Food Cooking Tips & Techniques Grilling How to Make a Baked Potato on the Grill in Less Than An Hour The superior way to make a baked potato. By Ariel Klein Ariel Klein Ariel Klein is a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, home, cooking, and gardening topics. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Well+Good, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes and Gardens, and Food & Wine magazine. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on May 13, 2024 Close Photo: John A. Rizzo/Getty Images Grilling season is here, which means it’s time to plan those backyard barbeques and start cooking up your favorite dishes. Whether you love a classic spread of hamburgers and hot dogs, or want to grill something a bit more elevated like steak or fish, you need the perfect side. Sure, pasta salad and veggies are great options, but there’s nothing tastier or more satisfying than a baked potato prepared on the grill. 22 Grilled Food Ideas That Will Surprise and Delight You But how to make a baked potato on the grill can get a bit tricky. The process of cooking a baked potato in the oven or on a grill takes about the same amount of time, but the final product tastes totally different. The grill adds a depth of flavor while creating the fluffiest inner potato with the crispiest skin. And while a grilled baked potato is delicious all on its own, a topping bar is never a bad idea. A simple pat of butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and scallions are the key to baked potato success. Once you rub oil on the potato, add a coating of salt to help create an extra crispy and flavorful outer skin Always wrap potatoes in two layers of aluminum foil to ensure they’re properly covered Buy potatoes that are similar in size so they have similar cooking times 19 Essential Grilling Tools for a Successful Barbecue What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Grilling tongs Aluminum foil Microwave-safe plate Platter Fork Materials 4 Russet potatoes Neutral cooking oil, such as avocado oil Sea salt Toppings and seasonings of your choice Instructions Pierce the Potatoes Use a fork to pierce the potatoes so air can escape as they cook. Then, rub each potato with oil and coat with a bit of salt. Microwave the Potatoes Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave them for about 4-5 minutes. Make sure to check potatoes every minute. You might have to heat the potatoes up two at a time. Let the Potatoes Cool Once potatoes are done in the microwave, let them cool for about 10 minutes so they’re easier to handle. While they’re cooling, heat the grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Expert Tips for Grilling Vegetables Perfectly—Plus 7 Recipes to Try Grill the Potatoes Wrap each potato in two sheets of aluminum foil, making sure each one is entirely covered. Place the potatoes on the grill with the lid on for about 30 to 40 minutes. Be sure to keep the lid on, otherwise the cooking time will be delayed. Slice and Serve Use the tongs to remove each potato and let them cool a bit before unwrapping. Once you’re ready to eat, slice each potato down the middle and serve them with your favorite toppings!