If you’re hunting for a side dish that’s crispy, golden, and meltingly tender all at once, you’re going to adore this Perfect Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe. I absolutely love how these potatoes develop a perfectly crisp crust infused with garlic and fragrant rosemary, underneath which lies the softest, most buttery interior you can imagine. Once you try this, you’ll find yourself making it over and over—trust me, it’s fan-freaking-tastic and pretty straightforward too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Golden Crispy Edges: Roasting the potatoes in butter and olive oil ensures a golden, crisp exterior that’s downright addictive.
- Meltingly Tender Inside: The magic of adding broth during roasting creates a soft, luscious inside that practically melts in your mouth.
- Aromatic Flavor Boost: Fresh garlic and rosemary infuse every bite with a wonderfully herbaceous, savory aroma.
- Easy Steps for Big Flavor: You don’t need fancy techniques to nail this classic, just a few simple tips that anyone can follow.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe combines simple, wholesome ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen already. Choosing the right potatoes and fresh rosemary really makes a difference, so I’ll share how to spot the best ones.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter is key for rich flavor without overpowering the potatoes’ natural earthiness.
- Olive Oil: Balances the butter and helps achieve that crispy texture we all love.
- Kosher Salt: Adds the perfect seasoning level and helps draw out moisture for better roasting.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: For a subtle kick that brightens the dish.
- Potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet): Opt for uniformly sized potatoes for even cooking; Yukon gold gives a buttery flavor, while russet lends fluffiness.
- Fresh Rosemary: Coarsely chopped to release its pine-like fragrance that’s simply irresistible.
- Low-Sodium Vegetable or Chicken Broth: Added toward the end to gently steam the potatoes, making them unbelievably tender.
- Garlic Cloves: Peeled and smashed to infuse the potatoes with mellow garlic flavor without being overpowering.
Variations
I like to mix things up now and then with this recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. You can totally make this dish your own, and I encourage you to experiment!
- Use Different Herbs: I once swapped rosemary for thyme and added some sage — it was delicious, especially in the fall.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkling freshly grated Parmesan during the last 5 minutes of roasting adds a crispy, cheesy crust my family goes crazy for.
- Spicy Kick: For a little heat, toss the potatoes with smoked paprika or chili flakes before roasting.
- Vegan Version: Simply omit the butter and use extra olive oil — the broth and herbs still deliver amazing flavor.
How to Make Perfect Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Seasoning Mix
Start by preheating your oven to a high temperature—450°F is my go-to because it crisps the potatoes beautifully. While that’s heating up, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl. This mixture coats your potatoes with loads of flavor and helps develop that crispy finish you’re after.
Step 2: Cut and Coat Your Potatoes
Peel your potatoes if you like (I often leave the skins on for extra texture and nutrients), then slice them crosswise into thick, 1-inch rounds. I discovered this thickness is crucial—it’s thick enough to stay tender and fluffy inside, yet thin enough to crisp up on the outside. Toss these rounds with your butter and herb mixture, making sure every piece gets coated with the rosemary and seasoning.
Step 3: Roast and Flip for Even Browning
Arrange your potatoes cut-side up on a rimmed metal baking pan in a single layer. Avoid glass pans because they don’t get hot enough to crisp well and might even crack—you want metal here for best results. Roast them for about 15 minutes until the bottoms start to turn golden and the potatoes release easily when you use tongs. Then flip each round; roasting on both sides guarantees even, deep color and crunch.
Step 4: Add Broth and Garlic to Finish
Pull the pan out carefully, pour in 1 cup of low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth, and nestle in your smashed garlic cloves. The broth steams the potatoes, making them tender without turning mushy. Pop it back in the oven and roast for another 15 minutes until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the potatoes feel meltingly soft inside.
Pro Tips for Making Perfect Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe
- Choose Uniform Potatoes: Picking potatoes similar in size ensures even cooking so you don’t end up with some burnt and some underdone.
- Don’t Skip the Broth: Adding broth towards the end adds moisture and helps you achieve that tender center without losing the crisp edges.
- Use a Metal Pan: Metal conducts heat better for those crispy bottoms, something glass pans won’t do as well.
- Be Patient Flipping: Give the potatoes enough time before flipping so they release easily from the pan—if they stick, they’re not ready!
How to Serve Perfect Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe

Garnishes
I like to finish off these potatoes with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a few fresh rosemary leaves for a pop of herbal color. Sometimes I add a little chopped parsley to brighten things up visually and with a touch of fresh flavor—it really lifts the dish.
Side Dishes
This Perfect Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or even a hearty vegetable stew. I love serving it alongside a crisp green salad or steamed greens for balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I lay these golden rounds out in a pretty circular pattern on a warmed platter and drizzle a little extra garlic-infused oil on top. Adding small roasted cherry tomatoes or caramelized onions scattered throughout gives it a festive look and bursts of flavor everyone notices.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover roasted potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They keep surprisingly well—sometimes I even roast a bit extra just so I can enjoy them cold or reheated later.
Freezing
While I haven’t frequently frozen these since they’re best fresh, you can freeze fully cooled roasted potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. When ready, reheat them in a hot oven or skillet to crisp them back up—they won’t be quite the same as freshly roasted but still tasty.
Reheating
Reheating in the oven at 400°F for about 10 minutes brings back the crispness, or you can pan-fry the leftover potatoes over medium heat with a little olive oil—either way works great to revive their texture and flavor.
FAQs
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Can I use red potatoes or other types instead of Yukon Gold or Russet?
Yes, you can! Red potatoes tend to be waxier and hold their shape well but may not get quite as fluffy inside. Yukon Gold and Russet are my favorites because of their balance between fluffiness and crispiness.
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Do I have to peel the potatoes for this recipe?
Not at all! I sometimes leave the skins on for extra texture and nutrients. Just be sure to wash them well. Peeling is a personal choice and won’t drastically change the recipe.
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Can I make this recipe in advance?
You can prepare the potatoes up to the flipping stage, refrigerate, and then finish roasting the next day. Just bring them to room temp before finishing so they cook evenly. Leftover cooked potatoes reheat well, too.
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Why do you add broth during roasting?
The broth adds moisture that gently steams the potatoes, helping them become incredibly tender inside without compromising the crispy exterior. It also infuses subtle savory flavor.
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Is it okay to use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Fresh smashed garlic cloves release a mellow, infused aroma during roasting that’s hard to replicate with garlic powder. While powder can add flavor, I recommend fresh for best results in this recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Perfect Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe is one of those comforting dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. I love how it’s simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough to serve guests. It always earns compliments and sometimes even leftovers get fought over in my house! Give it a try—you’ll love how the crispy, tender, and fragrant flavors come together in the best way possible. Once you master this, roasted potatoes will no longer be just a side, but the star of your meal.
Print
Perfect Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best-Ever Melting Potatoes are tender, golden, and bursting with flavor from butter, olive oil, fresh rosemary, and garlic. Roasted to perfection, they achieve a meltingly soft texture inside with a crisp, deep golden exterior, making them an irresistible side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2 pounds uniformly-sized Yukon gold or russet potatoes (4 to 5 medium)
Seasoning and Oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, coarsely chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
Additional
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Butter Mixture: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450°F (232°C). In a small bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until combined.
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel the potatoes if desired. Trim the rounded ends to create flat surfaces and cut the potatoes crosswise into 1-inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking.
- Toss Potatoes with Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the potato rounds with the chopped rosemary and the butter-oil mixture. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat each piece in the flavorful blend.
- Arrange Potatoes for Roasting: Transfer the coated potatoes, cut-side up, to a rimmed 9×13-inch metal baking pan or quarter sheet pan. Arrange them in a single layer. Drizzle any remaining butter mixture over the top for added crispness and flavor.
- First Roast: Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, until the bottoms begin to turn golden brown and the potatoes release easily from the pan when lifted with tongs.
- Flip and Continue Roasting: Carefully flip each potato round over and roast for another 15 minutes or until both sides develop a deep golden-brown color and crispy texture.
- Add Broth and Garlic: Remove the pan from the oven. Pour the low-sodium broth evenly into the pan and add the peeled and smashed garlic cloves among the potatoes.
- Final Roast: Return the pan to the oven and roast for an additional 15 minutes until the potatoes are very tender and most of the broth has been absorbed, infusing the potatoes with moisture and flavor.
Notes
- Using thick potato rounds ensures a tender, melting texture inside while achieving crispy, golden exteriors.
- A rimmed metal pan is recommended over glass to prevent shattering under high heat.
- Roasting with broth and garlic adds moisture and deep, aromatic flavor to the potatoes.
- For extra crispiness, avoid overcrowding the pan to allow even heat circulation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 208
- Sugar: 1.9 g
- Sodium: 381 mg
- Fat: 9.0 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28.7 g
- Fiber: 3.3 g
- Protein: 4.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg

