Pyttipanna (Swedish Hash)

  • Preparation and Chopping - 20 minutes
  • Cooking - 20 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: Sweden
Fried mix of meat, potatoes, and onions, Pyttipanna, served with a fried egg and pickled beetroot.

Pyttipanna should be a quick and easy meal. The key is to cut all ingredients into equally sized small cubes (pytt i panna) and fry them separately to ensure they are perfectly crispy.

The traditional accompaniment is essential: pickled beetroot (inlagda rödbetor) adds a sweet-and-sour acidity that balances the saltiness of the meat.

Ingredients

I. For the Pyttipanna

  • 600 g Potatoes (already boiled and cooled, e.g., leftovers)
  • 300 g Meat (e.g., roast beef, ham, or sausage), diced
  • 1 pc (large) Onion, yellow
  • 2 Tbsp Butter or oil
  • 1 to taste Salt and black pepper

II. For Serving

  • 4 pcs (for fried eggs) Eggs
  • 1 bowl Pickled beetroot
  • 1 bowl (optional) Pickled gherkins

Instructions

Step 1: Chopping the Ingredients

Cut all ingredients – the boiled potatoes, the meat, and the onion – into small cubes of equal size (approx. 0.5 - 1 cm). It is important for the cubes to be the same size for even frying.

Step 2: Frying Potatoes and Meat

Heat the butter/oil in a large pan. First, fry the potato cubes over high heat until they are crispy and golden brown. Set them aside in a warm place.

Add the meat to the same pan and fry until browned and crispy. Set aside with the potatoes.

Step 3: Frying Onion and Combining

In the pan (add a little fat if necessary), fry the diced onion until translucent and soft, but it should not be brown; it should retain a slightly sweet taste.

Add the fried potatoes and meat to the onion. Mix thoroughly and heat everything together.

Step 4: Serving

While the Pyttipanna is heating, prepare 4 fried eggs in another pan. The yolk should remain runny.

Season the Pyttipanna with salt and black pepper.

Serve directly onto plates, top with a fried egg, and serve pickled beetroot and optionally pickled gherkins on the side.