Restaurants have long since realized that baked potatoes are the perfect side for savory meat dishes and rich sauces. With a few simple steps, you too can have restaurant-quality Perfect Baked Potatoes to accompany your steaks, pork chops, carved turkey, or slices of glazed ham. With crispy skin on the outside and a fluffy, buttery interior, Perfect Baked Potatoes are both hearty and heartwarming. Pair with butter, add the tang of sour cream, enhance its meatiness with bacon bits, or bring about refreshing earthiness with chives—these potatoes are toe-tally worth it!
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- sea salt, to taste
- Optional toppings:
- sour cream
- bacon bits, cooked
- chives, chopped
- butter
- cheese, shredded
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Step 2 –Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 3 –Using a fork, poke a couple of holes into the potatoes. This helps them release steam as they bake, which ensures even cooking.
Step 4 –Set the potatoes onto the baking sheet. Brush the potatoes with olive oil all over their skins. This helps create a crispier, more flavorful crust.
Step 5 –Generously sprinkle the skins of the potatoes with sea salt all over.
Step 6 –Bake until the potato is fork-tender with crisp skin, for 45-60 minutes.
Step 7 –Cut open each potato.
Step 8 –Serve each hot with your desired garnishes—a pat of butter, a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of your favorite sharp cheddar cheese, fresh chives, or bacon bits.