Best Steakhouse Baked Potatoes (2024)

This is a step-by-step guide on how to make steakhouse-baked potatoes. This is the best-baked potato recipe, made in the oven. I'll show you how to get that fluffy inside and the crispy, salty potato skin you love on the outside. This baked potato recipe is the perfect side dish for any meal.

Some of our other favorite potato side dishes

When I'm baking potatoes, I always like to throw in a few extra because there are oodles of potato recipes. Some of our favorites are Cheesy Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes, and Oven Roasted Potatoes.

This also works great as an air fryer recipe. You can get all the details for Air Fryer Baked Potato.

Background of the Potato

Here's a little background on potatoes if you're at all interested. If not, just scroll to the recipe card.

Potatoes are the 4th largest food crop following rice, wheat, and corn. It's believed that the Inca Indians in Peru were the first to cultivate potatoes around 8000 BC to 5000 BC.

Did you know there is even an Idaho Potato Council? Yes friends, in Idaho, potatoes are kind of a big deal. I look forward to sharing some of my family's favorite potato recipes with you!

I grew up in Idaho on a farm and most years we had potatoes in our fields.Idaho Potatoes have been a staple in my diet my entire life.

Steakhouse-Style Baked Potato Video Tutorial

The History of Potatoes In Idaho

Potatoes first came to Idaho by way of the Pioneers. The Pioneers migrated north from Utah and potatoes are one of the first crops planted.

Potatoes thrive particularly well in Eastern and Southern Idaho because of the Volcanic Ash Soil. Potatoes love to be well watered but planted in soil that drains really well. The soil in much of Idaho is ideal conditions for growing potatoes.

From this almost accidental beginning, Idaho farmers set out and on a path to dominate the Potato markets in the United States.

There are more than 200 potatoes sold in the United State. Russet Burbank Potatoes are the most popular. Steakhouse Baked potatoes are usually the Russett variety of potatoes and French fries are made out of Russett Potatoes too. They are the most inexpensive and widely used variety of potatoes.

I grew up raising potatoes, eating potatoes, and cooking potatoes. I guess you can say I love potatoes!

What to Serve with Best Baked Potatoes

• BBQ Chicken- Baked or grilled chicken with homemade bacon bits and smothered in pepper jack cheese.
• Honey Mustard Chicken-Again with the oven-baked and smothered in cheese, this one is a classic!
• Classic Pot Roast- This has the most amazing drippings/gravy on it and would be fantastic with a baked potato side.
• Pan Seared Steak- This is a step by step guide on how to make steak on the skillet. It's tender, juicy, and has so much flavor.

How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Oven:

If you're looking for salty, crispy skin on your potatoes, you'll get a perfect crispy baked potato by cooking it in the oven.

1. Scrub the potatoes-use a vegetable scrubber or your hands to really scrub the outside of the potato. Pay special attention to the "eyes" of the potato to make sure there isn't any dirt in there. If there are some bruises or soft spots on your potatoes, be sure to use a pairing knife and cut it off.
2. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
3. Use a fork to poke 6-10 holes in each of your potatoes. The steam from the inside of the potato can make the skin burst, which makes a terrible mess in your oven. There's no need to wrap your potato in aluminum foil - this oven-baked method really makes the potato skins nice and crispy.
4. Drizzle a little cooking oil on it. I like to use avocado oil because it has a higher smoking point and doesn't have a distinct taste to it. Olive oil is a good substitution if you don't have avocado oil.
5. Sprinkle it with sea salt and pepper (if desired). You can also use kosher salt.
6. Bake in a preheated oven,uncovered on a baking sheet for about 50-60 minutes cooking time at 400 degrees. (45 minutes if your potatoes are smaller)
7. You will know you have perfectly baked potatoes when you can stick a fork in the middle of the potato and there isn't resistance when you pull it out. If you squeeze the potato, you should also feel that the insides are soft.
8. Take the potatoes out of the oven. Using a knife, slit them down the center and use a fork to make the insides light and fluffy.
9. Enjoy your potato topped with butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon bits. YUM!
10. Add more toppings and eat the skin, it's so chewy and salty, delicious!

Best Baked Potato Toppings

Baked potato bars are a hit for parties or large gatherings. Here are some ideas other than the traditional toppings:

• Chili
• Nacho Cheese
• Sautéed Onion and peppers
• Taco meat and toppings
• Ranch Dressing with cheese and bacon bits
• Homemade Bacon Bits
• Easy Guac
• Fresh Salsa
• Popper Dip
• Spicy Chicken Dip
• Sausage Gravy

The Best Kind of Potatoes to Use

• Russett potatoes are the best potatoes for Baked Potatoes. They make those crispy skins and fluffy insides we all love. Russet Potatoes are known for their soft and fluffy insides (this is usually what french fries are made out of) and their thicker outer skin, perfect for getting those crispy skins.
• Russet potatoes come in a wide range of sizes. In the grocery store, if you see baker's potatoes, you're on the right track. There are also 5# bags of potatoes that will work great - they are just going to be smaller and probably closer to the serving size for kids.
• When you're buying loose potatoes, look for ones with an even coloring of brown skin. You will also want to find potatoes that are similar in size so they will all cook evenly and be done at about the same time.
• Be sure your potatoes are firm. If there are soft spots on your potatoes or the skin is discolored, it could be bruised. You can't really know unless you cut away the skin.

Tips for Making the Best Baked Potatoes

• If your potatoes are a little bruised, you can cut those spots away until you come to solid, white flesh. Just try and cook potatoes that are roughly the same size so they all finish cooking at the same time.
• Instead of rubbing oil on the outside of your baked potatoes, use bacon grease. It adds a ton of flavor and you'll never make it any other way after you try this.
• Be sure to Salt your potato generously. Some of it falls off and you can always flake it off with your fingers a little bit if it's too salty when you're eating it. This really does make the best crispy skin potatoes.
• You can make these potatoes ahead of time and then just keep them warm in a slow cooker until you're ready to eat.
• Use an oven mitt to hold the potato while checking to see if it's done.
• Try using the similar size of potatoes. This will ensure hour potatoes get done at the same time.
• This is an awesome recipe for a huge crowd. It's inexpensive and simple to make.
• If you're making this for a really big crowd, you can always bake add them in the oven, and then store them in a cooler until you're ready to serve

How to Store Potatoes

• Before Baking-Keep your potatoes in a cool, dry and dark place if possible. This will keep your potatoes from "sprouting."
• After Baking- You can make these potatoes ahead of time and then just keep them warm in a slow cooker until you're ready to eat.
• If you're making this for a huge crowd, you can always bake add them in the oven, and then store them in a cooler until you're ready to serve.
• Reheating-You can reheat a baked potato in the microwave.It works best to cut it into 1 " chunks before heating it. Put the potato on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 1 min at a time. Heat in 30-60 second intervals until the desired temperature is reached.

More of the Best Potato Recipes

• Ranch Potatoes
• Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes
• Red Mashed Potatoes
• Gruyere Mashed Potatoes
• Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
• Best Potato Recipes
• More Potato Recipes
• Twice Baked Potato
• Cheesy Hashbrowns
• Funeral Potatoes

I hope you enjoyed this step by step guide on how to make a steakhouse-style baked potato in the oven. It is the best potato recipe - fluffy on the inside with crispy, salty, potato skins that you love on the outside.It's the perfect baked potato recipe you family will be asking for again and again.

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