Is the summer heat making you dread cooking indoors? Say goodbye to a sweltering kitchen and hello to these incredible Fully Loaded Grilled BBQ Pork Potato Skins!
Versatile enough to serve as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a satisfying main course, this recipe brings all the action outdoors. Cooked entirely on the grill, these potato skins are the perfect addition to your summer entertaining lineup, offering delicious flavors without heating up your home.
Embrace the Grill: Your Summer Kitchen Solution
There’s nothing quite like the sound and smell of a sizzling grill to signal the true start of summer. For me, running out of propane before August even hits is a badge of honor, a clear indication that my family has enjoyed countless delicious meals cooked al fresco. And when temperatures soar, as they often do in places like Sacramento where it can get exceptionally hot, avoiding the indoor oven becomes a priority.
On those scorching days, the mere thought of turning on the stove can make me wilt. That’s why the grill isn’t just a cooking method; it’s a summer savior. It allows us to enjoy hearty, flavorful meals without contributing to the already unbearable indoor heat. From juicy burgers and tender chicken to, yes, even potatoes, almost anything can be transformed on the grill into a culinary delight. This summer, let your grill be your go-to kitchen appliance, keeping you cool while serving up fantastic food.
The Allure of Grilled Potato Skins
While a classic baked potato has its charm, there’s something truly irresistible about a perfectly prepared potato skin. The outer skin, when grilled, develops a wonderful crispiness that contrasts beautifully with the fluffy interior. For this recipe, we’re taking those beloved potato skins and elevating them to a whole new level of “fully loaded” goodness. We start by “baking” the russet potatoes directly on the grill. This process takes a bit of time, typically between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes and the grill’s temperature, but the results are absolutely worth it.
Choosing medium-sized russet potatoes is key here. Their sturdy skin holds up well to grilling and scooping, and their floury interior becomes wonderfully soft. By using larger potatoes, we transform what could be a simple appetizer into a substantial and satisfying main course, perfect for hungry appetites. The initial grilling step imbues the potatoes with a subtle smoky flavor that sets the stage for the rich toppings to come.
The Heart of the Dish: Irresistible BBQ Pork
The star of these fully loaded potato skins is, without a doubt, the succulent BBQ pork. For ultimate convenience and incredible flavor, I opted for Byron’s Pork BBQ, which can be heated right alongside your potatoes on the grill. Its rich, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile is the perfect complement to the earthy potatoes.
Once the grilled potatoes are tender and scooped out, their crispy shells are generously stuffed to the brim with this mouthwatering BBQ pork. But we don’t stop there! A generous sprinkle of shredded cheese, I prefer a Mexican blend for its melty quality and complementary flavors, goes right on top. The cheese acts as a delicious binder, melding with the pork as it melts, creating a gooey, irresistible filling. This combination of smoky potato, tangy pork, and melted cheese is pure comfort food at its finest, all achieved with the ease of outdoor grilling.
The “Loaded” Experience: Finishing Touches
After the potatoes are filled with BBQ pork and cheese, they return to the grill for just a few more minutes. This crucial step allows the cheese to melt into a bubbly, golden layer, sealing in all the flavors. As soon as the cheese is perfectly molten, remove them from the grill, and get ready for the grand finale – the toppings!
To truly achieve the “fully loaded” status, we add dollops of cool, creamy sour cream, a sprinkle of crispy, crumbled bacon, and a generous scattering of thinly sliced green onions. Each topping adds a layer of texture and flavor: the sour cream provides a cooling contrast to the richness, the bacon offers a salty crunch, and the green onions bring a fresh, zesty bite. The result is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that makes every bite an absolute delight. This hearty, insanely delicious meal comes straight from the grill, making it not only perfect for summer entertaining but also incredibly simple to prepare and clean up.
You can often find Byron’s BBQ at your local Sam’s Club. Be sure to visit their website for more fantastic recipe ideas that utilize their delicious products.
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Fully Loaded Grilled BBQ Pork Potato Skins
Ingredients
- 8 medium russet potatoes
- 4 lbs Byron’s Pork BBQ (you may not need all of it)
- 8 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tsp kosher salt
- 8 oz shredded cheese (Mexican blend recommended)
- 4 oz sour cream
- 4 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 2 green onions (thinly sliced)
Instructions
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Preheat your grill to a steady medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature between 350°F and 400°F. This ensures the potatoes cook evenly without burning.
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Thoroughly scrub each russet potato under cold running water to remove any dirt. Since we’ll be enjoying the skins, cleanliness is important.
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Using a fork, pierce the potatoes several times all over. This allows steam to escape during cooking and prevents them from bursting.
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Completely dry the scrubbed and pierced potatoes. Drizzle each one generously with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt, then rub it into the skin. This helps the skin get crispy and flavorful. Individually wrap each potato tightly in aluminum foil. Repeat for all remaining potatoes.
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Place the foil-wrapped potatoes on the grill over indirect heat. Cook for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the flesh feels tender when squeezed (carefully!) but still holds its shape. Cooking time will vary based on potato size and grill temperature.
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While the potatoes are grilling, prepare the Byron’s Pork BBQ. Follow the package directions for heating it on the grill. You can place the pork on one side of the grill and the potatoes on the other to cook simultaneously, ensuring both components are warm and ready.
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Once the potatoes are cooked through, carefully remove them from the grill, unwrap them from the foil, and let them cool for about 10 minutes, or until they are cool enough to comfortably handle.
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Slice each potato lengthwise in half. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out most of the fluffy potato flesh, leaving a sturdy ¼-inch thick shell to hold the delicious fillings. Reserve the scooped potato for another dish, like mashed potatoes or a quick potato salad, if desired.
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Lightly brush the cut sides (flesh side) of the potato halves with a little extra olive oil. Place them back on the grill, flesh side down, over direct heat. Grill for 3-5 minutes, or until beautiful grill marks appear and the edges become slightly crispy. This step enhances the texture and flavor of the potato shells.
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Turn the potato skins over (crispy side up). Generously fill each potato shell with the heated BBQ pork, ensuring an even distribution. Top the pork with a hearty amount of shredded cheese.
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Return the filled potato skins to the grill, preferably over indirect heat, and close the lid. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted and is bubbly.
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Carefully remove the potato skins from the grill. Top each one immediately with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of crumbled bacon, and a generous scattering of thinly sliced green onions.
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Serve these Fully Loaded Grilled BBQ Pork Potato Skins immediately while hot and the cheese is still gooey. Enjoy your delicious, outdoor-cooked meal!
Nutrition
Pair Your Perfect Meal with These Delights:
Enhance your grilling experience with these fantastic companion recipes:
Toffee Butter Icebox Cookies
Bacon Ranch Beer Cheeseball
S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels
Coconut Peach Cooler
Pineapple Cucumber Salad
Mojito Fruit Salad
Connect with me and stay updated on more delicious recipes!
You can find me sharing recipes and inspiration at some of these wonderful parties.
Disclosure: I am thrilled to be partnering with Byron’s Pork BBQ as a proud brand ambassador, which allows me to bring you delicious and easy recipes like these Fully Loaded Grilled BBQ Pork Potato Skins. Your support for the brands that make Mom On Timeout possible is greatly appreciated!