big easy Archives - Life's A Tomato

The Best Big Easy Side Dish Recipes

The Char-Broil Big Easy is great for cooking just about everything. Don’t overlook the side dishes. It’s great for those, too! Here are some of my favorites!

Spicy Barbeque-and-Bacon Baked Beans on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Spicy Barbecue-and-Bacon Baked Beans on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Use a hickory BBQ sauce to add a bit of that outdoorsy flavor.

Check out this recipe

Pimento Cheese Scalloped Potatoes using the Char-Broil Big Easy

Tender creamy potatoes with pimento cheese that you won't be able to resist!

Check out this recipe

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The sauce is amazing, and has quickly become one of our favorites.

Check out this recipe

Apple Pie Baked Beans on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I added onion and bacon. These beans are amazing!

Check out this recipe

Twice Baked Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Absolutely fantastic baked potatoes. I prefer to use disposable mini-meatloaf pans for this recipe. They fit into the Big Easy perfectly and are easy to handle. If you heat more than two mini pans at a time you'll need a Bunk Bed basket.

Check out this recipe

Easy Corn-on-the-Cob on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I was already addicted to sweet corn-on-the-cob before this recipe came along. The Big Easy, though, made my addiction much, much worse.

Check out this recipe

Roasted Carrots on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Mmmm. Lovely sweet delicious roasted carrots. Made on the Char-Broil Big Easy in no time at all. Nothing fancy, nothing hard, just great flavor.

Check out this recipe

Cajun Corn-on-the-Cob on the Char-Broil Big Easy

This Cajun corn-on-the-cob is just another great side dish. As with just about anything on the Big Easy, it’s no-fuss and as easy as can be.

Check out this recipe

Hash Brown Patties on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Just toss a few little cakes-of-potato-goodness into the cooker and in no time you have crispy golden brown hash browns.

Check out this recipe

Roasted Cauliflower on the Char-Broil Big Easy

This roasted cauliflower came out absolutely delicious. Tender and flavor-packed, with just a hint of smokiness from the bacon. And as with anything I cook on my Big Easy, it was easy to make.

Check out this recipe

Herb Roasted Mushrooms on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I used smaller baby portabella mushrooms but you can use any mushrooms you wish, even mixing up types when you make herb roasted mushrooms on the Char-Broil Big Easy. Just keep in mind that larger mushrooms or mushrooms with thicker caps might take a bit longer to cook.

Check out this recipe

French Fries on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Woo hoo! French fries on the Char-Broil Big Easy! Crispy, hot French fries! Perfection in a pan, and ready in only minutes. Don’t want to heat up the house with the oven making fries during the warmer months? Just toss some (frozen) fries into the Big Easy!

Check out this recipe

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

The Best Big Easy Main Dish Recipes

The Char-Broil Big Easy is great at cooking just about everything but I particularly love using mine for main dishes. Here are some of my favorites!

Easy Large Turkey on the Char-Broil Big Easy

No brines. No fancy rubs. Just a 16 pound turkey, a little oil, and some seasoning and 10 minutes per pound.

Check out this recipe

Old Bay Crab Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I can eat a scary amount of crab legs. Fortunately, I don’t have to tell you just how much a ‘scary amount’ is, but when the crab legs are as great as these Old Bay crab legs cooked on my Char-Broil Big Easy, I cannot control myself.

Check out this recipe

Honey-Chipotle Glazed Ham on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I’m a big fan of cooking honey-chipotle glazed ham on the Char-Broil Big Easy. The ham gets a nice roasted flavor, a bit of a crispy outside, and a super-moist inside.

Check out this recipe

Cajun Marinated Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Ready in less than an hour it’s perfect sliced. Perfect cubed over salads. Perfect picked up and devoured.

Check out this recipe

Shake ‘N Bake Pork Chops on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Crazy tasty, the chops were unbelievably moist and tender. Every bite was so good, I hated coming to the end.

Check out this recipe

SPAM on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Yep, I did it. I was expecting not-so-spectacular results. What I got was deliciousness

Check out this recipe

Hot Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I could’ve fired up my gas grill to cook a batch of hot dogs. Or lit some charcoal. That’s when I had a ‘duh’ moment. The Big Easy! It cooks everything great, so why not use it!

Check out this recipe

Garlic Lobster Tails on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Tender, buttery, garlicky lobster tails cooked absolutely spot-on perfect. .

Check out this recipe

Chiavetta’s Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Roasted on the Char-Broil Big Easy, the chicken had a wonderful garlicky, vinegary flavor with wonderfully crunchy skin.

Check out this recipe

Simple Roast Chicken using the Char-Broil Big Easy

Delicious chicken time-after-time.

Check out this recipe

Mini Lasagna on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Fantastic lasagna cooked in no time!

Check out this recipe

Kick’N Chicken Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

These Kick’N chicken legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy came out fantastic, just like all the other poultry I’ve ever cooked on the Big Easy. Super moist and tender.

Check out this recipe

Pulled Pork on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Cooking a pork butt on the Big Easy was not only easy and quick (compared to a 10-12 hour cook time on my smoker), but the end product came out super moist and tender. The meat shreds very easily, perfect for BBQ sandwiches or my favorite, BBQ pulled pork baked potatoes.

Check out this recipe

Baby Back Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I’d make these ribs again. And again. You can fit 2 racks into the Big Easy (they have to be cut to fit as they have to be around 11″ or so or less in length).

Check out this recipe

St. Louis Ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I could not have been happier with how great these St. Louis-style ribs on the Char-Broil Big Easy came out.

Check out this recipe

Beer-Can Seasoned Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The seasoning is so good you can leave out the beer can. The Big Easy cooks up chicken so moist and tender you won’t notice it’s not there, and the Weber seasoning packs such great flavor you’ll be as happy as if you did use the beer.

Check out this recipe

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

The Best Big Easy Appetizer And Dessert Recipes

The Char-Broil Big Easy is great at cooking everything, including appetizers and desserts. Here are some of my favorites!

Loaded Roasted Twinkies on the Char-Broil Big Easy

This is the world’s easiest dessert. And they can be topped with darn near anything you have in the pantry, fridge or freezer.

Check out this recipe

BBQ Shrimp in Oyster Shells on the Char-Broil Big Easy

BBQ Shrimp in Oyster Shells on the Char-Broil Big Easy are so good you'll find yourself eating making them again and again!

Check out this recipe

Yard Bird Wings on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Yard Bird wings are always my go-to way of cooking wings.

Check out this recipe

Brazilian Pineapple on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Deliciously sweet pineapple, brushed with coconut milk and sprinkled with cinnamon-infused sugar. Roasted to perfection. Brazilian pineapple on the Char-Broil Big Easy is a win.

Check out this recipe

Roasted Peanuts on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Deliciously roasted peanuts ready in no time!

Check out this recipe

Pickle Poppers on the Char-Broil Big Easy

“They’re too darned spicy”, Aunt Martha said. Well, today is Aunt Martha’s lucky today because now she can chow down on some super-tasty pickle poppers without worrying about the heat.

Check out this recipe

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Crunchy salty seeds ready in no time!

Check out this recipe

Bacon Jalapeno Tots on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The key to cooking bacon-wrapped tater tots on the Char-Broil Big Easy is to cook them until they just start to char. They won’t be super crispy yet. That happens after you take them out of the cooker and they cool. The bacon will crisp up as it sits.

Check out this recipe

Bacon BBQ Chicken Bombs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Good doesn’t even come close to describing these. Each bite pops with tender, moist chicken, cheese-stuffed jalapenos, bacon and BBQ sauce.

Check out this recipe

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

Pimento Cheese Scalloped Potatoes using the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

I admit that I have a big time addiction to scalloped potatoes. I can make them in all sorts of flavors, like these pimento cheese scalloped potatoes using the Char-Broil Big Easy. Heck, it might be just a few ingredients, but oh, is it so tasty yummy! Leftovers heat up easy too. Well, if you have any. I highly recommend that you double the recipe.

Making the pimento cheese scalloped potatoes

Everything for these pimento cheese scalloped potatoes is pretty much cooked before you place them into your Char-Broil Big Easy. At any rate, you’re using the great infrared heat of the Big Easy to melt the cheese and get a nice brown on the potatoes and a little crunch. They come out of the cooker bubbling hot and crazy addictingly good.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

The basket and the pans

These Dutch oven pans fit into the bunk bed baskets perfectly and they make for easy clean up. Another key point is that you can easily fit two baskets into a Big Easy without any problem. Although three can fit but you’re in for a challenge getting the last one in. Doable, but possible.

Above all, as with any disposable pans, you have to support the bottoms of the pans when lifting them. The bunk bed basket helps with that a lot. Getting the one out of the bottom of the Big Easy is trickier. I sometimes slide a large spatula in from the side to support the bottom while I lift it up far enough to get my heat-proof gloved hand underneath.

8-Inch Aluminum Dutch Oven Liner Pans | Disposable Cake Pan and Extra Deep Aluminum Foil Pans for Baking, Freezing, and Storage | Durable Aluminum Round Baking Pans | 10 Count

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Pimento Cheese Scalloped Potatoes using the Char-Broil Big Easy

Tender creamy potatoes with pimento cheese that you won't be able to resist!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, cheesy, potatoes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Servings

Calories 442kcal

Equipment

Char-Broil Big Easy
1 Char-Broil Bunk Bed Basket highly recommended, for easier pan removal
1 Dutch Oven Liner Pans

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream plus more, if needed
1 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 ½ pounds Idaho potatoes scrubbed clean, peeled
4 ounces Cheddar grated, divided
4 ounces pimentos chopped, drained

Instructions

Cut the potatoes into 1/4" slices
Bring to cream to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Season with salt and pepper and stir.
Add the potatoes. Add more cream if the potatoes aren't covered.
Lower heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are just becoming tender. This will take 10-12 minutes. If the potatoes stick to each other you can break them apart with a fork but be careful to not poke or break the potatoes.
Remove potatoes from the heat.
Fire up your Big Easy.
Spoon 1/3 of the potatoes into the pan. Also add some of the cream sauce.
Spread the potatoes out evenly.
Sprinkle the potatoes evenly with 1/3rd of the cheese and 1/3rd of the pimentos.
Add another 1/3 of the potatoes and some of the cream, topped with another 1/3rd of the cheese and 1/3rd of the pimentos.
Finish up with the last of the potatoes, cream, cheese and pimentos.
Transfer the pan to the Big Easy. I recommend using a Bunk Bed basket because it's easier to get in/out of the Big Easy and it provides support to the bottom of the pan.
Cook for 30-45 minutes or until the cheese is starting to bubble and the tops of the potatoes start to turn golden brown.
Carefully remove the pan from the Big Easy. If using a Bunk Bed basket remove just the basket.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can warm up any leftovers in the pan.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

Easy Roasted Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

What could be better than potatoes packed with flavor and roasted on a grill? Yeah, nothing. These easy roasted potatoes were made on the Char-Broil Big Easy in no time flat. The Big Easy is a great side-making machine. And it doesn’t heat up the house, which is sure great these days because it’s HOT here in Indiana!

Get A Bunk Bed Basket For More Room

You can fit a single disposable pan (for 3/4 pounds of potatoes) in the basket that comes with your Big Easy. Get a bunk bed basket and you can do a full 1 1/2 pounds of potatoes at once. You have to get a bunk bed for your Char-Broil Big Easy to make great side dishes like these easy roasted potatoes.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

These Dutch oven pans are also great. They give you maximum cooking space in the Big Easy, great for sides like this one.

8-Inch Aluminum Dutch Oven Liner Pans | Disposable Cake Pan and Extra Deep Aluminum Foil Pans for Baking, Freezing, and Storage | Durable Aluminum Round Baking Pans | 10 Count

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Easy Roasted Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

You can fit a single disposable pan (for 3/4 pounds of potatoes) in the basket that comes with your Big Easy.

Course Side

Cuisine American

Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, potatoes, roasted potatoes

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Servings

Calories 92kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds small potatoes halved if desired
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more, to taste
¼ teaspoon paprika or more, to taste
¼ teaspoon garlic powder or more, to taste

Instructions

Fire up your Big Easy. Meanwhile, prepare the potatoes.
Place the potatoes into a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for 3 minutes on high. Stir and check for doneness.
Microwave another 2 minutes (or longer if needed) until just tender. Do not over-cook, they need to have a little bite to them.
Drizzle the potatoes with the oil.
Sprinkle with the remaining ingredients.
Stir to coat completely.
Divide the potatoes between two disposable pans and transfer the pans to a Big Easy basket fitted with a Bunk Bed so you can cook both pans at the same time.
Place the basket into the Big Easy and cook for 10 minutes or until the potatoes start to turn golden brown around the edges.
Carefully remove the pans from the Big Easy and serve.

Notes

You can substitute baby potatoes. If using multiple baskets, the potatoes towards the bottom may cook faster than those up top.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

This is one of the best side dishes we’ve made. Roasted garlic Parmesan potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy was crazy easy to make, used simple ingredients, yet came out absolutely delicious. The idea for these roasted garlic Parmesan potatoes came to me after making roasted mushrooms with the same sauce. The sauce is so good I had to find other dishes that would use it, and here it is!

Super Easy. Super Delicious.

I like to partially cook my potatoes first before placing them into the Char-Broil Big Easy. It makes this dish easier and quicker. It also helps ensure that the potatoes in this roasted garlic Parmesan potatoes dish on the Char-Broil Big Easy are cooked evenly, and that’s important.

The sauce is amazing, and has quickly become one of our favorites.

You have to get a bunk bed basket for your Big Easy. Or get a two. You can get two in the cooker at once, but it takes some gymnastics. It’s the quickest way to double or triple the cooking area on your fryer.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Also try my garlic butter potatoes made on the Big Easy.

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The sauce is amazing, and has quickly become one of our favorites.

Course Side

Cuisine American

Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, garlic Parmesan, potatoes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Servings

Calories 280kcal

Equipment

Char-Broil Big Easy
1 Char-Broil Bunk Bed Basket highly recommended, for easier pan removal
2 Dutch Oven Liner Pans

Ingredients

For the potatoes

1 ½ pounds small potatoes halved
4 small mushrooms sliced
2 green onions sliced

For the sauce

4 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
kosher salt to taste
fresh ground black pepper to taste
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups vegetable broth
¾ cup heavy cream
8 ounces Parmesan cheese grated
1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped

Instructions

For the sauce

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the garlic and Italian seasoning along with a few pinches each of salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
Whisk in the flour. Continue whisking while cooking for another 1 minute.
Reduce heat to low and whisk in the vegetable broth.
Turn the heat back up to medium and bring the mix to a slight simmer. Continue whisking as the sauce thickens, 2-3 minutes.
Add the cream, cheese and parsley and whisk until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
Reduce heat to low and stir often until the sauce is as thick as you want it. If you get it too thick add a bit more broth or cream and stir.
Season to taste with salt and pepper, stir, and keep warm until ready to use.

For the potatoes

Fire up your Big Easy.
Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave on medium high, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just tender.
Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl.
Gently stir in the sauce.
Divide the potatoes between the two pans. Place one pan in the bottom of the Big Easy basket. Place the other in a bunk bed basket and transfer it to the Big Easy basket.
Lower the basket into the Big Easy. Cook until the potatoes start to turn golden brown and the sauce begins to bubble.
Carefully remove the pans from the Big Easy basket.
Stir and serve.

Notes

The sauce is great on pretty much anything.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

Swiss Scalloped Potatoes using the Char-Broil Big Easy

These Swiss scalloped potatoes using the Char-Broil Big Easy are proof that it can make fantastic side dishes. I actually already knew that. I use my Big Easy for everything from potatoes to beets to whole turkeys. It’s a great cooker, ideal for something as simple as these potatoes in a creamy cheese sauce that is the perfect side dish. The potatoes are all cooked perfectly, every single one, so every bite is perfect!

These Potatoes Are Always A Big Hit

I’ve made these Swiss scalloped potatoes on my Big Easy several times. The keys to success are equally-sliced potatoes (you want them to cook evenly) and good cheese. If you don’t have a bunk bed basket you’ll have to make the potatoes in two batches, which isn’t a big deal, but having that extra cooking space makes a big difference!

The best way to cook these potatoes is using a bunk bed basket. It doubles (or even triples) the cook space you have available to you. It can also make removing cooked items easier.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

My cheddar scalloped potatoes and my pimento cheese version are amazing too and just as easy to make!

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Swiss Scalloped Potatoes using the Char-Broil Big Easy

Tender creamy potatoes that you won't be able to resist!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, cheesy, potatoes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Servings

Calories 434kcal

Equipment

Char-Broil Big Easy
1 Char-Broil Bunk Bed Basket highly recommended, for easier pan removal
1 Dutch Oven Liner Pans

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream plus more, if needed
1 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 ½ pounds Idaho potatoes scrubbed clean, peeled
4 ounces Swiss cheese grated, divided

Instructions

Cut the potatoes into 1/4" slices
Bring to cream to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper and stir.
Add the potatoes. Add more cream if the potatoes aren't covered.
Lower heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are just becoming tender. This will take 10-12 minutes. If the potatoes stick to each other you can break them apart with a fork but be careful to not poke or break the potatoes.
Remove potatoes from the heat.
Fire up your Big Easy.
Spoon 1/3 of the potatoes into the pan. Also get some of the cream. Spread the potatoes out evenly.
Sprinkle the potatoes evenly with 1/3rd of the cheese.
Add another 1/3 of the potatoes and some of the cream, topped with another 1/3rd of the cheese.
Finish up with the last of the potatoes, cream and cheese.
Transfer the pan to the Big Easy. I recommend using a Bunk Bed basket because it's easier to get in/out of the Big Easy and it provides support to the bottom of the pan.
Cook for 30-45 minutes or until the cheese is starting to bubble and the tops of the potatoes start to turn golden brown.
Carefully remove the pan from the Big Easy. If using a Bunk Bed basket remove just the basket.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If you have any leftovers you can also use the Big Easy to re-heat them.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Who doesn’t love a big ole bowl of cheesy, delicious scalloped potatoes? The Char-Broil Big Easy is famous for cooking chicken and turkey, but it’s also great for making fantastic side dishes such as these potatoes. They really take no time at all to prepare. The potatoes are tender. The sauce is creamy. And oh, cheese! Glorious cheese! The best part!

The Perfect Side Dish

Cooking sliced potatoes in the Char-Broil Big Easy ensures that they all cook evenly and are done at the same time. Whole potatoes can be a chore to cook. Not these scalloped potatoes. Each bite comes out perfect, with a little sauce and a little cheese. We made these potatoes a few nights last week. And leftovers are great, too! You can re-heat them in the Big Easy (you might add a bit more cream if they have gotten a bit thick) or the microwave.

I highly recommend that you get a bunk bed basket or two for cooking on your Big Easy. It more than doubles your cook space and makes getting things in and out much easier.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Also try my garlic potatoes made on the Char-Broil Big Easy.

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Cooking sliced potatoes in the Char-Broil Big Easy ensures that they all cook evenly and are done at the same time.

Course Side

Cuisine American

Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, cheesy, potatoes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Servings

Calories 437kcal

Equipment

Char-Broil Big Easy
1 Char-Broil Bunk Bed Basket highly recommended, for easier pan removal
1 Dutch Oven Liner Pans

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream plus more, if needed
1 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 ½ pounds Idaho potatoes scrubbed clean, peeled
4 ounces Cheddar cheese grated, divided

Instructions

Cut the potatoes into 1/4″ slices
Bring to cream to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper and stir.
Add the potatoes. Add more cream if the potatoes aren’t covered.
Lower heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are just becoming tender. This will take 10-12 minutes. If the potatoes stick to each other you can break them apart with a fork but be careful to not poke or break the potatoes.
Remove potatoes from the heat.
Fire up your Big Easy.
Spoon 1/3 of the potatoes into the pan. Also get some of the cream. Spread the potatoes out evenly.
Sprinkle the potatoes evenly with 1/3rd of the cheese.
Add another 1/3 of the potatoes and some of the cream, topped with another 1/3rd of the cheese.
Finish up with the last of the potatoes, cream and cheese.
Transfer the pan to the Big Easy. I recommend using a Bunk Bed basket because it’s easier to get in/out of the Big Easy and it provides support to the bottom of the pan.
Cook for 30-45 minutes or until the cheese is starting to bubble and the tops of the potatoes start to turn golden brown.
Carefully remove the pan from the Big Easy. If using a Bunk Bed basket remove just the basket.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make sure you support the pan from underneath as you remove it from the Big Easy.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

Twice Baked Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

These twice-baked potatoes made on the Char-Broil Big Easy were absolutely fantastic. I was already a big mashed potato fan before these came along. Now, I can’t get enough of them. The potatoes by themselves are divine. Creamy, smooth, tasty. Add a little rosemary for that special difference from ‘plain old’ potatoes. Top with cheese and you’ve got the perfect side dish.

The Perfect Side Dish

You can use any mashed potato recipe you like when making twice baked potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy. It just so happens that I’m a huge fan of this version despite having a number of variations in my recipe box. I think it’s about as perfect as can be.

MontoPack Aluminum Disposable Loaf Pans | Deep Standard Size 6″ x 3.5″ Extra Thick Foil Bread Containers for Baking, Food Storage & Takeout | Eco-Friendly & Recyclable | Bulk 50-Pack 2 Pound Trays

If you don’t already have one (or two), get yourself a bunk bed basket for your Big Easy. It will double the amount of cooking space you have.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Twice Baked Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Course Side

Cuisine American

Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, potatoes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Servings

Calories 1018kcal

Author Inspired by a recipe from Mike Lang

Equipment

Ingredients

4 medium russet potatoes
½ cup butter
⅓ cup milk
2 tablespoons sour cream
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary minced, or substitute 1 teaspoon dried
⅓ cup cheddar cheese shredded
1 green onion sliced

Instructions

Fill a medium pot fitted with a steaming basket with a few inches of water. Place over high heat and bring to a boil.
Scrub the potatoes and chop into 1/2" cubes, leaving the skin on if desired. Transfer to the steaming pot and cover.
Steam the potatoes for 10-15 minutes or until tender when poked with a fork.
Drain the potatoes in a colander. Empty the water from the pot and wipe dry. Return to the stove but turn off the burner.
Add the butter to the pot and let it start softening. Then add the potatoes.
Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes while adding the milk. Don't add all of the milk unless you need it. Add just enough to get them the consistency you are looking for. A thicker mashed potato will stay on the cedar plank. A thinner mashed potato will have a tendency to run off the plank, so aim for a thicker version.
Stir in the sour cream, garlic and rosemary.
Fire up your Big Easy.
Mound the potatoes into mini-meatloaf pans and add the cheese and green onion. Grill for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are hot. Note: You can test them by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the middle of the potatoes.
Note: If you are using refrigerated potatoes, heat them for 10 minutes in the Big Easy without the cheese and green onion first. Then, add the cheese and onion and heat another 20 minutes.

Notes

I found these potatoes to be best when made the day before. Then, the next stay, just spoon them into the meatloaf tins, add the cheese and onion, and heat on the Big Easy.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks

Easy Marinated Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy

This super easy marinated chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy is exactly why I love using my oil-less fryer. I was serving salad for dinner, and wanted chicken to go with it. Not dried out, bland super market rotisserie chicken. Moist, tender flavor-packed chicken. And with as little fuss as possible. And this is it.

No Fancy Stuff Required

I don’t see any reason to use a super expensive fru-fru Italian dressing in this easy marinated chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy. I used a 16 ounce bottle of generic dressing from our local grocery store. For $1, it added the perfect flavor, tenderness and juiciness to my chicken. Use any dressing (or even bottled marinade) you like, but stay away from anything that contains sugar or sugar-like substances. Sugar will cause the outside of the chicken to burn long before the insides are done.

Also try my apple juice brined Big Easy chicken and my Famous Dave’s Country Roast chicken.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Need a side dish? Make some apple pie baked beans on the Big Easy.

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Easy Marinated Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy

This super easy marinated chicken is exactly why I love using my Char-Broil Big Easy. I was serving salad for dinner, and wanted chicken to go with it. Not dried out, bland super market rotisserie chicken. Moist, tender flavor-packed chicken.

Course Main

Cuisine American

Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, chicken

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 1 30

Servings

Calories 384kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

4 large pieces chicken I used split chicken breasts
1 bottle Italian salad dressing

Instructions

Rinse chicken and place into a large resealable container or baggie.
Shake the bottle of dressing and add to container. Cover or seal and shake gently to coat.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, turning the chicken once or twice to make sure all sides get time in the dressing.
Fire up your Big Easy.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess.
Transfer the chicken to the Big Easy basket and place into the Big Easy.
Roast for about 20 minutes per pound, or until breasts reach at least 165 F and dark meat reaches 175 F.
Remove and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can substitute your favorite cuts of chicken.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey Fryer Accessory Kit, Chrome

Char-Broil Big Easy Rib Hooks