Baked potatoes are a versatile and delicious side dish that can be paired with all kinds of toppings and ingredients. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best options for what goes well with baked potatoes.
Meat Toppings
Meat makes a hearty and protein-packed topping for baked potatoes. Here are some of the best meat options:
- Bacon – Crispy, salty bacon is a classic topping.
- Ham – Diced ham or ham slices add great flavor.
- Ground beef – Cooked ground beef makes a perfect taco-stuffed baked potato.
- Sausage – Try slices of smoked sausage or crumbled breakfast sausage.
- Pulled pork – Shredded barbecue pulled pork is delicious on a baked potato.
- Rotisserie chicken – Shredded rotisserie chicken is easy to add on top.
- Chopped steak – A chopped steak patty cooked to order makes a tasty topping.
Cheese Toppings
Adding cheese on top of a hot baked potato really makes it a filling and decadent meal. Here are some cheesy options:
- Cheddar – Sharp cheddar cheese is a classic choice.
- Monterey Jack – Milder Monterey Jack also melts nicely.
- Mozzarella – Fresh mozzarella adds great texture.
- Blue cheese – Crumbled blue cheese gives a bold flavor.
- Swiss cheese – Nutty, melty Swiss cheese is perfect.
- Pepper jack – Spicy pepper jack spice things up.
- Goat cheese – Herbed goat cheese makes a great topping.
Vegetable Toppings
Adding vegetables amps up the nutritional value and provides color to baked potatoes. Some tasty veggie toppings include:
- Broccoli – Fresh steamed broccoli florets add flavor and texture.
- Corn – A drizzle of olive oil on corn brightens it up.
- Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes add a pop of color.
- Onions – Caramelized onions are amazing on baked potatoes.
- Mushrooms – Sautéed mushrooms complement the potato flavor.
- Bell peppers – Try red, yellow or green sliced bell peppers.
- Jalapeños – Add some heat with sliced or diced jalapeños.
Sauces and Condiments
Sauces and condiments like sour cream, chives and hot sauce can take a baked potato from plain to extraordinary. Some options to consider:
- Butter – Melted butter is a classic choice.
- Sour cream – Cool and creamy sour cream goes nicely.
- Chives – minced chives give color and flavor.
- Salsa – Try tomato salsa or a fruit salsa.
- Guacamole – Rich, fresh guacamole adds creaminess.
- Hot sauce – Dash on your favorite hot sauce for a kick.
- Gravy – Beef or turkey gravy makes a savory topping.
Creative Baked Potato Topping Combinations
You can come up with endless tasty topping combinations for baked potatoes. Here are some creative ideas to try:
| Potato Topping Combo | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Taco Potato | Seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream |
| Italian Potato | Marinara sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese |
| Chicken Fajita Potato | Grilled chicken, sautéed peppers and onions, Mexican cheese blend |
| Philly Cheesesteak Potato | Thinly sliced steak, melted cheese, sautéed onions and peppers |
| Buffalo Chicken Potato | Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles |
| Broccoli Cheddar Potato | Steamed broccoli, melted cheddar cheese, bacon |
| BBQ Pulled Pork Potato | Pulled pork, barbecue sauce, shredded cheese |
Baked Potato Toppings Bar
For a fun meal, set up a baked potato bar with a variety of meat, veggie, cheese and sauce toppings so everyone can customize their perfect potato.
Some key toppings to include on a baked potato bar:
- Bacon bits
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack)
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- Diced ham
- Chili or ground beef
- Steamed broccoli florets
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapeños
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Butter
Let guests build their perfect potato masterpiece by topping off a hot baked potato with their favorite ingredients.
Seasonings that Go Well with Baked Potatoes
In addition to creative toppings, seasonings can take baked potatoes to the next level. Seasonings enhance flavor and require no extra calories. Some seasoning ideas:
- Sea salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder or garlic salt
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Cajun seasoning
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon
Sprinkle seasonings over a baked potato while hot to infuse the flavor right in. You can also toss potato halves in olive oil and seasonings before baking for an extra flavor punch.
Homemade Loaded Baked Potato Toppings
Make your baked potato toppings from scratch for more delicious flavor. Some options for homemade toppings include:
- Homemade chili – Make a batch of beef or turkey chili and ladle it on top.
- Caramelized onions – Slowly cook sliced onions in butter or olive oil until golden brown.
- Pico de gallo – Chop up fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños and cilantro for a homemade salsa.
- Guacamole – Mash up ripe avocados with lime juice, onions, tomatoes and cilantro.
- Queso dip – Make an easy cheese dip by combining melted cheese, salsa and spices.
Bake an Extra Batch of Potatoes
Baked potatoes keep well in the fridge for several days. Bake an extra batch and save leftovers to quickly reheat during the week for easy meals. Just warm up plain baked potatoes in the microwave and add fresh toppings each time.
Conclusion
A baked potato is the perfect canvas for an endless variety of meat, veggie, sauce and seasoning combinations. Load up a baked spud with your favorite flavors or set up a baked potato bar for a fun customizable meal. With a little creativity, the possibilities for tasty baked potato toppings are truly endless.