Good Eats: Recipe: Foil Packet Bacon and Cheese Potatoes on the BBQ

Whenever we BBQ with friends and neighbors, I am always wanting the perfect, delicious side dish that I can prepare early and will feed a crowd. These foil packet potatoes are it! I got the basic recipe from my sister-in-law and measured and tweaked it just a bit. They are so good, the meat takes a supporting role.

Foil Packet Bacon and Cheese Potatoes

8 medium baking potatoes, washed, peeled and cubed into not too thick cubes
3 medium sweet onions, chopped into medium sized pieces
3/4 Tbsp. salt
12 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled (I used the microwavable kind)
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 Tbsp. Italian seasoning (in the herb jar, the the dressing packet)
2-3 cups of Colby Jack cheese
 1/3-1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (want everything coated nicely)

Lay out 2 large strips of heavy duty aluminum foil. Place the cubed potatoes and onions on top. Sprinkle with  3/4 Tbsp. of salt, toss. Add the crumbled bacon, pepper, olive oil, and Italian seasoning, toss again. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top and fold the foil over the top to create a packet. I usually use another 2 strips of foil to make sure it is secure. Make sure the cheese is facing UP.

Place the packet on the BBQ about 30 minutes before you are going to start cooking the meat. When you need to add the meat, remove from the grill and let sit on a baking sheet, still wrapped. When you are ready to eat, open the packet and everything should be cooked perfectly! This recipe is always a hit!

A few notes:
*This amount feeds 8 adults and 5 kids and there are still a few leftovers.
*I have made this without the bacon for vegetarian friends and it is still great. Make sure you use enough olive oil though.
*I have also made it without the cheese and it is still great.
*Would be great for camping if you cooked it in the fire.
*You can prepare this a few hours before you need to grill and it holds well. Love that I can get it prepped and cleaned up before company arrives.