Discover the ultimate side dish that’s both budget-friendly and packed with flavor: **Diced Cheesy Smoked Potatoes and Onions**. Cooked to perfection on your Traeger or any pellet smoker, this recipe transforms humble potatoes and onions into a mouthwatering, smoky delight. Whether served alongside your favorite smoked meats or as a standalone treat, these tender, cheesy potato cubes are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser all year round, especially during the vibrant summer months.
Learning **how to smoke potatoes** with onions is incredibly straightforward, resulting in a side dish that’s wonderfully tender and infused with an irresistible smoky aroma. Adding a generous topping of cheese takes this dish to another level of indulgence. Summer, with its long, warm days, is the perfect season to fire up your Traeger and explore the endless possibilities of outdoor cooking. For this recipe, everything comes together in a simple aluminum pan, and you can even enhance the flavor by adding vibrant bell peppers to the mix. This versatile recipe is suitable for any pellet smoker or even an electric smoker, making it accessible to all outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
The inspiration for these **smoked diced potatoes** stemmed from a simple truth: a delicious main meal often feels incomplete without a hearty carb component. Why not make that carb component as exciting and flavorful as the main course itself? This led to experimenting with the smoker, and the results were phenomenal. Much like the unexpected success of our smoked bread, which received rave reviews, these potatoes quickly became a household favorite. It’s a testament to the fact that almost anything tastes better with a touch of smoke.
When selecting your potatoes, versatility is key. **Diced red potatoes** offer a beautiful color and slightly waxy texture, while russets become wonderfully fluffy and absorbent. Feel free to mix both, or opt for smaller baby potatoes if you prefer. A top tip for effortless cooking and cleanup on the grill is to use disposable aluminum pans. This clever hack means less time scrubbing in the kitchen and more quality time enjoying your meal and company. It truly makes the entire outdoor cooking experience more enjoyable and stress-free.
The Ultimate Cheesy Smoked Potatoes Recipe
While delicious plain, opting for **cheesy smoked potatoes** elevates this dish into a true culinary star. Much like our beloved fried potatoes with onions, the addition of cheese transforms them into a real winner at any dinner table. Parmesan cheese, with its sharp, savory, and slightly nutty notes, imparts a bold flavor that complements the smoky potatoes beautifully. You can add as much or as little as your heart desires. Other fantastic cheese options include shredded cheddar for a classic, creamy melt, or spicy Monterey Jack for an exciting kick. The right cheese selection allows you to customize this dish to perfectly suit your taste preferences.
Choosing the Best Pan for Smoked Potatoes
For convenience and efficiency, a standard **9×13-inch aluminum pan** is seriously the best choice. These disposable pans are perfect for outdoor cooking, allowing for easy transfer from the smoker to the table and a remarkably simple cleanup afterward—just toss it! If you prefer a more traditional approach, a large cast iron pan can also be used, though you might need to adjust the recipe quantity to ensure the potatoes fit without overcrowding, which can hinder even cooking and smoke penetration. Once done, carefully transfer your pan to a trivet for serving, and enjoy the delicious results without the dread of washing up.
Expert Tips for Perfectly Smoked Potatoes
Achieving perfectly tender and flavorful smoked potatoes is easy with a few simple tips. Remember that the **size of your potato pieces directly impacts cooking time**. Smaller, bite-sized cubes will cook significantly faster than larger chunks. Similarly, a slightly higher smoker temperature will also speed up the process. For this recipe, using diced potatoes, cooking for approximately **1 hour** at the recommended temperature typically yields beautifully tender results. Keeping this timing in mind is incredibly helpful when planning your entire meal, especially when pairing with other smoked dishes like our smoked pork steaks, which also take around 60-90 minutes to cook.
These **smoked potatoes** are incredibly versatile and pair exceptionally well with a wide variety of main courses, from succulent ribs and juicy briskets to grilled chicken and burgers. While simple salt and pepper work wonderfully to highlight the potato’s natural flavor and the smokiness, the possibilities for customization are truly endless. Consider adding garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried rosemary, or a pinch of cayenne for an extra dimension of flavor. While we often enjoy air fryer potatoes and onions for quick weeknight meals, there’s nothing quite like the unique taste that comes from cooking them outdoors on the smoker.
Should your potatoes finish cooking a bit before your other dishes, don’t worry. Simply cover the aluminum pan tightly with foil and leave it on the smoker (or remove it and place it in a warm spot) to allow the potatoes to soften a bit more and stay warm until everything else is ready. **Cooking everything together** is undoubtedly the most efficient way to manage mealtime, especially when you have hungry family members eager to eat. Perfect timing ensures a harmonious and delicious spread.
A Delightful Sweet Potato Variation
For those who prefer a touch of sweetness or want to offer a different flavor profile, **cubed sweet potatoes** can be smoked using a similar method. Instead of savory cheeses, season your sweet potato cubes with warm spices like cinnamon and a sprinkle of sugar, then dot with butter before smoking. This creates a wonderfully delicious and comforting side dish. To take this sweet variation to an even more decadent level, near the end of the cooking time, scatter mini marshmallows over the top. Allow them to gently brown and melt into a gooey, irresistible topping, reminiscent of a classic sweet potato casserole. This twist is particularly perfect for holiday meals or when you crave a dessert-like side.
How to Check for Doneness in Smoked Potatoes
Determining when your **Traeger smoked potatoes** are perfectly cooked is crucial for that ideal tender texture. The simplest method is the **fork or knife test**: carefully pierce a potato cube with a fork or the tip of a knife. If the utensil slides through easily with minimal resistance, the potatoes are likely cooked through and beautifully tender. For a more precise measurement, especially if you’re aiming for a specific texture, you can use a meat thermometer. The ideal internal temperature for tender potatoes is around **205 degrees F (96 degrees C)**. Always check a few different pieces to ensure even cooking throughout the pan.
Smoked Potatoes with Onions & Cheese
Justine
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Print Recipe
Equipment
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1 smoker (Traeger or similar pellet/electric smoker)
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1 aluminum pan 9×13″
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes, diced into bite-size pieces (Russet, Red, or a mix work best)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 stick butter, (1/2 cup)
- 1 small bell pepper, diced (optional, for added flavor and color)
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded (optional, or other cheeses like cheddar or spicy Jack)
Instructions
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Rinse potatoes thoroughly and cut them into uniform bite-sized cubes. Spread them on paper towels and gently press to remove any excess moisture from the skins – this helps them crisp up. Dice the onion and bell pepper (if using) into similar-sized pieces. Slice the stick of butter into 12 small pieces.
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Combine the diced potatoes, bell peppers, and onion in the aluminum foil pan. Season generously with shredded Parmesan cheese (if desired), pepper, and salt. Evenly distribute the butter slices over the very top of the mixture.
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Set your smoker to the smoke setting (typically 165°F-180°F) to generate clean smoke. Once the smoker starts producing smoke, increase the temperature setting to 400°F. Carefully place the aluminum foil pan directly onto the smoker grate. Close the lid. Cook for approximately 1 hour, or until the potatoes are as fork-tender as you prefer. Check for doneness by piercing a potato cube with a fork.
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*Serve plain for a delightful smoky flavor, or enhance with your favorite toppings such as crumbled cooked bacon, a dollop of sour cream, fresh chopped chives, or thinly sliced green onions.
Video Tutorial
For a visual guide to making these delicious smoked potatoes, check out our video tutorial:
Nutrition Information
Calories: 141kcal,
Carbohydrates: 3g,
Protein: 2g,
Fat: 14g,
Saturated Fat: 9g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 4g,
Trans Fat: 0.5g,
Cholesterol: 37mg,
Sodium: 625mg,
Potassium: 80mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 1g,
Vitamin A: 885IU,
Vitamin C: 20mg,
Calcium: 54mg,
Iron: 0.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Breakfast, Side Dish
American
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How to Reheat Smoked Potatoes for Best Results
Nobody likes to waste delicious food, and leftover smoked potatoes are no exception! The best way to refresh and reheat your **smoked potatoes** is undoubtedly in an air fryer. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and give them a light spray of olive oil to help moisten and create that desired crisp exterior. This method ensures the potatoes regain their lovely crispy texture, making them almost as good as fresh. Air frying is superior because it prevents them from becoming soggy, which can happen with microwave reheating.
Beyond simply reheating, these versatile leftovers can be transformed into entirely new and exciting meals. We love using our leftover smoked potatoes with smoked corned beef to create a fantastic, flavorful hash! You don’t need to wait for a specific holiday to enjoy this hearty dish. It’s a superb meal year-round and an excellent way to reinvent your leftovers, adding a new dimension of flavor to your breakfast or dinner.
Creative Uses for Smoked Potato Leftovers
Don’t let any of those smoky, delicious potato bits go to waste! Smoked potatoes are fantastic as a base for many creative dishes:
- Breakfast Hash: Dice any leftover smoked potatoes into smaller pieces. Sauté them in a pan with some chopped onions, bell peppers, and maybe even a bit of cooked sausage or bacon. Top with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast.
- Potato Salad: As mentioned in our FAQ, smoked potatoes are incredible in potato salad. The smoky flavor adds an unexpected and delicious twist to a classic side.
- Soups and Stews: Add cubed smoked potatoes to your favorite soups or stews for extra body and a depth of smoky flavor. They work especially well in a hearty beef stew or a creamy potato soup.
- Loaded Potato Skins: Scoop out the centers of leftover smoked baked potatoes (if you made them) or use larger smoked potato chunks. Fill with cheese, bacon, chives, and bake until bubbly for a perfect appetizer.
Absolutely! Using smoked potatoes in a potato salad would be an amazing culinary revelation. Once your diced smoked potatoes are tender and cooled (or served warm, depending on preference), simply fold them together with your preferred potato salad ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, celery, and hard-boiled egg slices. The smoky undertones will add an exciting and unique twist to a classic dish, making it a standout at any potluck or barbecue.
For smoking potatoes, a milder wood pellet flavor often works best to complement rather than overpower the potatoes. Hickory or oak pellets provide a classic, robust smoke flavor that pairs wonderfully. For a slightly sweeter and more subtle smoke, applewood or cherrywood pellets are excellent choices. A blend of fruitwoods and hardwoods can also create a complex and delicious profile. Experiment to find your personal favorite!
Smoking potatoes is an incredibly rewarding cooking method that brings out deep, complex flavors you simply can’t achieve through other means. Whether you stick to the classic cheesy version or venture into sweet potato territory, this recipe offers versatility, ease, and undeniable deliciousness. Perfect for summer cookouts, holiday gatherings, or just a simple weeknight meal, these **diced smoked potatoes and onions** are sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe repertoire. So fire up your smoker and get ready to enjoy a truly unforgettable side dish!