Potato, hash brown, from fast food, with cheese
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a crispy, golden-brown shredded potato patty, deep-fried to a satisfying crunch and often topped with a blanket of melted, savory cheese. The texture is a delightful contrast: a shatteringly crisp exterior giving way to a soft, steaming interior, with the cheese adding a rich, salty, and gooey layer. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense side, packing significant fat and energy into a small serving.
Calorie split: 8% protein · 33% carbs · 59% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore the universal comfort of its salty, crispy, and cheesy flavor profile, which hits a satisfying note of indulgence. It's a beloved staple of fast-food breakfasts and a versatile canvas for toppings like sour cream, jalapeños, or a fried egg.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat, calorie, and potential sodium content can be a concern for those monitoring heart health or calorie intake, and the refined carbohydrates may cause a rapid blood-sugar spike. To mitigate this, pair it with a source of protein (like eggs or beans) and fiber (like a side salad) to slow digestion, and practice portion control by sharing a serving.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Provides some dietary fiber from the potato
- Contains small amounts of protein and essential minerals like potassium
- Offers a comforting, familiar taste that can boost mood
- Highly versatile as a base for many toppings and additions
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'hash' comes from the French word 'hacher,' meaning to chop, and the dish was originally a way to use up leftover meat and potatoes, making it an early form of culinary recycling.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 47.2 g |
| Energy | 295 kcal |
| Protein | 6.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 24.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.52 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 134 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.53 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 22.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 158 mg |
| Potassium, K | 309 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 581 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.91 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 5.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 4.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.12 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.10 mg |
| Niacin | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.17 mg |
| Folate, total | 13.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 13.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 13.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 17.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.17 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 53.0 ug |
| Retinol | 53.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 15.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 8.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.53 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.3 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 7.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.11 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 7.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.5 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.41 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 17.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, potato chips, made from dried potatoes, reduced fat — USDA does not publish this profile for Potato.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.24 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.25 g |
| Leucine | 0.37 g |
| Lysine | 0.35 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.07 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.26 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.22 g |
| Valine | 0.33 g |
| Arginine | 0.27 g |
| Histidine | 0.13 g |
| Alanine | 0.20 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.94 g |
| Glycine | 0.19 g |
| Proline | 0.20 g |
| Serine | 0.23 g |
FAQ
Are hash browns gluten-free?
Pure shredded potatoes are gluten-free, but fast-food versions may be cooked in shared fryers or contain additives with gluten. Always check with the specific restaurant for allergen information.
Why do my homemade hash browns turn out soggy?
The key is removing excess moisture. After shredding, rinse the potatoes in cold water, then squeeze them thoroughly in a clean towel or cheesecloth before frying in a very hot, well-oiled pan.
Can I make a healthier version?
Yes. You can bake or air-fry shredded potatoes with a light spray of oil for a crispier, lower-fat result. Using sweet potatoes or adding finely chopped vegetables like onions or bell peppers can also boost the nutrient profile.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.95 kcal/g · 8% calories from protein · 2.2 g fiber · 0.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.88 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.