master-cooks | Give Your Baked Potatoes Next Level Flavor With One Simple Step

Elevate the flavor of your baked potatoes with a straightforward yet transformative step. Instead of sticking to the traditional method of simply baking and seasoning your potatoes, consider infusing them with a burst of flavor by marinating them before cooking. Start by selecting your favorite marinade or crafting a custom blend using olive oil, garlic, herbs, and spices. Coat your potatoes generously and allow them to sit for at least an hour, or even overnight, to let the flavors penetrate deeply. This not only enhances their taste but also contributes to a crispy, flavorful skin. When you're ready to bake, be sure to pat the potatoes dry slightly, leaving a thin layer of the marinade, to ensure they still crisp up nicely in the oven. Bake them at the usual temperature until they are soft and tender on the inside, with a tantalizingly crispy exterior. This simple step of marinating infuses the potatoes with a depth of flavor that complements their natural earthiness, turning a simple side dish into a standout feature of your meal. Whether you're serving them at a casual family dinner or a festive gathering, these flavorful baked potatoes are sure to impress and delight everyone at the table.

Season your potatoes when they're almost done

With approximately 10 minutes remaining in the baking process, take the potatoes out of the oven and drizzle them with olive oil. Next, generously sprinkle sea salt or kosher salt over them; the oil will help the salt adhere, resulting in a deliciously savory taste. Additionally, when you return the potatoes to the oven, the oil will aid in crisping up the skins during the final 10 minutes.

While olive oil works well, other fats may enhance the flavor even more. For instance, bacon grease can impart a rich taste, so if you cook bacon at any time, don’t discard the grease; instead, store it in the refrigerator for occasions like this. When properly sealed in an airtight container, bacon grease can last up to three months in the fridge.

Lastly, be sure to cut open the potatoes as soon as you take them out of the oven. Exercise caution, as they will be extremely hot, but allowing the steam to escape is crucial for keeping the potatoes light and fluffy. Otherwise, they may retain excess moisture.

Give Your Baked Potatoes Next-Level Flavor With One Simple Step

Season your potatoes when they're almost done

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