Grilled French Fries with Jalapeno Cheese Sauce

This recipe came to me when I was

  1. Tired.
  2. Hungry.
  3. Looking to use some potatoes that were starting to sprout.  That grosses me out.
  4. Looking for another reason to grill because the weather is beautiful right now.

This is a little different than your regular cheese fries you get at restaurants – I always feel that they’re lacking something.   This cheese sauce is more creamy and the jalapeno gives it such a nice little kick.  Next time I will definitely use more because kick is my thing.

Grilled French Fries with Jalapeno Cheese Sauce

4 baking potatoes, washed

1 tbsp popcorn seasoning

1 tbsp bacon salt

1 tbsp garlic powder

4 tbsp olive oil, plus more for grilling

1 jalapeno, washed and diced

1/2 cup cream cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Heat a grill to medium and coat the grates with olive oil.  Combine the popcorn seasoning, salt and garlic powder in a small bowl.  Add the olive oil and stir; set aside.

Cut the potatoes lengthwise into thick slices and put them in a large bowl filled about 3/4 full of hot water, and soak for about 20 minutes.  There’s something about the hot water that helps make them soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.  Not sure about the scientific part of that little tidbit, but its courtesy of my handy dandy Cooks Illustrated subscription.

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Pour the water out and pat completely dry.  Pour the seasoning mixture over the fries and toss to coat.  When the grill is ready, lay them on the grates being careful not to let them slip through.

Or, you could do what makes most sense and use a grill basket; but I don’t have one and I really wanted to make these fries.

Grill the fries for about 10-15 minutes, turning halfway through.

While those are cooking, bring a swirl of olive oil over medium high heat and add the diced jalapeno.  Saute for about 3-4 minutes and turn down to medium-low.  Add the cream cheese, sour cream and cheddar.  Cook, stirring constantly, until the cheeses are completely melted and consistency is smooth, about 3 minutes or so.  Remove from heat.

Put some fries in a large serving bowl, then spoon some of the cheese sauce on top.

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This cheese sauce is dangerous stuff.

These would be great with a big burger…..actually, the sauce would be great ON a burger!

Enjoy!

~Dixie Chik~

Author

  • Shea

    Shea Goldstein is a writer and the voice behind Dixie Chik Cooks. She's also a recipe developer and brand ambassador. She has been published in several media platforms such as Redbook, Parade, Food Blogger Magazine and more. She has been developing recipes and writing since 2009. Shea is a Southern Belle Who's Thinking About What's For Dinner While Eating Lunch

This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Tiffany

    Yum! These fries look so decadent and delish!

  2. Kate @ Diethood

    Shea, those fries look incredible… I love the little browning on the sides…mmmmmm! Lets not even talk about the sauce… slurping my drool – beautiful!

  3. Maureen

    I can’t wait to order the popcorn seasoning but I’m going to try these before it arrives. They look truly scrummy.

  4. Happy When Not Hungry

    Wow these french fries look delicious! Sometimes the best recipes come to me when I’m lying in bed ready to go to sleep!

    1. Dixie Chik

      Don’t you hate that..when it’s so not convenient to find some paper and write it down!!

  5. Celia

    One of my Texan friends tells me this kind of cheesy jalapeno stuff is called “queso” down there. Since queso is Spanish for “cheese” I guess that means this dip is pretty much “THE Cheese.” Such, such good stuff.

  6. Tammy

    How scrumptious! This is a perfect side! I love the hint of the jalapeno! Yum! 🙂

    xx,
    Tammy

  7. JenniferA

    Oh wow – I’ve never grilled potatoes right on the rack like that. They look so good and crispy! And that sauce looks sinful.

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