How to BBQ Baked Potatoes - Outdoor Cabinets

Baked potatoes are a classic American barbecue side dish. With crispy skins and fluffy, tender insides, bbq baked potatoes are easy to make and delicious. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to properly bbq bake potatoes from preparation to serving. With a few simple tips and tricks, you’ll be an expert at cooking crowd-pleasing baked potatoes on the grill in no time.

Ingredients Needed for BBQ Baked Potatoes

Making bbq baked potatoes starts with gathering the right ingredients:

Potatoes – Choose dry, firm russet potatoes that are smooth and free of blemishes or green spots. Medium potatoes around 6-8 ounces each are ideal.
Olive oil or vegetable oil – The oil helps the potato skin get crispy and brown when cooked over the hot grill. Any neutral flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil will work.
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper – Seasoning the potatoes with salt brings out the flavor. Fresh cracked black pepper adds spice.
Butter – Melted butter in the finished baked potato provides a rich, velvety texture. Use salted or unsalted butter.
Sour cream – Cool and tangy sour cream is a traditional topping. Opt for full or reduced fat.
Chives – Fresh snipped chives lend color and onion flavor. Dried chives work too.
Cheese – Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or crumbled bacon bits take baked potatoes up a notch.
Barbecue sauce or rub – Smoky, sweet and spicy bbq sauce or a dry rub amplifies the bbq flavor.

Equipment for Grill Baked Potatoes

Having the right gear makes bbqing potatoes much easier:

Gas or charcoal grill – Any grill that reaches at least 400°F indirect heat works. More btus power faster cooking.
Aluminum foil – Heavy duty foil protects the potatoes during grilling. Non-stick foil prevents sticking.
Metal skewers or toothpicks – Securing foil pouches with skewers prevents steam from escaping.
Oven mitts – Grilling requires handling very hot potatoes and foil. Insulated mitts prevent burns.
Serving platter – A heat-resistant platter or pan holds cooked potatoes for transport to the table.
Potato brush – A stiff bristled brush helps scrub potatoes clean prior to grilling.
Tongs or spatula – Use longhandled tongs to maneuver potatoes on the grill without burning fingers.

Having the right supplies makes grilling baked potatoes safe and easy. Investing in a few basic grilling tools goes a long way.

How to Prepare Potatoes for BBQ Baking

Preparing the potatoes is an important first step for delicious bbq baked potatoes:

Choose potatoes – Pick russet potatoes that are about 6 to 8 ounces each for uniform cooking. Larger potatoes take longer. Avoid potatoes with bruises or blemishes.
Wash potatoes – Scrub potatoes under running water with a stiff bristle brush to remove any dirt. Dry potatoes with a tea towel. Wet potatoes can steam not bake.
Pierce potatoes – Use a paring knife to pierce potatoes 3-4 times evenly over the surface. Piercing allows steam to escape during baking.
Coat in oil – Lightly rub potatoes with olive oil or vegetable oil to add flavor and prevent drying out. Oil enhances browning.
Season potatoes – Generously season potatoes with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Rub seasonings evenly over the whole surface.
Prep toppings – Shred any cheese and chop chives before grilling so potatoes can be topped immediately after cooking.

Taking a little extra time prepping the potatoes pays off with better baked potatoes once you grill them.

How to Grill Bake Potatoes in Foil Packets

Grilling potatoes in foil packets is the easiest way to bbq baked potatoes with crispy skins:

Lay foil sheet – Place a large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil on a work surface. Use non-stick foil to avoid sticking.
Place oiled potato – Lay the oiled, seasoned potato in the center of the foil sheet. Allow space for heat circulation.
Create packet – Bring foil sides together and seal into a tight packet around the potato. Fold and crimp edges to seal.
Pierce packet – Use a skewer or toothpick to poke 6-8 holes evenly over the packet. This allows steam to escape.
Grill over indirect heat – Place foil packets on the grill grate over indirect heat. Close the grill lid.
Cook 45-60 minutes – Grill the wrapped potatoes for 45-60 minutes until fork tender. Turn packets over halfway through.
Remove packet from grill – Use tongs and oven mitts to remove the hot foil packets and place on a platter.
Open packet – Carefully open the foil envelope by slitting the top with a knife. Steam will release.

Wrapping the potatoes in foil packets makes them tender inside yet crispy outside with delicious smoky bbq flavor.

How to Cook Baked Potatoes Directly on the Grill

For baked potato skins with maximum crunchiness, grilling them directly on the grill grate is ideal:

Prepare potatoes – Wash, dry, pierce, oil and season potatoes. Be sure potatoes are completely dry before grilling.
Preheat grill – Ignite grill and heat to 400°F indirect heat. Scrape grill grates clean. Oil grates to prevent sticking.
Place potatoes on grill – Arrange oiled potatoes directly on grill grate over indirect heat. Keep the lid closed as much as possible.
Flip occasionally – Use tongs to flip potatoes every 15 minutes or so. Turning ensures even browning and baking.
Cook 60-90 minutes – Potatoes will need 60-90 minutes total cooking time depending on size. Judge doneness with a fork.
Move to direct heat – After potatoes are tender, move them directly over the heat for 2-3 minutes per side to crisp and char the skins.
Remove from grill – Use an insulated oven mitt to grasp and transfer potatoes to a platter when finished grilling.

It takes a little more attention, but grilling the potatoes directly gives the skins a lovely browned, crispy barbecue texture.

Choosing the Right Temperature for BBQ Baked Potatoes

Maintaining the proper grilling temperature is key for perfectly baked potatoes:

For gas grills, preheat to 400-425°F on medium heat. This indirect temperature slowly bakes the potatoes without burning them.
On charcoal grills, pile coals to one side. Place potatoes on the empty side and keep vents open for airflow.
Use an oven thermometer placed on the grate to monitor the temperature. Close the lid between flipping potatoes.
The potatoes need consistent, gentle heat to fully cook through while remaining fluffy on the inside.
Higher heat right at the very end crisps and browns the skins nicely. Move potatoes directly over the hot coals or burners just to finish.
If using foil packets, 425°F indirect heat ensures the potatoes bake fully without the foil burning or potatoes steaming.
With direct grilling, maintain 400°F and flip occasionally for even browning. The skins will become crispier at a lower heat.

Paying attention to grill temperature and grill placement results in tender interiors and crispy skins.

BBQ Baked Potato Toppings

The best part of bbq baked potatoes is loading them up with creative toppings:

Butter – A pat of melted salted butter or herb butter is the tasty classic choice.
Sour cream – Cool and tangy sour cream nicely balances the potato’s heartiness.
Shredded cheese – Go for cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend or crumbled blue cheese.
Chopped chives – Fresh green chives add flavor, color and texture contrast.
Crumbled bacon – Crisp cooked bacon bits lend a smoky salty crunch.
Salsa – Chunky tomato salsa brings a spicy, colorful kick.
BBQ sauce – Sweet, tangy or spicy sauce enhances the grill flavor.
Broccoli – Steamed bite-size broccoli florets add nutrition.
Chili – For a hearty meal, top baked potatoes with beef or veggie chili.
Pulled pork – Shredded smoked pork shoulder tastes amazing on baked potatoes.

Use your imagination and favorite ingredients to customize your bbq baked potatoes with savory, cheesy, spicy or fresh toppings.

Troubleshooting BBQ Baked Potatoes

Having trouble getting perfect results when grilling baked potatoes? Here are some common problems and solutions:

Potatoes are undercooked:

The grill heat was too low. Use 400-425°F indirect heat for baked potatoes.
Foil packets weren’t sealed well so steam escaped. Double check the crimped edges.
Potatoes were too large. Stick to 6-8 ounce potatoes for uniform cooking.

Potatoes are burnt on the outside:

Grill temperature was too high. Maintain even, moderate indirect heat.
Potatoes were placed directly over the coals or flame without foil protection.
Potatoes weren’t rotated enough during grilling. Turn packets every 15-20 minutes.

Potato skins aren’t crispy:

Potatoes weren’t dried thoroughly before applying oil. Damp skins steam instead of crisp.
Grill heat wasn’t hot enough right at the end to crisp skins. Finish over direct heat.
Foil packets were opened immediately instead of letting steam release slowly.

Potato insides aren’t fluffy:

Old potatoes were used. Always start with fresh, firm potatoes.
Potatoes were undercooked. Check doneness with a fork and continue grilling if needed.
Potatoes were pierced too many times, allowing steam to escape.

Tweaking your grilling methods and using fresh potatoes will help you troubleshoot for tender and crispy bbq baked potatoes.

Serving Ideas for BBQ Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes hot off the barbecue grill make a crowd-pleasing side at any cookout. Or serve them as a simple meal on their own. Here are more serving ideas:

Offer a build-your-own baked potato bar with assorted toppings so everyone can customize.
Incorporate baked potatoes into a potato salad. Toss cubed grilled potatoes with fresh herbs, veggies and dressing.
Bake smaller fingerling or baby potatoes for an appetizer. Top with crumbled feta and fresh dill.
For brunch, scoop out baked potato flesh and whip with eggs for potato skillet scramble.
Dice baked potatoes and toss with cheddar, bacon and scallions for tangy loaded baked potato bites.
Make twice-baked potatoes by scooping out the insides, mixing with cheese and bacon, then refilling the skins.

Bbq baked potatoes are endlessly adaptable. Incorporate them into all kinds of appetizers, sides, meals and snacks.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Baked Potatoes

Enjoy bbq baked potatoes to their full potential by storing and reheating them properly:

Let baked potatoes cool for 15-20 minutes before wrapping for refrigerator storage.
Wrap each potato tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to contain moisture.
Place wrapped potatoes in a zip top plastic bag and squeeze out excess air.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days. The foil or plastic wrap prevents potato flesh from oxidizing.
For freezer storage, wrap potatoes tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat refrigerated potatoes in the microwave, oven or toaster oven until warmed through.
Bring frozen potatoes to room temp, then reheat gently in the oven or toaster oven until hot.

Proper storage keeps baked potato flavors fresh. Then, it only takes minutes to reheat them for serving.

With the right techniques, you can make mouthwateringly delicious baked potatoes every time you grill outdoors. Try different potato topping combinations and use leftovers in imaginative ways. Mastering bbq baked potatoes will make you the MVP of every barbecue, picnic and potluck!

Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Baked Potatoes

Still have questions about how to bbq baked potatoes to crispy, fluffy perfection? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How long does it take to grill bake potatoes?

Grilling potatoes in foil packets takes 45-60 minutes at 400-425°F indirect heat. Whole potatoes placed directly on the grill will need 60-90 minutes, turning occasionally.

What size of potatoes work best?

Choose medium russet potatoes around 6-8 ounces each. Larger potatoes take longer to cook through and smaller ones can dry out. Uniform sizing means even cooking.

What temperature should the grill be for baking potatoes?

Indirect heat between 400-425°F is ideal. At the end, move the potatoes directly over heat for a few minutes per side to finish crisping the skins.

Should potatoes be wrapped in foil on the grill?

Cooking in foil helps steam the insides tender while keeping the skins from burning in spots. But grilling directly gives skins more crunch. Either method works.

How can you tell when baked potatoes are done on the BBQ?

Use a fork to test doneness. It should slide in easily with no resistance. Potatoes are done when fork tender all the way through.

What do you put on bbq baked potatoes?

Traditional toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, chives and bacon are delicious. Also try chili, salsa, broccoli, pulled pork, cranberry sauce – anything goes!

How do you reheat baked potatoes?

To reheat refrigerated baked potatoes, microwave, oven bake or toaster oven until fully heated through. For frozen potatoes, defrost first before gently reheating.

Can you grill bake sweet potatoes or yams?

Absolutely! Follow the same methods of oiling, season, piercing, wrapping in foil and indirect grilling 400°F for 50-75 minutes until very tender when pierced. Enjoy with brown sugar and butter.

Grill baking potatoes over a live fire adds amazing flavor. With the proper technique, you’ll impress everyone with your restaurant-quality backyard bbq baked potatoes.