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!
Tag: big easy
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!
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!
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.
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.
Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!
Pimento Cheese Scalloped Potatoes using the Char-Broil Big Easy
Equipment
- 1 Char-Broil Bunk Bed Basket highly recommended, for easier pan removal
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 get some of the cream. 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.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.
Easy Roasted Potatoes on 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.
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.
These Dutch oven pans are also great. They give you maximum cooking space in the Big Easy, great for sides like this one.
Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!
Easy Roasted Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes on 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.
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.
Also try my garlic butter potatoes made on the Big Easy.
Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Equipment
- 1 Char-Broil Bunk Bed Basket highly recommended, for easier pan removal
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.
Swiss 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.
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.
My cheddar scalloped potatoes and my pimento cheese version are amazing too and just as easy to make!
Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!
Swiss Scalloped Potatoes using the Char-Broil Big Easy
Equipment
- 1 Char-Broil Bunk Bed Basket highly recommended, for easier pan removal
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.
Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes on 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.
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.
Also try my garlic potatoes made on the Char-Broil Big Easy.
Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!
Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Equipment
- 1 Char-Broil Bunk Bed Basket highly recommended, for easier pan removal
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.
Twice Baked Potatoes on 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.
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.
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.
Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!
Twice Baked Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.
Easy Marinated Chicken on 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.
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.
Need a side dish? Make some apple pie baked beans on the Big Easy.
Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!
Easy Marinated Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.