Roast potatoes are a beloved comfort food staple, perfect for any meal, especially when you want that golden, crispy exterior with a soft, fluffy inside. Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply looking for a fantastic side dish, this best roast potato recipe vegetarian will become your go-to.
With simple ingredients and an easy technique, you can achieve perfectly roasted potatoes every time without any meat or animal-based products. The secret lies in parboiling, roughing up the edges, and roasting in plenty of olive oil and herbs to infuse flavor and crunch.
This recipe celebrates the humble potato, elevating it with fresh rosemary, garlic, and just the right amount of seasoning. Great for holiday dinners, Sunday roasts, or weekday meals, these vegetarian roast potatoes pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes.
Plus, they’re vegan-friendly if you choose your oils and seasonings carefully! If you love roasting vegetables, be sure to check out our Kale Tonic First Watch Recipe or our Julie Marie Eats Recipes for more inspiration.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are countless ways to roast potatoes, but this recipe stands out for a few key reasons. First, it’s incredibly easy to follow, perfect for both beginners and seasoned cooks.
Second, it delivers a perfect texture balance — crisp outside and fluffy inside — that everyone craves. The use of fresh herbs and garlic gives the potatoes a fragrant and savory flavor that feels gourmet but is completely approachable.
Plus, it’s entirely vegetarian and can be made vegan, so it suits various dietary preferences.
These roast potatoes make a versatile side dish that complements everything from a hearty lentil stew to a fresh garden salad. And if you’re looking to expand your vegetarian repertoire, you might enjoy our Kosher Sushi Salad Recipe which pairs beautifully with roasted veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (900g) Yukon Gold or Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
- 4 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin for best flavor)
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or chili flakes for a spicy kick
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling potatoes
- Colander or sieve
- Baking sheet or roasting pan
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Sharp knife and chopping board
- Oven mitts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature is essential for crispiness.
- Peel and cut the potatoes into evenly sized 2-inch chunks to ensure even cooking.
- Parboil the potatoes: Place the potato chunks in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just tender but the centers still firm.
- Drain the potatoes well in a colander and let steam dry for a minute or two. This helps remove excess moisture for better roasting.
- Rough up the potatoes: Shake the colander gently to roughen the surfaces of the potatoes. These rough edges will turn beautifully crispy in the oven.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, crushed garlic cloves, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper. If you like heat, add smoked paprika or chili flakes here.
- Toss the potatoes in the seasoned oil mixture until every piece is well coated.
- Spread the potatoes out in a single layer on a baking sheet or roasting pan. Make sure they aren’t crowded to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, turning every 15 minutes. This ensures an even golden crust all around.
- Once golden and crispy, remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
“For extra flavor, toss the roasted potatoes with a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan (if not vegan) just before serving.”
To make this recipe gluten-free and vegan, simply stick to olive oil and herbs. You can also experiment with different herbs like thyme, oregano, or sage depending on your mood or the main dish.
Want to add some color and variety? Try adding halved baby carrots, parsnips, or quartered onions to the roasting pan for a mixed vegetable medley.
If you prefer a more aromatic twist, add a bay leaf to the boiling water or sprinkle some garlic powder and onion powder in the oil mixture.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Serving (approx.) |
---|---|
Calories | 180 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 30 g |
Protein | 3 g |
Fat | 7 g (mostly healthy fats from olive oil) |
Fiber | 3 g |
Sodium | 350 mg (can be reduced by limiting added salt) |
Serving Suggestions
These vegetarian roast potatoes are incredibly versatile and pair well with a wide variety of dishes. Serve them alongside a hearty lentil loaf or a delicious mushroom wellington for a full vegetarian feast.
They also complement lighter meals like a crisp green salad or a roasted vegetable platter.
For more delicious vegetarian sides, try our Magic Dough Recipe for homemade bread or add a fresh salad inspired by our Kosher Sushi Salad Recipe to make your meal pop with flavor and texture.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of the perfect roast potato is easier than you think, and this vegetarian recipe is a fantastic place to start. With simple ingredients and a straightforward method, you’ll create crispy, golden potatoes that are bursting with flavor.
Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, these roast potatoes are sure to impress and satisfy.
Remember, the key is in the parboiling and roughing up the edges before roasting, so don’t rush those steps! This recipe proves that vegetarian dishes can be hearty, comforting, and delicious without complicated ingredients or techniques.
Next time you need a side that everyone will love, give these a try and pair them with other favorites from our collection like the Lump Of Coal Recipe for a complete and satisfying meal experience.
📖 Recipe Card: Best Roast Potato Recipe Vegetarian
Description: Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these roast potatoes are a perfect vegetarian side dish. Simple ingredients and easy steps make this recipe a family favorite.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT45M
Total Time: PT1H
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds (700g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Parboil potatoes in salted water for 8-10 minutes until just tender.
- Drain and shake potatoes in the pot to roughen edges.
- Toss potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, and thyme.
- Spread potatoes evenly on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 40-45 minutes, turning once halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving if desired.
Nutrition: Calories: 200 kcal | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 10 g | Carbs: 28 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Best Roast Potato Recipe Vegetarian”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these roast potatoes are a perfect vegetarian side dish. Simple ingredients and easy steps make this recipe a family favorite.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT45M”, “totalTime”: “PT1H”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1.5 pounds (700g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks”, “3 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 teaspoon sea salt”, “1/2 teaspoon black pepper”, “2 teaspoons garlic powder”, “1 teaspoon dried rosemary”, “1 teaspoon dried thyme”, “1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 425\u00b0F (220\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Parboil potatoes in salted water for 8-10 minutes until just tender.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Drain and shake potatoes in the pot to roughen edges.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Toss potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, and thyme.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spread potatoes evenly on a baking sheet.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Roast for 40-45 minutes, turning once halfway, until golden and crispy.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving if desired.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “200 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “4 g”, “fatContent”: “10 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “28 g”}}