Grilled Smashed Potatoes is the perfect side dish to make when you are cooking dinner on the grill. Not only are they easy to make, but they cook up in the same amount of time that is required for your meat to rest when you pull it off of the grill.
It is the perfect side dish to serve with Grilled Strip Steak, chicken breast, pork chops or even for an all vegetarian meal along with Grilled Vegetables.
Best of all, you can season the potatoes with whatever spices that you enjoy. For instance, this recipe calls for Italian seasoning.
However, feel free to sprinkle on rosemary, thyme, or garlic salt instead. And if you like things a little spicy, add a sprinkle or two of cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning on top of the potatoes.
The choices on how to flavor the potatoes are endless. Just another reason that I never get bored with eating these potatoes.
And with grilling season in full force I thought it was a great time to share this recipe. Who knows, maybe they will become a favorite side dish that you will want to make or eat all summer long!
Grilled Smashed Potatoes Recipe
*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 small Yukon Gold Potatoes
- 1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground Black Pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
The first step in making Grilled Smashed Potatoes is to par-cook the potatoes. Although you could technically use any variety of potato, the best type to use are Yukon gold potatoes.
They have a thin skin which will be easy to smash once they are cooked. In addition, the have a natural butter flavor that pairs perfectly with just about every seasoning that you add.
However, if you prefer, you could also use new or red potatoes for this recipe. Depending on the size, you may need anywhere from 2-6 potatoes to feed two people.
Once you have your potatoes start by scrubbing them clean and remove any eyes or bad spots. Then place the whole potatoes in a medium saucepan.
Cover the potatoes with cold water. Then place the pan over medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil.
Once the water starts to boil, add 1 tablespoon of Kosher salt and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the potatoes until a fork can easily pierce through to the center of the potato.
The actual cook time will depend on the size of the potatoes, however plan on checking the potatoes after 10 minutes for doneness. When the potatoes can easily be poked with a fork they are ready to strain.
Set the potatoes aside and let them sit until they are cool enough to handle.
Alternative Way To Par Cook The Potatoes
If you don’t want to heat up the kitchen you can cook the potatoes in the microwave, instead of boiling them. Simply wash and scrub the potatoes and then poke each one with a fork several times.
Then place the potatoes in the microwave and cook on high power for 6-7 minutes. Continue to cook until a fork can easily be inserted into the center of each potato.
Carefully remove the potatoes from the microwave and let them sit until they are cool enough to handle.
Grilling Instructions
Place the warm potatoes on a cutting board. Next, place another cutting board on top of the potatoes and gently push down with both hands, smashing the potatoes.
You want the potatoes to be compressed and crack, but not fall apart. You can also use a large spatula or even the palm of your hand to smash the potatoes.
Remember, you want the potatoes to be smashed and cracked, but not so much that they are falling apart. Now that the smashed potatoes are ready, it is time to turn on the grill, if it isn’t already.
Heat your grill over medium-high heat. As the grill is heating up, season the potatoes by brushing the olive oil on both sides and sprinkling the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper on top.
Place the potatoes over direct heat for 4-5 minutes, or until the skin begins to char. Flip the potatoes over and grill on the other side for an additional 4-5 minutes.
Remove the potatoes from the grill and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Instead of grilled smashed potatoes, can I make these in the oven?
You can absolutely make these potatoes in the oven if you don’t have or want to use your grill. Simply cook the potatoes as instructed, and place them on a baking sheet.
Smash them and follow the baking instructions in this recipe: Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe.
2. Can I make these ahead of time?
If you want to make these ahead of time, par cook the potatoes. Then smash them while they are still warm.
Place the smashed potatoes in a covered container in the refrigerator. Take them out of the refrigerator as the grill heats up and finish them off as instructed.
3. What other types of seasonings can I use?
As mentioned above, you can flavor the potatoes with any seasoning that you prefer. Some of the most common flavors include rosemary, thyme, garlic, butter, and garlic & herb seasoning.
4. How do I store and reheat leftovers?
If you have any leftovers, store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Potatoes do not freeze well, so freezing leftover grilled smashed potatoes is not recommended.
To reheat, place in the microwave and reheat on 50% power for 1 minute. Check the heat level and continue to microwave at 30 second increments.
Or place the potatoes back on the grill and reheat for 5 minutes, with the lid closed.
5. What other vegetables can I make on the grill?
If you are looking for other side dish recipes to make on the grill, be sure to try Grilled Corn on the Cob. Not only does it taste delicious, but you don’t even have to remove the husk before grilling it!
And if you have a grill saute pan, you can grill up just about any vegetable that you can imagine!
Enjoy! Mary
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Grilled Smashed Potatoes
Smashed potatoes that have a light and creamy texture on the inside and a crispy and flavorful exterior. The perfect side dish for your favorite grilled protein.
Ingredients
- 3 small Yukon Gold Potatoes
- 1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
Par-cook the Potatoes
- Scrub potatoes and place them in a medium saucepan with cold water covering the tops. Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of Kosher salt and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook potatoes until a fork can easily pierce through to the center of the potato, approximately 15 minutes. Strain potatoes and let sit until cool enough to handle.
- Or scrub the potatoes clean and pierce each one with a fork several times. Place the potatoes in the microwave and cook for 6-7 minutes, or until a fork in the center can easily be inserted into the potatoes. Remove the potatoes from the microwave and let sit until cool enough to handle.
Grilling Instructions
- Place the potatoes on a cutting board. Place another cutting board on top of the potatoes and gently push down with both hands, smashing the potatoes. You want the potatoes to be compressed and crack, but not fall apart.
- Heat grill over medium-high heat. As the grill is heating up, season the potatoes by brushing the olive oil on both sides and sprinkling the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper on top.
- Place the potatoes over direct heat for 4-5 minutes, or until the skin begins to char. Flip the potatoes over and grill on the other side for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Remove the potatoes from the grill and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
Notes
- Use additional seasonings as desired. Suggested seasonings: rosemary, thyme, garlic salt, cajun seasoning.
Recipe provided by iCookfortwo.com
Nutrition Information
Yield 3 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 152Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 0mgSodium 119mgCarbohydrates 30gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 4g
Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.