Funeral Potato Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is funeral potatoes a Mormon thing? ›

Commonly served after LDS funerals, this cheesy potato casserole is the ultimate comfort food. If you've ever encountered Mormon funeral potatoes, you can attest that the salty, crispy, cheesy casserole is one of the most oddly satisfying creations that exists in America — nay, the world.

These ooey-gooey potatoes may be named after funerals, because members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared them at funerals.

Yogurt is your best substitute for sour cream. Whether you're baking or making a dip or sauce, yogurt is a 1:1 sub. That means if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sour cream, you can replace it with 1 cup of yogurt. Full-fat Greek or natural yogurts work best, but low-fat or even nonfat can be used, too.

The best side dishes to serve with funeral potatoes are blooming onion, bacon-wrapped asparagus, chicken parmesan, pork ribs, feta pasta, sausage rolls, butter lettuce salad, coconut shrimp, salmon burger, steamed broccoli, glazed carrots, cheesy garlic bread, grilled corn on the cob, pasta salad, apple slaw, and beef ...

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.

Can I attend the funeral if I'm not Mormon? The reason why you might be concerned about this is that non-Mormons aren't allowed inside Mormon temples. In many cases, Mormon funerals are open to everyone, regardless of their faith, since they usually aren't held in temples.

What is it called when you eat after a funeral? The gathering after the funeral usually has food known as a repast. Repast food is a type of food that is often served at funerals. It is typically light and simple, such as sandwiches and finger foods.

Funeral potatoes (also great potatoes, cheesy potatoes, hash brown casserole, cheesy hash browns, those potatoes, or party potatoes) is a traditional potato hotdish or casserole that is popular in the American Intermountain West and Midwest.

While no one is sure where exactly funeral potatoes originated, most sources attribute their spread to the Relief Society, a women's organization within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One responsibility of society members was attending to the needs of the bereaved, including meals.

Use 'crema' instead of sour cream.

But in Mexico, you won't come across this often (especially not on your tacos!), and when you do, it's not sour cream. If you're asking what the difference is: crema is less sour than sour cream, but has slightly more 'tang' than straight thickened cream.

Can I use Philadelphia instead of sour cream? ›

Yes, cream cheese can be used as an alternative to sour cream in some recipes. It has a similar creaminess and tangy flavor. However, cream cheese is thicker and has a more pronounced flavor, so you may need to add a little bit of milk to thin it out and balance the flavor. To use cream cheese as a sub...

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!

Funeral potatoes in Utah and Latter-day Saint culture

Made with inexpensive ingredients, funeral potatoes have persisted both because of their low cost and their iconic taste. While we may never uncover their true origins, this dish has a strong association with Utah.

Funeral potatoes are a familiar side dish in the Western and Southern United States. They're popular at gatherings of the Church of Latter-day Saints and the church's associated Relief Society. They're also served widely and in many different variations.

Potatoes that have green spots or sprouts can contain toxins, so unless you can completely cut those parts out, it's best to toss them. Store potatoes in a cool, dry, dark place to prevent sprouting and premature spoilage.

Where did funeral potatoes come from? If conventional wisdom holds true and the Relief Society invented funeral potatoes, this dish was invented in Utah. It's also possible that funeral potatoes were invented in the Midwest. Until March 2023, funeral potatoes are part of a museum exhibit in Iowa per the Deseret News.

In an interview with NPR, Jacqueline Thursby described how Latter-day Saints had big families and even bigger congregations to feed. The Latter-day Saint life is filled with endless potlucks, giving food to the sick, funerals, weddings, activities and births. Funeral potatoes provided a thrifty solution, she explained.

The service may include prayers and songs. Friends and family may share memories of the deceased—even if they aren't members of the faith. The service may be personalized to reflect the life and beliefs of the loved one being honored. Service leaders often share scripture and church teachings during the service.

Over time, a traditional menu has evolved—ham, potatoes au gratin, green beans, rolls, salad, and dessert. There is nothing in Mormon theology that requires this menu, but it has become the standard funeral luncheon, to the point that au gratin potatoes have been dubbed “funeral potatoes” by people of the region.