Delicious Vegan Hash Brown Omelet Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are hash browns not vegan? ›

In Canada and the UK, McDonald's hash browns are vegan as they do not contain any animal ingredients. In the United States, however, the hash browns are neither vegan nor vegetarian because they are made with beef flavoring (this applies to the french fries, too!).

We want you to soak the potatoes in water, like really slosh them around to release some starch. This helps to avoid that awkwardly raw center between crispy outer layers.

Flour and starch are commonly used to help hash browns stick together. You can add an egg if you like, but the flour mix is sufficient.

Using a drier, starchier potato such as Idaho, and rinsing away the excess starch is a sure-fire way to crispy, golden hash browns. Butter helps both browning and flavor, while oil lowers the smoke point, allowing your pan to do the steady, even cooking needed for perfectly crisped potatoes.

Chick-fil-A's hash browns feature in a lot of its breakfast dishes, all of which are not vegan. But on their own, these mini crispy potato medallions are totally animal-free. This is because, while many fast-food chains cook their potato-based sides in animal fat, Chick-fil-A cooks its hash browns in canola oil.

Traditional mashed potatoes contain a lot of high-fat dairy like half-and-half or heavy cream, as well as vegan butter and sometimes sour cream.

To ensure ultimate crispness, be sure to rinse the grated potatoes with cold water until the water runs nearly clear and to use a very hot, well-seasoned pan. As with all potato dishes, remember to season well.

When you grate raw potatoes, you release starch that can cause them to oxidize, or turn dark. The best way to keep that from happening is to cover the potatoes with cold water, then drain them very well and pat them dry before cooking.

For nearly 40 years, Eagle, Idaho-based potato company Lamb Weston has provided Waffle Potato Fries™ and Hash Browns to Chick-fil-A^® restaurants.

Sprinkle shredded potatoes into hot butter in an even layer; season with cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook potatoes until a brown crust forms on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip or stir and continue to cook until potatoes are browned and crusty all over, about 5 more minutes.

Which hash browns taste like McDonald's? ›

“In the case of hash browns, there are quite a few that are almost identical to McDonald's hash browns,” says Haracz and states the one he found to be the closest is “Season's Choice Hash Browns” found in Aldi stores.

Cast iron skillets get super hot and will give the hash browns the perfect golden, crispy crust. Make sure you use enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Don't add the potatoes until the oil is hot and shimmering. Spread the potatoes in a thin layer in the pan so they cook evenly.

If you don't eliminate enough liquid (from the potatoes that you, again, just soaked in water), they will get soggy instead of crispy, a.k.a. a total bummer.

You'll want to remove as much moisture as possible because this will prevent your hash browns from getting as crisp as possible. All the water will just create steam and as any additional starch is released from the potato it's going to get gummy, just not as gummy as before.

Traditionally, yes — hash browns are vegan.

McDonald's Hash Browns are not vegan or vegetarian. If you'd like more information, check out the Hash Browns ingredients page.

While many fries are free from animal ingredients, sometimes they contain dairy or may be fried in lard. In most cases, the fries you order from a fast-food restaurant are cooked in the same oil that's used to fry meat and other animal products.

Some of the most common ingredients that can make potato chips non-vegan include dairy products like milk, cheese, cream, and buttermilk. You should also be on the lookout for “Natural Flavors,” which may or may not be made using animal products.