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Savory Loaded Baked Potato Salad Recipe with Bacon and Cheddar

loaded baked potato salad - featured image

A creamy, cheesy, and smoky loaded baked potato salad with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar, perfect for BBQs and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium baked potatoes, cooled and diced
  • 68 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 34 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • Optional: Chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Scrub potatoes, prick with a fork, place on baking sheet, and bake 45-60 minutes until tender. Let cool completely.
  2. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Dice cooled baked potatoes into 1-inch cubes, leaving skin on or peeling as preferred.
  5. In a large bowl, gently fold potatoes, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar, and sliced green onions. Pour dressing over and toss lightly to coat.
  6. Refrigerate salad at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or chives.

Notes

Bake potatoes fully and let cool completely for best texture. Be gentle when folding ingredients to avoid mushy potatoes. If salad is dry after chilling, stir in extra sour cream or mayo. Bacon fat can be saved or discarded carefully. For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add roasted chickpeas or smoked paprika.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked potato salad, bacon, cheddar, BBQ side dish, summer salad, creamy potato salad, loaded potato salad