Funeral Potatoes (2024)

FAQs

Why are they called 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.

The long-lasting ingredients of funeral potatoes are almost always inside a Mormon's pantry—a holdover from the Church's post-Depression push for maintaining a three-month food supply at all times. So they're ready to be cooked into a dish at a moment's notice upon hearing of a community member's passing.

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.

Greek yogurt is one of the best swaps for sour cream that you can find. (Just be sure to look for plain Greek yogurt, not the flavored variety.) It has a similar creamy texture and that characteristic tang; plus, it's a healthy ingredient that'll add protein to your dish.

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.

Substitute fresh potatoes for 30 ounces of frozen hashbrowns. Substitute diced green onions for 3 tablespoons dried chives.

What should I wear to a Mormon funeral? It's appropriate to dress in formal attire at a Mormon funeral. For men, this usually means a suit and tie, and for women, a conservative dress, skirt and blouse, or suit and trousers. Women should make sure to cover their knees and shoulders.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism)

Like Catholics, Latter-day Saints have a high regard for the resurrection and believe the body and spirit have an eternal connection. Because of this, Latter-day Saints are advised against cremation unless the local law requires it.

(Some other elements, church members have complained, go beyond exaggeration into la-la land. Yes, Mormons eat french fries and bonbons.) From the beginning, we're immersed in a somewhat insulated, Christianese-y, lemonade-drinking, 1980s LDS world.

The likelihood you've eaten them, however, is slim, as funeral potatoes are mostly an Intermountain West thing.

What are the names of funeral potatoes? ›

Funeral Potatoes, aka holiday potatoes, cheesy potatoes, or hash brown casserole, just to name a few of the things I have heard them called. But whatever you want to call them, they are most definitely to die for!

Use 'crema' instead of sour cream.

The best way to replicate crema if you can't get your hands on any is to mix sour cream and thickened cream together (half & half), with a pinch of salt, and stir it rapidly until it's thinned out. Then drizzle it over your enchiladas, tostadas & flautas.

Sour cream adds a little bit of tangy flavor and a boost of richness to mashed potatoes. It's a fun change from the standard milk or cream and butter combo usually flavoring mashed taters. You can even try your hand at making homemade sour cream from heavy cream!

Cream cheese: Use full-fat for a rich, luxurious texture. Sour cream: Adds a subtle tanginess and creamy texture. Butter or margarine: Softened to work easily into the potatoes without overmixing. Milk: Adds moisture and helps thin the potatoes for a perfect consistency when baked.

The term "repast" has Latin roots, it means "to eat" and originally referred to any mealtime. However, it has become synonymous with a meal eaten after a funeral over the years. See more on its language origins in this Wiktionary entry.

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.

In the United States, hash browns strictly refer to shredded or riced pan-fried potatoes, while diced and pan-fried potatoes are called country fried potatoes or home fries. Some recipes add diced or chopped onions.