Updated: Aug. 08, 2021
Don't let the melancholy name fool you. This is the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
If you’ve ever heard the term “funeral potatoes,” you may have immediately turned the other direction. But while it sounds like a somber dish with that name, that’s not necessarily the case.
What are funeral potatoes exactly? Loaded with potatoes, cheese and sour cream, this classic casserole dish is quick and easy to make, and they’re definitely worth giving a try.
What Are Funeral Potatoes?
Funeral potatoes are a classic casserole dish associated with comfort and family. Typically, they’re made with a base of frozen, shredded hash browns, along with sour cream, cream of chicken soup, chopped onion, butter, a variety of cheeses and a crunchy topping of potato chips, corn flakes or Ritz crackers.
Why Are They Called Funeral Potatoes?
It’s not uncommon to whip up a dish for the family of someone who recently passed away. It serves as a kind gesture while making sure they don’t need to go to the trouble of cooking during a difficult time.
Funeral potatoes are simple enough to throw together, and they can be made ahead of time to be easily popped in the oven when it’s time to eat. Plus, with such a creamy texture and plenty of flavor from the cheese, onion, and butter, they’re the ultimate comfort food. Funeral potatoes have been making an appearance at church gatherings or services after a funeral for many years.
Are Funeral Potatoes a Mormon Tradition?
The origins of funeral potatoes are a bit murky, but they are certainly a well-known favorite amongst the Mormon community. Some stories attribute the dish to the Mormon Relief Society, which is dedicated to helping people in need, such as those grieving a loss.
According to NPR, it’s common to see this casserole dish served at funerals, but it’s also popular at holiday dinners, potlucks and weekly family dinners.
How to Make Funeral Potatoes
There’s never a bad time to try your hand at whipping up this dish. You can put together this comforting cheesy potatoes recipe to serve as the perfect introduction to funeral potatoes. Essentially they’re the same as a hash brown casserole or a dressed-up version of au gratin potatoes.
Ingredients for Funeral Potatoes
To make funeral potatoes, you’ll need a base of potatoes whether you choose to utilize frozen, shredded hash browns or cubed potatoes.
Other ingredients on your shopping list should include sour cream, cream of chicken soup, butter, salt, pepper, chopped onion, cheddar cheese and potato chips or corn flakes for your crunchy topping. From there, they can be dressed up with other additions such as ham, bacon or additional vegetables.
Methods for Making Funeral Potatoes
One of the easiest methods to make this dish is to simply combine all of the ingredients in a slow cooker (that’s the method used in this version of funeral potatoes), minus the crunchy topping. Let the potatoes cook for four to five hours, and then finish off the dish by sprinkling it with the crunchy topping before serving.
You can also combine all of the ingredients, minus the topping, in a large bowl. Spread the mixture into a casserole dish and sprinkle the topping over the potatoes. Then, it will be ready to pop in the oven at any time. That’s how our Test Kitchen puts together this creamy hash brown casserole.
Funeral potatoes can also be prepped ahead of time without the topping and kept covered in the freezer for two to three months until you’re ready to bake them.
FAQs
Why are they called funeral potatoes? We know: the name does sound like a bummer. The story goes that these bubbling beauties were named so after becoming a traditional comfort food for post-funeral gatherings.
Why are funeral potatoes called funeral potatoes? ›
Why are they called funeral potatoes? Funeral potatoes get their unique name from being a crowd-pleasing casserole served as a side dish at after-funeral luncheons (particularly in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).
What state is known for funeral potatoes? ›
The dish is prominent in the predominantly Mormon-populated areas of Utah and Idaho, and may have originated in that region of the United States. Funeral potatoes may be known by other names, such as potato casserole, and is served at other potluck dinners, such as family and church gatherings.
Where did the Mormon funeral potatoes come from? ›
While no one is sure where exactly funeral potatoes originated, most sources attribute their spread to the Relief Society, a women's organization within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One responsibility of society members was attending to the needs of the bereaved, including meals.
What are funeral potatoes Deseret News? ›
Think of funeral potatoes like an everyman's au gratin or scalloped potatoes. Cheese, cornflakes (or something else carb-filled and crumbly), potatoes, sour cream and condensed soup comprise this delectable dish. It's a casserole dish that can feed a crowd.
Why are they called potatoes? ›
The word is believed to be derived from the Spanish discoverers' understanding of the South American Indians' name for the plant, papa or patata. Over most of the United States, "potato" refers to Solanum tuberosum, the "white" or "Irish" potato, although in many parts of our South the term means "sweet potato".
What are all purpose potatoes called? ›
All-purpose Potatoes for Most Recipes
They can be baked, mashed, or deep-fried like a starchy potato, but will not produce the same fluffy results. Types of all-purpose potatoes are Norland Red, Red Gold, Yukon Gold, Purple Majesty, Peruvian Blue, All blue, Kennebec, Superior, and Katahdin.
Where are potatoes known? ›
The potato is native to the Peruvian-Bolivian Andes. It was cultivated in South America by the Incas as early as 1,800 years ago. The Spaniards who colonized South America introduced potatoes into Europe during the second half of the 16th century.
What state represents potatoes? ›
While most may think of Idaho as the “potato state,” Oregon does, in fact, put the “Ore” in Ore-Ida, producing a large number of potatoes each year. Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 passed Thursday and designated the potato as Oregon's official vegetable.
Are funeral potatoes a northern thing? ›
The likelihood you've eaten them, however, is slim, as funeral potatoes are mostly an Intermountain West thing.
Potatonity is a religion centered around the potato, much like Tuberism. The religion is about the four stages of the potato (potato plant, potato, poisonous potato, baked potato) and the holy potato gods (Each god is represented by one stage of the potato).
What is the story of the potato church? ›
Description. Dutch Church members after World War II planted potatoes together to help heal spiritual wounds and restore unity. The project took on new meaning when they were asked to send their harvest to Germany.
What do Mormons eat at funerals? ›
In many communities, close family members and friends gather at the church after the funeral to share a meal prepared by the women's Relief Society. Ham or turkey is served with potatoes, salad, and rolls, followed by dessert.
What is the meaning of funeral potatoes? ›
It is called "funeral" potatoes because it is commonly served as a side dish during traditional after-funeral dinners, but it is also served at potlucks, and other social gatherings, sometimes with different names.
What is it called where you eat after a funeral? ›
A funeral reception luncheon, or funeral repast, is a gathering for a meal after the funeral service. The person who hosts the luncheon will decide with the family to hold the event at a restaurant, banquet hall, or someone's home.
What is the meal after a funeral called? ›
The gathering after the funeral usually has food known as a repast. Repast food is a type of food that is often served at funerals. It is typically light and simple, such as sandwiches and finger foods.
What is the food after a funeral called? ›
The gathering after the funeral usually has food known as a repast. Repast food is a type of food that is often served at funerals. It is typically light and simple, such as sandwiches and finger foods.
Why is it called a jacket potato? ›
Edward, the waiter, bruising the leathery jacket of the potato dexterously in his napkin, tumbles out the hot flour. Potato (cooked in jacket). From there, it's easy to see how it became a "jacket potato", since it's a potato that's baked with its skin (the "jacket") on.
Why is there food at funerals? ›
One area of a funeral service that's traditional in most situations is the providing of food to family and friends who are able to attend. This food is usually provided at the end of the service, and is a form of support offered to those who are grieving.
What is the Hello Heart in potatoes? ›
Hollow heart is an internal disorder where a 'lens' or 'star'-shaped cavity forms in the tuber. It appears to be caused by an abrupt change in tuber growth rate which usually occurs after a period of stress. Water, heat stress and associated calcium deficiency appear to have a role in the development of hollow heart.
