Rustic Pommes de Terre Grenailles with Confit Garlic and Thyme
These French-style roasted baby potatoes get crispy golden bottoms and creamy insides using the 'cold pan to hot oven' method. Whole garlic cloves turn sweet and spreadable while fresh thyme perfumes everything. Takes 35 minutes total and serves 4 as a stunning side dish that looks fancy but uses simple ingredients.
Recipe by Mr Saucy aka Christophe
Christophe is a culinary professional with expertise in French and global cuisine. He has developed recipes and cooking techniques that bridge traditional methods with modern home cooking approaches. Christophe focuses on making classic culinary techniques accessible to home cooks through clear instruction and practical applications. He studied at Le Cordon Bleu Paris and has work experience at a two star Michelin restaurant.
Homecook turned pro with a Cordon Bleu Paris graduate
Quick Info
How Does Starting in a Cold Pan Create Better Crust?
Traditional French technique shows that starting potatoes in a cold pan with fat lets the heat rise gradually. The potatoes absorb the butter and oil as they warm, creating an even coating that browns beautifully instead of steaming.
Food science shows that leaving garlic cloves unpeeled protects them from burning at 400°F / 200°C. The skins act like tiny ovens, letting the garlic steam in its own moisture until it becomes sweet and jam-like—professional chefs call this 'confit.'
The sauté-to-roast method gives you the best of both worlds. The stovetop creates that restaurant-quality crust on the cut side, while the oven heat surrounds the potatoes to cook them through and crisp the skins without any flipping or fussing.
Ingredients
Recipe yields 4 servings
For the Potatoes
| Amount | Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 g (2.2 lbs) | Small waxy potatoes (Baby Yukon Gold or Charlotte) | scrubbed clean and halved lengthwise |
| 45 g (3 tablespoons) | Unsalted butter | cubed, divided into 30g and 15g portions |
| 20 g (1½ tablespoons) | Neutral oil (Grapeseed or Sunflower) | to raise the smoke point of the butter |
| 40 g (8-10 cloves) | Whole garlic cloves | left whole and unpeeled for a confit effect |
| 5 g (4-5 sprigs) | Fresh thyme sprigs | to be roasted with the potatoes |
For Finishing
| Amount | Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10 g (2 tablespoons) | Fresh flat-leaf parsley | finely chopped |
| 8 g (1½ teaspoons) | Sea salt (Maldon or Fleur de Sel) | to taste |
| 1 g (fresh grating) | Whole nutmeg | for a fresh grating |
| 2 g (½ teaspoon) | Freshly ground black pepper | to taste |
Instructions
Prep the Potatoes
- 1
Scrub and Dry the Potatoes
Scrub the baby potatoes thoroughly but leave the skins on—the skin traps steam inside while cooking, giving you creamy centers. Halve them lengthwise and dry completely with a clean kitchen towel. Any moisture on the surface creates steam instead of browning, so this step is critical for that golden crust.
Start the Sauté
- 2
Arrange in a Cold Pan
Place the potatoes cut-side down in a cold, heavy ovenproof skillet (cast iron works beautifully). Add the oil and 30g of the butter. Starting cold lets the fat coat every potato evenly as the temperature rises, which means better browning and no sticking.
- 3
Add the Aromatics
Scatter the whole, unpeeled garlic cloves and fresh thyme sprigs throughout the pan. The garlic skins protect the cloves from burning and let them steam into sweet, spreadable paste. The thyme releases its oils into the butter as everything heats up.
- 4
Heat Until Sizzling
Turn the heat to medium-high and wait until the butter foams and the potatoes start to sizzle—this takes about 5-7 minutes. You'll smell the butter getting nutty and see bubbles forming around the potatoes. This stovetop phase builds the foundation crust on the cut side.
Roast to Perfection
- 5
Transfer to the Oven
Move the skillet to a preheated 200°C / 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes. The high heat surrounds the potatoes, crisping the skins and cooking them through while the garlic softens completely. Don't flip or stir—just let the oven do its work.
- 6
Add the Final Butter Baste
After 15 minutes, add the remaining 15g of butter to the pan. This final addition bastes everything with rich, nutty flavor in the last 5 minutes. The potatoes should be deeply golden on the bottom and the garlic cloves soft when gently squeezed.
Season and Serve
- 7
Season While Hot
Remove from the oven and immediately season with sea salt, black pepper, and a fresh grating of nutmeg. The residual heat blooms the nutmeg's warm, aromatic oils—a classic French touch that adds subtle depth.
- 8
Finish with Fresh Parsley
Toss with the chopped parsley just before serving. The bright, fresh herb cuts through the rich, roasted flavors and adds a pop of color. Encourage guests to squeeze the soft garlic out of the skins directly onto their potatoes for an extra treat.
Tips & Tricks
If your potatoes are sticking to the pan: They're not ready to move yet. Potatoes naturally release once a proper crust forms. Wait the full stovetop time, then use a thin metal spatula to gently lift them after roasting.
If you want even deeper flavor: Swap the neutral oil for duck fat or lard. This is the traditional French way for 'Pommes de Terre Sarladaises' and adds incredible richness.
If you don't have an ovenproof skillet: Start the potatoes in a regular skillet, then carefully transfer everything to a baking dish before putting it in the oven. Pour all the butter and aromatics over the top.
If your garlic is burning: Make sure the cloves stay unpeeled—the skins protect them from direct heat. Tuck them between potatoes rather than leaving them exposed on the pan surface.
If you're using large potatoes instead of baby ones: Cut them into 1-inch chunks instead of halves. They'll need an extra 5-10 minutes in the oven to cook through completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why leave the garlic cloves whole and unpeeled?
The skins protect the garlic from the high 400°F / 200°C oven heat, letting the insides steam and turn sweet like jam instead of burning and getting bitter. Once soft, you squeeze them out like toothpaste—it's a delicious treat.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Partial prep works well. Scrub and halve the potatoes up to 4 hours ahead, keeping them in cold water to prevent browning. Drain and dry completely before cooking. The dish is best served fresh from the oven for maximum crispness.
Why start the potatoes in a cold pan instead of a hot one?
Starting cold lets the fat coat the potatoes evenly as the temperature rises, which creates more consistent browning. It also gives the inside time to start softening before the outside gets too dark.
Should I boil the potatoes first like other roasted potato recipes?
No need for these small, halved potatoes. Parboiling can make the skins mushy and you lose that rustic texture. The sauté-to-roast method cooks them perfectly without the extra step.
What if I don't have fresh thyme?
Use 1 teaspoon of dried thyme instead, adding it to the cold pan with the butter. Dried herbs need more time to release their flavor, so starting them early works perfectly here.
Can I use a different type of potato?
Stick with waxy or all-purpose varieties like Yukon Gold, Charlotte, or fingerlings. Starchy Russets fall apart when halved and don't give you that creamy, silky texture inside.
Why does the recipe call for both butter and oil?
The oil raises the smoke point of the butter so it can handle the high heat without burning. You get the rich flavor of butter with the stability of oil—best of both worlds.
How do I know when the potatoes are done?
The cut side should be deeply golden brown and crispy, the skins slightly blistered, and a knife should slide through easily. The garlic cloves will feel soft when you gently squeeze them through the skins.