Tender Grilled Potato Bundles

There are countless times when a simple yet incredibly satisfying side dish has transformed a meal, and for me, perfectly grilled potatoes always step up to the challenge. Especially during the warmer months, these foil pack potatoes are an absolute go-to, consistently pleasing every palate at any gathering. Their popularity isn’t just about their delicious flavor; it’s also about the sheer convenience and reliability of the foil pack method. This technique ensures perfectly cooked potatoes every single time, making it a truly indispensable staple for summer barbecues and outdoor cooking adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a novice, this easy recipe guarantees success.

Crafting these delectable foil pack grilled potatoes couldn’t be easier, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor and enjoyment. The process is remarkably straightforward: simply toss tender red potatoes with a generous amount of high-quality olive oil and your favorite blend of seasonings, then securely seal them within a heavy-duty foil packet. Once prepared, these robust packets are ready to hit the grill, where they’ll cook to a delightful tenderness with subtle smoky notes and wonderfully crispy edges. This method not only guarantees exceptional taste and texture but also drastically simplifies cleanup, allowing you more time to relax and savor your meal and company. It’s the ultimate hassle-free side dish for any outdoor feast.

The Ultimate Grilled Potatoes in Foil: Your New Summer Staple Recipe

As grilling season fully arrives, these easy grilled red potatoes continue to earn rave reviews, consistently achieving five-star ratings and establishing themselves as a true summer staple for countless families. Their seamless preparation combined with an irresistible flavor profile makes them an undisputed crowd-pleaser that you’ll want to make again and again for every barbecue.

What makes these grilled potatoes truly exceptional is their perfect balance of texture and taste – a crispy exterior giving way to a fluffy, tender interior. With just about 10 minutes of active prep time and approximately 20 minutes on the grill, you can achieve a side dish that’s both convenient and incredibly satisfying. The foil pack method, which is at the heart of this recipe, involves sealing all your ingredients within a durable aluminum foil packet before placing it directly on the grill. This ingenious technique creates a steamy, miniature oven environment that cooks the potatoes to a remarkable fork-tender consistency on the inside, while allowing the direct heat to develop a lovely crispness and a hint of smoky char on the edges. Beyond the delectable results, one of the greatest advantages of this method is the incredibly easy cleanup – simply discard the foil, and you’re done! It’s grilling simplified, without compromising on flavor, texture, or quality.

Curious about the ideal cooking time for potatoes in foil? To achieve that perfect balance of tenderness and subtle crisp, you’ll want to grill your red potatoes in a well-sealed foil pack over direct heat at a consistent 400ºF (200ºC). This typically takes between 15 to 20 minutes. The exact timing can vary slightly depending on your grill’s precise temperature, the initial chill of the potatoes, and the consistent size of your potato chunks. It’s always a good idea to keep a watchful eye on them and perform a quick fork test for doneness to ensure they’re perfectly cooked to your liking. This direct heat method is key for that desirable smoky flavor.

Mastering the Art of Grilling Potatoes in Foil: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Preparing Your Potatoes for Grilling

The first and most critical step to achieving perfectly grilled potatoes is proper preparation. Begin by thoroughly washing approximately 1 pound (around 450 grams) of red potatoes under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris. Once clean, pat them completely dry with a paper towel. Next, quarter them – this means carefully cutting each potato in half lengthwise, and then cutting each half in half again. The goal is to create uniform pieces, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in length. Consistent sizing is absolutely vital as it ensures all your potato chunks cook evenly, preventing some from being undercooked while others are perfectly tender and ready to eat.

We highly recommend using red potatoes for this recipe because of their ideal bite-sized nature and naturally thin, delicate skin that becomes wonderfully tender and almost unnoticeable when cooked. Unlike some other varieties, there’s absolutely no need to peel red potatoes, saving you valuable prep time and preserving beneficial nutrients. For an added layer of aromatic and sweet flavor, we also incorporate a small yellow onion, finely diced. The subtle sweetness of the yellow onion caramelizes beautifully on the grill, contributing a delicious depth and complexity to the overall dish that enhances the natural potato flavor.

Alternative Potato Varieties for Your Grill

Don’t have red potatoes on hand? No problem at all! This versatile foil pack grilled potato recipe can be adapted to many other potato types, ensuring you can still enjoy delicious grilled potatoes regardless of what’s in your pantry. While red potatoes are our first choice, these alternatives also yield fantastic results:

• Russet Potatoes: Known for their starchy texture, these potatoes become wonderfully fluffy inside, perfect for absorbing flavors. Just be sure to cut them into smaller, uniform chunks.
• Idaho Potatoes: Similar to Russets, these are excellent for a hearty and filling side dish. They might benefit from a slightly longer cooking time.
• Fingerling Potatoes: Their elongated shape and naturally buttery texture make them a gourmet choice. They often require less chopping, as you can simply halve them lengthwise.
• Sweet Potatoes: For a delightful touch of sweetness and vibrant color, sweet potatoes are a fantastic healthy alternative. They pair wonderfully with a pinch of cinnamon or smoked paprika.
• Yams: Similar to sweet potatoes but with a slightly different flavor profile and texture, yams also grill beautifully in a foil pack, offering a unique twist.

Step 2: Expertly Seasoning Your Potatoes for Maximum Flavor

Achieving a perfectly seasoned potato is crucial for maximum flavor and an unforgettable side dish. To ensure every single potato piece is generously coated in olive oil and your chosen spices, we recommend a simple yet highly effective technique: the large plastic bag method. Simply transfer your prepped potato and diced onion chunks into a large, gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Drizzle in your olive oil, then add your chosen spices. Seal the bag securely, ensuring there’s some air inside to allow for movement, and then gently shake, toss, and massage the bag for 1-2 minutes. This method guarantees an even distribution of oil and seasonings, reaching every nook and cranny of the potato pieces with minimal mess and maximum flavor penetration.

For these amazing grilled potatoes, we typically keep the spice blend delightfully simple, allowing the natural flavor of the potatoes and the smoky essence of the grill to shine through. Our tried-and-true combination includes:

• Onion Powder: Adds a foundational, savory onion flavor without the moisture of fresh onion, ensuring a more consistent coating.
• Garlic Powder: A classic and beloved pairing with potatoes, delivering a warm, aromatic kick that permeates every bite.
• Italian Seasoning: A versatile blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, providing an herbaceous complexity that elevates the dish.
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing all other flavors and providing a necessary seasoning base. Don’t be shy with these; potatoes love salt!

Spice Customization Tip: While the basic blend is fantastic, don’t hesitate to experiment and make it your own! Your palate is the best guide. Consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika for a deeper smoky flavor, a dash of cayenne pepper for a subtle heat, or even some dried dill, rosemary, or thyme for an earthier note. For a bright, fresh finish, finely chopped fresh parsley or chives can be stirred in after grilling, adding a burst of color and herbaceous aroma.

Step 3: Crafting the Perfect Foil Pack for Optimal Grilling

Once your potatoes are beautifully coated with all the savory goodness, it’s time to assemble your foil pack. Mastering the art of the foil fold is simpler than it seems, and with a little practice, it becomes second nature, promising consistently delicious results and preventing any lost flavor or potential grill flare-ups.

1. Prepare Your Foil Foundation: Lay out a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil on a clean, flat surface, such as your kitchen counter or a sturdy table. Heavy-duty foil is crucial for resisting tears and high heat. If you’re using standard-weight household foil, it’s highly recommended to use two sheets layered together. This provides extra durability and peace of mind, preventing any potential tearing or leakage of the precious seasoned oil from the grill’s intense heat.
2. Transfer Ingredients: Carefully transfer your seasoned potatoes and diced onions, along with all the olive oil and spices from the bag, onto the center of the prepared foil sheet. Spread them out in a relatively even layer; this promotes uniform cooking, ensuring no potato chunks are left raw in the middle of a dense pile.
3. Seal the Packet Securely: Place a second equally sized piece of foil directly on top of the potatoes, completely covering them. Then, working around all four sides, carefully fold and crimp the edges of both foil sheets together. Aim for a tight, secure seam that creates an airtight seal, trapping all the moisture and steam inside. This creates a small, individual oven effect, crucial for helping the potatoes cook efficiently and stay wonderfully tender.
4. Vent for Even Cooking: Finally, using a fork, gently poke a few small holes on the top surface of your sealed foil pack. These tiny vents serve an important purpose: they allow a small, controlled amount of steam to escape, which is crucial for preventing the packet from puffing up excessively and helps to ensure more even cooking throughout the potatoes. Be careful not to poke too many or too large holes, as you still want to retain most of the moisture and flavor within the packet.

This meticulously sealed and properly vented foil pack is now perfectly prepared and ready to be transformed on the hot grill, locking in all the flavors and aromas for a truly delightful and unforgettable outcome.

Step 4: Grilling Your Foil Pack Potatoes to Perfection at 400ºF

With your grill preheated to a consistent 400ºF (200ºC), it’s time for the magic to happen. Carefully place your sealed foil pack of red potatoes directly onto the clean grill grates, positioning it over direct heat. Close the grill lid to trap the heat and allow the potatoes to steam and roast simultaneously within their foil cocoon. Grill for approximately 15-20 minutes. The exact cooking time can vary based on your grill’s efficiency, the intensity of the flames, and the precise size of your potato chunks, so it’s essential to check for doneness. Using sturdy grilling tongs, carefully remove the foil pack from the grill, open it (be extremely cautious of the intense, escaping steam!), and test a potato piece with a fork. It should pierce easily and feel wonderfully tender all the way through, indicating it’s fully cooked. If any resistance is felt, simply reseal the pack and return it to the grill for a few more minutes until the desired tenderness is achieved. Serve immediately for the best experience!

Do You Need to Boil Potatoes Before Grilling in Foil?

A common and very valid question when preparing potatoes for the grill is whether pre-boiling is necessary to ensure they cook through. The excellent news for this foil pack method is a resounding no, absolutely not! One of the fantastic advantages and key selling points of cooking potatoes in a sealed foil packet is that the trapped moisture creates a steamy, miniature cooking environment. This steaming action effectively cooks the potatoes thoroughly and evenly from the inside out, eliminating any need for prior boiling. This means your potatoes will become wonderfully tender on the inside while still allowing for delicious caramelization and char on the outside, especially if you open the packet towards the end of cooking. Skipping the pre-boil step saves you valuable time, effort, and an extra pot to wash, significantly streamlining your grilling process and making this recipe even more appealingly simple.

Grilling Indirectly: What If Direct Heat Space is Limited?

It’s a common scenario: your grill is loaded with various delicious main courses, leaving little room directly over the intense flames. But fear not, you can still achieve fantastic grilled potatoes even when direct heat space is at a premium. Here’s a smart and effective workaround: Begin by searing your foil-packed red potatoes over direct heat for about 5 minutes. This initial burst of high heat helps to kickstart the cooking process, build some initial flavor, and get a bit of char going. After this initial sear, simply move the foil pack to the upper rack of your grill or to an area with indirect heat where the burners underneath are off (or set very low). The potatoes will continue to cook gently, relying on the ambient heat circulating within the grill chamber. Due to the lower cooking temperature, you will likely need to extend the grilling time by an additional 10-15 minutes or even more when using indirect heat. Always check for fork-tenderness before serving to ensure they are perfectly cooked. This flexible method works exceptionally well, ensuring your potatoes are perfectly cooked while freeing up prime grilling real estate for other main dishes, making your BBQ planning much easier.

Can This Foil Pack Potato Recipe Be Made in the Oven?

Absolutely! While these potatoes are specifically designed to shine on the grill, this versatile foil pack recipe translates beautifully and effortlessly to oven baking. It’s a fantastic and convenient option for those days when the weather isn’t cooperating for outdoor grilling, or if you simply prefer oven cooking. To prepare them in the oven, follow all the initial steps exactly as described for grilling: washing, quartering, expertly seasoning with olive oil and spices, and then creating your secure, tightly sealed foil pack. Once your packet is ready, place it directly onto a sturdy baking sheet (this helps catch any potential minor leaks and makes transfer easier) and bake it in a preheated oven at 400ºF (200ºC) for approximately 20-30 minutes. Begin checking for the tenderness of the potatoes after 20 minutes by carefully opening the packet (watch for steam!) and piercing a potato piece with a fork. Continue baking in 5-minute increments until they reach your desired fork-tender consistency. For a slightly crispier finish and some golden-brown edges, you can carefully open the top of the foil pack for the last 5-10 minutes of baking, allowing the potatoes to get a bit of direct dry heat from the oven.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Crispy Grilled Potatoes

Every fantastic grilled potato recipe deserves to be accompanied by equally delicious grilled main courses that complete the culinary experience. These foil pack grilled potatoes are incredibly versatile, making them a superb partner for a wide array of summer dishes, from lean poultry to hearty beef and fresh seafood. Here are some of our absolute favorite main course pairings that will help you create the ultimate BBQ feast:

Grilled Pork Tenderloin: Imagine tender, juicy pork tenderloin, expertly dry-rubbed with smoky spices, marinated in a sweet BBQ soy sauce, and grilled to succulent perfection. Its rich, savory flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture make it an ideal complement to the simple, comforting goodness of grilled potatoes. This pairing is a testament to how straightforward ingredients can combine to create an unforgettable, gourmet-level meal.

Best Turkey Burgers: If you’re looking for a lighter yet equally satisfying option, these juicy turkey burgers are a revelation. Crafted to be always delicious and never dry, they offer a fantastic, healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers. The savory notes of the turkey burger beautifully balance the earthy, smoky grilled potatoes, creating a well-rounded and delightful meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent.

Lemon Dill Salmon Burgers: For seafood lovers, these vibrant salmon burgers are an absolute must-try. Bursting with savory, fresh flavors from bright lemon and aromatic dill, and loaded with healthy protein and beneficial omega-3s, they provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty potatoes. The bright, zesty notes of the salmon cut through the richness of the potatoes, creating a harmonious, balanced, and incredibly flavorful plate that’s perfect for a summer evening.

Grilled Flank Steak: Elevate your summer menu with a perfectly grilled flank steak. Known for its robust beefy flavor and satisfying chew, flank steak is incredibly versatile. It can be served as a standalone entree, thinly sliced for gourmet tacos, or as the star of your fajitas. The rich, umami notes of the steak are a classic and deeply satisfying pairing with the comforting simplicity of crispy grilled potatoes, making for a truly hearty and memorable meal.

Best Ever Grilled Potatoes in Foil (Grilled Red Potatoes)

Get perfectly cooked potatoes every time with this grilled potatoes in foil method. They’re made with grilled red potatoes, olive oil, and your favorite spices.

By:
Lee Funke

Prep:

10
mins

Cook:

20
mins

Total:

30
mins

Servings:
6

Ingredients

• 1
  lb.
  red potatoes,
  quartered (about 1 to 1.5 inches each)
• 2-3
  tablespoons
  olive oil
• 1
  small yellow onion,
  finely diced
• 1
  teaspoon
  onion powder
• 1
  teaspoon
  garlic powder
• 1/2
  tablespoon
  Italian seasoning*
• salt and pepper,
  to taste

Instructions

1. First, preheat your grill to a consistent 400ºF (200ºC).
2. Next, prepare the red potatoes. Wash them thoroughly and pat dry. Then, cut each potato in half, and then in half again, quartering them into uniform pieces.
3. Finely dice the small yellow onion. Then, place all the prepared vegetables (potatoes and onion) into a large, gallon-sized resealable plastic bag.
4. Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables in the bag and add all the spices (onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper). Seal the bag securely, ensuring there’s some air inside. Shake and massage the bag thoroughly so that the vegetables get completely and evenly coated in the olive oil and spices.
5. Transfer the seasoned vegetables onto a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Then, place another equally sized piece of foil on top. Carefully fold and crimp all four sides together to create a tightly sealed foil pack. As a final step, use a fork to poke a few small holes on the top surface of your foil pack; this helps ensure even cooking by allowing steam to vent.
6. Place the sealed foil pack directly onto your preheated grill over direct heat. Close the grill lid and let it cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork and have reached your desired tender consistency. Carefully open the pack to check doneness, being mindful of hot steam.

Tips & Notes

• Italian seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can substitute it with a blend of 1 teaspoon dried basil and 1 teaspoon dried parsley, or your preferred mix of dried herbs like oregano and thyme.
• Foil: Always use heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent tearing and oil leakage onto the grill grates. If you only have standard foil, layer two pieces together for added strength and security against the grill’s heat.
• Even Cooking: Ensure all potato chunks are cut to a similar size for uniform cooking. Unevenly sized pieces will cook at different rates, leading to some being overcooked and others still firm.
• Crispier Potatoes: For a crispier texture and more prominent grill marks, carefully open the foil pack for the last 5-7 minutes of grilling. This allows direct heat to reach the potatoes, creating a delicious char.
• This recipe was slightly altered on April 11, 2019, for improved clarity and detail.

Watch It

For a visual guide to making these delicious grilled potatoes in foil, watch our step-by-step video below!

Alternatively, you can watch the video here.

Nutrition

Calories:
138
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
17
g

,

Protein:
2
g

,

Fat:
11
g

,

Fiber:
2
g

,

Sugar:
2
g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. It can vary based on specific ingredient brands and preparation methods.