Yes, Birds Eye does still make hash browns. Birds Eye is a popular frozen food brand that is owned by Pinnacle Foods. They have been making frozen hash browns since the 1960s. Their hash brown products are available in most major grocery stores across the United States and Canada. Some of their current hash brown offerings include:
- Birds Eye Southern Recipe Hash Browns
- Birds Eye Cheddar and Bacon Hash Browns
- Birds Eye Crispy Crowns Hash Browns
- Birds Eye Hash Browns Patties
So if you are looking for those rectangular-shaped crinkle cut hash browns, shredded hash browns, cubed hash browns, or hash brown patties, Birds Eye still makes them all. They continue to be one of the largest producers of frozen breakfast potato products.
A Brief History of Birds Eye Hash Browns
Birds Eye has its origins as a food company in the 1920s under the name General Foods Company. It was founded by Clarence Birdseye who pioneered flash freezing methods. In the 1950s, the company introduced the first frozen hash brown potato product to the public. It was called Birds Eye Potato Pancakes and they were made from shredded potatoes.
The new frozen hash browns were a big hit with consumers. In 1961, General Foods merged with Kraft Foods. The company continued marketing the Birds Eye brand and expanded their hash brown offerings over the next decades. Different shapes and flavors were introduced to add more variety for consumers looking for quick and easy potato side dishes.
Some key milestones for Birds Eye hash browns:
- 1960s – Rectangular and cubed hash browns released
- 1970s – Cheddar cheese hash browns introduced
- 1980s – Hash brown patties launched
- 1990s – Crispy Crowns shape unveiled
- 2000s – Reduced fat and lower sodium options added
In 2010, Pinnacle Foods purchased Birds Eye from Kraft. Under Pinnacle ownership, Birds Eye continued to innovate with new frozen potato products and limited edition recipe hash browns. The brand remains popular with consumers looking for convenience and potato flavor.
Birds Eye Hash Brown Manufacturing
Birds Eye takes great care in how they produce their frozen hash browns. The process starts with selecting high quality potatoes. They maintain strict specifications for potato suppliers and rigorously test incoming raw materials. Once the potatoes arrive at the production facility, they are washed, peeled, and trimmed.
Next, the potatoes move to processing lines where they are sliced, diced, or shredded into the appropriate shape. The cut potatoes are then par-fried at low temperatures to partly cook them and drive off excess moisture.
After par-frying, the hash browns are flash frozen using advanced Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) systems. IQF technology allows each hash brown piece to freeze separately, preventing them from clumping together. This retains the integrity of the hash brown shapes. Frozen IQF hash browns are conveyed to packaging where they are weighed and sealed into retail bags and boxes.
Throughout manufacturing, Birds Eye employs the latest food safety controls and equipment sanitation procedures. Hash browns are routinely tested to ensure quality specifications are met. The frozen products are stored in secure cold storage warehouses until distribution. Time and temperature controls prevent thawed hash browns from entering the retail market.
Birds Eye Hash Brown Nutrition Facts
Birds Eye hash browns deliver the great potato flavor consumers expect with nutritional profiles similar to fresh hash browns you would make at home. The nutrition varies slightly depending on the style:
Shredded Hash Browns
Serving size: 1/2 cup (70g)
Calories: 120
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 26g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 0mg
Cubed Hash Browns
Serving size: 1/2 cup (78g)
Calories: 120
Fat: 3g
Carbs: 23g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 310mg
Crispy Crowns (Crinkle Cut)
Serving size: 1/2 cup (82g)
Calories: 110
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 26g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 290mg
The hash browns offer an excellent source of carbohydrates from potato starch. Fiber levels around 2 grams per serving are also decent for a processed potato product. With no significant fat or protein, the calories come almost entirely from the carbs. Sodium content is moderate and ranges from 0-310mg depending on variety.
Overall, the Birds Eye hash browns provide an easy way to incorporate potatoes into your diet. The nutrition stats are comparable to homemade for a quick frozen option.
How to Cook Birds Eye Hash Browns
Cooking Birds Eye hash browns is simple and fast. The basic instructions are:
- Preheat oven, skillet or griddle based on cooking method
- For baked hash browns, place in oven safe dish coated with non-stick spray
- For pan-fried, add portion to hot skillet or griddle with small amount of oil or butter
- Cook until heated through and reaching desired browning and crispiness, about 15-20 minutes for baked, or 5-10 minutes for pan-fried
- Season with salt, pepper, or other favorites if desired
Consumers find the hash browns come out best when spreading them into a thin layer during cooking. This allows the potato pieces to fully rehydrate and achieve an ideal texture. Flipping or stirring the hash browns mid-way through cooking prevents uneven baking. Cook times may vary based on the amount being prepared.
Pre-cooked hash browns like those from Birds Eye just need to be heated through until hot and sizzling. Avoid overcooking which can dry them out. Add any extra add-ins like cheese, onions, peppers, or meat before serving.
Serving Ideas for Birds Eye Hash Browns
A side of crispy, golden hash browns is delicious on its own, but you can also incorporate them into lots of easy meals and recipes:
- Breakfast hash with eggs, sausage, bacon
- Top with salsa, guacamole, sour cream for nacho hash browns
- Place on a sheet pan breakfast bake with sausage and cheese
- Mix into a breakfast burrito or breakfast bowl
- Make into loaded skillet hash by topping with cheese, bacon and green onion
- Pair with chicken fried steak and country gravy
- Top with sliced bratwurst and sauerkraut
The possibilities are endless for turning basic Birds Eye hash browns into full entrees or sides. Get creative with different seasonings, sauces, meats, and produce to customize them just how you like.
Where to Buy Birds Eye Hash Browns
Finding Birds Eye hash browns at a store near you is easy. They are sold at all major grocery chains across the United States and Canada. Most stores will carry a selection of the Birds Eye hash brown varieties.
Some of the most common stores to buy Birds Eye hash browns include:
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Publix
- Safeway
- Albertsons
- HEB
- Harris Teeter
- Fred Meyer
- Loblaws
- Metro
The hash browns can typically be found in the frozen breakfast or potato sections at these grocery retailers. Look for the blue Birds Eye logo on the packaging to confirm you have the right product.
Birds Eye also sells various hash brown products through online retailers such as Amazon Fresh and Instacart if you prefer home delivery. Check the Birds Eye website locator to find a specific retailer near you that carries the hash browns you want.
Birds Eye Hash Brown Reviews
Looking at Birds Eye hash brown reviews from customers and food critics provides helpful insight into how the products actually perform. Here are some of the most common positives and negatives mentioned:
Pros
- Provides consistent quality and taste
- Crisps up nicely when cooked
- Good flavor for a frozen potato product
- Easy to cook right in the package
- Various shapes and options to choose from
- Affordable price point for budget-friendly meals
Cons
- Can turn out mushy if overcooked
- Bulks up a lot from frozen state when cooking
- May need extra seasoning or toppings for flavor
- Not as fresh tasting as homemade hash browns
- Crinkle cut version tends to get soggy
Overall though, most reviews indicate the Birds Eye hash browns meet expectations for a frozen convenience product. They provide a quick potato side at a reasonable price point. Proper cooking is key to getting the right texture. Allowing time for the frozen hash browns to fully rehydrate during baking or frying results in the best consistency.
How Birds Eye Hash Browns Compare to Other Brands
Customers often wonder how Birds Eye frozen hash browns stack up against other major brands like Ore-Ida and Great Value. Here is a brief brand comparison:
Ore-Ida
– Similar product range of shapes and flavors
– Variety packs available
– Often cheaper price per ounce
– Potatoes sourced from Pacific Northwest
– Less seasoning on plain varieties
Great Value (Walmart)
– Only basic shredded hash brown style
– Very affordable pricing
– Good flavor and crunch
– Higher moisture content
– Limited availability at Walmart only
Birds Eye
– More innovative recipes and shapes
– Emphasis on sourcing quality potatoes
– More seasoning added to plain hash browns
– Frozen quickly after processing
– Trusted household name brand
– Sold at most major grocers nationally
While Ore-Ida takes the edge for value, Birds Eye continues to focus on flavor and potato quality. Their seasoned varieties and unique Crispy Crowns make Birds Eye a go-to for shoppers seeking more than just ordinary hash browns. The Birds Eye brand remains popular for delivering quality and reliable results.
Conclusion
In summary, yes Birds Eye absolutely still makes hash browns today. They offer one of the largest selections of frozen hash brown products in both plain and flavored varieties. Their hash browns continue to be a staple breakfast and side dish for consumers seeking the convenience of frozen potatoes. Birds Eye has found the right balance between value, quality, taste and innovation to stay relevant to changing consumer preferences over their 60+ years in the market. So for a reliable morning meal or side, you can count on Birds Eye hash browns to deliver on satisfaction and flavor.