Potatoes, o'brien, home-prepared
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Potatoes O'Brien is a vibrant skillet of diced potatoes pan-fried with green bell peppers and onions, often with a hint of red pepper for color. The texture is a delightful contrast of crispy, golden-brown edges and a soft, fluffy interior, with the vegetables adding a fresh, aromatic crunch. Nutritionally, it's a light, starchy base at just 81 kcal per 100g, making it a lower-calorie option compared to many fried potato dishes.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 75% carbs · 14% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its comforting, savory flavor profile and the satisfying crunch of the peppers and onions against the tender potatoes. It's a versatile side dish that pairs well with breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and carries a nostalgic, home-cooked appeal.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish can spike blood sugar due to its high carbohydrate content and lack of fiber, which may concern those managing diabetes. To counteract this, pair it with a protein like eggs or lean meat, and use a smaller portion. Also, watch the sodium if using pre-seasoned mixes or salted butter; opt for herbs and spices for flavor instead.
Key benefits
- Good source of vitamin C from the bell peppers
- Provides potassium from the potatoes
- Low in fat compared to deep-fried potato dishes
- Quick and versatile to prepare with pantry staples
- Offers a mix of textures and flavors in one dish
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The dish is named after James O'Brien, a New York City restaurateur who popularized it in the early 20th century, though the exact origin story is debated among food historians.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 79.6 g |
| Energy | 81.0 kcal |
| Energy | 339 kj |
| Protein | 2.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.3 g |
| Ash | 1.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 15.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 36.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.47 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 50.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 266 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 217 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.30 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.13 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.12 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 16.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 1.0 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.44 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.21 mg |
| Folate, total | 8.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 8.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 481 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.80 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.13 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.36 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.15 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.35 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.30 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.02 g |
| Cholesterol | 4.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.09 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.11 g |
| Leucine | 0.17 g |
| Lysine | 0.14 g |
| Methionine | 0.04 g |
| Cystine | 0.03 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.11 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.09 g |
| Valine | 0.13 g |
| Arginine | 0.11 g |
| Histidine | 0.05 g |
| Alanine | 0.08 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.38 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.47 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.15 g |
| Serine | 0.11 g |
FAQ
What are the main ingredients in Potatoes O'Brien?
The main ingredients are diced potatoes, green bell peppers, and onions, often cooked in butter or oil with salt and pepper.
Is Potatoes O'Brien gluten-free?
Yes, the basic recipe is gluten-free, but always check for cross-contamination if using pre-packaged mixes or seasonings.
How can I make Potatoes O'Brien healthier?
Use less oil or a non-stick pan, add more vegetables like spinach or tomatoes, and season with herbs instead of salt to reduce sodium.
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 0.81 kcal/g · 12% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 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: 0.82 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.