While these baked potato topping ideas make for meals themselves, try these loaded potato skins with chorizo and bravas sauce for more of a party canapé vibe. So, here’s something we had to get used to: on this side of the Atlantic, the Brits eat baked potatoes, or jacket potatoes as they are known here, as a main meal. They are the meal. Yes, so hallowed is the bulbous spud, it is rarely- if ever, relegated to a side dish as we were accustomed to in North America. On moving here, I immediately embraced this as a dinner option, especially when my kids were small. Let’s face it, baking potatoes are inexpensive, easily accessible, moderately healthy, and so versatile! I probably served baked potatoes on rotation (tuna mayo, cheese, or baked beans) week in week out for the last ten years! But it occurred to me recently that they needn’t be so basic. I mean, one of my kids is at university- why am I still eating cheesy beans jacket potatoes??
Baked potato ideas
These no-cook, low-prep suggestions are sublimely tasty adult-worthy alternatives to the child-friendly staples and work equally well on a baked sweet potato. New York Bagel: deliciously smoky and salty salmon, sparked with green onions, capers and dill, topped with a spoonful of sour cream. Try this on the fluffy orange flesh of a sweet potato. Tex Mex: cool guacamole and hot pico de Gallo, with sour cream and cheese. I top mine with crushed up tortilla chips for extra crunch and flair, and if I have any, some Mexican chorizo. The contrast of spiciness from the salsa and tangy cheddar cheese is even more vibrant on a colourful baked sweet potato. Classic: velvety sour cream, salty bacon, and cheese, sprinkled with sliced green onions and black pepper. To be quite honest, my kids would have eaten every one of those toppings for baked potatoes. Shame I hadn’t thought of them sooner. Sorry, kids!
Serving suggestions
In the UK, a jacket potato will come with a salad garnish. But if we’re upscaling our baked potato, why settle for a garnish? I’ll take an indulgent side salad. The New York Bagel baked potato goes beautifully with a creamy dill, cucumber, radish and egg salad. Or if the egg is overkill, just a cucumber salad. TexMex is the perfect partner for black bean and corn salsa, which I frequently serve as a salad. The Classic needs something with tomatoes to offset the richness of cream and cheese, like summer tomato salad with herbs.
Storage and leftovers
Baked potatoes are at their fluffiest and crunchiest straight from the oven. When they are left to cool, they shrink and shrivel sadly, so leftover jackets are not the one. However, if you happen to cook one or two extra, they can easily be repurposed; slice into wedges and air fry or scoop out the centres for buttery mash or hash recipes.
Other side dishes to try
Chicken Caesar Crostini Lemon Butter Green Beans Roasted carrots with Garlicky Lemon Tahini Sauce Jacket Potatoes with Spicy Baked Beans and Chimichury Sauce
