- I make Bobby Flay's 11-layer potato gratin every year. It's probably my favorite Thanksgiving side.
- It's easy to make because the only real prep work is slicing, washing, and drying potatoes.
- I fry my toppings while the gratin bakes, so the whole dish is done in about an hour.
When I was a newlywed, I scrambled for recipes to contribute to my family's Thanksgiving dinner.
I was delegated to a side dish, which led me down an endless rabbit hole of different recipes. I needed something quick and easy, but I wanted something people would remember and talk about for years to come.
Eventually, my husband and I came across Bobby Flay's 11-layer potato gratin. The results were outstanding. Every single member of my family asked me for my recipe and went back for seconds or thirds.
It's become my signature Thanksgiving dish, and I make it every year.
The most time-consuming part is preparing the potatoes.
Emily Holi
The recipe calls for four medium Idaho potatoes, which are tasty and easy to find, but I actually prefer russets.
Pretty much all of the prep work is just slicing the potatoes. Though Flay peels his spuds, I prefer skin-on for a rustic taste and feel.
However, peeling is probably worth the extra time and effort if you prefer a smoother consistency.
The slicing can absolutely be done with a sharp knife, but a simple kitchen mandoline makes it immensely easier and faster. Just be careful not to cut yourself.
After slicing, the potatoes are soaked in cold water and thoroughly dried.
Emily Holi
The final step of prep work is just washing and drying the slices.
I've developed a method of layering my potatoes between sheets of paper towels and pressing them down as hard as I can to remove all the moisture.
Once the potatoes are dried, the rest of the recipe is incredibly easy.
My dish never actually has 11 layers, but it’s still delicious every time.
Emily Holi
Once the slices are dry, I begin layering my potatoes in a sturdy casserole dish.
Once the first layer is done, I drizzle a few tablespoons of cream over the potatoes, add salt and pepper, and move on to the next layer.
I'm not precise about creating "11 layers". I just continue with as many layers of potatoes as I can without overloading my casserole dish.
When the dish is full, I cover it with foil and place it in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes, which gives me just enough time to finish the rest of the recipe.
The caramelized shallots are arguably the most delicious part.
Emily Holi
The caramelized shallots — basically fancy crispy onions — really elevate this dish.
After thinly slicing shallots (a mandoline is also incredibly time-saving here), I toss them in a pan with butter and a pinch of sugar.
They cook on medium heat until they're gorgeously brown and fragrant. Afterward, I place the shallots on a paper towel to drain the excess oil for maximum crispiness.
The final step is prepping the fried sage.
Emily Holi
After finishing off the shallots, I check on the gratin and pop it back in the oven for an additional 30 minutes or so.
This time, while it's cooking, I focus on frying sage leaves in oil until they're crispy.
When the casserole comes out, I sprinkle my delicious caramelized shallots on top in an even layer and crumble the fried sage over everything.
Flay recommends placing whole sage leaves on top, but my family found that overwhelming. Over time, I've discovered that crumbling the sage provides just the right amount of texture and flavor to balance each bite.
In my opinion, Flay’s 11-layer potato gratin is everything a holiday side dish should be.
Emily Holi
I couldn't ask for a better side dish that's easy to make but looks impressive.
It's visually stunning and has a delicious flavor profile that feels perfectly suited for the holiday season.
Best of all, no one would ever guess the entire dish takes very little prep and about an hour to bake.
This story was originally published on November 20, 2023, and most recently updated on November 18, 2025.
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