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Vegetarian, South and mountains

Lyonnais potato galette with green salad

The Lyonnais potato galette is a large cake made from grated potatoes, pan fried in butter until deeply crisp. This easy recipe serves 4, takes 40 minutes, and costs €1.60 per serving. The key to success is pressing the grated potatoes in a kitchen towel to remove as much water as possible before cooking.

I suggest a Lyonnais potato galette, this big crispy grated potato cake, with a salad for freshness.

Lyonnais potato galette with green salad
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.60
Calories per person
520 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

This Lyonnais potato galette is a simple dish that still rewards a bit of technique. The potatoes are grated into thin matchsticks, squeezed dry, then packed into a hot pan where they form a golden, crispy crust outside while staying soft inside. Chives add just enough freshness without covering the potato flavor.

It's a great choice for a weeknight when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. Kids tend to love this galette, since it feels a bit like one giant crispy fry, and the green salad on the side keeps the meal balanced. Mon Chou pairs this galette with a simple mustard vinaigrette for an easy, complete dinner.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 1.2 kg
  • Green salad 1
  • Chives 1 bunch

Dairy

  • Butter 60 g

Pantry

  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Mustardoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Red wine vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin matchsticks, without rinsing them.

    The starch left on the potatoes acts as the glue that holds the galette together.

  2. Squeeze them in a clean kitchen towel, then season with salt, pepper, and chopped chives.

    Twist the towel hard with both hands until no more liquid comes out.

  3. Heat the butter and oil in a large nonstick pan, pack the potatoes into a flat cake, and let it brown over medium heat. 12 min

    Press down firmly with a spatula from the start so the cake holds together.

  4. Flip the cake using a plate and brown the other side. 12 min

    Slide the cake onto the plate, cover it with the pan, and flip the whole thing in one quick motion.

  5. Make the vinaigrette with the mustard, vinegar, and olive oil, dress the salad, and serve alongside the galette cut into wedges.

    Serve the galette right away, it loses its crispiness if it sits.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick firm, waxy potatoes, they release less water during cooking and hold the shape of the galette better.
  • Don't flip the cake too soon, wait until it slides easily in the pan when you shake it gently, otherwise it may break apart.
  • Use a good nonstick pan that's wide enough to keep the galette thin, a thin cake crisps up better than a thick one.

The variations

  • Add shredded Gruyère between two layers of potatoes for a richer, melty galette.
  • Swap the chives for flat leaf parsley or chopped scallions, depending on what you have on hand.
  • For kids, shape small individual galettes in the pan, they cook faster and eat just like classic potato cakes.

What to serve it with

  • A well dressed green salad
  • A fried egg on top
  • A slice of ham

Storage

The galette keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, but it loses most of its crispiness. Reheat it in a pan with a little butter rather than the microwave to bring back some crunch. Freezing isn't recommended, the texture turns mushy once thawed.

Questions about this dish

Should you rinse the grated potatoes before cooking the galette?

No, don't rinse them. The starch left on the surface helps the potato matchsticks stick together while cooking. That's what gives the galette its structure.

Can you prep the galette ahead of time?

You can grate and squeeze the potatoes a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. The cooking itself should happen right before serving, since the galette loses its crispiness if it sits.

What kind of pan works best for this galette?

A good quality nonstick pan is essential so you can flip the cake without it sticking. A well heated cast iron pan also works well.

How do you flip the galette without breaking it?

Slide the cake onto a large flat plate, place the empty pan on top like a lid, then flip the whole thing in one quick, confident motion. The cake will then drop gently back into the pan.

How long does it take to make a Lyonnais potato galette with green salad?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Lyonnais potato galette with green salad?

About 520 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Lyonnais potato galette with green salad cost?

About €1.60 per serving, or €6.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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