Hearty Loaded Potato Salad Recipe – A Comforting Family Treat

Creamy potatoes dance with crispy bacon bits in this mouthwatering loaded potato salad recipe that captures summer’s best flavors.

Cold side dishes rarely steal the show like this crowd-pleasing creation.

Chunks of tender potatoes mix perfectly with sharp cheddar cheese and green onions.

Every forkful brings a burst of savory goodness that makes taste buds sing.

Tangy sour cream and mayonnaise bind these ingredients into a delectable harmony.

The classic picnic staple transforms into a seriously addictive dish that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

Serve this at your next backyard gathering and watch it disappear in minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 9

All Ingredients For Loaded Potato Salad

• Russet Potatoes: Starchy champions that create a creamy, dreamy texture with perfect cube-like structure when cooked.
• Red Potatoes: Waxy variety offering delightful firmness and beautiful color contrast in the salad.

• Salt: Crucial flavor booster that elevates the entire potato profile during boiling process.
• Black Pepper: Warming spice that adds subtle heat and aromatic depth to the potato mixture.

• Olive Oil: Silky binding agent that helps coat potatoes with smooth, rich undertones.
• Fresh Chives: Bright green garnish delivering crisp onion-like zest and visual appeal.
• Crispy Bacon Bits: Crunchy protein element that introduces smoky, salty dimension to the salad.
• Green Onions: Sharp, fresh topping providing clean, zingy flavor contrast.
• Sour Cream: Luxurious creamy component that softens and enriches the overall potato experience.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melty, tangy ingredient that adds decadent dairy complexity.

Tools To Prepare Loaded Potato Salad Easily

• Large pot: Essential for boiling potatoes evenly and creating the base of your salad.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for safely chopping potatoes and other ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Helps you precisely cut potatoes into perfect 1-inch cubes.
• Colander: Necessary for draining potatoes after boiling and removing excess water.
• Mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining and tossing all ingredients together.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate tools for portioning ingredients precisely.

Steps To Toss Together Loaded Potato Salad

• Prepare Potatoes

Chop your potatoes into chunky, bite-sized pieces that’ll make everyone smile. No need for perfect geometry – rustic is delicious!

• Boil to Perfection

Toss those potato chunks into a big pot of water with a sprinkle of salt. Crank up the heat and let them dance in bubbling water until they’re soft enough to pierce easily with a fork.

• Cool Down

Once your potatoes are tender, drain them and let them take a quick breather. They’ll be happier (and tastier) if they’re not scorching hot.

• Transform into Loaded Magic

Now’s when the real fun begins! Mix those warm potatoes with creamy dressing, crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, and a handful of chopped green onions. Each bite will be a party in your mouth that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

• Chill and Serve

Pop your potato salad in the fridge to let all those killer flavors mingle and get to know each other. When you’re ready to eat, pull it out and watch everyone dive in with excitement.

Ways To Tweak Loaded Potato Salad Flavor

• Crispy Bacon Boost: Amp up the flavor by using extra-crispy bacon and reserve some crumbles for topping just before serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this salad a day in advance to let the flavors meld together, making it even more delicious for gatherings.
• Lighter Version Option: Swap full-fat mayo with Greek yogurt or light sour cream to reduce calories without sacrificing creamy texture.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially bacon and mayo, for those with dietary restrictions.
• Herb Garden Twist: Experiment with fresh herbs like chives, dill, or parsley to add bright, fresh notes and extra complexity to the classic recipe.

How To Serve Loaded Potato Salad At Gatherings

• Hearty Picnic Platter: Spread the loaded potato salad on a large wooden board, surrounded by crispy bacon bits, chopped chives, and extra cheese for a stunning communal serving experience.
• Chilled Comfort Companion: Serve the potato salad well-refrigerated as a refreshing side dish alongside grilled meats like barbecue chicken or juicy burgers during summer gatherings.
• Gourmet Potato Cup Presentation: Scoop the salad into individual mini ramekins or clear glass cups, garnishing each with a sprinkle of green onions and a small bacon crumble for an elegant personal touch.
• Meal Prep Magic: Pack the potato salad in sealed containers for easy lunch options, keeping dressing separate to maintain crispness and prevent soggy potatoes during transportation.

Fridge Tips For Loaded Potato Salad

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store your loaded potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the flavors fresh and ingredients crisp.
• Chilling Technique: Cool the salad completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup and maintain optimal texture, preventing soggy potatoes.
• Freshness Maximizer: Keep bacon bits and green onion garnishes separate until serving to maintain their crunch and prevent ingredient degradation.
• Freezing Caution: Avoid freezing this potato salad, as mayonnaise-based dishes tend to separate and lose their creamy consistency when thawed, compromising the overall quality and taste.

Hearty Loaded Potato Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy loaded potato salad delivers all the classic flavors of a loaded baked potato in a chilled side dish. Crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, and sour cream create a delightful combination you’ll crave at summer gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 grams) potatoes, russet or Yukon Gold, peeled & cubed
• 6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
• 1 cup (240 ml) cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ cup (120 ml) green onions, sliced
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Salt & black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Peel and dice potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes, ensuring consistent size for optimal cooking performance.
2. Pot Staging: Place potato chunks in a generously sized pot, covering completely with cold water and seasoning liquid with salt to amplify flavor complexity.
3. Boiling Technique: Activate heat source and bring water to a robust, rolling boil, maintaining aggressive bubbling while monitoring cooking progression.
4. Simmering Process: Reduce flame intensity, allowing potatoes to simmer gently for approximately 18 minutes, periodically testing tenderness with a fork’s precise piercing.
5. Drainage and Cooling: Once potatoes demonstrate perfect fork-puncture readiness, swiftly drain through a colander and distribute onto a clean surface, enabling natural cooling and preventing additional heat-induced transformation.

Notes

• Precision in Cutting: Ensure uniform 1-inch potato cubes for consistent texture and even cooking throughout the dish.
• Salt Water Strategy: Generously season boiling water to infuse potatoes with deeper flavor from the start of cooking process.
• Cool Down Technique: Spread cooked potatoes on a flat surface to prevent overcooking and allow natural cooling, maintaining perfect potato texture.
• Temperature Control: Monitor heat carefully during boiling and simmering to achieve tender potatoes without turning them mushy or falling apart.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg