Baked potatoes make an ideal side. They go with almost everything and, when topped well, can make a wonderful meal on their own. If you love baked potatoes from the oven, potatoes on the grill are even tastier!
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Why baked potatoes on the grill are so delicious?
Making a baked potato on a grill may seem a bit odd, but it's actually pretty genius. Grilling over charcoal imparts the potatoes with a unique flavor that you can't duplicate in the oven.
Even if you aren't using a charcoal grill, the combination of other food on the grill and the salt and herb crust this recipe calls for makes these potatoes extra flavorful.
Why you'll love this baked potato recipe
Baking potatoes in an oven is easy, but it isn't always convenient when cooking outside. Stop running in and out of the house to check on them with this recipe for grilled russet potatoes.
Adding a salt coating on the outside of the potato not only introduces extra flavors but also draws out most of the moisture, ensuring crisp and delicious skin!
Grilled whole potato ingredients
For grilled whole potatoes, you'll need:
- Potatoes
- Coarse kosher salt
- Olive oil (optional)
- Herbs or seasonings (optional, such as rosemary or garlic powder)
Ingredient notes
Russet potatoes are hands-down the best option to use for this recipe. If you can't find Russet potatoes in your local store but see "Idaho" potatoes, get them. They're exactly the same spud but have a better marketing campaign. Yukon Golds will also work well if you prefer their taste. Choose potatoes that are about the same size to ensure even cooking.
The salt rub on the outside of a potato is all you need to ensure extra crispy skin, but you can add more flavor with herbs and seasonings. Try rubbing on dried rosemary, mustard seed, thyme, oregano, or garlic powder.
How to make grilled baked potatoes
To prepare baked potatoes for the grill:
- Scrub the potatoes well under running water to remove any dirt. Potato brushes are inexpensive and work well.
- Dry the potatoes with a paper towel. Prickling the potatoes a few times with the tines of a fork will help the moisture from inside the potatoes escape and help prevent a gummy interior.
- Pour the kosher salt onto a plate or on parchment paper. You can mix additional dried herbs and seasonings with the salt to enhance the flavor.
- If you are using olive oil, lightly coat the potatoes with it.
- Roll the potatoes in the salt and optional seasoning mixture. Set each potato to the side on a wire rack.
To bake the potatoes on a grill:
- Light the grill and bring it to about 400°F.
- Wrap each potato in aluminum foil. Make sure there aren't exposed areas.
- Place the wrapped potatoes directly on the grate of the grill. Close the lid and cook for 45 to 50 minutes.
Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the potatoes. Large potatoes take longer than smaller potatoes. Potatoes are done when you can easily pierce the potato with a fork or the internal temperature is 210°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
To serve grilled baked potatoes:
- Brush any excess salt mixture from the outside of the potato.
- Cut the potato open with a paring knife and serve it hot with your choice of toppings. Butter, sour cream, cheese, and green onions are popular ones.
Recipe variations
The salt coating is your chance to add even more flavor to this recipe. With salt alone, the potatoes are good. Add dried herbs, and your potatoes are great. But if you really want to take things up a notch, try using a spice blend.
An excellent place to start is with the same meat rub you have on the meat you're serving with the potatoes. Other options include curry mix, Cajun seasoning, and jerk seasoning.
What to serve them with
Baked potatoes give you so many options. Here are some suggestions:
- Steak. A dinner of steak and potatoes is about as classic as American cooking gets. But that doesn't mean you should shy away from the pairing, since it still tastes great.
- Shrimp Scampi. The mildness of a potato lets the bold flavors of Shrimp Scampi shine through. Any excess sauce from the shrimp will complement the potato.
- Favorite toppings. Besides just butter and sour cream, there are lots of topping options. Try mixing and matching your choice of cheese sauce, chili, bacon bits, sauteed onions, steamed broccoli, or guacamole.
How to store the leftovers
Let the potatoes cool completely. This could take a while since potatoes tend to retain heat. Then, wrap each potato in aluminum foil and put it in an airtight container in the fridge. They should keep for up to three days.
What is the best way to reheat a grilled baked potato?
An excellent method to warm grilled whole potatoes is in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place aluminum foil-wrapped potatoes directly on the wire rack.
- Heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until hot.
More game day grilling recipes
Baked Potatoes on the Grill
Ingredients
- 1 large potato Russet or other baking variety
- olive oil
- herbs or seasonings (e.g., rosemary, garlic powder, optional)
- 1 cup coarse kosher salt
- toppings of your choice (e.g., butter, sour cream, cheese, chives)
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F.
- Clean the potato thoroughly under running water, using a brush to remove any dirt from the skin. Pat the potato dry with a kitchen towel.
- Lightly coat the potato with olive oil and prick the skin a few times with a fork to prevent the potato from bursting.
- If you are using herbs or other seasonings, combine them with the kosher salt and mix well. Roll the potato in the salt mixture until it's evenly coated.
- Wrap the salt-coated potato in aluminum foil, place it on the grill, and close the lid to maintain a consistent temperature. Grill the potato for about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of your potato and the temperature of your grill. To check for doneness, insert a skewer or fork into the potato. It should slide in easily with little resistance.
- Remove the potato from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Carefully unwrap the foil and crack open the salt crust. Brush away the excess salt from the skin.
- Cut open the potato, fluff the inside with a fork, and add your favorite toppings, such as butter, sour cream, cheese, or chives.
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