Roast potatoes are a must-have on any Australian Christmas table. Whether you're going traditional or mixing things up with bold flavours, this guide will walk you through three easy and delicious ways to roast your potatoes to golden perfection. Inspired by Jamie Oliver’s festive take, each version uses a unique flavour combo for a crispy, crowd-pleasing result.
Let’s dive into how to prepare, roast, and season your potatoes three ways this holiday season.
Ingredients
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1.5 kg Maris Piper potatoes (or any floury potato like Sebago or Dutch Cream)
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1 whole bulb of garlic
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Red wine vinegar
Flavour combo 1: Classic rosemary and olive oil
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3 tablespoons olive oil
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1 bunch fresh rosemary
Flavour combo 2: Buttery sage and citrus
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50 g unsalted butter
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1 bunch fresh sage
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1 clementine (zest only)
Flavour combo 3: Rich goose fat with thyme
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2 tablespoons goose fat
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1 bunch fresh thyme
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2 fresh bay leaves
Step-by-step method
Once your ingredients are ready, follow these steps to prepare your potatoes for roasting.
1. Prep your potatoes
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Preheat oven to 190°C (fan-assisted or conventional)
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Peel your potatoes and cut the larger ones so they’re all roughly the same size
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Rinse under cold water to remove excess starch
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Add to a large pot, cover with cold salted water, and parboil for 7 minutes
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Drain in a colander and let them steam dry for 3 minutes
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Give them a gentle shake in the strainer to chuff them up — this creates rough edges that crisp up beautifully in the oven
With your potatoes prepped and fluffed, it’s time to decide on your preferred flavour combo and begin roasting.
Choose your flavour and roast
Pick one of the three flavour combos above. Spread your potatoes in a large baking tray (in a single layer) and add the fat — olive oil, butter, or goose fat — plus salt and pepper to taste.
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Toss the potatoes so they’re evenly coated
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Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, or until lightly golden and about 75% cooked
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Lightly press each potato with a masher to flatten — this increases surface area for extra crunch
Next, you’ll add your herb and garlic mix to give the potatoes that festive, aromatic lift.
Add flavour and finish roasting
While the potatoes are roasting, prepare your chosen herb mix:
| Flavour Combo | Additions | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Rosemary & olive oil | A few rosemary sprigs | Tear into a small bowl with extra olive oil, garlic cloves (unpeeled), and a splash of red wine vinegar |
| Butter, sage & clementine | Clementine zest & sage | Peel zest strips, add sage leaves, butter, garlic cloves, and vinegar to a bowl |
| Goose fat & thyme | Bay leaves & thyme | Combine with oil, garlic cloves, and vinegar for a deep, savoury mix |
Once everything is mixed, pour your chosen flavour combo over the potatoes. Shake the tray to distribute evenly, then return it to the oven.
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Roast for a further 40–45 minutes, or until golden, crispy, and deeply flavourful
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Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain off excess fat
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Serve immediately for the best texture and taste
Storage and make-ahead tip
If you want to save time on the day, you can prepare the potatoes up to the roasting stage the night before. Simply cover the tray with foil or cling film and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to finish cooking.
This makes entertaining much easier while still serving up something homemade and delicious.
Want another festive side dish idea? Try this wholesome sweet potato and kale frittata recipe — perfect for breakfast or brunch during the holidays.
Tips for the perfect roast potato
To ensure your roast potatoes come out just right every time, here are a few helpful tips:
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Use floury potatoes like Maris Piper, Sebago, or King Edward
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Don’t skip the parboil and steam dry steps – they help achieve fluffiness inside and crispness outside
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Gently smashing the potatoes increases surface contact, making them extra crispy
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Use high-quality fats and fresh herbs for the best flavour
Looking for more recipes? Just browse our blogs for more wholesome, nourishing ideas to brighten up your table.
Make it lighter
Looking for a slightly healthier version? Try these simple swaps:
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Use extra virgin olive oil instead of butter or goose fat
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Limit the added oil during the second roast
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Serve alongside a fresh green salad or steamed veggies to balance your plate
These tweaks will still give you crisp and flavourful potatoes, just a little lighter on the richness.
Final thoughts
No matter which flavour combo you choose, these roasted potatoes are bound to impress. From the classic rosemary version to a citrus-sage twist or indulgent goose fat and thyme, each brings something special to your festive spread. Serve them hot and crispy, and enjoy the magic they add to your Christmas meal.