Bacon Ranch Potato Salad: Red potatoes, crispy bacon, sharp scallions, and a homemade Ranch dressing made with a bit of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt is sure to become your new favorite pot-luck go-to!
My southern friends are shocked to hear that I am not much of a mayo fan.
I would rather have avocado or mustard on a BLT. And I NEVER put mayo on my Homemade Turkey Sandwiches.
The truth is that I don’t like mayonnaise plain. I need it to be flavored up a bit, or just be the base of a creamy dressing, rather than overtake a dish.
And while I love chicken salad, potato salad and egg salad, I prefer to sub out some of the mayo for Greek yogurt–just like I do in my homemade dill dip.
Not only does using half Greek yogurt cut fat and calories and add protein, it also is a much more neutral flavor than Mayo, so the other flavors can be the star of a dish. Which is absolutely crucial in my Bacon Ranch Potato Salad.
Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
This red potato salad is a winner. Such a winner in fact, my husband choose a second serving of this Bacon Ranch Potato Salad instead of a second burger—um, you guys that is huge! Like really huge!! That man LOVES his burgers.
What makes this salad so good, besides the bacon, is the homemade ranch seasoning.
And come on, let’s be honest, we all like to slather things in ranch–it is NOT just our kids!
How to Make Ranch Potato Salad
Step One: Prepare the potatoes
- Place potatoes in large saucepan.
- Cover with cold water and salt with 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
- Bring to a boil and boil until just fork tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain and allow to cool slightly.
Step Two: Make the ranch dressing
- While potatoes are cooling, mix together the mayonnaise, yogurt, vinegar and ranch seasoning.
Step Three: Prepare the Bacon
- Bake, or pan fry bacon until crispy.
- Allow to cool.
- Crumble into bacon bits.
Step Four: Toss the Salad together
- Mix the dressing with the cooled potatoes.
- Refrigerate for 4 hours up to 24 hours.
Step Five: Serve Potato Salad
- Right before serving, add bacon and chives and toss to combine.
- You can leave out safely at room temperature for about an hour.
- If it is a really hot day or you are entertaining outside, place a bowl filled with ice on your serving table and nestle your serving dish with the potato salad on top of the bowl of ice. This will keep your potato salad at a safe temperature until the ice melts–just be sure that your serving dish is larger than the ice bowl, so it won’t get water in the potato salad as the ice melts.
Notes on Red Potato Salad with Bacon
- I prefer to use a high quality, nitrate-free pork bacon for optimum flavor, but you can use turkey bacon as well. Just be sure whatever bacon you use, you cook until crisp.
- Do not skip adding salt to the water as your potatoes cook. This is key to helping the potatoes really become flavorful!
- This Bacon Red Potato Salad can be made up to 3 days in advance. But wait to mix the cooked bacon into your salad until right before serving, so that it stays crisp.
- I do prefer red potatoes for ranch potato salad, but you can use yukon gold potatoes or even russet potatoes.
- I use my homemade Greek yogurt in this Potato Salad recipe, but any store bought brand will do as long as it is plain, not flavored, yogurt.
- And of course if you love mayonnaise, you can leave out the Greek yogurt and use all mayo.
More Picnic Worthy Side Dishes
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Antipasto Pasta Salad
- Grilled Corn Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad with Dill
Red Potato Salad with Greek Yogurt Recipe
Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 3 pounds red potatoes scrubbed and quartered
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning
- 4 slices nitrate free bacon cooked until crisp
- 1 cup freshly diced chives or scallions
Instructions
- Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with cold water and salt with 2 teaspoons kosher salt. Bring to a boil and boil until just fork tender. Drain and allow to cool slightly.
- While potatoes are cooling, mix together the mayonnaise, yogurt, vinegar and ranch seasoning. Add potatoes and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours for flavors to blend. It is best overnight.
- Right before serving, mix in the chives and bacon.
Helene D'Souza | Masala Herb says
That’s a salad we would enjoy at home. I like all the fresh herbs in this, looks very inviting.
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Helene!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I’ll take mine with extra bacon please! 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
Coming right up!
Marye says
This potato salad looks amazing! A perfect cookout side!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Marye!
Lucy says
Yum! We are hosting our first backyard cookout next weekend and I’m in the middle of menu planning. This potato salad looks perfect!
Kristen Chidsey says
Looks like I posted it at the perfect time for you Lucy 🙂
Catherine says
Dear Kristen, what a perfect salad for BBQs and picnics! Love the idea of Greek yogurt mayo, I’m going to look into that! xo, Catherine
Kristen Chidsey says
Catherine, I think you will fall in love with the BluePlateGreek just like we did.
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I love all things ranch, this is my kind of potato salad, it sounds delicious and I love that the mayo is half Greek yogurt!
Kristen Chidsey says
Sounds like you will love this!
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
The husband and I would love this! Putting on the list for our next potluck!
Kristen Chidsey says
Enjoy it Ally 🙂
Caroline says
So perfect for picnics and summer entertaining! Love this.
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Caroline 🙂
Sabrina Modelle says
I’ve never tried the Greek Yogurt Blue Plate! I’m going to seek it out. Looks fab (as does your potato salad!)
Kristen Chidsey says
Sabrina, I am in love with Blue Plate Greek. I hope you find it and enjoy this potato salad 🙂
Heather Brown says
So glad to find something healthier for the hubs as well. Yuck to full fat mayo.
Kristen Chidsey says
Right there with you!
Beverley Press says
Kristen this is the best tasting Ranch Dressing thank you !!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thank you Beverley!
Courtney Lopez says
Yum!! Wish I could eat this for breakfast!! If it was in the fridge, I would haha!
Kristen Chidsey says
I think it is acceptable for breakfast 😉
Heather Kinnaird says
this sounds like the perfect side to our memorial day BBQ!! I cannot wait to try it