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Creamy Loaded Baked Potato Salad Recipe with Bacon and Cheddar

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A creamy, cheesy, and smoky baked potato salad with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar, perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or a hearty weeknight side. This recipe balances creamy, crunchy, and tangy flavors for a crowd-pleasing dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium Russet potatoes, baked, cooled, and chopped into 1-inch chunks
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise (full-fat preferred)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub Russet potatoes clean, prick with a fork, and bake directly on the oven rack or baking sheet for 45-50 minutes until tender. Let cool completely before chopping into 1-inch chunks.
  2. While potatoes bake, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled. Alternatively, bake bacon at 400°F for 15-20 minutes on a wire rack.
  3. Dice celery finely and slice green onions thinly. Set aside.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste. If dressing is too thick, add a splash of milk or buttermilk.
  5. Gently fold chopped baked potatoes, celery, green onions, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon into the dressing. Be careful not to mash the potatoes.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.
  7. Before serving, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and fresh parsley on top.

Notes

Let baked potatoes cool completely before mixing to avoid melting cheese and soggy texture. Fold gently to keep potato chunks intact. Taste before adding extra salt due to salty bacon and cheddar. Chilling the salad for at least 1 hour improves flavor melding. Bacon can be baked on a wire rack for less mess and more even crispiness. For dairy-free or vegetarian versions, see recipe variations.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/creamy-loaded-baked-potato-salad-recipe-with-bacon-and-cheddar-easy-and-perfect/