
French fries are a perfect side dish for grilled foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks. While most people don't cook French fries on the grill, with the right technique, it can be done. There are several methods for cooking French fries on a barbecue, including using a cast iron skillet, grilling frozen fries, or partially boiling the potatoes before grilling.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Type of potatoes | Russet, Yukon Gold, or frozen French fries |
Potato preparation | Peel the potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices, wash in cold water, and soak in cold water for 10-20 minutes |
Oil temperature | Hot, but not smoking |
Oil type | Peanut oil, vegetable oil, or butter |
Grill temperature | 450°-500°F |
Grill type | Gas or charcoal grill |
Grill setup | Place a grill-safe pan, preferably cast iron, over direct heat |
Cooking time | 30-35 minutes |
Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, cumin, or cayenne pepper |
What You'll Learn
How to prepare potatoes for BBQ-ing
Preparing potatoes for BBQ-ing is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure your fries turn out crispy and delicious. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare potatoes for BBQ-ing:
Selecting and Cutting the Potatoes:
Start by choosing the right type of potatoes. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are good options as they have better browning and flavour. Cut the potatoes into fries of even thickness. The ideal thickness is around 1/4 inch to 1/3 inch thick. If you prefer thicker fries, keep in mind that they will take longer to cook on the grill.
Soaking the Potatoes:
Once your potatoes are cut, wash them in cold water and soak them for 10-20 minutes. Soaking removes the starch from the surface of the potatoes, preventing them from sticking together and helping to achieve a crispy texture. After soaking, drain the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with paper towels.
Coating with Oil:
Place the dried potatoes in a clean bowl and coat them with oil. You can use vegetable oil, peanut oil, or melted butter. Avoid using olive oil, as it may not handle high temperatures well. Add salt and pepper to taste, and mix to distribute the seasoning and oil evenly.
Preparing the Grill:
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F to 500°F. If using a gas grill, this usually corresponds to a setting just above medium. For charcoal grills, ensure your coals are hot and ready for cooking.
Cooking the Fries:
Coat a grill-safe pan, preferably a cast iron skillet, with oil. Add the coated potatoes to the pan and place it over direct heat on the grill. Try to avoid any hot spots on your grill, as they can cause uneven cooking. Cook the fries without touching them for about 12 minutes, then flip them and rotate the pan. Continue grilling, flipping and rotating every 4 to 6 minutes, until the fries are well browned and crispy.
Seasoning and Serving:
Once your fries are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the grill and place them in a bowl lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt and add any additional seasonings you desire. Serve hot with your favourite dipping sauces!
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Oil and seasoning
When it comes to oil, there are a few options to consider. Vegetable oil is a popular choice, as mentioned in one source, which recommends using 1/4 cup of oil for 1 to 1 1/4 pounds of potatoes. Peanut oil is another option, as suggested by a recipe that uses 5 tablespoons of peanut oil for russet potatoes. The same recipe also recommends peanut oil over olive oil, noting that olive oil is not suitable for this method of cooking. Another recipe uses butter, tossing the frozen fries with 1 tablespoon of melted butter before grilling.
As for seasoning, salt and pepper are essential. You can also add spices like garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, and cumin to complement the smoky flavor of the grill. If you want to get creative, you can try a hot and spicy blend with cayenne pepper, chili powder, paprika, coarse salt, and ground black pepper. Don't forget to season with salt after cooking, as this will enhance the flavor of your fries.
When seasoning your fries, it's best to add the desired amount of seasoning to a bowl of dry fries and mix until the seasoning is evenly distributed. This ensures that each fry gets coated evenly. You can also add oil to the bowl and mix it with the seasoning, creating a more even coating on the fries before placing them on the grill.
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Grill temperature and cooking time
The grill temperature and cooking time for French fries largely depend on the type of potatoes used and whether they are fresh or frozen.
For fresh potatoes, it is recommended to parboil them before grilling. The potatoes should be placed in boiling water for around 20 minutes, until they are almost tender but still firm. After boiling, cut the potatoes into fries of even thickness, preferably about 1/4 inch thick. If the fries are too thick, they will not cook properly on the grill. Thicker fries will also take longer to cook, so for best results, aim for a thickness of no more than 3/8 inch.
Once cut, the fries should be washed and soaked in cold water for 10 to 20 minutes. This step is crucial as it removes the starch from the potatoes, preventing them from sticking together and promoting crispiness. After soaking, the potatoes should be dried thoroughly using paper towels.
When grilling fresh-cut potatoes, the grill surface temperature should be between 450°F and 500°F. Place a grill-safe pan, preferably a cast-iron skillet, on the grill and coat it with oil. Add the fries to the pan and place them over direct heat, avoiding any hot spots on the grill.
Let the fries cook without touching them for about 12 minutes. Then, flip the fries and rotate the pan. Continue grilling for 4 to 6 minutes, flipping and rotating every few minutes to ensure even cooking. The total cooking time should be around 30 to 35 minutes, or until the fries are well-browned.
For frozen fries, the grill should be heated to a medium-high temperature of around 400°F to 475°F. It is important to note that the grill's heat can vary, so keep a close eye on the fries to prevent burning. Frozen fries should be tossed with melted butter or oil before placing them on the grill.
To cook frozen fries, create "boats" out of aluminum foil and place the fries in a single layer inside the boats. The boats should have a large opening at the top to allow steam to escape, ensuring the fries become crispy. Place the boats on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until crisp.
Whether using fresh or frozen potatoes, it is important to rotate the pan and flip the fries regularly to avoid hot spots and ensure even cooking. The total cooking time for frozen fries is typically around 10 to 20 minutes, or until heated through.
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How to avoid burning
To avoid burning your French fries, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, it is important to use the right type of potato. Russet, Yukon Gold, or Idaho potatoes are good choices due to their high starch content.
Cutting the potatoes to the correct size is also crucial. Aim for fries that are about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Thicker fries will take longer to cook and may not cook evenly, leading to burning. Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for 10-20 minutes is another essential step. This removes the starch and prevents the fries from sticking together, which can cause uneven cooking and burning. Be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly after soaking.
When it comes to cooking, preheating your grill to the right temperature is key. Aim for a surface temperature of around 450°F. Using a cast iron skillet or a grill basket can help distribute the heat evenly and prevent hot spots, which can cause burning. If using a gas grill, you can also create two zones, one hotter and one cooler, to sear and then fully cook the potatoes without burning.
During cooking, it's important to flip and rotate the fries regularly. However, it's best to avoid touching them too much, as this can cause them to break apart. Cooking the fries for too long can also lead to burning, so keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed.
Finally, using the right type of oil is important. Avoid olive oil, as it doesn't handle high heat well. Instead, opt for vegetable oil or another oil with a high smoke point.
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Serving suggestions
French fries are a great side dish for grilled foods like steak, burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken breasts or drumsticks.
If you're grilling your fries, it's a good idea to parboil them first to prevent them from drying out. You can also toss them in oil and spices before grilling to add flavour and crispiness.
For a simple side, serve your grilled fries with a sprinkle of salt or with ketchup.
If you're feeling more adventurous, try one of these topping combinations:
- Texas Barbecue: Pulled pork, shredded cheddar, sour cream, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce.
- Poutine-Style: Gravy and cheese curds (or fresh mozzarella).
- Tex-Mex: Homemade queso, guacamole, and diced jalapeños.
- Greek Style: Crumbled feta, olive oil, and lemon juice.
- Aioli: Simple homemade aioli, chopped parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Cheese sauce: Make a basic cheese sauce or zap some Velveeta in the microwave and drizzle over your hot fries.
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Frequently asked questions
Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are a good choice. You can leave the skin on, but it is recommended to peel Russets.
Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices. Thicker fries will take longer to cook and may not cook evenly.
It is recommended to partially cook the potatoes before grilling. Place the uncut potatoes in boiling water for about 20 minutes, or until they are almost tender. This will help prevent the potatoes from drying out on the grill.