How to Make Perfect Baked Potatoes on the Grill: A Step-by-Step Guide

It’s summertime, and the grilling season is in full swing. While most people think of burgers, hot dogs, and steaks when it comes to grilling, it’s time to expand your culinary horizons and try something new. A baked potato cooked on the grill is a tasty and straightforward way to add a side dish to your summer cookouts.

Grilling potatoes is an excellent option when you’d rather not heat up your kitchen by turning on the oven. Baked potatoes on the grill are easy and straightforward to make. They require minimal prep work, and once they hit the grill, they don’t need much attention. In this article, we’ll guide you through the simple steps to make a baked potato on a grill. So, let’s fire up the grill and get cooking!

Choosing the Right Potato

When making a baked potato on the grill, the type of potato you choose is essential to ensure a perfect result. Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, work best as they have a thick skin that helps them retain moisture and hold up well on the grill. The potatoes should be large, evenly shaped, and blemish-free, so they cook evenly. It’s a good idea to wash the potatoes thoroughly before baking them with a wire brush and rinse them under cold water.

Preparing the Potatoes

Before baking the potatoes, you’ll need to perform some preparation steps. First, pierce each potato’s skin several times with a fork to allow steam to escape. This will prevent them from bursting open while cooking. Additionally, rub the skin with olive oil and sprinkle salt before placing potatoes on the grill. This technique will give the skin a nice flavor, and the salt will help absorb moisture from the skin.

Heat Your Grill

Now prepare your grill with heat on one side of the grill. Heat the grill to about 375-400°F temperature, which is the ideal temperature for making baked potatoes on the grill. Using high heat will cook the potatoes quickly, but will also burn the skin, so a moderate temperature is ideal.

Wrap Potatoes In Foil

After preparing and heating the grill, wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil. Wrapping the potatoes in foil will prevent them from drying out, and it locks in their flavor and moisture. Tightly fold the foil around the potato, but don’t wrap it too tightly as you want the steam to be able to circulate. Place the potatoes on the grill grate, making sure they are not directly over the flames.

Grill the Potatoes

Cooking time will depend on the size of your potatoes and the heat of your grill. Normally, they take around 45-60 minutes to cook on the grill. Turn each potato every 10-15 minutes to ensure even cooking. You can also test for doneness by inserting a fork into the potato’s center. If it slides in quickly, your potato is ready.

Adding Toppings

After the potatoes are done, cut an X on the top of each one and using a pot holder, squeeze the potato gently to separate the skin and fluff up the insides. Add butter, cheese, sour cream, and chives or any of your favorite toppings and condiments to suit your taste.

Alternative Cooking Idea

For a healthy alternative, skip the foil wrapping and grill the potatoes directly on the grill grates. Cut them into ¼-inch slices and season with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill them for 20-30 minutes, flipping them occasionally, until they are cooked and tender. Once done, serve them with a drizzle of olive oil and your favorite herbs and spices.

Cleaning Your Grill

Once you’ve enjoyed your delicious baked potatoes, don’t forget to clean your grill. Use a grill brush to scrape off any food residue and soak the grates in hot water with soap. Rinse the grates and dry them before you store them away.

Conclusion

Cooking baked potatoes on your grill is an excellent way to enjoy a hearty and flavorful side dish for any meal. With the tips mentioned above, you can easily make restaurant-quality baked potatoes on the grill that are fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. So, heat up the grill, choose the right potato, and follow the above steps to create the perfect baked potatoes on the grill!

Tools and Ingredients Required:

Before we get started on our recipe for a perfect baked potato on a grill, let us take a look at the ingredients and tools you will need:

1. Potatoes: Look for potatoes that are firm and do not have any blemishes or soft spots. Russet potatoes are ideal for baking.

2. Aluminum Foil: This is an essential tool for grilling potatoes. You’ll be using it to wrap the potatoes before placing them on the grill.

3. Cooking Oil: Olive oil or vegetable oil can be used to coat the potatoes, allowing for a crispy and golden exterior.

4. Salt and Pepper: These basic seasonings are all you need to give your baked potatoes the perfect flavor.

5. Toppings: This is optional, but you can add toppings such as butter, sour cream, cheese, herbs, or green onions to enhance the flavor of the baked potatoes.

6. Grill: A gas grill, charcoal grill, or even a smoker will work fine for this recipe. Make sure to preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

7. Grill Tongs: These are necessary for turning the potatoes on the grill.

Now that you have everything you need, let’s move on to the next step in making a baked potato on a grill.

Section 3: Seasoning and Serving Your Grilled Baked Potatoes

1. Seasoning Now or Later?

Once your baked potatoes have been grilled to perfection, it’s time to decide on the seasoning. Some prefer to season their potatoes before they are grilled, while others prefer to add their desired flavors afterward. Whichever method you choose, it’s important to note that seasoning your potatoes with salt beforehand can cause them to become dry while grilling. Therefore, it’s recommended to only season them with salt after grilling.

2. Topping Options

Now that your baked potatoes are grilled and seasoned to your liking, it’s time for the fun part – toppings! The possibilities are endless when it comes to topping your grilled baked potatoes. Some popular options include butter, sour cream, chives, bacon bits, and shredded cheese. For a healthier option, try topping your potatoes with Greek yogurt, salsa, or diced avocado.

3. Making Your Own BBQ Sauce

If you’re looking to take your grilled baked potatoes to the next level, consider making your own BBQ sauce to use as a topping. Making your own sauce is easier than it sounds, and it allows you to customize the flavor to your liking. Mix together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and various spices to create your own unique sauce.

4. Pairing with Protein

Grilled baked potatoes make the perfect side dish for any protein. The flavors of a grilled potato pair well with grilled steaks, chicken, or fish. You can also serve them alongside grilled vegetables for a complete meal. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, grilled baked potatoes can be a great substitute for a protein.

5. Serving Suggestions

There are many ways to creatively serve your grilled baked potatoes. Try cutting them in half and scooping out the middle, then filling them with your desired toppings. Or, serve them in a basket with a variety of dipping sauces on the side. You could also slice them into rounds and serve them as a unique potato chip alternative. The possibilities are endless!

With these seasoning and serving suggestions, you’ll have the perfect grilled baked potatoes to impress your friends and family at your next cookout. Remember to experiment with different toppings and flavors to find the perfect combination for you and your taste buds. Happy grilling!

Time to Dig In!

We hope this guide has been helpful in showing you how to make a delicious, mouth-watering baked potato on your grill. It’s the perfect side dish for any BBQ or outdoor gathering, and it’s easy to do with just a few extra steps. Thanks for joining us today, and we hope you come back for more tasty recipes and grilling tips. Until next time, happy grilling and enjoy those spuds!