Grilled Ranch Potatoes in Foil Packs

Grilled ranch potatoes in foil packs are the ultimate side dish when grilling! They are very easy to prepare with a simple homemade ranch seasoning then cooked on the grill for about 30 minutes.

We love to grill here and I make a lot of easy side dishes to go along with the main course. These grilled ranch potatoes are one of the many sides we love. Grilled potato wedges are another easy favorite.

Foil packs make cooking and cleanup easier so we use them a lot in the summer for dishes like these and our grilled loaded potatoes. You can also do these in a roasting pan that is grill safe, or a foil pan always works as well.

Ingredients

We use a simple homemade ranch seasoning mix for the grilled ranch potatoes, but you can substitute it with a package of store bought. We like Hidden Valley ranch seasoning when we do not make our own, but you can use your favorite.

• Potatoes – I love russet potatoes for these, but you can use your favorite potatoes. I find russet to be a great all purpose potato.
• Oil – We use olive oil, but you can use your favorite.
• Buttermilk powder – You can use regular powdered milk if you prefer, but we love the taste that buttermilk gives ranch seasoning. Buttermilk powder is usually in the baking isle of the store and keeps well if you store in the fridge after opening. We use it a lot here!
• Parsley – No substitutions recommended.
• Dried minced onion – I highly recommend using the dried onion so it mixes best with the rest of the seasoning. Fresh onion will have too much moisture. You can use half a teaspoon of onion powder if you do not have minced onion.
• Salt – Recommended to enhance the flavors.
• Pepper – Ground black pepper or fresh ground peppercorns.
• Garlic powder – Powder is best here because fresh will have to much moisture and will not mix as well with the dry ingredients.
• Chives – Can use fresh chopped or dried. We use dried, if you use fresh you want to use between half and one teaspoon chopped.

As a note – if you regularly make our homemade ranch seasoning, you will still likely want to add a half teaspoon of salt to your grilled ranch potatoes. This will enhance the flavor, but it is optional. We add the extra salt to ours.

The amount to use if you already have it made (or even use a different homemade recipe) is 3 tablespoons. If you are using a seasoning packet like Hidden Valley, you would use the whole packet.

Seasoning the potatoes

I like to use a bag for coating potatoes personally because I find it easier to coat them by shaking the bag. You can definitely do this in a large bowl if you prefer!

Cut the potatoes into small bite size pieces and place into a bag or bowl. We use a gallon size bag.

Pour the oil over the potatoes and toss to coat well. Mix together the seasoning and pour over the oil coated potatoes. Toss to coat well until they are fully coated.

Making the foil packs

We used 2 foil packs for our grilled ranch potatoes. The size of the foil pieces we used were about (doesn’t have to be exact) 18 inches long each.

Pour about half of the seasoned potatoes on each of the pieces of foil. It doesn’t have to be an exact measurement here.

Fold 2 opposite ends together, we fold the ends that measured about 18 inches long together first. When you bring them together, line them up and fold the tops lengthwise together.

Now I usually pinch the open ends together to close them, but you fold the sides up neatly. As long as they are closed enough for the steam to stay inside.

Cooking the foil pack ranch potatoes

We cook them on a grill heated to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For best results (and not burning the bottoms), you should have the burner they will be placed on turned to low. Adjust the other burners so the grill is at around 400, it doesn’t have to be exact.

Cook them for about 30 minutes before checking with a fork to see if they are done, should be fork tender. Be very careful when opening the foil pack, there will be hot steam escaping and it burns!

They may need to cook up to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the potato chunks and your grill may vary as well. You can adjust the grill temperature to accommodate other foods, but cook times will need to be adjusted.

What else can I add to them?

These are delicious the way they are, but you can definitely get creative and add some more flavor! You do not have to adjust grilling times when adding these variations.

Parmesan ranch potatoes

You can add some freshly grated or store bought grated parmesan cheese. Add it to the potatoes with the seasoning mixture and toss to coat. For store bought, I would use 2 tablespoons (or more if you like.) If using fresh grated, I would use 3 tablespoons (it is lighter then the store bought.)

Bacon ranch potatoes

I love bacon so this always a great addition to me! You can use either real bacon pieces (packaged and in the salad dressing isle) or you can cook bacon and crumble it. When we add the bacon, we add it to the top of the potatoes just before closing the foil packs.

If using real bacon pieces (the packages ones), you can add the desired amount. You should be ok with buying just a 2.5-3 ounce package, but this is up to you and how much you want.

If using real bacon I would cook up 4-5 slices and crumble them. This is a rough guideline, don’t let me stop you from adding more if you want!

Bacon and cheese ranch potatoes

Similar to above with the bacon, but you can add cheese to the top as well! They go so well together. I recommend a 4 cheese Mexican blend or a cheddar blend, but you can use your favorite.

Sprinkle the bacon whether fresh cooked and crumbled or the real bacon pieces over the potatoes on the foil packs. Add the desired amount of cheese – I would say about one quarter to one third cup over each. Adjust to your taste!

When adding cheese, be careful closing the foil pack. Give the potatoes plenty of room so your cheese does not get melt to the foil instead of staying on the potatoes.

Frequently asked questions