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