Boiled Potatoes With Dill and Butter: Lithuanian Side Dish

Fall in love with this Lithuanian Dill Potato recipe from the first bite! It’s an easy recipe that's the perfect side dish for any weeknight dinner. With only 3 ingredients, these boiled potatoes with dill and butter is a humble star amongst potato recipes, showcasing simplicity, versatility and deliciousness. Enjoy these delightful dill potatoes with your next meal!

Jump to:

• From First Potato Harvest to Christmas Table
• Ingredient Notes
• Best Potatoes to Use in This Lithuanian Side Dish
• Step-By-Step Method
• What to Serve Lithuania Potatoes and Dill With?
• Storage and Leftovers
• More Lithuanian Side Dishes
• Boiled Potatoes With Dill and Butter: Lithuanian Side Dish

From First Potato Harvest to Christmas Table

In Lithuania, this simple recipe for potato and dill side dish is enjoyed all year round. From the first potato harvest in early summer to the festive Christmas Eve table, it's a staple. We serve it alongside pink soup or kefir soup in summer and with herring dishes (like Lithuanian Pickled Herring Rollmops or Carrot and Onion Herring) during Christmas.

I have fond memories of being part of the potato harvest (although as a city kid, I was extremely reluctant to participate). Back then, working in the field seemed far from cool to me. But now, I've come to my senses and grow my own vegetables with pleasure. After every harvest, we'd end the day with a feast of freshly dug little potatoes, dill, and butter.

This dish, served proudly in a large serving bowl in the middle of the table, was a treat for everyone who helped with the harvest. To this day, I crave the taste of those freshly harvested Lithuanian potatoes.

Fancy something crispier and golden brown? Try Lithuanian Pan-Fried Potatoes!

Ingredient Notes

You will need 3 ingredients for this simple, but irreplaceable Lithuanian potato side dish: 

• ​potatoes: choose the right type by reading the next section.
• butter: salted butter was not available to buy in Lithuania, until very recently, so unsalted butter is traditionally used. 
• dill: frozen, dried or fresh dill - it depends on the season, and what you have available. The amount of dill you use will also depend: use about ½ of dried dill to replace fresh dill. Feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs, like chives or fresh parsley. 

Find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. 

Best Potatoes to Use in This Lithuanian Side Dish

For the perfect Lithuanian potato and dill side dish, choosing the right kind of potato is key!

New Baby Potatoes are a summer favorite in Lithuania. Their thin skins mean no peeling is needed, and their waxy texture ensures they stay firm and deliciously creamy.

Any kind of potato with thin skins works well year-round — just scrub them clean and you're good to go! Red potatoes are a little less common in Lithuania, though. 

For thicker-skinned older potatoes, it's best to peel them before boiling for the best texture.

Avoid overly floury potatoes that tend to crumble. Instead, opt for waxy potatoes for the best results and creamy texture.

If you can’t find Lithuanian potatoes, try Jersey Royals and new baby potatoes in the UK, or Yukon Gold potatoes and Russet Potatoes in the US.

Step-By-Step Method

1. Using a sharp knife, cut potatoes into chunks if you are using larger potatoes. Small potatoes can be left whole - just make sure that all pieces are roughly the same size. If you're using New Potatoes, there is no need to peel them.  

2. Pour enough cold water to cover the potatoes and boil them in a large pot of salted water. Cooking time will depend on the type of potato used as well as size. Alternatively, place potatoes in a large pot and pour boiling water over. 

3. Once tender, drain well, and leave them to steam dry in the pan for 1 minute.

4. Add the butter, cover the pan with a lid, and gently swirl the pan around to coat the potatoes in melting butter.

5. Sprinkle the hot potatoes with chopped dill (dried dill is a great substitute) and serve this easy side dish immediately!

What to Serve Lithuania Potatoes and Dill With?

Lithuanian Dill Potatoes are an extremely versatile side dish: they go as well with a juicy steak or pork tenderloin, as they do with white fish or baked chicken!

But if you want to pair this delicious side dish with something traditionally Lithuanian, here are some suggestions:

• Lithuanian Pork Escalope
• Mayo-Marinated Chicken Shashlik Skewers
• Lithuanian Pork Goulash (Quick and Easy Recipe)
• Lithuanian Chilled Beetroot Soup
• Farmer's Cheese and Sour Cream Dip

Storage and Leftovers

Any leftover creamy dill potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. There are many different ways to use the leftovers:

1. Simply reheat them in a small frying pan with a little sunflower oil or olive oil for weeknight dinners. 

2. Coat the potatoes in sunflower or avocado oil, season with salt and black pepper, and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast them until golden brown and crispy, and serve them with a little more dill and a drizzle of lemon juice. 

3. Place them in an air fryer to crisp up instead. 

4. Use leftover potatoes in potato salads. Simply mix them with mayo and dill pickles to make a great dill potato salad.  

5. Make Lithuanian Christmas Eve Salad - Smoked Mackerel and Potato Salad!

More Lithuanian Side Dishes

Looking for more simple dishes from Lithuanian kitchens? Here are a few things to try next time: