Smoked Baked Potato
A Smoked Baked Potato is the perfect side dish for anything you smoke this season. A new twist on a classic side dish.
These potatoes finish with a perfectly crisp, smoky exterior and a fluffy inside that melts in your mouth.
Why Smoke Potatoes?
- Flavor: Adding smoke flavor to simple potatoes creates an entirely new dish.
- Texture: The skins develop a nice crispy texture, and the interior remains fluffy and tender.
- Versatility: Serve these baked potatoes as a standalone dish, like loaded smoked baked potatoes or serve them as a side dish for your favorite smoked protein.
- Convenience: Smoking baked potatoes alongside your main dish maximizes your cooking time and resources. This saves time and energy by just using the smoker.
What you Need
- Potatoes: Use large, starchy baking potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold Potatoes.
- Oil: A light coat of vegetable oil will create delicious, crispy skin.
- Salt: Use kosher salt or sea salt.
- Pepper: Coarse ground black pepper
- Optional spices: garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, or your favorite spice.
How to make them
Step One:
Rub the potatoes with a light coating of oil.
Rub the salt and pepper and any optional spices you would like outside.
Poke a couple of holes in the skin.
Step Two:
Place potatoes directly onto the smoker racks or grill grates.
What to Serve With Them
- Grilled Meats: Pair your smoked baked potatoes with meats like steak, chicken, pork chops, prime rib, or even barbecued ribs.
- Grilled Vegetables: Zucchini, bell peppers, corn on the cob, asparagus, and mushrooms are excellent choices. Drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle some seasoning, and grill them perfectly.
- Fresh Salad: Balance the smoked potatoes’ richness with a refreshing salad. A green salad with mixed greens, peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette can provide a light and crisp contrast to the smoky flavors.
- Coleslaw: The creamy and crunchy texture of coleslaw pairs nicely with the smokiness of the potatoes. Consider making a classic coleslaw or experimenting with different variations, like a spicy jalapeno coleslaw.
- Smoked Cornbread: Complement the smoky theme by serving homemade grilled cornbread alongside your potatoes.
- Dips and Sauces: Consider serving sour cream, melted cheese, salsa, barbecue sauce, homemade chimichurri, or garlic aioli.
- Smoked Brisket: Rich, tender, and full of smoky flavor, smoked brisket is a classic choice to pair with potatoes.
- Pulled Pork: Slow-smoked pulled pork, with its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and smoky flavor, is an excellent complement to the fluffy and smoky baked potatoes. Serve the pulled pork as a topping or a separate meaty side dish for your potatoes.
- Smoked Ribs: Whether it’s baby back ribs, spare ribs, or St. Louis-style ribs, smoky ribs are always crowd-pleasers.
- Smoked Chicken: You can serve smoked chicken breasts, thighs, or even drumsticks alongside the potatoes.
- Smoked Sausages: Choose your favorite variety of smoked sausages, such as kielbasa, andouille, or chorizo, and grill or smoke them to perfection.
- Smoked Turkey: If you’re looking for a leaner option, smoked turkey is a great choice.
- Smoked Salmon: For seafood lovers, smoked salmon can add an elegant touch to your meal.
How to store leftovers
Cool thoroughly at room temperature before storing them. Pack leftovers in single-serve portions.
Refrigeration: Place the cooled baked potatoes in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate the leftovers promptly. Use them within 3-4 days.
Reheating: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10-15 minutes until they are heated. Alternatively, reheat them in the microwave for a quicker option, but remember that the texture may not be as crisp as when fresh.
Freezing (Optional):
Place the portions in freezer-safe, airtight containers or freezer bags. Squeeze out any excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Label the bags with the date, quantity, and contents. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and follow the reheating instructions mentioned above.
What to do with leftovers
- Loaded Potato Skins or Twice-Baked Potatoes: Fill the scooped out potato halves and mix with bacon and cheese. Heat it in the oven and top with your favorite toppings.
- Potato Hash: Chop the leftover smoked baked potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Sauté them in a skillet with onions, bell peppers, and bacon or sausage for extra flavor. Cook until everything is heated through and slightly crispy. Serve as a hearty breakfast brunch with your favorite eggs on top.
- Smoked Potato Salad: Just substitute the smoked potato for boiled potatoes in your favorite recipe.
- Soup: Blend the leftover smoked baked potatoes with chicken or vegetable broth until smooth. In a pot, sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery until softened. Add the potato mixture and seasonings like garlic powder, thyme, and a splash of cream or milk. Simmer until the flavors meld together and the potato soup thickens slightly.
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Smoked Baked Potato
Ingredients
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes well. Dry with paper towels.4 large baking potatoes
- Rub the skins with a thin layer of oil. This will make the skins nice and crispy.2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- Rub in salt, pepper and any other seasonings you would like to use.1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- Place them on the racks of the preheated smoker. Smoke at 225-250°F for 3-4 hours until the center is tender. The internal temperature should be around 205°F.
See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!Notes
How to store leftovers
Cool thoroughly at room temperature before storing them. Thorough cooling helps prevent condensation and excess moisture from forming, which can lead to sogginess. Pack leftovers in single-serve portions. Refrigeration: Place the cooled baked potatoes in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Seal the container properly to prevent air exposure, which can cause the potatoes to dry out. Refrigerate the leftovers promptly. Use them within 3-4 days. Reheating: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10-15 minutes until they are heated. Alternatively, reheat them in the microwave for a quicker option, but remember that the texture may not be as crisp as when fresh.Freezing (Optional):
Place the portions in freezer-safe, airtight containers or freezer bags. Squeeze out any excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Label the bags with the date, quantity, and contents. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and follow the reheating instructions mentioned above.Nutrition
Originally published July 3, 2023. February 7, 2025.
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