With a few simple ingredients and a few easy tips, classic steakhouse oven-baked potatoes are a cinch to make. With crispy, salty skins and fluffy insides, these perfect potatoes are sure to become your new go-to recipe for baked taters. They are the perfect side dish for steak, chicken, or pork.
If your family is anything like mine, then any potato recipe at any meal is always a hit. These potatoes, Funeral Potatoes, Twice Baked Potato Casserole, and Roasted Red Potatoes are just a few of our favorites.
How to Bake a Potato Perfectly
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Scrub the potatoes to remove the dirt. Thoroughly dry them with paper towels. Prick them several times with a fork.
- Using your hands, rub oil all over them. Sprinkle coarse kosher salt all over the outside of them.
- Place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Bake in a preheated oven until fork-tender. Time will run anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes.
- Once done, use a fork to cut across long ways. Press the ends of the potato just slightly to open it up.
What to Top Baked Potatoes with
Everyone loves a fresh oven-baked steakhouse potato, but the fun comes with the toppings. We love crisp bacon, butter, sour cream, chives, cheddar cheese, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Some other great potato toppings include broccoli, chili, green onions, guacamole, black beans, and salsa.
How Long to Bake a Potato
At 400 degrees, medium to large baked potatoes will take anywhere from 45-60 minutes, depending on their size. If you increase the oven temp to 450 degrees, the done time will drop to between 40-45 minutes. If you decrease the oven temp to 350 degrees, the cooking time will increase to between 60 and 75 minutes. The best way to tell when a potato is done is that the internal temperature will have reached 210 degrees, and it will be fork-tender.
How to Pop a Potato
Using a fork, run the length of the potato, poking holes in a straight line. Then make another short straight line down the center of the width of the potato. Gently push the sides of the potato together to lightly fluff it up.
Preparation Tips
- Hands down, russet potatoes are the best for baking. Their thick skin and high starch content make them the perfect choice.
- Use coarse salt. I have an inexpensive salt grinder that I bought at Costco, and it really comes in handy with these baked potatoes.
- I have used olive oil and vegetable oil. Both of them help produce a nice crispy skin.
- Baked potatoes are best served promptly, so try to coordinate the rest of the meal accordingly.
More Potato Recipes
Oven Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 6 medium russet potatoes
- olive or vegetable oil
- coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Wash and dry the potatoes thoroughly. Prick them several times with the tines of a fork. Rub with oil and generously sprinkle with sea salt.
- Place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake until fork tender or until the internal temperature reaches 210 degrees; approximately 45-60 minutes.
- For best results, serve promptly.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
- For an airfryer reheat at 350 to 400 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes.
Nutrition
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Matt Taylor
Yes!! The perfect way to make a baked potato. I love how the oil and salt give the outer skin a nice crispy texture. It makes eating the skin the best part. Such a great baked potato recipe.
Bill Whiteman
As a restaurant owner and operator for 35 years, I agree with his recipe as being the best..Just don’t let any one talk you into covering them with foil first.. But 210 is the number to remember..
Andrea
Definitely the best way to have a potato. Yum!
Cathy
I haven’t had baked potatoes in forever! Adding these to the dinner menu!
Mindy Fewless
Such a simple thing but I find myself coming back to this page because they turn out just perfectly!!
Lima Ekram
Learned how to ‘pop’ a potato ! Great tip!
Chenée
Finally a recipe for baked potatoes that are just as good as the ones from any restaurant! thanks for this awesome recipe!
Catalina
This is one of our favorite family side dish! It’s the best!
Tisha
You can never go wrong with a baked potato! Perfect side dish or a dinner
Nicole Hood
Nothing better than a perfect fluffy baked potato!
Beth Pierce
I agree 100%
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
These oven baked potatoes are on my must-make list!
Amanda
By far the best potato I have ever had!