Updated Funeral Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are funeral potatoes a Mormon thing? ›

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.

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

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).

Plain Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream.

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.

To ensure ultimate crispness, be sure to rinse the grated potatoes with cold water until the water runs nearly clear and to use a very hot, well-seasoned pan. As with all potato dishes, remember to season well.

If you don't eliminate enough liquid (from the potatoes that you, again, just soaked in water), they will get soggy instead of crispy, a.k.a. a total bummer.

Most recipes for shredded hash browns advise squeezing the potatoes to release as much liquid as possible before they're cooked. This makes sense—potatoes are loaded with moisture, which makes browning difficult. By getting rid of excess water, you enable the potatoes to brown more evenly and quickly.

Both dishes are associated with special occasions such as holidays, celebrations, and even funerals. A scalloped potato casserole topped with cheese is also known as 'funeral potatoes' in parts of North America.

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.

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. Congrats!

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!

"I didn't have any sour cream so I added 2 or 3 tablespoons of miracle whip instead. It turned out very tasty.

Axomamma (also Acsumamma and Ajomamma) is a goddess of potatoes in Inca mythology. She is one of the daughters of Pachamama, the earth mother. Potatoes forms a vital part of the food supply of the Incan people, and most villages had a particularly odd-shaped potato to worship and to beg for a good harvest.

In 1947 mission president Cornelius Zappey and other local Church leaders organized a welfare project to address food shortages and to restore goodwill among Church members. The Dutch Saints acquired seed potatoes and planted them in patches of dormant land.

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.

Food common to the Mormon regional area is similar to Midwest comfort food, or "country home cooking". Eric Eliason, a folklorist specializing in Mormon traditions, says that Utah scones, funeral potatoes, and green Jell-O are distinctive to Utah.