Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes: The Ultimate Summer Side Dish

Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy delicious food outdoors. While burgers and steaks often steal the spotlight, let’s not forget the importance of a fantastic side dish. These Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, combining the smoky flavor of bacon with the tender, creamy texture of perfectly grilled potatoes. This recipe is easy to follow, customizable, and utterly irresistible.

## Why Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes?

* **Flavor Explosion:** The combination of smoky bacon, savory potatoes, and your choice of seasonings creates an unforgettable taste experience.
* **Easy to Prepare:** With minimal prep time and straightforward grilling instructions, this recipe is perfect for both beginner and experienced grillers.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** Everyone loves bacon and potatoes, making this a guaranteed hit at barbecues, potlucks, and family gatherings.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize this recipe with different types of potatoes, bacon, and seasonings to suit your preferences.
* **Perfect Side Dish:** These bacon-wrapped potatoes complement a wide range of grilled main courses, from burgers and chicken to steak and seafood.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Potatoes:** 2 pounds small to medium-sized potatoes (Yukon Gold, red potatoes, or fingerling potatoes work best)
* **Bacon:** 1 pound bacon, sliced (regular-cut or thick-cut, depending on your preference)
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons
* **Garlic Powder:** 1 teaspoon
* **Onion Powder:** 1 teaspoon
* **Paprika:** 1 teaspoon (smoked paprika adds a nice smoky flavor)
* **Salt:** 1/2 teaspoon (or to taste)
* **Black Pepper:** 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste)
* **Optional:** Fresh herbs (chopped chives, parsley, rosemary, or thyme), cheese (shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan), sour cream or Greek yogurt for serving

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Grill (gas or charcoal)
* Large bowl
* Cutting board
* Knife
* Toothpicks (soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning)
* Tongs
* Basting brush (optional)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

1. **Wash the Potatoes:** Thoroughly wash the potatoes under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. You don’t need to peel them, as the skin adds texture and nutrients.
2. **Cut the Potatoes:** Cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. Ensure that the pieces are relatively uniform in size to promote even cooking. If using fingerling potatoes, you can cut them in half lengthwise instead of cubing them.
3. **Parboil (Optional but Recommended):** This step helps to ensure that the potatoes are tender and cooked through by the time the bacon is crispy. Place the cut potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the potatoes are slightly tender but still firm. Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them cool slightly.

### Step 2: Season the Potatoes

1. **Combine Potatoes and Seasonings:** In a large bowl, combine the parboiled (or raw) potato pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to ensure that the potatoes are evenly coated with the seasonings. You can also add other spices or herbs at this stage, such as cayenne pepper for a little heat, dried oregano, or Italian seasoning.

### Step 3: Wrap the Potatoes in Bacon

1. **Cut the Bacon (If Necessary):** If using regular-cut bacon, you may want to cut each slice in half to make it easier to wrap around the potato pieces. Thick-cut bacon may not need to be cut.
2. **Wrap the Potatoes:** Take a potato piece and wrap it with a slice of bacon. Secure the bacon with a toothpick to prevent it from unraveling during grilling. Repeat this process for all of the potato pieces.

### Step 4: Grill the Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes

1. **Preheat the Grill:** Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350-400°F or 175-200°C). If using a charcoal grill, arrange the coals for indirect grilling to prevent the bacon from burning before the potatoes are cooked through.
2. **Grill the Potatoes:** Place the bacon-wrapped potatoes on the grill grates, ensuring that they are not too close together. Close the grill lid and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the potatoes are tender. Turn the potatoes occasionally to ensure even cooking and browning.
3. **Check for Doneness:** To check if the potatoes are done, insert a fork or toothpick into a potato piece. If it goes in easily, the potatoes are cooked through. If the bacon is browning too quickly, you can move the potatoes to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat.

### Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

1. **Remove from Grill:** Once the bacon is crispy and the potatoes are tender, remove the bacon-wrapped potatoes from the grill using tongs.
2. **Let Cool Slightly:** Allow the potatoes to cool for a few minutes before serving. This will make them easier to handle and prevent burning your mouth.
3. **Remove Toothpicks:** Carefully remove the toothpicks from the potatoes before serving.
4. **Garnish (Optional):** Garnish the bacon-wrapped potatoes with fresh herbs, such as chopped chives, parsley, rosemary, or thyme. You can also sprinkle them with shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan.
5. **Serve with Your Favorite Toppings:** Serve the bacon-wrapped potatoes with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, Greek yogurt, ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, or hot sauce.
6. **Enjoy:** Serve immediately and enjoy these delicious Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes as a side dish with your favorite grilled main course.

## Tips for Grilling Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes

* **Soak Toothpicks:** Soak the toothpicks in water for at least 30 minutes before using them to prevent them from burning on the grill. This will also make them easier to remove after grilling.
* **Use Indirect Heat:** If using a charcoal grill, arrange the coals for indirect grilling to prevent the bacon from burning before the potatoes are cooked through. You can also create a two-zone fire with one side of the grill hotter than the other, allowing you to move the potatoes to a cooler zone if the bacon is browning too quickly.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Grill:** Avoid overcrowding the grill with too many potatoes. This will make it difficult to turn them and ensure even cooking. It’s better to grill them in batches if necessary.
* **Monitor the Temperature:** Keep a close eye on the grill temperature and adjust it as needed to prevent the bacon from burning. A medium heat (about 350-400°F or 175-200°C) is ideal.
* **Use a Basting Brush:** If you want to add extra flavor to the bacon-wrapped potatoes, you can brush them with a mixture of melted butter, garlic, and herbs while they are grilling.
* **Experiment with Different Flavors:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of bacon, potatoes, and seasonings. You can try using different types of bacon, such as applewood-smoked bacon or maple-flavored bacon. You can also try using different types of potatoes, such as sweet potatoes or purple potatoes. And you can add different spices or herbs to the potatoes, such as cumin, chili powder, or rosemary.

## Variations on Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes

* **Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes:** Sprinkle the bacon-wrapped potatoes with shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan, during the last few minutes of grilling. This will create a melty, cheesy topping that is sure to please.
* **Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the potatoes before wrapping them in bacon. This will add a little heat to the dish.
* **Garlic Parmesan Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes:** Mix the potatoes with minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and olive oil before wrapping them in bacon. This will create a flavorful and savory dish.
* **Herb-Infused Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes:** Mix the potatoes with chopped fresh herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano, before wrapping them in bacon. This will add a fresh and aromatic flavor to the dish.
* **Sweet and Savory Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes:** Drizzle the bacon-wrapped potatoes with maple syrup or honey during the last few minutes of grilling. This will create a sweet and savory dish that is perfect for breakfast or brunch.

## Serving Suggestions

These Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses, including:

* Grilled Burgers
* Grilled Chicken
* Grilled Steak
* Grilled Salmon
* Grilled Vegetables
* Pulled Pork Sandwiches
* BBQ Ribs

They are also a great addition to potlucks, picnics, and tailgating parties. You can serve them as a side dish or as an appetizer.

## Make-Ahead Tips

* **Prepare the Potatoes:** You can wash and cut the potatoes up to 24 hours in advance and store them in a bowl of cold water in the refrigerator to prevent them from browning. Drain the potatoes well before using them.
* **Season the Potatoes:** You can season the potatoes up to 24 hours in advance and store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
* **Wrap the Potatoes:** You can wrap the potatoes in bacon up to 24 hours in advance and store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. However, it’s best to grill them as soon as possible after wrapping them to prevent the bacon from becoming soggy.

## Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat the potatoes in the oven, microwave, or on the grill. To reheat them in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through. To reheat them in the microwave, microwave the potatoes for about 1-2 minutes, or until they are heated through. To reheat them on the grill, grill the potatoes for about 5-10 minutes, or until they are heated through.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 250-350 per serving (depending on the amount of bacon and oil used)
* Fat: 15-25 grams
* Saturated Fat: 5-10 grams
* Cholesterol: 30-50 mg
* Sodium: 300-500 mg
* Carbohydrates: 20-30 grams
* Fiber: 2-4 grams
* Sugar: 2-4 grams
* Protein: 8-12 grams

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*

## Conclusion

These Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes are a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that is perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, and family gatherings. With their smoky flavor, tender texture, and customizable options, they are sure to be a hit with everyone. So fire up your grill and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Enjoy!