The Baked Potato

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Show: Good EatsEpisode: This Spud's for You

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (67)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(67)

Cook Time:
1 hr 0 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
1 potato per person

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 1 hr 0 min
Total:: 1 hr 10 min

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Ingredients

1 large russet potato (If it looks like Mr. Potato Head(r), you've got the right one.)
Canola oil to coat
Kosher salt

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees and position racks in top and bottom thirds. Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with a stiff brush and cold running water. Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking. Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven. Place a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drippings.

Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft. Serve by creating a dotted line from end to end with your fork, then crack the spud open by squeezing the ends towards one another. It will pop right open. But watch out, there will be some steam.

NOTE: If you're cooking more than 4 potatoes, you'll need to extend the cooking time by up to 15 minutes.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe The Baked Potato
Michelle Hoboken, NJ 10-04-2009
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Simply delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

It's worth the hour wait - delicious!!
recipe The Baked Potato
Judy Port Neches, TX 10-02-2009
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Delicious!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Like several others, I changed this up a bit. I used olive oil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and herbs de... provence. Absolutely wonderful! I put a little cheddar, some chives, and light sour cream on mine. The flavor from the skin was incredible. Even my kids at the skin this time. I doubt I'll ever make baked potatoes any other way again.Read more
recipe The Baked Potato
Rachel Russia, OH 08-26-2009
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Perfect!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I varied this using olive oil and a roasted garlic and herb steak rub blend made with coarse salt. The universal response... from my house full of picky eaters was "WOW!"Read more
recipe The Baked Potato
Velma Yatahey, NM 07-22-2009
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Soooo good!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe was delicious. Instead of kanola oil I used olive oil. It was very tasty.
recipe The Baked Potato
Erin Topeka, KS 07-17-2009
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Best baked potato
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My Mom has always done something very similar with the same recipe, but no oil or salt. Delicious! Alton Brown is amazing.
recipe The Baked Potato
Marquis Orlando, FL 07-09-2009
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The MOST Underrated BAKED POTAT!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Wow! I must say this is the most underrated baked potato I have ever tried, Alton Brown, great choice, Im a male and I cook a... lot, I had some potato's that a relative had bought for me, they were just sitting there I go to baked potato's recipes, and look what I run into, no wonder why this is the first one to pop up google. LMAO, anyway I hate to say this but its better than my mom's baked potato Shhhh... I will forever remember his recipe, Im going to go out cook my girlfriend, with this recipe. LoL by the way the potato's I cooked today, goes great with baked chicken what i added to the chicken was... s&p, season salt, all purpose season salt, a dash of garlic salt, and jerk season sauce. that i marinaded over night. plus rice, canned tuna fish, mixed with s&p, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, mayo. i added that on top of the potato's OMG. screw desert. basically greatest dish ever!!... signing out! Marquis S. Dixon Orlando, FL Read more