Baking potatoes in foil on the grill or barbecue is a simple and delicious way to get tender, fluffy spuds with a lovely smoky flavor. With just a few easy steps, you can have perfect barbecued potatoes to complement any barbecue meal.
Ingredients
- Potatoes – Russet or Yukon Gold work best
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper
- Herbs or spices (optional) – try rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, paprika, etc.
Equipment
- Aluminum foil
- Basting brush
- BBQ grill or smoker
- Oven mitts
Steps
Prep the Potatoes
- Choose potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Scrub clean with a vegetable brush.
- Use a fork to poke deep holes all over the potatoes – this allows steam to escape and prevents them exploding on the grill.
- Pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean tea towel.
Season and Wrap in Foil
- Place potatoes on a large piece of heavy duty foil and drizzle with olive oil or vegetable oil. Use a basting brush to coat the potatoes all over with the oil.
- Season generously with salt and pepper. Add any other dried herbs or spices as desired.
- Wrap the potatoes tightly in the foil by crimping and folding the edges to seal.
Grill the Potatoes
- Preheat your grill or smoker to medium heat, around 375-400°F.
- Place the foil wrapped potatoes directly on the grill grates and close the lid.
- Grill for 60-90 minutes, turning the packet over every 15 minutes. The potatoes are done when easily pierced with a knife.
- Use grill mitts to carefully transfer the foil packet to a plate. Allow the potatoes to rest 5 minutes before unwrapping.
Unwrap and Serve
- Carefully open the foil packet – watch for escaping steam!
- Potatoes should be fork tender and skin should slip off easily when squeezed.
- Serve the barbecue baked potatoes with extra olive oil, salt, pepper, sour cream, cheese, chives or any desired toppings.
Tips
- Choose a heavier duty foil or double wrap potatoes to prevent burning or foil tears.
- If potatoes aren’t fully cooked after 90 minutes, simply place the still foil-wrapped potatoes on your indirect heat or oven to finish cooking through.
- Add sliced onions, peppers, corn or other veggies to the packet for a baked potato grill medley.
- Top cooked potatoes with melted butter, cheese, bacon, salsa or chili for delicious loaded grill-baked potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size potatoes work best?
Medium potatoes about 6-8 ounces or 170-225g work great. They will cook through evenly without the need to cut in half.
Do I need to parboil the potatoes first?
No, parboiling is not necessary when grilling or smoking the potatoes. The indirect heat tenderizes them fully.
What if my grill doesn’t seal the foil packet well?
Try wrapping potatoes in 2 layers of foil or use a disposable foil pan with a fitted lid to prevent leaks.
How do I prevent my potatoes from burning?
Use moderate heat around 375F, place potatoes away from direct flames and turn the foil packet frequently to prevent hot spots.
Can I grill sweet potatoes or yams in foil?
Absolutely! Follow the same method, but grill a little longer until sweet potatoes are tender. They pair great with spices like cinnamon or cayenne.
What other vegetables work using this method?
Many veggies grill great in foil packets – try potatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, squash and more. Simply adjust cooking time as needed.
Conclusion
Cooking potatoes wrapped in foil on the barbecue is an easy and fun way to get tender, smoky baked potatoes without heating up the kitchen. Adjust herbs and spices to your liking and add in extra vegetables for a complete grilled meal. Just be sure to use heavy duty foil, medium-sized potatoes and moderate grill heat for best results. Enjoy your succulent barbecue-baked potatoes all summer long!