Traditional Greek Lemon Garlic Roasted Potatoes (Patates Fournou) Recipe
Traditional Greek Lemon Garlic Roasted Potatoes (Patates fournou) are a beloved staple in Greek cuisine, known for their tender inside and slightly crispy outside. This recipe features potatoes slowly roasted in olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, mustard, and oregano, creating a deliciously comforting side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted meats, fish, or can be enjoyed vegetarian with feta cheese or salad. Its simplicity and authentic flavors are deeply rooted in Greek home cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) medium-sized potatoes, peeled
Seasoning and Marinade
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon dry oregano (preferably Greek or Italian)
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (390 Fahrenheit) to achieve the perfect roasting temperature for the potatoes.
- Prepare Potatoes: Cut the peeled potatoes lengthwise in half, then cut each half again lengthwise, and finally slice horizontally to form wedges.
- Mix Ingredients: Place the cut potatoes in a heavy baking pan or uncovered ceramic casserole dish. Add the minced garlic, yellow mustard, fresh lemon juice, dry oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well with a spoon or your hands so each potato wedge is evenly coated.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking pan thoroughly with aluminum foil and place it on the middle rack of the oven. Bake covered for 1 hour. This ensures the potatoes become tender inside.
- Uncover and Finish Roasting: After 1 hour, remove the foil to allow the potatoes to crisp. Continue baking uncovered for another 30-40 minutes, or adjust the time depending on how golden and crispy you prefer the potatoes.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm as a side dish with grilled meats, fish, or enjoy as a vegetarian main dish with a fresh salad or feta cheese.
Notes
- To avoid crispy outsides, remove the foil after 1 hour and 15 minutes and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes instead of longer.
- For added meat flavor, optionally add 125 ml (1/2 cup) of chicken broth to the baking pan before roasting.
- Use high-quality Greek dried oregano, as it significantly affects the flavor.
- These potatoes soak up flavor exceptionally well when cooked alongside roasted meats, so time their cooking accordingly to be ready together.
- This recipe is perfect for Lent or vegetarian diets when served without meat.
Keywords: Greek roasted potatoes, patates fournou, lemon garlic potatoes, Greek side dish, Mediterranean recipe, vegetarian potatoes, baked potatoes with lemon and oregano
