Calabrian-Style Marinated Potatoes
Salads

Calabrian-Style Marinated Potatoes

ML
By Marie Lefebvre · Updated November 1, 2026

These little potatoes simmered in garlic-infused olive oil with fiery Calabrian chili flakes and vinegar are bold, addictive, and surprisingly easy to make. The real magic happens overnight in the fridge — prepare them the evening before and let time do the rest.

Prep⏱️ 30 min
Servings👥 2 servings
Difficulty📊 Easy
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🛒 Ingredients

2 servings

2
  • 1 kg (2.2 lb) small waxy potatoes, unpeeled
  • 1 whole head of garlic
  • 1 large onion, grated
  • 200 ml (¾ cup) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small packet dried Calabrian chili flakes (or red pepper flakes)
  • 200 ml (¾ cup) white vinegar
  • 4 bay leaves
  • Salt to taste

Directions

  1. 1

    Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water without peeling them. Dry them very well with a clean kitchen towel — any moisture left on the skin will cause dangerous splattering in hot oil.

  2. 2

    Heat the olive oil in a wide, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and sauté until they begin to turn golden.

  3. 3

    Add the grated onion, chili flakes, finely chopped bay leaves, and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until everything is golden and fragrant.

  4. 4

    Pour in the vinegar all at once and raise the heat to bring to a full boil.

  5. 5

    Once boiling, carefully add the potatoes and reduce the heat to low. Do not stir with a spoon from this point on.

  6. 6

    Keep the pan half-covered and gently swirl it by the handles every few minutes to coat the potatoes evenly in the marinade without breaking them.

  7. 7

    Cook until the potatoes are just tender when pierced with a knife tip — al dente, not mushy. The skin should still hold its shape.

  8. 8

    Allow to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to sealed containers and refrigerate. Serve the next day for the fullest flavor.

💡 Chef's Tip

The no-stirring rule is essential — a spoon will break the potatoes apart. Use only a gentle pan-swirl to move them. And never skip the overnight rest: the vinegar-spice marinade needs that time to fully penetrate.