Creamy & Easy Bacon Potato Salad: Your Go-To BBQ and Picnic Side Dish
There’s nothing quite like a classic potato salad to complete your summer spread, whether you’re hosting a lively backyard BBQ, enjoying a relaxed family picnic, or simply looking for a satisfying side to your weeknight meal. This easy bacon potato salad recipe takes the beloved classic and elevates it with irresistible crispy bacon, creating a dish that’s wonderfully creamy, perfectly tangy, and bursting with savory flavor. Forget complicated preparations; this recipe focuses on simplicity without sacrificing taste, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying delicious food with loved ones.
While many of us grew up on a southern-style potato salad, this particular rendition offers a delightful twist that’s sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation. It’s incredibly versatile and satisfying, making it a fantastic alternative when you’re craving something a little different. The beauty of this dish lies in its balance – the richness of the mayonnaise, the subtle kick from Dijon mustard, the bright tang of white vinegar, and of course, the smoky, salty crunch of bacon. Every spoonful is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, making it an instant crowd-pleaser.
Why This Easy Bacon Potato Salad Recipe Is a Must-Try
Our easy bacon potato salad stands out for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, it’s incredibly quick to prepare, requiring minimal fuss and effort. You won’t need an endless list of exotic ingredients or complex cooking techniques. The simplicity of the process makes it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a reliable side dish for entertaining. From prepping the potatoes to mixing the dressing and incorporating the star ingredient – bacon – each step is straightforward and rewarding.
Another highlight is the thoughtful selection of potatoes. We often opt for red potatoes or baby gold potatoes, and for good reason. These waxy potato varieties hold their shape beautifully after boiling, preventing the salad from becoming mushy – a common pitfall of less suitable potato types. Their thin skins are also tender enough to be left on, adding extra texture and nutritional value, as well as saving you the tedious step of peeling. Keeping an eye out for sales on baby gold or red potatoes can make this delicious side even more budget-friendly!
Key Ingredients for the Best Bacon Potato Salad
Crafting the perfect creamy bacon potato salad begins with quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what makes this recipe shine:
- Potatoes: As mentioned, red or baby gold potatoes are ideal. Their firm texture ensures they don’t fall apart when mixed. Cut them into uniform 1-inch pieces for even cooking.
- Mayonnaise: This forms the creamy base of our dressing. Use your favorite high-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle tang and a touch of sophisticated flavor that complements the richness of the mayonnaise without overpowering it.
- White Vinegar: Essential for that characteristic tangy zing that cuts through the creaminess and brightens the entire dish.
- Celery Salt: A secret weapon for many potato salad recipes, celery salt adds a unique depth of flavor and a hint of savoriness that ties everything together.
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper: For a fresh, aromatic kick. Adjust to your personal preference.
- Celery: Provides a crucial crunch and a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that contrasts beautifully with the soft potatoes. Chop it small for even distribution.
- Green Onions: Also known as scallions, these add a mild oniony flavor and a vibrant green color. We use the green tops only for a milder taste.
- Bacon: The star of the show! Crispy, salty, and smoky bacon bits are what transform this from a good potato salad to an extraordinary one.
Preparation Made Simple: Step-by-Step Guide
Getting this delicious homemade potato salad on your table is a breeze. Follow these steps for perfect results:
Cooking the Potatoes to Perfection:
First, wash and chop your chosen potatoes into uniform 1-inch pieces. Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover them completely with cold water. Starting with cold water ensures that the potatoes cook evenly, from the outside in, preventing mushy exteriors and undercooked centers. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the potatoes simmer for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork, but they shouldn’t be falling apart. Once cooked, drain the potatoes thoroughly and spread them out on a baking sheet or in a large, shallow bowl to cool completely to room temperature. This cooling step is crucial; adding hot potatoes to the dressing can cause the mayonnaise to separate and create a watery, greasy salad.
Crispy Bacon is Key:
While your potatoes are cooling, it’s time to prepare the bacon. Cook your bacon slices until they are wonderfully crispy. You can do this in a skillet over medium heat, or for a hands-off approach, bake them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until desired crispiness is achieved. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled slightly, crumble the bacon into small pieces. The crispy texture of the bacon is vital for the overall enjoyment of the potato salad, so don’t rush this step!
Whisking the Creamy Dressing:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, celery salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until they are smooth and well combined. This forms the rich, tangy, and flavorful base that will coat every piece of potato and bacon. Taste the dressing at this point and adjust seasonings if necessary – you might want a little more pepper or a pinch more celery salt to suit your palate.
Combining All the Deliciousness:
Now for the best part! Add the cooled potatoes, chopped celery, diced green onions, and the crumbled crispy bacon to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together until all the potatoes and other ingredients are generously coated in the creamy dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break down the potatoes and make the salad mushy. The goal is to coat, not mash. A useful tip: if you have vegetarian guests, you can mix the dressing with the potatoes, celery, and green onions first, then set aside a portion before stirring in the bacon. This way, everyone can enjoy a version of this delightful side dish!
The Importance of Chilling
Once your potato salad is assembled, cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate it for at least an hour. While it’s tempting to dig in immediately, this chilling time is absolutely essential. It allows all the incredible flavors to meld and deepen, transforming a good potato salad into an amazing one. The dressing has a chance to fully absorb into the potatoes, creating a more cohesive and flavorful dish. In fact, making this make-ahead potato salad overnight is even better; the flavors truly come together beautifully, rewarding your patience with an even more delicious result.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This bacon potato salad is incredibly versatile and makes a perfect companion to a wide array of dishes. It’s truly an easy side dish that’s sure to please everyone at your table! We love serving it alongside our favorite barbecued meats. On a recent unusually spring-like day, we were craving ribs, and this potato salad was the ideal creamy, tangy counterpoint to the smoky, rich flavors of the ribs. It pairs equally well with grilled chicken, pulled pork, juicy burgers, hot dogs, or even simple grilled vegetables. Its robust flavor profile holds its own against strong main courses, while its refreshing qualities can brighten up any plate.
Want to customize your potato salad? Here are a few ideas:
- Add Hard-Boiled Eggs: For extra richness and protein, chop up a few hard-boiled eggs and mix them in with the potatoes and other solids. This is a classic addition to many potato salads.
- A Touch of Spice: A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce can add a subtle kick if you enjoy a little heat.
- Fresh Herbs: Chopped fresh chives or parsley can elevate the flavor and add a touch of color.
- Red Onion: For a sharper onion flavor than green onions, finely dice some red onion. Be sure to soak it in cold water for 10-15 minutes first to mellow its pungency.
- Sweet Relish: A spoonful or two of sweet pickle relish can add another layer of tang and a hint of sweetness, a common ingredient in many southern-style potato salads.
Tips for the Best Creamy Potato Salad Every Time
Achieving potato salad perfection is simpler than you think with a few key pointers:
- Don’t Overcook Your Potatoes: This is perhaps the most important tip. Overcooked potatoes turn mushy and absorb too much dressing, resulting in a soggy salad. Cook them just until fork-tender, then drain immediately.
- Cool Potatoes Completely: As mentioned, warm potatoes will absorb dressing improperly and lead to a greasy, watery consistency. Patience is a virtue here!
- Season Generously: Potatoes absorb a lot of seasoning. Don’t be afraid to taste and adjust the salt and pepper levels after mixing, especially after chilling.
- Use Good Quality Mayonnaise: Since mayonnaise is a primary component of the dressing, its quality significantly impacts the overall flavor. Opt for your favorite brand.
- Chilling is Non-Negotiable: The flavors need time to marry and develop. Plan ahead and allow at least an hour, or ideally, several hours or overnight, for chilling.
- Balance the Flavors: The combination of creamy mayo, tangy vinegar, and savory bacon is what makes this salad so good. Ensure a good balance, adding more tang or savoriness as needed.
- Crisp Bacon Matters: Soggy bacon is a no-go. Cook it until truly crispy, then drain well. It adds a delightful textural contrast.
With these tips, your easy bacon potato salad will be a guaranteed hit every single time. It’s a comforting, satisfying, and utterly delicious side dish that celebrates simple ingredients and straightforward preparation. Enjoy bringing this fantastic recipe to your next gathering!
Bacon Potato Salad Recipe
Easy Bacon Potato Salad
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Ingredients
- 3 pounds medium baby gold or red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 Tbsp white vinegar
- 3/4 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 2 celery stalks, chopped small
- 3-4 green onions, diced (green tops only)
- 4-5 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
Instructions
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Place scrubbed and 1-inch chopped potato chunks in a large saucepan and cover with cold water.
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Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
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Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 8-10 more minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain potatoes thoroughly and set aside to cool completely to room temperature.
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While potatoes cool, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, celery salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined. Add the cooled potatoes, chopped celery, diced green onions, and crumbled bacon. Gently stir until all ingredients are coated in the dressing.
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Cover tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
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Garnish with additional diced green onions before serving, if desired.