How to Grill Potatoes: Easy Recipe for Grilled Potatoes

Grilled potatoes cook on a barbecue grill, which imparts a smoky flavor and grill marks. The dish usually involves parcooking the potatoes or cooking them most of the way before placing them on a charcoal grill to prevent the natural sugars and starches from burning. You can parcook potatoes using a steamer, an air fryer, or an oven. Grilled potatoes have a similar texture to crispy roasted potatoes and baked potatoes but a smokier flavor.

Different kinds of potatoes might contain distinct levels of starch, but the nutritional profile of a potato generally includes vitamin C, potassium, calcium, carbohydrates, starch, and calories.

Different potatoes require specific considerations during the grilling process. Here are five types of potatoes that work well for a grilled potatoes dish:

• New potatoes: A smaller variety of potatoes, new potatoes are young potatoes. They have thin skins and are sweeter than their fully grown counterparts since their sugars have yet to turn to starch. Grill them whole so the insides of the crispy grilled potatoes stay light and fluffy.
• Red potatoes: These low-starch, moisture-rich potatoes are also known as boiling potatoes. Red potatoes hold their shape during cooking due to their low starch levels. Use grilled red potatoes in potato salads, soups, and stews.
• Russet potatoes: Also known as baking potatoes, russet potatoes are large, starchy, and the most common potato for french fries. Cut russet potatoes into wedges or thick slices, then roast them in a single layer before finishing them on the grill to make grilled potatoes.
• Sweet potatoes: Containing more sugar than most other potatoes, sweet potatoes caramelize on the grill quickly. Cut them into potato wedges for sweet potato fries, or use them as a base for sweet and savory toppings. Cook potatoes all the way through before grilling them so they don’t burn.
• Yukon Gold potatoes: Starchier than red potatoes but not as starchy as russet potatoes, Yukon Golds are high-moisture tubers suitable for boiling, roasting, or frying. Wrap these potatoes in aluminum foil packets before placing them on the grill to ensure they become tender without burning.

Consider adding grilled potatoes to side dishes, appetizers, and main dishes. Here are three dishes that can benefit from grilled potatoes:

1. 1. Parmesan potatoes: Turn potatoes into a cheesy dish by making Parmesan potatoes. Parboil small potatoes, such as new potatoes or red potatoes. Then add to a large bowl grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, black pepper, and salt. Grill the potatoes until their skins are crispy and the insides are soft. Transfer the grilled potatoes to the bowl and toss them with a drizzle of olive oil and the other ingredients.
2. 2. Potato salad: Use grilled potatoes to make a smoky potato salad. Grill small, whole potatoes or dice large potatoes after grilling them. Mix the potatoes with mayonnaise, garlic powder, red or white onion, paprika, kosher salt, and ground black pepper for a different take on a classic summer side dish. Learn how to make Chef Thomas Keller’s authentic German potato salad recipe.
3. 3. Potato nachos: Cut potatoes into thick slices and boil them for three minutes to partially soften them. Grill the potato slices until the insides have grill marks and are fork-tender. Spread them over a plate and garnish them with seasoned ground beef, sour cream, green onions, and fresh cilantro.

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