Smoked baked potatoes are the perfect side dish for your next backyard BBQ or family gathering. With the help of a pellet smoker, you’ll be able to enjoy the rich and smoky flavors of baked potatoes with a crispy exterior.
To make this recipe, you’ll need a few key tools such as a pellet smoker, a BBQ knife for slicing the potatoes, and a meat thermometer or fork to ensure the baked potatoes are cooked to perfection.
This recipe is best suited for outdoor cooking and is a great way to impress your guests with your BBQ skills. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, the steps are simple and easy to follow, so anyone can enjoy delicious smoked baked potatoes.
Get ready to step up your BBQ game with this mouth-watering recipe for smoked baked potatoes. These delicious smoked potatoes are the perfect combination of crispy and creamy, with a smoky flavor that will leave your taste buds begging for more. So, fire up your pellet smoker, grab your ingredients, and let’s get smoking!
How To Make Smoked Baked Potatoes
Preheat Your Smoker
Preheat your smoker to 225ºF/107ºC and prepare. Any wood option will work for this recipe, as we just want to get that delicious smoky flavor in our potato. If you’re unsure, we recommend going with Hickory.
Wash and Pierce Potatoes
Wash your russet potatoes thoroughly, scrubbing the outside skin with a food scrubbing brush if one is available. This ensures any dirt on the potatoes is removed before cooking. Place the potatoes on a cutting board and pierce each one multiple times with a fork. Pierce each potato at least 4 to 6 times. This step helps release steam from the potato as it cooks, preventing it from bursting. It will also tenderize the potatoes and helps with marination.
Season Potatoes
In this step, you will coat all the russet potato skins with olive oil and season with kosher salt and pepper. We love eating potato skins, so ensuring they’re seasoned and tasty is important. The easiest way to do this is to place the potatoes in a bowl and toss them with olive oil. The oil helps to give the potatoes a crispy skin, and the seasoning adds flavor to the dish. Next, season with salt and pepper. You add more seasonings like garlic powder or any of your other favorite seasonings in this step as well.
Smoke Potatoes
Place the seasoned potatoes directly on the grates of a pellet smoker for a cooking time of 2 hours. The smoke from the pellet smoker will give the potatoes a rich, smoky flavor.
Remove Potatoes from the Smoker
Remove the potatoes from the smoker when they are fork tender or reach an internal temperature of 205-210°F. This step is essential as over-cooking the potatoes can make them mushy, and undercooking can make them challenging.
Let The Potatoes Rest
Let the smoked baked potatoes rest for 5 minutes before serving. This step allows the potatoes to cool down slightly and also helps distribute the heat evenly throughout the potato.
Serve with Toppings
Serve the smoked, baked potatoes with your favorite toppings. Butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, or green onion are topping ideas. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful smoked, baked potatoes!
Tips For Making The Best Smoked Baked Potatoes On A Pellet Smoker
Smoking Traeger baked potatoes on a pellet smoker is an easy and delicious way to add a smoky flavor to your baked potatoes. Here are some tips that will help you achieve the perfect smoked baked potatoes every time.
Start with High-Quality Potatoes: Use large, firm, and uniform-sized potatoes for best results.
Season Generously: Salt and pepper are the basic seasonings, but you can experiment with other spices to enhance the flavor.
Choose the Right Wood Pellets: Mild wood pellets like apple or cherry will add a subtle flavor to your baked potatoes, while more robust flavors like hickory or mesquite can be overpowering.
Keep Temperature Consistent: Keeping the smoker temperature at 225°F throughout the cooking process is essential to get evenly cooked potatoes.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create delicious and perfectly cooked smoked baked potatoes every time. You’ll be well on your way to becoming a backyard BBQ hero and impressing your friends and family with your amazing smoked, baked potatoes!
What To Serve With Smoked Baked Potatoes
Smoked baked potatoes are a versatile side dish paired with various main courses. Here are some of our favorite meats to serve with this delicious recipe:
New York Steak: This classic cut of beef and smoked baked potatoes make a winning combination. The richness of the steak is complemented by the creamy texture of the potatoes, resulting in a hearty and satisfying meal.
Pulled Pork: If you’re a BBQ fan, you can’t go wrong with pulled pork. The smoky flavor of the pork and the potatoes is a match made in heaven. Plus, the sauce from the pork adds an extra layer of flavor to the meal.
Smoked Chicken: Smoke some chicken as the main dish for a lighter option. The juicy and tender meat goes well with the crispy exterior of the baked potatoes, making for a balanced meal.
Smoked Brisket: Brisket is a staple of BBQ for a good reason—the tender and juicy meat pairs perfectly with the smoky flavor of the baked potatoes. Whether you have it with sauce or without, this meal will surely be a hit.
Smoked Prime Rib: This luxurious cut of beef is elevated by the smoky flavor of the baked potatoes. The tender and juicy prime rib pairs perfectly with the creamy texture of the potatoes for a truly elevated meal.
Best Beer Pairings For Smoked Baked Potatoes
These fluffy, smoky delights are a comfort food favorite, but what’s a potato party without the perfect beer to keep things lively? Let’s explore the top beer pairings that will make your baked potatoes even more scrumptious.
Pale Ale
A hoppy and crisp pale ale will cut through the baked potatoes’ richness and the pellet smoker’s smoky flavor. This classic American style is light and refreshing, perfect for a hearty smoked baked potato.
Brown Ale
A nutty and caramel-forward brown ale will complement the smoky and earthy notes of the baked potatoes. Its smooth and slightly sweet finish will balance the salt and pepper seasoning, making it a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a more complex flavor profile.
Stout
A robust and creamy stout will elevate the smoky flavor of the baked potatoes with its rich and complex flavors. Stouts are often brewed with chocolate and coffee notes, making them the perfect match for a smoky baked potato loaded with butter, cheese, and bacon. Whether you’re looking for a sweet or savory pairing, a stout will not disappoint.
Related Recipes
- Smoked Sweet Potatoes
- Smoked Scalloped Potatoes
- Smoked Potato Bombs
- What Goes With BBQ Chicken
- Brisket Hash Recipe
Smoked Baked Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
- Pellet Smoker Any smoker will do
- Smoker Pellets
- BBQ Grill Accessories (BBQ Tongs, Oil Brush)
- Fork
Ingredients
- 6 Russet Potatoes
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Pepper
- Chosen Toppings e.g. Cheese, Bacon Bits, etc
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 225ºF/107ºC
- Wash then pierce potatoes with a fork
- Brush potatoes with oil then season
- Smoke potatoes for approx. 2 hours
- Remove potatoes from the smoker & allow to rest for 5 minutes
- Carve your potatoes in half then add your chosen toppings & serve
Smoked Baked Potatoes FAQs
What is a pellet smoker and how does it work?
A pellet smoker is an outdoor cooking appliance that uses wood pellets to produce heat and smoke. Heat and smoke are used to cook potatoes and many other types of food to add flavor and texture.
What type of wood pellets should I use for this recipe?
Mild wood pellets like apple or cherry are recommended for this recipe as they will add a subtle flavor to the baked potatoes. Stronger flavors like hickory or mesquite can be overpowering.
How long does it take to smoke baked potatoes on a pellet smoker?
Smoked baked potatoes on a pellet smoker typically take 2 hours to cook at a temperature of 225°F. They are done when a fork can easily pierce through the potato.
Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?
Large, firm, and uniform-sized baking potatoes are recommended for this recipe, but you can experiment with different types of potatoes as long as they are uniform in size.
What seasonings should I use for the baked potatoes?
Salt and pepper are the basic seasonings but you can experiment with other spices to enhance the flavor. Feel free to add your favorite seasonings to the olive oil.
Can I wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil?
Yes, you can wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil after the first hour of smoking to help cook them through. Pierce the foil to allow some smoke in.
How do I know when the smoked baked potatoes are done?
The baked potatoes are done when a fork can easily pierce through the potato.
How should I serve the smoked baked potatoes?
You can serve the smoked baked potatoes with your favorite toppings such as butter, sour cream, cheese, or bacon bits.
Can I use a gas grill or charcoal grill instead of a pellet smoker?
Yes, you can use a gas or charcoal grill to smoke the baked potatoes, but you may need to add wood chips or chunks to the grill to produce smoke.
What type of beer pairs well with smoked baked potatoes?
Pale ale, brown ale, and stout are popular beer styles that pair well with smoked baked potatoes. These styles offer different flavor profiles that will complement baked potatoes’ smoky and rich flavors.