3 Ways To Grill Baked Potatoes: {How To & Tips}

Baking potatoes on the grill is not only delicious, it allows you to enjoy an entire meal cooked on the bbq which saves you from turning on the oven during hot summer days. Here are three different methods for grilled baked potatoes as well as a few tips at the bottom.

Grilling Baked Potatoes: Three Ways

Foil Wrapped Baked Potato With Delicious Toppings

• Preheat grill on high.
• When ready to place potatoes on grill, turn off heat under the section of the grill you will be cooking the potatoes on. The indirect heat from the rest of the grill will be enough to cook the potatoes.
• Wash and scrub potatoes well under cold water, leave skin on but cut off any bruises and eyes. Pat dry then use a knife or fork to prick a few holes into each potato.

Foil Wrapped Method (on the grill):

• Wrap each prepared potato in two layers of aluminum foil and add a small pat of butter or a drizzle of oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired.
• Place foil-wrapped potatoes directly on preheated grill, close bbq lid and cook. Turn potatoes after 30 minutes or so then continue to cook until they’re done.
• Tip: Remove foil during the last 10 minutes to give potatoes a crispier skin.

Crunchy Potato Skin Method (on the grill):

• Rub olive oil or vegetable oil (butter works too) all over each cleaned potato and sprinkle with kosher or sea salt.
• Place oiled potatoes directly on grill that has been preheated (with heat turned off as above) and close lid.
• Turn potatoes over halfway through cooking (usually about half an hour).

Ember Roasted Method (directly on hot coals):

• Rub each potato with oil.
• Place potatoes directly on hot coals, turn over after 25 minutes or so.
• Cook until tender and the skin is charred all over (about 45 minutes depending on size of potatoes).
• Remove from heat, cut potatoes open and serve (skin will be burnt so just eat the inside of the potato).
• Tip: You can also wrap with foil first (2 layers) then place directly on coals if you want to enjoy the skin.

Tips

• How long does it take to grill baked potatoes? Depending on the size of the potato, it usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour to fully cook (small potatoes take about 25 minutes). You can cut down the cooking time by slicing potatoes in half before grilling.
• Need a quicker cooking time? Before placing potatoes on the grill, try this trick to speed things up: Parboil the potatoes by boiling them in water for about 5 – 7 minutes. Drain, then dry with a clean tea towel. Proceed as directed in the methods above. Source: How To Bake Potatoes Fast.
• Help! Potatoes aren’t cooking well with indirect heat! Try positioning the potatoes in the center of the grill so that they receive heat from all sides. If that doesn’t work, turn heat on low for the section you are cooking the potatoes on. Turn potatoes more frequently if you turn the heat on so that the skins don’t burn.
• How to tell when potatoes are fully baked? Insert a knife or fork into the thickest part of the potato, it should be soft. Or you can squeeze the sides of the potato and if it’s soft and squeezable, the potato is done.
• What’s the best potato for baking? Try russet potatoes, they’re great for baking as the results are a light & fluffy potato. Source: Cooking With Potatoes: Tip Sheet.
• Want more flavor? If baking the potatoes in foil, try adding a bit of sliced onion or fresh herbs before wrapping the foil closed. Or instead of salt & pepper, try sprinkling with garlic salt or lemon pepper before cooking. Delicious twists!
• Baked potato topping ideas: Try a pat of butter, flavored butters, a dollop of sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, diced green onions or chives.

Don't Miss These Tips:

• How To Bake Potatoes Fast + Recipe
• How To Roast Potatoes: Recipes & Tips
• How To Grill Asparagus: {Recipe & Tips}