These grilled baked potatoes are such an incredible side dish for all your summer grilling adventures! Baked potatoes on the grill are so much better than your oven – they have a perfectly moist, soft and fluffy interior but are incredibly crispy and salty on the outside.
BBQ baked potatoes make an amazing entrée, too! Load them up with all your favorite toppings and every family can customize to their own tastes.
If you’ve never made grilled baked potatoes in foil, today is your day! Come see how easy they are and I promise you’ll never go back to microwaved or traditionally baked potatoes.
Last week I brought you Grilled Sweet Potatoes and Grilled Corn on the Cob, two iconic grilled side dishes. Now, I’m sharing the easiest method for the fluffiest grilled baked potatoes in foil.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I had actually never made grilled baked potatoes before we experimented for this recipe. And oh my goodness… what have we been missing?
The insides of these grilled baked potatoes are fluffy, creamy and so soft, cooked to perfection. And the outsides? An extra minute of cooking over high heat at the end means they are crispy, salty, and such a perfect juxtaposition against the soft insides.
You’ve got to try these grilled baked potatoes!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
I don’t think I’ll ever go back to traditional baked potatoes in the microwave or oven. Something about throwing them on the grill creates this experience of opposites attracting in the best possible way!
- So easy! Throw them on the grill and let the heat do the work!
- Healthy and family friendly
- Serve as a side dish or entrée with a variety of toppings
- One of the best Salmon Side Dishes or Steak Sides
Ingredients
- Russet potatoes – these are the classic baking potatoes that are tried and true. Try to keep your potatoes a similar size so your grilling time is consistent.
- Oil – olive, canola or melted butter will all work well.
- Sea salt – thick flakes preferred, I like to use my sea salt grinder. You can also sub with Kosher salt.
- Pepper – fresh cracked pepper is always best.
Variations
- Add any seasoning on the potato skin that you prefer – try this Cajun Seasoning or even Fajita Seasoning for an extra level of spice.
- Try with Yukon Golds instead of Russets
Serving Suggestions
- Make a baked potato bar for an easy family-friendly dinner night! Serve with a wide variety of toppings as suggested below so everyone can customize.
- Serve alongside my grilled mozzarella or grilled brie for a topping!
- Serve alongside Chicken Kabobs or Steak Kabobs
- Top with classic Chili for an easy family-friendly dinner
BBQ Baked Potato Toppings
Of course these are an incredible side dish, but grilled baked potatoes are so versatile that it’s easy to turn them into a whole meal, too!
- Butter
- Sour Cream
- Cilantro Lime Crema
- Chives
- Salt and Pepper
- Seasoning Blends
- Pico de Gallo
- Shredded or crumbled cheese
- Guacamole
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Baked Chicken
- Taco Meat
- Roasted Veggies
Tips
- Be liberal with the salt and pepper, it helps create the most unbelievable crispy crust on your grilled baked potatoes.
- To allow steam to escape, prick your potatoes with a fork before seasoning and wrapping with foil. I don’t always do this, and it’s not totally necessary, but some people really believe in it!
- To be sure your potatoes will cook evenly, use russets that are as uniform in size as possible.
- Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Shortcuts
- Want faster grilled baked potatoes? Put your potato in the microwave for five minutes, or until slightly beginning to soften. This will mean significantly less grilling time – you’ll be looking at more like 40 minutes in total instead of an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Actually, grilled baked potatoes in foil are a long-standing tradition, but not because they cook faster.
It’s generally believed that the foil does two things: first, it keeps steam from escaping as they cook, thereby keeping the potatoes more moist on the grill. And secondly, it keeps them warmer after they are cooked, too!
If you’re not using some kind of warmer like a restaurant, you can only expect them to stay hot for around 20-30 minutes. You can also keep them warm in your crockpot, which can be great for parties and making ahead!
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – your baked potatoes can remain at room temperature for up to two hours while serving.
- Refrigerate – remove from foil and store for up to five days in an airtight container in your refrigerator.
- Freeze – you can freeze baked potatoes for up to six months in an airtight container.
Grilled Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil melted butter or canola oil
- 2 teaspoons sea salt thick flakes preferred
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 450°F or medium low.
- Rinse and scrub potatoes. Pat dry.4 russet potatoes
- Cut 4 sheets of aluminum foil. Place each potato on a piece of foil and brush with oil.2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons sea salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper
- Top with sea salt and pepper (optional). Wrap and repeat.
- Using tongs, place potatoes on the shelf of the grill or away from direct heat evenly spaced so they are not touching. Close the lid and grill 30 minutes. Rotate with tongs and grill an additional 30 minutes.
- Using tongs, remove aluminum foil and place potatoes over direct heat for 1 minute per side. Rotate and repeat.
- Use a thermometer to ensure they are done. Internal temperature should reach around 210°F. Remove from heat.
Julie’s Tips
- Be liberal with the salt and pepper, it helps create the most unbelievable crispy crust on your grilled baked potatoes.
- To allow steam to escape, prick your potatoes with a fork before seasoning and wrapping with foil. I don’t always do this, and it’s not totally necessary, but some people really believe in it!
- To be sure your potatoes will cook evenly, use russets that are as uniform in size as possible.
Video
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
I made this for my family and they loved it. Will make it again.