Greek Lemon Potatoes (Patates Fournou)
Greek lemon roasted potatoes — crispy outside, creamy inside, with oregano, garlic, and bright lemon flavor. The ultimate side dish.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F.
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In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
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Add potato wedges and toss to coat evenly.
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Transfer potatoes and all the liquid to a large roasting pan or baking sheet, arranging in a single layer. Pour the broth around (not over) the potatoes.
Tip: Don't crowd the pan. Use two pans if needed — crowded potatoes steam instead of roast. -
Roast for 30 minutes. Flip the potatoes, then roast another 25-30 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the edges, and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
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If potatoes aren't crispy enough, increase oven to 220°C / 425°F for the last 10 minutes.
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Let rest 5 minutes. Squeeze a little extra fresh lemon juice over the top before serving.
Storage & Meal Prep
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 200°C / 400°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness. These potatoes lose their crunch if microwaved.
Variations
- Lemon Potatoes with Chicken: Add bone-in chicken thighs to the roasting pan alongside the potatoes. The chicken fat bastes the potatoes as it cooks — this is a complete one-pan Greek dinner.
- Extra-Crispy Version: Parboil the potatoes for 5 minutes before roasting. Rough up the edges with a fork for maximum crunch.
FAQ
What are Greek lemon potatoes?
Greek lemon potatoes (patates fournou) are potato wedges roasted in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and broth. The potatoes absorb the lemony liquid as they roast, developing crispy golden edges and a creamy, tangy interior. They're served alongside almost every Greek meal.
Why do Greek lemon potatoes have broth?
The broth creates steam that keeps the inside of the potatoes creamy while the outside crisps up. As the broth evaporates and is absorbed, it carries the lemon and garlic flavor deep into the potatoes. This is the key difference between these and ordinary roasted potatoes.
What potatoes are best for Greek lemon potatoes?
Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal — they're waxy enough to hold their shape but starchy enough to get creamy inside. Russet potatoes work too but fall apart more easily. Avoid red potatoes, which stay too firm.
Nutrition Facts
Customize Ingredients
Per Serving
The Story Behind This Dish
Every Greek taverna serves these potatoes, and once you make them at home, you’ll understand why. The combination of lemon, olive oil, oregano, and garlic transforms simple potatoes into something addictive.
The magic is the broth. It creates steam that keeps the inside creamy while the edges turn golden and crisp. As the liquid reduces, it coats the potatoes in concentrated lemony flavor.
Why These Potatoes Are Different
Regular roasted potatoes are just potatoes with oil and salt. Greek lemon potatoes start in a bath of lemon-broth liquid that they absorb as they roast. By the time they’re done, every bite is infused with garlic and lemon — from the crispy edge to the soft center.
Serve them alongside Greek salad, grilled fish, or spanakopita for a proper Greek meal.
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