat with a high heat

  2. Meanwhile, cut 1 green bell pepper into thin strips, 1 red bell pepper into thin strips, thinly slice 2 small (or 1 large) onions, and cut a slit on 6 cloves of garlic (skins on)

  3. Exactly 10 minutes after turning the heat on the potatoes they should be cooked al dente, you dont want to over cook them, or they will break apart when you fry them, pierce one with a toothpick, if it easily goes in but with resistance, they are perfect, drain into a strainer and run some cold water over the potatoes

  4. Heat a large deep pan with a medium-high heat and add in 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, after 1 minute add in the sliced onion and the cloves of garlic, mix with the olive oil, after 2 to 3 minutes and the onions are translucent, add in the strips of green and red bell pepper, continue to mix with the olive oil, after 6 minutes and the bell peppers are tender, add in the boiled potatoes, gently mix together so the olive oil is coating all the potatoes, mix every 1 to 2 minutes

  5. About 12 to 15 minutes after adding the potatoes and they have developed a light golden color, season everything with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and transfer everything into a large serving dish, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, enjoy!

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12 Comments

  1. Spanish Poor Man´s Potatoes | One of Spain´s Most Iconic Dishes - Proud Cook

    […] FULL RECIPE HERE: https://www.spainonafork.com/spanish-poor-mans-potatoes-one-of-spains-most-iconic-dishes […]

    06 . Aug . 2022
  2. Can I Get By As A Vegetarian In Spain?: An Interview With Gabriela Llamas (pt. Ii)

    […] Spain’s humble traditional past. She talked about the simple delights of the many traditional “poor man’s potatoes” and soups with whatever vegetables they could find. Food was held in much higher esteem, and […]

    17 . Mar . 2022
  3. Spanish Poor Man´s Potatoes | One of Spain´s Most Iconic Dishes – MassachusettsDigitalNews.com

    […] FULL RECIPE HERE: https://www.spainonafork.com/spanish-poor-mans-potatoes-one-of-spains-most-iconic-dishes […]

    07 . Dec . 2021
  4. Keith Hickson

    5 stars
    I made this recipe the other day and it was great! I’m trying the lemon/garlic potatoes tomorrow. I also subscribed to your YouTube channel so keep up the good work.

    30 . May . 2021
    • Spain on a Fork

      So happy to hear that! much love 🙂

      30 . May . 2021
  5. Eileen

    5 stars
    Made these today and they were absolutely delicious, just like I remember when I lived in Spain as a kid. I love all Spanish foods, thank you for sharing?

    10 . Feb . 2021
    • Spain on a Fork

      So happy to hear that! thanks for the comment 🙂 much love

      11 . Feb . 2021
  6. Fran

    Absolutely delicious and thank you so much for a nice introduction to Spanish food. Will make this forever.

    12 . Jan . 2021
    • Spain on a Fork

      So happy to heat that! Much love 🙂

      12 . Jan . 2021
  7. Loretta

    5 stars
    I thought these were perfect potatoes. Like all your recipes so far, will make again and again.

    07 . Jan . 2021
    • Spain on a Fork

      Glad you enjoyed them 🙂 Much love!

      08 . Jan . 2021
  8. Bob

    4 stars
    OK, so what are rich man’s potatoes if these are potatoes for the poor?

    11 . Dec . 2020

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