How to Make a Delicious Baked Potato on the Grill

Who doesn’t love a perfectly baked potato? Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbeque or just craving a hearty side dish to complete your meal, a baked potato is always a crowd pleaser. But what if we told you that you could make it even more delicious by cooking it on the grill? Yes, it’s possible! And the best part is that it’s incredibly easy to do. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a baked potato on the grill with the simplest ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

Firstly, why grill a potato instead of baking it in the oven? The answer is simple – grilling elevates the flavor profile of the potato and gives it a smoky and crispy exterior. Plus, it’s a fun and different way to cook your favorite vegetable. So, are you ready to learn how to make the perfect grilled baked potato? Let’s get started!

Choosing the Right Potato

When it comes to making a baked potato on the grill, the type of potato you choose can make all the difference. While any potato can be baked, Russet or Idaho potatoes are the best choices due to their high starch content. This allows for a fluffy interior and crispy skin, making for the perfect baked potato. It’s also important to choose potatoes that are uniform in size and shape, as this will ensure consistent cooking times.

Cleaning and Preparing the Potato

Before baking your potatoes on the grill, it’s important to clean and prepare them properly. Begin by scrubbing the potatoes under cold running water, using a vegetable brush to remove any dirt or debris. Once clean, pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel. Next, pierce each potato several times with a fork. This allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing the potatoes from bursting.

Seasoning the Potatoes

While baked potatoes are delicious on their own, you can take them to the next level by seasoning them before grilling. Begin by rubbing each potato with olive oil or melted butter. This will help give them a golden-brown color and crispy skin. Next, sprinkle each potato generously with kosher salt. You can also add other seasonings, such as black pepper, garlic powder, or dried herbs, to customize the flavor to your liking.

Wrapping the Potatoes

To ensure that your potatoes cook evenly and retain all their delicious flavors, it’s important to wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. Begin by placing each potato in the center of a sheet of foil. Bring the long ends together and fold them down to create a crease. Next, fold in the shorter ends to create a packet. Be sure to leave a little bit of space at the top of each packet to allow steam to escape.

Preheating the Grill

Before grilling your potatoes, it’s important to preheat the grill. This will ensure that the temperature is consistent and that your potatoes cook evenly. Heat your grill to medium-high heat, or around 375 degrees Fahrenheit. If your grill has multiple burners, light one side and leave the other side unlit. This will allow for indirect heat, which is ideal for baking potatoes.

Grilling the Potatoes

Once your grill is preheated, it’s time to grill your potatoes. Place the wrapped potatoes on the unlit side of the grill, cover the grill, and let them cook for 45-60 minutes. Be sure to turn the potatoes over halfway through cooking, using tongs to avoid piercing the foil. The potatoes are done when they are tender all the way through and can be easily pierced with a fork.

Serving the Potatoes

Once your potatoes are fully cooked, remove them from the grill and let them cool for a few minutes. Carefully unwrap them from the foil, being mindful of the steam inside. Give each potato a gentle squeeze to fluff up the interior, then top them with your favorite toppings like butter, sour cream, chives, or bacon bits.

Crisping the Skin

While the foil helps to keep the potato moist and prevent it from burning, some people prefer a crispy skin. If this is you, you can simply remove the foil during the last five to ten minutes of cooking. This will allow the skin to crisp up, giving you the best of both worlds – a fluffy interior and crispy skin.

Storing Leftover Potatoes

If you have leftover baked potatoes, simply allow them to cool to room temperature, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. They will last for up to four days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave. You can also slice them up and use them in salads, soups, or hash recipes.

Final Thoughts

Making a baked potato on the grill is an easy and delicious way to enjoy this classic side dish during the summer months. Whether you like your potatoes with just a sprinkle of salt or loaded up with toppings, these tips will help you achieve perfect baked potatoes every time. So fire up the grill, grab some potatoes, and get ready to impress your friends and family with this tasty and easy recipe!

Preparing Your Potatoes

Now that we’ve discussed some of the basic techniques for grilling the perfect baked potato, let’s dive into some detail about the prep work that goes into making that potato shine.

1. Choose Your Potatoes Wisely: When it comes to high-quality potatoes, it’s best to stick with the classics. Opt for russets or Idaho potatoes, as their high starch content will yield the most delicious, fluffy insides.

2. Wash and Dry: Before grilling, make sure to give your potatoes a good wash under cool water. Additionally, pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

3. Poke For Ventilation: Once your potatoes are clean and dry, use a fork to poke multiple vent holes all over each spud. This allows for steam to escape during cooking and prevents any messes or explosions.

4. Olive Oil Coat: Next, drizzle the potatoes with a light coat of olive oil. This not only adds flavor, but it also helps the skin get crispy.

5. Salt & Pepper: It’s always a good idea to dust your spuds with some salt and pepper before placing them on the grill. This simple seasoning combo enhances the natural flavors and texture of the potatoes.

6. Foil Wrap or Naked: When it comes to grilling potatoes, you have a few options. Some prefer to wrap their spuds in foil, creating a sort of mini oven. Others like to let the skin get crispy and delicious, cooking the potatoes “naked” directly on the grill.

7. Foil Wrapping Tips: If you choose to wrap your potatoes in foil, be sure to leave plenty of room for steam to circulate. Additionally, you can add toppings such as butter or garlic to make the potatoes even more mouthwatering.

8. Naked Grilling Tips: For naked grilling of potatoes, it’s crucial to monitor them closely and turn them often. This will ensure that the skins get nice and crispy, while the insides cook to perfection.

9. Simplify With a Potato Grilling Basket: If you’re new to grilling potatoes or find that they’re challenging to manage on the grill, consider using a potato grilling basket. This handy tool securely holds potatoes and allows for easy flipping and cooking.

10. Cook Time and Temperatures: Finally, it’s essential to understand the internal temps and cook times necessary for grilling the perfect baked potato. Generally, potatoes take around 45 minutes to cook when wrapped in foil and up to an hour if naked. The ideal internal temperature should be around 210 degrees Fahrenheit or when the spud is fork-tender.

Preparing the Potatoes

Before we get to the grilling portion, we need to make sure our potatoes are ready to go. Here are some tips on how to prepare your potatoes:

Choosing the Right Potatoes

Washing and Drying the Potatoes

Before cooking, it’s important to wash and dry the potatoes. Scrub the potatoes under running water with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt or debris. Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel before cooking.

Poking Holes in the Potatoes

It’s important to poke holes in the potatoes before grilling as they release steam during cooking. Using a fork, poke the potatoes on all sides to make small holes.

Coating the Potatoes

For added flavor, you can coat the potatoes in olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper before grilling.

Wrapping the Potatoes

If you’d like to speed up the cooking process, you can wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil before grilling. The foil will help trap the heat and cook the potatoes faster.

Time to Dig In!

Now that you know how to make a delicious baked potato on the grill, it’s time to fire up the grill and get cooking. Don’t forget to top your potato with your favorite toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, or chives. Thanks for reading, and we hope you come back again for more cooking tips and recipes. Happy grilling!