Perfecting Grilled Potato Dishes
Potatoes are a classic that can be enjoyed all year round. From baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, casseroles, if you can think of it, we have done it on a grill! From selecting the right type of potato for your recipe to mastering cooking times and flavors, you will soon discover just how satisfying and enjoyable it can be to work with this humble yet incredibly versatile vegetable. So, let us dive in and unlock the secrets to perfecting your potato dishes!
Potatoes are a year-round classic—versatile, satisfying, and perfect for any recipe.
Why Potatoes?
Potatoes make a great side dish for their incredible versatility, filling nature, and ability to complement various main courses. They are budget-friendly, packed with essential nutrients like vitamins (especially C and B6) and minerals such as potassium, and offer a satisfying texture that helps to satiate hunger. Whether mashed, roasted, baked, or fried, potatoes adapt well to various seasonings and cooking methods, making them a crowd-pleasing addition to any meal, from casual dinners to formal gatherings.
Grilled, smoked, fired, and what potato?
Each method of cooking potatoes—smoking, frying, and grilling—brings out unique flavors and textures depending on the type of potato used. Let us dive into what potato you should use!
- Grilling: Opting for waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds or red potatoes works best due to their firm texture that holds up well to heat without falling apart. Waxy potatoes contain a little starch and have a creamy flesh. They have thin skin and hold their shape. This works better in stews, soups, and casseroles. These varieties also caramelize nicely on the grill, enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Smoking: For smoking, choosing a starchy potato such as Russets (Idaho potato) is ideal because they absorb flavors well and become delightfully creamy when cooked low and slow. Starchy potatoes have a crumbly interior and a dry texture. Starchy potatoes are also excellent for frying, as their high starch content results in a crispier exterior. Their fluffy interior makes them perfect for classic dishes like French fries or baked potatoes.
- Frying: The best potatoes for frying are typically high-starch varieties, as they crisp up nicely on the outside while maintaining a fluffy interior. Russets (Idaho potatoes) are widely considered the best choice for frying. Yukon potatoes can also provide a slightly creamy and buttery texture. Don’t forget to check out our most popular model of deep fryer for this technique!
5 Ways to Make Potatoes on a Grill
Now we are going to look at five methods for making potatoes with your grill:
- Grill Directly: Grill your potato face down for charred, tender potatoes.
- Grill in foil: Place your potatoes in foil to capture all the juicy bits.
- Smoke: Place indirectly low and slow on the smoker to get delicious smoky flavor.
- Skewer: Cut your potato into wedges, brush with butter mixed with herbs, and skewer it!
- Bake: Add a potato casserole to your grill and add flavor and utilize more grill space.
