Loaded Potato Salad turns classic baked potato toppings into a creamy, tangy potato salad with bacon, Cheddar, and green onions.
Author’s Notes
The Secret To A Better Potato Salad
There are few things It is satisfying to more than a fully loaded baked potato, so turning those flavors into a summer side just makes sense. And honestly, this Loaded Potato Salad might be the most fun potato salad ever!
Sour cream, bacon, Cheddar, and green onions all mixed into a creamy potato salad? Yes, it’s truly as good as it sounds.
And if you’ve ever had a flat-tasting potato salad, this recipe is anything but that. The potatoes are diced small and cooked in well-salted water to season them from the inside out. Then the real game changer: apple cider vinegar gets added to the freshly drained potatoes so they soak up that bright, tangy flavor as they cool.
That step keeps the salad from tasting too heavy or flat. A little Dijon, garlic powder, and paprika in the dressing add even more tang and flavor. If you don’t love a tangy potato salad, cut back slightly on the Dijon or apple cider vinegar. But if you love tangy, you are going to flip for this one!
Loaded Potato Salad Ingredients
| Ingredient | Let’s Chat About It |
|---|---|
| Russet potatoes | Dice potatoes into even-sized pieces and cook until just fork-tender with a slightly firm center. Don’t overcook them or the salad can turn mushy. |
| Apple cider vinegar | Warm potatoes soak up the apple cider vinegar, adding tangy flavor from the inside out so the salad doesn’t taste flat or too heavy. It’s the “secret” to a really great salad! |
| Mayo, sour cream, Dijon & seasonings | Chill the dressing while the potatoes cool so the flavors have time to blend and intensify. |
| Bacon | Cook in a skillet OR bake it! Either way works great in this Loaded Potato Salad. |
| Cheddar cheese & green onions | Use sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar for the best flavor, and save some toppings for serving! |
What To Serve With This Loaded Potato Salad
- Burgers or hot dogs: Always an straightforward choice for a cookout!
- Grilled chicken: Simple, quick, and great with the creamy salad.
- Pulled pork sandwiches: Such a great pairing for BBQs, potlucks, or summer dinners.
- Sides: Corn on the cob, baked beans, watermelon, or a simple garden salad all go great with it.
the cook’s Notes
Tips- Shred the cheese yourself: Freshly shredded Cheddar has better flavor and texture than bagged cheese.
- Taste after chilling: Potato salad can taste different once cold, so adjust salt, pepper, or Dijon right before serving.
- Fold gently with a spatula: This keeps the potatoes from breaking down too much.
- Serve chilled, but not ice-cold: Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the dressing is creamier and the flavors come through better.
Storage
Store Loaded Potato Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir gently before serving and add any reserved bacon, cheese, or green onions right before serving so the toppings stay fresh.
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