We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Frozen Hash Browns, and the Winner Tastes Like the Famous McDonald’s Ones

We love potatoes of all shapes, sizes, and flavors here at The Kitchn. We’re especially big fans of hash browns in all of their crispy, golden glory. When we don’t feel like hand-shredding potatoes (and rinsing, and drying, and pan-frying them), we reach for store-bought ones in our freezer. As it turns out, many chefs do, too. 

Yes, really! With dozens of delicious options on the market, I asked a few chef friends of mine to name their go-to frozen hash brown brand. Their unanimous pick: Trader Joe’s Hash Browns. 

These golden bricks are made with potatoes, vegetable oil, salt, dextrose (a type of sugar derived from corn), and citric acid (for shelf life), and look very similar to the ones from McDonald’s. They taste very similar to them, too, which is a big pull. 

Without hesitation, Terrence Gutiérrez, a former Trader Joe’s employee and one of my favorite chefs (and recipe developer and food content creator), named the grocer’s hash browns as one of his preferred shortcuts. Period. Specifically, “the brick.”

“I used to roll my eyes at them and think they were overrated when I worked there because people would buy so many at a time,” he said, laughing. “Then I got them, and they’re great for the air fryer, eating alone, or making little sandwiches with them.”

Rachel DiNunzio, a New York City-based recipe developer and food stylist agreed: The Trader Joe’s brand is just the best. They “taste like a McDonald’s hash brown,” she said before offering up a shred of cooking advice. They’re pretty good if you follow the instructions on the back, but they do realistically need double the time. They are REALLY good when you pan-fry them.” 

She also pointed out an obvious but important detail: “They’re in the McDonald’s hash brown patty shape, which is also an excellent base for eggs or whatever else you want on top. “I could eat them every day,” Rachel added, “but I save them as little treats for myself.”

Amelia Rampe, longtime food editor (who actually used to work at The Kitchn!), food stylist, and former chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s ABC Kitchen, is also a major fan: “I used to love those Trader Joe’s ones that look just like McDonald’s hash browns.” (She admitted she hasn’t shopped at TJ’s in years, but the memory clearly stuck.)

Find it in stores: Trader Joe’s Hash Browns, $2.79 for 10 hash browns

Are you a fan of Trader Joe’s Hash Browns? Tell us about it in the comments below.

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Frozen Hash Browns, and the Unanimous Winner Tastes Like the Famous McDonald’s Ones