Easy Smoked Baked Potatoes

By James Kimble April 3, 2024 4 mins read 169 Views

These easy smoked baked potatoes are super simple to make and they are delicious too! Not only do they make the perfect side dish, but these smoked potatoes can be cooked alongside your main protein. Super easy, super tasty, and they can be used in other recipes too!

Serve these smoked baked potatoes with a generous helping of steak, smoked brisket, pulled pork, pork brisket, or smoked chicken for the perfect hearty meal! And, lets not forget about using the cooked flesh to make an aromatic, smoky potato soup or creamy mashed potatoes.

Choosing the right potato

While most of us love potatoes, not all varieties will work for smoked baked potatoes. Learn about the more about the different types of potatoes, and which one is best to use for this recipe.

Waxy potatoes, like fingerlings or red bliss, work best in potato salad or soup, baked, or cooked in a cast-iron pan. They contain low starch content and, therefore, hold their shape after cooking—however, these potatoes far too small for a single-serve baked potato.
Yukon Gold potatoes are great for baking if you desire a smaller portion. Look for a larger variety, and adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Russets are probably the most used and recognized potato available in the US, with varieties available around the globe. As a result, they are the number one choice for baking and smoking. They come in various sizes, but we recommend using the large baking size for this recipe.

Smoked baked potato ingredients

Large russet potatoes (baking size)
Oil (vegetable, canola, or olive oil)
Coarse salt, like sea salt or kosher salt, though you can use garlic salt as well
Sour cream
Butter
Bacon bits
Green onions or chives
Cheddar cheese–lots of it. Trust us, you’ll need a lot for these smoked baked potatoes.

What wood to use for potatoes

Potatoes are forgiving, so your choice of wood chips, chunks or pellet is up to you. However, we recommend cherry, hickory, mesquite, pecan, or oak for this recipe. You can also combine mild with more robust flavored wood if preferred.

How to make smoked baked potatoes

Start by washing (and scrubbing) the potatoes under lukewarm water. Vegetable scrubbers are a lifesaver, particularly with potatoes!
Blot the potatoes with paper towels. They should be completely dry. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil (or oil of choice). Rub potatoes with salt.
Set your smoker or pellet grill for 225 degrees F. Remember that we are cooking them low and slow.

In the smoker they go!

Once your grill or smoker has reached optimal temperature, place the potatoes right on your grill grates or place them into a disposable drip pan.
After adding the potatoes to the grill, close the lid and cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Check the internal temperature halfway through cooking time. These potatoes are done once fork tender and reach an internal temperature of 205 degrees F.
Once the smoked potatoes are tender inside and have a crispy skin, remove them from the grill, let them rest for 5-10 minutes and serve.
Follow the step below if you’re keeping them warm for later.
Please note: Ideally, we want these potatoes to cook for a couple of hours in a low-temperature setting. If you have a pork butt in the smoker, add the potatoes during the last 3 hours of cooking.
Remember, you can always wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil, then a towel, and keep them warm in a clean cooler if the meat isn’t ready on time.
Allow potatoes to cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Tips and variations

Customize these smoked baked potatoes to your liking.
Top them with homemade chili and cheese.
Pile these smoked baked potatoes high with chopped brisket or pulled pork with BBQ sauce.
Have a vegetarian preference? Replace the bacon with steamed broccoli and bell peppers, or add seasoned black beans and diced jalapenos. Use vegan-friendly cheese and butter for vegan options.

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