Wondering how to cook sweet potatoes in foil on the grill? They are so easy and delicious! Simply rub sweet potatoes in a little olive oil and salt, wrap in foil, and toss on the grill for 45-55 minutes until tender. These potatoes get slightly crispy on the outside with that classic salty skin and nice and fluffy in the middle! I like to toss them on the grill first thing while I prep any other items like steak, chicken, or other veggies.
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TL;DR (Quick Recipe Overview)
Recipe: Baked Sweet Potatoes on the Grill
Ready In: 50 minutes
Difficulty: easy!
Serves: 4 baked potatoes
Staple Ingredients: sweet potatoes, olive oil, sea salt
What Makes It Special: baked sweet potatoes get this super creamy, almost candy-like flavor when baked. Making them on the grill is a great way to utilize the nice weather and save some space in the oven. Pair with your favorite toppings like softened butter, flaky sea salt, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and fresh cracked black pepper. Yum!
If you’re a sweet potato fan, try these scalloped sweet potatoes (a long time fan favorite), my loaded sweet potato nachos, or this black bean and sweet potato skillet!
Find all of my side dish recipes here or check out my baked potato topping ideas for further inspiration.
Key Ingredients
A good baked potato requires just a few simple ingredients!
- Sweet potatoes: look for potatoes with a similar size and shape so they cook evenly – the smaller the potato, the less cooking time it will require.
- Olive oil: extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil are all options for these sweet potatoes.
- Salt: I like a flaky salt like Maldon salt, other options are kosher salt, Himalayan salt, or Celtic salt.
How to Grill Sweet Potatoes
Let’s talk a little about How to Cook Sweet Potatoes in Foil on the Grill (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick overview:
- Stab sweet potatoes with a fork or pairing knife.
- Coat potatoes in oil and salt, wrap tightly in tin foil.
- Place on a preheated grill for 40-45 minutes or until tender.
- Serve immediately!
- Thoroughly wash and scrub sweet potatoes – try to find potatoes that are similar in size and shape for even baking. Poke sweet potatoes with a fork or pairing knife.
- Coat heavily in olive oil and sea salt. Other seasonings could be added at this point as desired such as chili powder, cayenne pepper, or garlic powder.
- Tightly wrap coated potatoes in a piece of foil, if using a thin tin foil, use two sheets so they stand up the the high heat of the grill – if needed use a third sheet of foil.
- Preheat a gas grill or charcoal grill over medium-high heat. Once warm, add the sweet potato packets and close the lid, cook for 40-45 or until tender, This will depend on the size of the potatoes, I like to test doneness by squeezing the potatoes with a pair on tongs, if you are unsure unwrap and check doneness that way. Add additional cooking time as needed.
- Once potatoes are tender, remove from the heat, allow to cool slightly, and unwrap. Serve immediately, with your favorite toppings.
Tools I Recommend
- Half Sheet Pan – my go-to baking sheet, these are truly non-stick and clean up nicely. I lay the prepped sweet potatoes on the sheet pan to transport them to and from the grill.
- Tin foil – a good, heavy-duty foil for wrapping these sweet potatoes. It stands up to the grill and wont tear causing spills or burns!
- Tongs – I love a good pair of trusty tongs. This set is great because it offers different lengths.
Rachel’s Grilling Tips
- Find even sized potatoes this helps to ensure potatoes bake evenly.
- Heavily coat in oil this adds flavor by helping the salt stick and creates a a crispy skin.
- Test doneness use tongs or your hand to test doneness of the potatoes, add cooking time as needed.
- Wrap tightly in foil to keep oil and steam inside, ensures even cooking and keeps potato from burning.
- Serve immediately these are best served warm, straight off the grill with your favorite toppings!
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes in Foil on the Grill
Ingredients
- 4 medium Sweet potatoes, even sized, scrubbed clean
- Olive oil, for rubbing
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat a gas grill over medium-high heat.
- Tear off four pieces of tin foil, large enough to cover the potatoes. Place a potato in the center of the foil, drizzle heavily with olive oil and season with a heavy pinch of salt. Rub to coat the potato. Wrap the potato tightly in foil, repeat with remaining potatoes.4 medium Sweet potatoes, even sized, Olive oil, Kosher salt
- Place the wrapped potatoes on grill, close lid, and cook for 40-45 minutes* or until tender, add more time as needed. Test doneness with tongs or by giving the potatoes a squeeze.
- Serve warm topped with butter, sour cream, cheese, or your favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
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Serving, Storing, & Reheating
These make a great side dish alongside steak, chicken, or seafood, keep toppings simple with butter, salt, and pepper. Or turn into a main meal by loading with your favorite chili, ground taco beef and toppings, or shredded chicken and coleslaw!
To store leftovers, allow potatoes to cool completely, wrap in foil or place in an airtight container, and store in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, remove from any foil, and warm in a 300 degree oven, air fryer, microwave, or back on the grill!
Not a fan of the skins, scoop of the flesh and give it a quick mash!
Common Recipe FAQs
Yes, wrapping sweet potatoes in foil can help in a few different ways. It prevents the exterior of the potato from drying out and overheating too quickly, it also stops the potato from burning over the high heat of the grill. It also helps cook the potato more evenly and keep the oil and salt on the potato for flavor.
It takes close to an hour to fully make baked potatoes on the grill with a temperature set between 450-500 degrees F. It can help to cook the potatoes wrapped in foil for the first 40-50 minutes, then unwrap and place them on indirect heat for 4-5 minutes to crisp the skin if desired.
No, I recommend not peeling the sweet potatoes prior to baking or grilling as the skin helps to protect the potato from the high heat and will help to keep the shape and texture.
You do not have to poke holes in the potato, but it can help with even cooking and reduce the cooking time a bit.
Baked Sweet Potato Combinations
- Keep simple and top with salted butter or honey butter, salt, and pepper.
- Turn into loaded baked potatoes topped with taco beef or cubed chicken, black beans, salsa, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole!
- Top with herbed butter, honey butter, fresh herbs, chopped bacon, shredded cheese, green onions, sour cream, pesto, Italian sausage, diced chicken, chimichurri sauce, or spinach artichoke dip!
- Scoop and mash with butter and maple syrup for delicious mashed sweet potatoes.
- Sprinkle baked potatoes with brown sugar and mini marshmallows for the classic Thanksgiving side dish flavor.
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing your final dish on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest!
Cheers!
-Rachel
