I love a good baked potato, yet I had always considered it "winter food." But, because a baked potato is great with many things, it should be enjoyed no matter what the weather.
A baked potato can so easily be transformed to year-round food by throwing it on the grill!
What you'll need for Grilled Baked Potatoes
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
What kind of potatoes are good for baked potatoes?
Russet potatoes are the classic choice, because their high starch content creates a light and fluffy cooked potato.
How to Grill Baked Potatoes
- Start by prepping the grill and potatoes. Preheat the grill using medium-high heat. The target temperature for inside the grill cover is 400-425F. Allow 10-15 minutes for the grill to get nice and hot.
- While the grill is warming, prep the potatoes. Scrub the potatoes well (for you tater skin-eaters), and blot dry. Then, coat with a little olive oil and a generous dusting of salt.
- Wrap each potato well in aluminum foil. With a knife or fork, pierce the potatoes through the foil all the way 'round the potato, about 5-6 times, total. These small holes allow excess steam to escape and simultaneously absorb that delicious smoky grill flavor. Win-win!
- Place the potatoes directly on the preheated grill grates and close the cover. Potatoes can be turned every 15-20 minutes to promote even cooking while grilling. I like to buy fairly large russet potatoes, so I expect an hour's cooking time. Obviously, smaller potatoes require less time to cook.
How to Tell when Potatoes are Done
If you're familiar with the term "fork tender," then you probably already know the answer. Test the potatoes by inserting a paring knife or fork to estimate doneness. If the fork slides in easily, the potato is done. If you feel resistance, the potato needs a little more time.
A more high-tech approach means using a meat thermometer to monitor the potatoes. Slide the probe of the thermometer into the middle of the largest potato and leave it in while the potatoes cook. Target temperature is 210F for a fully done and fluffy potato. I'm a fan of using a meat thermometer because it shows how close the potatoes are to being done. That's a huge help to time the rest of my meal.
Serving Grilled Baked Potatoes
The sky's the limit here, but I love a basic potato with butter, salt and pepper, and a little sour cream. If you like designer potatoes, load up on whatever you like: cheese, green onions, chives, bacon bits - even chili. Make it a meal!
If you're serving a group, grill a bunch of potatoes and then set up a baked potato bar. It makes a fun way to serve a variety of toppings, so you have something for everyone!
I mentioned before, you'll probably want to eat the skin. When you grill a potato in foil, the skin becomes crispy and flavorful. I simply love it!
And if you love potatoes like I do, you're probably always looking for new ways to enjoy them. Try making potato skins with the air fryer after baking them on the grill.
And check out this baked samosa recipe for another delicious potato side. It even has an air fryer option! 🤩
Baked Potatoes on the Grill FAQs
Instead of olive oil, feel free to use butter to oil the potato skin before wrapping, because butter is ALWAYS a good choice.
And, if you're partial to garlic, sprinkle a little garlic powder on your oiled potato with the salt. Think of THAT flavor sensation! Abbondanza!
As is often the case, grilling can involve more than one part of the meal. Pork, for instance, takes a shorter grilling time at a lower temperature, as you can see with this recipe for pork tenderloin. I recommend grilling tenderloin at 350F.
At that temperature, potatoes normally take well over an hour to cook. To finish cooking pork and potatoes at the same time, either start the potatoes an hour before the meat or pre-cook the potatoes by microwaving them 4-5 minutes before wrapping in foil and grilling them.
The microwave method "jump-starts" the cooking process so both potatoes and pork are done together. Note: If you do this, first oil and salt the potatoes, pierce a few times, then microwave. Let cool slightly before wrapping (they will be hot!!) and pierce the foil a few more times before placing on the grill.
You can read about this lots of places, but I will quote Sfgate when I say that potatoes are a rich source of fiber, iron, vitamin C and vitamin B-6. But to get the most nutrients you'll need to eat the whole potato. So, go ahead and eat that super tasty skin!
📖 Recipe
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Baked Potato on the Grill
Video
Ingredients
- 2 medium-large russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 400-425F.
- To prep potatoes, scrub clean and pat dry, then coat in olive oil and salt. Wrap tightly in tinfoil.
- With a fork or knife, pierce each potato through the foil about 5-6 times around the potato.
- Place potatoes directly on preheated grill grates. Close cover and cook for about an hour, turning occasionally.
- Potatoes are done when easily pierced with a small knife or fork, or when internal temperature is 210 degrees F.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before unwrapping and serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
More ideas for side dishes
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Shelley
Oh my goodness - brilliant idea! You're right - baked potatoes always seem like winter foods that you need to fire up the oven to cook. So smart to use the grill instead! And thanks for the "doneness" target temp for using a thermometer. My husband absolutely loves his grill thermometer (he's such a techie cook lol) - so that's super helpful!
Sula
Oh you will love these, I am certain!
Angela
I love that you can throw these on and finish a couple of steaks at the same time. Most of your meal done without heating up the kitchen!
Sula
Exactly!
Beth
This recipe is our favorite! This is so delicious and yummy! My family loves it. Can't wait to make these again!
Sula
Its my favorite too!
Jennifer Allen
I love baked potatoes but have never tried them on the grill. Amazing! This is a keeper recipe for sure!
Sula
The grill makes a great improvement to the taste!
Jen
Such a great side dish add on when your grill is already fired up and ready to go! I usually make a toppings bar for my kids to load them up.
Sula
Oh great idea - everyone loves a good potato bar!
Beth
Yum! Baked potatoes are a must here at the house! We love them and this recipe is going to be our new favorite! Can't wait to make this!
Sula
Yes, you normally don't think of the grill for baked potatoes, but once you try it you are hooked!
Mahy
Such a fantastic side to go with grilled meat. I can't wait to start using this recipe during the next cookout. So yum!
Sula
Oh yes, it goes great with grilled meat!
Jen
We love to use our grill for everything and these potatoes did not disappoint! We loved them.
Sula
I'm so happy they worked for you, Jen. 🙂
kim
Love this recipe! It was super tasty and so easy... my family gobbled it up. I'll definitely be making again!
Sula
It's that kind of dish - it goes with everything!
Lisa Huff
Great timing! My daughter was just asking to make baked potatoes on the grill last night!! These look perfect for her.
Sula
Oh I hopes she enjoys them!
Debra
This is a game changer....for those summer months when I don't want to put on the oven and heat up the house....but we love our baked potatoes! Great idea.
Sula
Same for me - love baked potatoes but only want to cook on the grill. It works great!
Leslie
Yes! This is the perfect recipe for the grill! Baked potato perfection!!
Sula
So glad you like it!