You had me at Loaded Baked Potato, so why not a Loaded Baked Potato Salad Recipe! It's a fun twist on a classic Potato Salad Recipe that is perfect for your BBQ and summer socials.
Making a Red Potato Salad even better by adding crumbled bacon, cheese and onions is delicious. I'm telling you, give this recipe a try because it's that good!
Making Baked Potato Salad Recipe starts with choosing the right potatoes.
I prefer to use the small Red Potatoes. I buy mine in a 1.5 lb bag.
Make sure to wash them good because trust me, I've been a potato farmers wife and those taters are dirty!
Speaking of Summer socials, I know you will be looking for more than just a Potato Salad Recipe, so take a look at our Perfect Pot Luck Salads and Delicious Desserts too!
What's in a Loaded Baked Potato Salad?
The ingredient list is simple, with a few added bonuses to bring it all together.
- 1.5 lb small Red Potatoes
- 8 strips of cooked bacon crumbed
- 1 bunch green onions
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
- ½ Cup Sour Cream
- ¾ Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Tbs Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Pepper to Taste
How to cook Red Potatoes
Pressure Cooker Method:
After I have washed and scrubbed my potatoes I will cut up the small baby red potatoes into quarters and throw into my pressure cooker.
Cover with just enough water to barely cover the potatoes. Set to Manual (Pressure Cook) High for 4 minutes.
Quick Release the pressure and drain off the water. It's that simple.
Stove Top Method:
Washing your potatoes is just necessary. You will be amazed at how much dirt is still on these little babies.
Cut up your potatoes into small chunks, I find cutting the red potatoes into quarters works well. Fill a stock pot with water and add your potatoes to the water.
Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are soft. I will test the potatoes with a knife. If a knife is inserted easily and the potato will start to slip off, then the potatoes are done.
Remove from heat and drain off all the water.
Instant Pot
Fun Fact! If you use Chicken Broth in place of the water, your potatoes will be infused with wonderful extra flavor from the Chicken Broth!
A Pressure Cooker of any kind will infuse that flavor right into the ingredients cooked. Making Instant Pot Potato Salad will set you apart from other Potato Salad Recipes because of the added delicious flavor.
Making Loaded Baked Potato Salad
After you have cooked your potatoes and allow them to cool which can take up to an hour. The rest is pretty easy.
- In a medium size bowl combine Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, Diced Green Onions, Crumbled Bacon, Cheese, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt and Pepper.
- Stir to combine
- Pour over cooled cooked Red Potatoes and stir.
- I like to mash about ⅓ of the potatoes to give a variety of texture to the Potato Salad Recipe.
Can I use a Gold Potato over a Red Potato?
Of Course! I always say, make it how you like. If Red Potatoes aren't your thing, use a good Gold Potato. However I still suggest using the small baby potatoes, they tend to be more tender overall.
Can I make Loaded Baked Potato Salad the day before?
I am all about planning. This is defiantly a recipe you can make the day before, in fact, my Grandmother always told me that Potato Salad Recipes in general are better the second day after all the flavors have come together properly.
So make this Loaded Baked Potato Salad the day before you social or BBQ, it won't disappoint!
Still looking for other great salad recipes for your BBQ or Summer Social?
I'm all about summer, so these Summer Salads are crowd pleasers, tried and true and family favorites. You can't go wrong!
- Hawaiian Mac Salad
- The BEST Dorito Taco Salad
- Neighborhood Favorite Pepperoni Pasta Salad
- Mandarin Orange Fluff Salad
- Zesty Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Copycat Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad (Suddenly Salad)
- Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Refreshing Strawberry Poppyseed Pasta Salad
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Favorite BLT Pasta Salad ~ Yum!
Can Loaded Baked Potato Salad be served warm?
Oh yes, definitely! After I cook my red potatoes, I will drain and give a light rinse.
Then I will toss the potatoes to allow some of the heat to escape and I allow the potatoes to sit for about 15 mins to cool off.
You don't want piping hot potatoes, just warm is good. Then mix in all your toppings and stir.
The heat from the potatoes will melt the cheese, and makes everything a Baked Potato Paradise. DELISH!
Why does my Potato Salad get watery?
The right potato makes all the difference. You want the added starch in a potato to help keep it more dry and less watery.
The other culprit is over cooking your potatoes in the first place or allowing your potatoes to sit and soak in the liquid.
How long can I keep a Potato Salad Recipe?
This recipe for Loaded Baked Potato Salad has Mayonnaise, and it's important to understand that your salad should be kept cold, even while serving.
Potato Salad that gets warm, above 41F degrees for more than 2 hours should be discarded. If your Potato Salad is kept chilled, and you have leftovers then it can be safely stored for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
What goes with Potato Salad?
The real question should be, what doesn't go with Potato Salad! haha.. Here are some of our favorites!
- Marsala Grilled Tri Tip
- Best Ever French Dip Sandwiches
- Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
- Fall off the Bone Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
- Honey Balsamic Steak Bites
- Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
- Easiest Ever Chicken Salad Recipe
Pin and Save for Later
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb small Red Potatoes
- 8 strips of cooked bacon - crumbed
- 1 bunch green onions - diced
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ¾ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbs Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Pepper to Taste
Instructions
Cook Potatoes
- Wash and quarter small Red Potatoes into about 1-inch pieces. Place potatoes in the bottom of your Instant Pot.
- Add just enough water to barely cover the top of the potatoes.
- Set your Instant Pot to Manual High for 4 minutes.
- Quick Release the Pressure and drain the potatoes.
- Place them in a large bowl in the refrigerator to cool for 45-50 minutes.
Make Dressing
- In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, diced green onions, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix to combine.
Assemble Loaded Potato Salad
- Pour the mixture of potato toppings over the cooled, cooked potatoes and stir.
- Serve immediately, or cover and store in the refrigerator.
- Optional: Mash ⅓ of the potatoes to give a variety of textures.
Notes
- Store: Leftover potato salad can be safely stored for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap.
- Make Ahead: This is definitely a recipe you can make the day before. In fact, my Grandmother always told me that Potato Salad Recipes in general are better the second day after all the flavors have come together properly!
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Diane
can you peel the potatoes and get the same results?
Devour Dinner
Hi Diane, I use baby new potatoes so I do not peel them. If you used larger potatoes and peeled them make sure to dice them up in small bite sized pieces so they cook through. I'm sure it would work fine.
KRISTINA
So quick question, I made this today and its sitting in the fridge until dinner but the little taste I got I can say I'm super excited for it!!! Question is: is a bunch of green onion the whole bunch? As in 6? Or a bunch as in 1 white end..? It seemed like a LOT so I only did half.. thanks!!!!
Devour Dinner
Hi Kristina, Typically a "Bunch" is a Bunch. So I use the entire bunch and I find it gives wonderful flavor. However, if you aren't a fan of green onions it's okay to use half a bunch too! Hope you enjoy it!
DC
Loved it-thank you!!
Devour Dinner
You are so welcome!
Jade
SO AMAZING. It’s easy to prep, filling enough to eat a big bowl of it for lunch and pairs deliciously with a nice cold glass of sweet tea. I’m having flashbacks of living in the south! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Devour Dinner
Hi Jade! Thanks for a great review. This recipe has won awards in local contests. It's a winner for sure!
Renee
I always see to use chicken broth, which I always use, but what about vegetable broth??
Devour Dinner
Hi Renee! You can substitute Veggie Broth for Chicken Broth! It's a personal preference! I also like to use the low sodium options too.