We have a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, and even though I bought it for ZB as a Christmas present, I’m the smoker master in our house (catch me outside, ZB!). We bust it out every couple of months, pack it full of stuff, and stock our freezer with smoked deliciousness! Since smoked potatoes only take about two hours, they are our favorite thing to pair with other relatively quick-cooking smoked items like chicken thighs and salmon! Russet potatoes and sweet potatoes (yams) are both incredible.
Some thoughts on smoking as a cooking process:
In terms of planning and time, using a smoker is kind of A THING. Even for our electric smoker, which maintains its temperature automatically, there’s still prep work and tending-to and LOTs of clean up. For us, it’s totally worth it. I look at it the same way as I do meal prep or freezer cooking… I’m putting in the time NOW to benefit me with already-smoked, “this is amazing to have on hand in the freezer” proteins that give me a head start for meals down the road.
And BONUS. If you’re ONLY making potatoes (I did this once when I made a 10 lb batch of Smoked Potato Salad), clean-up is actually a breeze (let the smoker cool, wipe down the racks, store it). No meat drips or fat splatters to worry about!
How much space do potatoes take up in the smoker?
Since they are small (as compared to say, a rack of ribs or a big pork butt), they are a great space filler inside the smoker! You can tuck them in around other items that don’t quite fill the racks, or you might just wanna reserve an entire rack for russet potatoes and sweet potatoes!
How long do they take to cook?
Smoked potatoes usually take around 2-3 hours. This tends to line up with other quick-cooking items like chicken drumsticks, chicken thighs, and salmon. It’s a good idea to “group” things together in terms of timing/checking on them so you can avoid opening the smoker door more than you need to (i.e. letting out all of the smoke and heat).
How do you enjoy smoked potatoes?
These potatoes are the PERFECT side to whatever smoked meats you might be preparing on any given day. But you can also use them to make OTHER side dishes that are taken to a whole other level with this unexpected smoky taste!
“Baked” potato - load it up with your favorite baked potato toppings! Butter and salt is my reco to start, so you can really experience the smoky goodness! Other options, sour cream, chives, cheddar cheese, bacon — you do you! For sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon is SUCH a treat.
Potato Salad - Smoked potatoes add an unexpected smokiness to potato salad. This is our new favorite picnic side dish!
Twice “smoked” potatoes - I haven’t tried this yet, but I have a plan to make smoked potatoes, take them out, scoop out the insides, mix with other stuff (cheese!? sour cream), and pop them back in the smoker with the other stuff!
Smoked Hash Browns - slice up leftovers and crisp them up in a skillet with onions! Serve with eggs.
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How to Smoke Potatoes in an Electric Smoker
Equipment:
Electric Smoker (or whatever kind you have!)
Oven mitts, tongs
Ingredients:
Russet potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Instructions:
Preheat your smoker! Temp isn’t super important here, so I usually just go with whatever temp I’m smoking my meats! 225 - 250 - 275 Fahrenheit are all safe bets.
Scrub the potatoes and spray or drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and arrange on a smoker rack (or on a cookie sheet to transfer out to the smoker)
TIP: If you want to be sure they cook within 2 hours, you can cut the potatoes in half or in thirds; just remember, the less time in the smoker, the less smoke flavor!Once the potatoes are in the smoker, seal it up, make sure you have some wood chips in there to create smoke, and set a timer for 2 hours!
Check the potatoes. Poke with a fork to test doneness or wear an oven mitt and give one of them a good squeeze. Add more time if needed.
Top with all of your fave fixin’s OR use smoked potatoes in another recipe like Smoked Potato Salad!
BONUS. If you’re ONLY making potatoes (I did this once when I made a 10 lb batch of potato salad), clean-up is actually a breeze (let the smoker cool, wipe down the racks, store it.) No meat drips or fat splatters to worry about!
PIN IT FOR LATER!
Smoked Russet and Sweet Potatoes – Maria Makes: Take regular old potatoes, cook them in your Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, and you have an AMAZING new side dish that takes no extra work! #masterbuilt #MES #smoker #potatoes #sweetpotatoes