Grilling Potatoes with a Baked Twist

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Let me tell you about these magnificent grilled baked potatoes! They are the perfect addition to any grill-out session, providing a delectable side dish that is incredibly easy to prepare. These potatoes boast a delightful combination of crispy skin and fluffy insides. Not only that, but they are also suitable for vegans and Whole30 enthusiasts. Load them up with all your favorite toppings and serve them alongside a juicy grilled protein of your choice.

Why You'll Adore This Recipe

Did you know that you can actually cook baked potatoes on the grill?

Can you believe that the interior is incredibly fluffy and the skins turn out wonderfully crispy?

Say goodbye to the hassle of constantly running back and forth between the kitchen and the grill to handle your side dishes. With this recipe, you can effortlessly create restaurant-quality baked potatoes right on the grill. And oh my, have I mentioned the heavenly salt crust that blankets these potatoes?

A salt-crusted baked potato is an absolute delight to behold.

What Makes These Potatoes So Exceptional

• The insides of these potatoes are fluffy, while their skins are crispy, thanks to the addition of a salt crust, which adds extra texture and flavor.
• This article provides step-by-step instructions and accompanying images to ensure that the preparation process is a breeze.
• You can conveniently cook these potatoes right alongside your other grilled goodies, allowing you to fully enjoy the outdoor patio and the company of your loved ones!
• Before grilling, these baked potatoes are pre-cooked in the microwave, which not only enhances their fluffiness but also speeds up the cooking time.

How to Prepare Them

Begin by selecting a batch of equally-sized Russet potatoes to ensure even cooking.

Preheat your grill to high heat, with the lid closed, for about 15 minutes, until it reaches a temperature of approximately 350º F.

Next, prepare the potatoes. Wash them thoroughly and use a fork to prick them all over. Once dry, coat the potatoes in avocado oil or any other neutral oil. You can do this by pouring around 3 tablespoons of oil into a wide, shallow bowl, and carefully turning each potato to coat it. Allow any excess oil to drip off before moving on to the next step.

Now, take another wide, shallow bowl and place a layer of Kosher or sea salt in it. Transfer the oil-coated potatoes to this bowl and ensure they are fully coated in salt.

Wrap each potato individually with two layers of foil, ensuring no spots are left exposed. Place the wrapped potatoes directly on the grill and close the lid. Allow them to cook for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the potato goes through effortlessly.

Remove the potatoes from the grill and carefully unwrap them from the foil. Clean and recycle the foil.

Using a knife, make a slit down the top of each potato. Protecting your hands with a towel or potholder to avoid burns, press the ends of the potato towards the center to open it up. If desired, use a fork to fluff the flesh. Serve the potatoes with an abundance of delectable toppings!

Properly Preheating Your Grill

Ensuring your grill is properly preheated is an essential step in any grilling recipe, including this one. You'll want to make sure the grill is sufficiently hot, around 350º F (176º C), before placing the potatoes on it. Preheat the grill with the lid closed for approximately 15 minutes to reach the optimal temperature.

Cooking Advice from the Chef

• Ensure your grill is thoroughly preheated. Refer to the section above for more detailed information.
• While it is optional, applying a coat of salt on the potato results in a delightful crispy and flavorful crust. I highly recommend trying it.
• Pierce the potato all over with a fork before microwaving to prevent any potato explosions.
• If you need to open the lid to cook other items on the grill, anticipate a longer cooking time, approximately 40 minutes. Whenever possible, try to keep the lid closed when cooking other items. This allows the grill to function as an oven for the potatoes.
• Wrap the potato in two layers of foil to prevent flare-ups or uneven browning.
• Purchase potatoes that are all the same size to ensure even cooking.
• Microwave the potato for 4-5 minutes or until it softens when squeezed (Remember to use a towel or potholder to protect your hand). You can do this ahead of time and finish cooking on the grill if desired.
• Use a wide, shallow bowl to roll the potatoes in salt for easy external seasoning.

Ideas for Toppings

You can use the following toppings to enhance your grilled potatoes:

Butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, ranch dressing, salsa, diced tomatoes, grilled chicken, steamed broccoli, cheese sauce, chili. For vegan options, try vegan butter or Vegan Queso. For Whole30, use ghee.

Other Delicious Recipes

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• What You'll Need:
• Large, microwave-safe plate or bowl
• 8 sheets of aluminum foil (2 sheets per potato)

1. Preheat the grill with the lid closed to 350° Fahrenheit. While the grill is preheating, take a medium bowl and place a russet potato in it. Use a fork to prick the potato, then coat it with neutral oil. Set the potato aside and repeat the process with the remaining potatoes.
2. In another medium bowl, pour salt into the bowl, making sure to cover the bottom fully. Place one oiled potato in the bowl and flip it until the entire potato is coated with a thin layer of salt. Transfer the potato to a microwave-safe plate or bowl and repeat this step with the rest of the potatoes.
3. Once all the potatoes have been oiled and salted, place them in the microwave. Microwave all the potatoes together on high for 4 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the microwave and securely wrap each potato with 2 sheets of aluminum foil.
4. Place the foil-wrapped potatoes directly on the grill grate. Close the grill lid and grill the potatoes for 30 to 40 minutes, making sure to keep the lid closed the entire time. Note: Each time you open the lid, the cooking time will increase.
5. After 30 minutes, start checking the doneness of the potatoes by slightly unwrapping one potato and piercing the skin with a fork or skewer. If the fork or skewer easily goes through the potato with no resistance, the potatoes are ready to be removed from the grill.
6. Unwrap the grilled potatoes and discard the foil. Cut the potato open by slicing it lengthwise down the center, then gently press the ends of the potato to open it wide. Use a fork to fluff the potato flesh and serve immediately with your desired toppings.

Store any leftover potatoes in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 5 days.

Serving: 1 potato, Energy: 261 calories, Carbohydrates: 38 grams, Protein: 5 grams, Fat: 11 grams, Saturated Fat: 2 grams, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 gram, Monounsaturated Fat: 8 grams, Sodium: 11 milligrams, Potassium: 888 milligrams, Dietary Fiber: 3 grams, Sugar: 1 gram, Vitamin A: 2 international units, Vitamin C: 12 milligrams, Calcium: 28 milligrams, Iron: 2 milligrams, Net Carbohydrates: 35 grams The number of servings depicted is only an approximation. The actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

The nutritional values mentioned are general guidelines and represent the information for 1 serving using the specified ingredients, but do not include any optional ingredients. The actual macronutrient content might slightly differ depending on the specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To calculate the weight of a single serving, follow the recipe instructions and prepare the dish. Weigh the completed dish and then divide the total weight (excluding the weight of the container) by the desired number of servings. The result will give you the weight of one serving.

Does wrapping baked potatoes in foil shorten the cooking time? Wrapping the potatoes in aluminum foil does indeed accelerate the cooking process, while also maintaining their temperature for a longer period of time.

Should you poke holes in baked potatoes when grilling them? Absolutely! Just like when baking potatoes using any other method, it is essential to poke them a few times with a fork to allow steam to escape. Otherwise, the potatoes can potentially explode!