Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes are the kind of soul-warming comfort food that transform humble pantry staples into a show-stopping side dish, or even a meal in their own right. Imagine biting into a crisp, golden potato shell that gives way to a dreamy, buttery mash loaded with roasted garlic, melty cheddar, and a fresh sprinkle of chives. With a balance of crisp skin and rich, flavorful filling, these potatoes are as fun to serve to friends as they are easy to tuck into for a quiet, cozy night in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every element in Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes works together to create layers of texture and taste you’ll crave again and again. Simple ingredients, each bringing their own touch, come together for a potato dish that’s anything but ordinary.
- Russet potatoes: Choose large, starchy potatoes for fluffy insides and perfectly crisp jackets.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Blending softened butter with garlic infuses every bite with richness and flavor.
- Garlic (minced): Fresh garlic adds an unbeatable aromatic punch in every forkful.
- Sour cream: This makes the filling ultra-creamy and lends a light tang to balance the richness.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: For gooey, melty pockets of cheesy goodness throughout each bite.
- Chopped chives or green onions: Pops of green bring freshness and a gentle onion bite that brightens the whole dish.
- Salt and black pepper: Simple seasonings that bring all the flavors together just right.
- Olive oil for rubbing: Rubbing the skins in olive oil is the secret to that golden, irresistible crispiness outside.
How to Make Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes
Step 1: Prep and Bake the Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Give your potatoes a good scrub and pat them dry so the skins will turn out super crispy. Using a fork, prick each potato several times—this keeps steam from building up and helps the skins bake up nicely. Rub them all over with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt. Set the potatoes on the oven rack or a baking sheet and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the skins are crisp and a knife slides easily into the center.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter
While the potatoes are baking and your kitchen starts to smell amazing, let’s turn to the garlic butter. In a small bowl, mash your softened butter with the minced garlic until it’s all combined. This simple step is what gives Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes their signature flavor—don’t be afraid to use a little extra garlic if you love it bold!
Step 3: Scoop Out the Potatoes
Once the potatoes are out of the oven, let them cool off just a bit so you can handle them without burning your fingertips. Carefully slice each potato open along the top and gently scoop out the fluffy insides with a spoon, leaving a half-inch shell all around so the skins stay sturdy for stuffing. Set the shells aside—they’re about to become the stars.
Step 4: Mash and Mix the Filling
Now, mash the warm potato insides in a mixing bowl. Add your garlicky butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and plenty of those fresh chives or green onions. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Don’t be shy with mixing—give it a good stir until everything is creamy, cheesy, and flecked through with green.
Step 5: Stuff and Bake Again
Spoon the filling right back into your potato shells, piling it high. For extra decadent Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes, drizzle a little more olive oil on top. Pop the stuffed potatoes back in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the tops are golden and everything is bubbling gently. Bring them out, sprinkle with a few more chives, and let the applause begin.
How to Serve Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes
Garnishes
A final flutter of chopped chives or green onions is all it takes to make these look restaurant-worthy. Want to get fancy? Add a dollop of sour cream and a crack of fresh black pepper, or scatter over a little extra cheddar for that wow factor.
Side Dishes
Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes are deliciously hearty on their own, but they play well with others. Serve alongside juicy roast chicken, a peppery salad, or with grilled veggies for a bright, balanced meal. For a classic pairing, try them with a piece of steak or a warm bowl of soup for cozy comfort any night.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing each stuffed potato in half or quarters for a fun party appetizer, or arrange them rustic-style in a cast iron skillet for a show-stopping family meal. For a playful twist, offer a DIY toppings bar with crumbled bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or even fresh herbs so everyone can garnish their Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes exactly how they like.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes (it happens less often than you’d think!), wrap them individually in foil or airtight containers and refrigerate them for up to three days. The filling stays creamy and the skins keep their character, so leftovers are definitely a win.
Freezing
Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes can also be frozen for busy days ahead. Just let them cool completely, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready for a comforting potato fix, there’s no need to thaw—just reheat straight from the freezer.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-oven taste, bake refrigerated or frozen potatoes at 350°F (175°C) until the centers are piping hot and the skins have regained a bit of their crispness. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the oven is your friend if you want them at their best.
FAQs
How do I know when the potatoes are baked through?
The best way to check is to pierce the center of the potato with a sharp knife—it should slide in easily with no resistance. The skin will be crisp, and the potato should feel light when picked up with an oven mitt.
Can I use a different type Side Dish
Russet potatoes are classic for Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes because of their fluffy texture and sturdy skin, but you can substitute Yukon Golds for a slightly creamier result (just note their skins are a bit thinner).
Can I make them dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the butter for a plant-based alternative, use a dairy-free sour cream, and go for your favorite non-dairy cheese. You’ll still get all the flavor and comfort without the dairy.
What extra fillings work well in this recipe?
Try stirring in crumbled cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms, cooked spinach, or even roasted red peppers for an extra punch of flavor. The recipe is wonderfully adaptable to what you love or have on hand.
How do I keep the potato skins extra crispy?
Make sure to rub the skins generously with olive oil before baking and, for ultimate crispiness, brush the skins with a bit more oil before the final bake after stuffing. Baking directly on the oven rack also helps.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes at home, now’s your moment—the crispy edges, creamy garlic filling, and bubbly cheese are impossible to resist. This dish always wins rave reviews from family and friends. Take the plunge and make your own batch; you just might find yourself making them a regular part of your dinner rotation!
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Garlic Stuffed Jacket Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delicious garlic-stuffed jacket potatoes for a comforting and flavorful side dish that will impress your family and friends. With a crispy skin and a creamy, cheesy filling, these potatoes are a perfect addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped chives or green onions
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Olive oil for rubbing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the potatoes: Scrub, dry, prick, and lightly oil the potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 50-60 minutes until crispy.
- Make the filling: Mix butter and garlic. Scoop out potato flesh, mash with garlic butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives. Season.
- Fill the potatoes: Spoon the mixture back into the shells. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden.
- Serve: Garnish with chives and serve hot.
Notes
- You can add crumbled bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or cooked spinach to the filling for variation.
- For extra crispiness, brush the potato skins with more olive oil before the final bake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed potato
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
