CooksCountry.com

Recipes

Spicy Home Fry Grilled Potato Hobo Packs

Merely wrapping a handful of potatoes in foil and tossing the packet on the grill will leave you with potatoes that are burnt on the outside and undercooked in the middle. We wanted thoroughly cooked potatoes that were deeply flavored by the seasonings and the fire. Here’s what we discovered:

Test Kitchen Discoveries

  • We microwaved the potatoes for a few minutes before grilling them to ensure that the potatoes cooked through on the grill.
  • Yukon Golds beat out starchy, mealy russets and “slippery” red potatoes as the best potato for our hobo packs.
  • Tossing the potatoes with a little bit of oil prevented them from sticking to the pack.
  • We flipped the packs halfway through cooking to prevent the contents from burning.


STEP BY STEP

Making Potato Hobo Packs


To ensure tender potatoes with charred, smoky flavors of the grill, here's what to do:

1. Microwave the potatoes first to help them cook quickly on the grill.

2. Arrange the microwaved potatoes on foil, fold over, and crimp.

3. Flip the packs halfway through grilling for evenly charred potatoes.

Spicy Home Fry Grilled Potato Hobo Packs

Serves 4

To keep the packs from tearing, use heavy-duty aluminum foil or two layers of regular foil. Also, scrape the grill grate clean before grilling.

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (about 3 large), scrubbed
1 tablespoon olive oil 
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme 
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
1 teaspoon paprika 
1 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon pepper 

1. PREP POTATOES Cut each potato in half crosswise, then cut each half into 8 wedges. Place potatoes in large bowl and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave until edges of potatoes are translucent, 4 to 7 minutes, shaking bowl (without removing plastic) to redistribute potatoes halfway through cooking. Carefully remove plastic and drain well. Gently toss potatoes with oil, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

2. MAKE PACKS Cut four 14 by 10-inch sheets of aluminum foil. Working 1 at a time, spread one-quarter of potato mixture over half of foil, fold foil over potatoes, and crimp edges tightly to seal.

3. FINISH OUTSIDE Grill hobo packs over hot fire, covered, until potatoes are completely tender, about 10 minutes, flipping packs halfway through cooking. Cut open foil and serve.

RELATED LINKS

Equipment Ratings
Charcoal Grills

Equipment Ratings
Grill Tongs

Taste Tests
Supermarket Extra-Virgin Olive Oils

Recipes
Spanish-Style Grilled Potato Hobo Packs

Recipes
Vinegar-and-Onion Grilled Potato Hobo Packs