The steakhouse favorite gets a potluck makeover to become this easy baked potato salad recipe loaded with bacon, cheese, and scallions in a sour cream and mayo dressing.
In This Post
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Sometimes I crave a break from the norm, and need a change in standard operating procedure, or want to shake things up a bit. Like 99.95% of every single person I know, I can get into a rut. A funk. A little too much of doing things the same way just because that’s the way I’ve always done them. Especially when it comes to cooking.
Come summer, my family loves potato salads, with my grandma’s recipe for the BEST potato salad setting the gold standard for all. However, making hers on the regular has never stopped my mind and my mouth from coming up with new versions to try. I first published this recipe in 2013, so after making it for my own dinner table over the years, I finally gave it a little spit shine with some new pics and tips. It definitely deserves the love.
This loaded baked potato salad is a play on the classic steakhouse favorite loaded baked potato, with the method-making very familiar too, minus the potato skin jackets.
Baking the russet potatoes for this recipe creates a lighter, fluffier consistency than boiled, and a lightened potato base to easily absorb the creamy mayo and sour cream. Naturally, since this IS a loaded potato salad, it simply wouldn’t be complete without a dump of bacon, a smattering of cheddar cheese, and a kiss of onion.
This recipe is sure to break any standard potato salad out of its own sort of rut.
What’s Needed for Loaded Potato Salad?
Like every steakhouse loaded baked potato, the accompaniments are what make this recipe. Here, I’ve taken the standard classics and tossed them together for a twist on two classics.
The ingredients for this cheesy bacon potato salad are simple:
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Kosher salt and pepper
- Bacon
- Green onions
- Shredded cheddar cheese
How to Make Baked Potatoes for Potato Salad
Deemed by time and tradition, boiling potatoes for potato salad is the usual route taken. From the get go, that’s where this potato salad recipe swerves in a different direction.
Use russet potatoes for baking. Instead of the waxier white potatoes, Yukon golds, or baby red potatoes, this recipe calls for starchier russet potatoes. Typically reserved for baked potatoes, russets are fluffier and lighter in this salad, and break down into creamy layers rather than chunks.
Do I have to wrap the baked potatoes in foil? Because foil traps in heat while cooking, potato skins wrapped in foil steams and softens, and holds the heat in longer when serving as a side dish for dinner. Baking the potatoes without foil creates a tougher jacket, but since we are discarding the skin anyway, I make it easy on myself and skip the foil.
Here’s how to make baked potatoes the easy way:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Poke the potatoes 4-5 times with the tines of a fork for the heat to escape while cooking, and won’t explode in the oven.
- Lightly oil the potato skins and sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a cake tester or skewer inserts easily through the potato.
How to Make Loaded Potato Salad
Cook the bacon low and slow. This recipe calls for 12 ounces of bacon for bacon bits in just about every bite. If that’s too much bacon for you, feel free to reduce the amount. I used to cut the bacon into chunks before cooking it, but because it had the tendency to get too crispy that way, now I cook it in strips and crumble it afterward. Start the strips of bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat, and take your time cooking it so it doesn’t burn. To avoid flare ups, render the bacon grease from the pan as it accumulates.
Slice the green onion—all of it. For the most onion flavor, use both the greens and the whites of the green onion and save a little for garnishing the top after it’s mixed.
Prep the potatoes. Bake the potatoes until fork tender as mentioned above. When cool enough to handle, skin the potatoes. If not wrapped in foil, the outer skin will be tough and peel away in thick layers. Or, cut the potatoes in half and use a spoon to scoop out the potato insides, then dice into 1-inch chunks. It’s likely the starchier russets will crumble and shag, and that’s okay! Scoop out all of the potato and place in the bowl.
The Baked Potato Salad Dressing
Sprinkle the warm potatoes with apple cider vinegar. As I do in all of my potato salads, I add a few hearty splashes of vinegar to the cooked potatoes for a subtle flavor punch. Add the vinegar while the potatoes are still warm, and allow 10-15 minutes for them to rest and absorb the vinegar’s zing while they cool.
Mix the dressing. Echoing the flavors of a classic steakhouse baked potato, salad dressing uses mayonnaise for its creaminess and sour cream for tang. Since the vinegar has already been drizzled over the warm potatoes, kosher salt and pepper are the only additional seasonings needed.
Let the salad chill. I like to let my loaded potato salad chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours for the flavors to come together before serving it.
More Tips for Making Baked Potato Salad
Allow at least 15 minutes for the cider vinegar to soak into the warm potatoes. The warmer the potato, the more quickly the vinegar will absorb. Don’t skip this step, it adds a great pop to the salad.
Don’t want the whole house to smell like bacon? Cook yours in the oven instead. Once the potatoes have finished cooking, place the bacon on a lined baking tray and cook at 400°F F for about 15 minutes or until your desired crispness.
Sub in chives. If you’re going for that true, steakhouse baked potato taste, feel free to substitute chives for the green onions.
Sub yogurt for sour cream. I use natural sour cream in this recipe, but if you’re looking to cut calories, substitute non-fat Greek yogurt for that added tang.
More Potato Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- My Grandma’s BEST Classic Potato Salad
- No-Mayo Potato Salad with Herbs
- German Potato Salad
- Creamy Dilled Red Potato Salad
- Stetson Chunky Potato Salad
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a 
star rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 4 pounds russet potatoes
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup sour cream , or Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 12 ounces bacon , cooked, cooled and chopped
- 6 green onions , chopped
- 1 ½ cups medium cheddar cheese , shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F.
- Place cleaned potatoes on a baking sheet and pierce 4-5 times with a fork. Lightly coat with olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt, and cook for 50-60 minutes or until easily pierced with a cake tester or skewer. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes and cut into 1-inch chunks, discarding the potato jackets. The potato flesh may crumble and get shaggy, and that's okay—transfer it all to a large mixing bowl. While still warm, sprinkle the potatoes with the apple cider vinegar and rest for 15-30 minutes or until the potatoes are cooled.
- Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet or in the oven, drain, and let cool. Crumble into bite-size pieces.
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and sour cream. Season with the kosher salt and pepper.
- When the potatoes are cool, pour the mayonnaise mix over the potatoes with the crumbled bacon, green onion, and cheddar cheese. Gently fold the ingredients together. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for 3 hours up to overnight before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Don't want the whole house to smell like bacon? Cook yours in the oven instead. Once the potatoes have finished cooking, place the bacon on a lined baking tray and cook at 400° F for about 15 minutes or until your desired crispness.
Nutrition
More Classic Cookout Side Dishes to Try
- Dill Cucumber Salad
- The Best BBQ Baked Beans
- How to Make the Best Creamy Coleslaw
- Asian Ramen Noodle Salad
- How to Make the Best Easy Grilled Corn
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This recipe is perfection. I brought it to a barbecue and now it’s on the request for every summer occasion. Everyone loves it ! Don’t change anything!
Thanks for sharing, John–we’re so glad you enjoyed it!
The flavor was good, but the ratio of dressing to potato was off. I had to double almost triple it so that it wasn’t so dry.
Hmm we’re not sure what could have happened there, as it should not be dry. Were you using a different type or amount of potato perhaps? We’re sorry it didn’t turn out quite right for you!
Made this salad the first time and it was delicious!! The only thing I changed is that I used 2 green onions instead of 6, as my husband dislikes onions. He loved it, and said it was better than mine. This one is a keeper.
Thanks for sharing with us, Cathy. We’re so happy you and your husband loved this!
We had a potato salad competition and I made this and WON! By a landslide. Make it, serve it, be a HERO!
Thanks for your sweet note, Madi. We’re so happy you loved this!
This is a great base recipe that not much needs or should be messed with. As an alternative, add some sweet and smoked paprika, and a little bit of Smoked chipotle. This gives it a nice “Smoked” flavor and color. It’s great for BBQ’s and competitions as well.
perfect! thank you for this recipe!
Thank you Sylvia!
Glad I read the comments. But you should fix the recipe since it still says 3T of apple cider vinegar, if people don’t read the comments this is what they will use and when I print it out it will say 3T.
Hi Tom, it’s supposed to be 3 tablespoons. We apologize for the confusion!
simply excellent
I am in love with this recipe. The hint to soak the hot potatoes in a splash of cider vinegar is a life changing method for all my future potato salads – it really adds flavor to the potatoes. I boiled my potatoes as it’s too hot for the oven now. I also didn’t have cheddar so I improvised with some grated parmesan, Emmental and some Aldi’s goat cheese crumbles. This was even better as leftovers the next day. Everyone loved it.
Happy to hear it was a success Lynn!
I am breaking my own rules by posting this question, as I hate when ppl who have not yet made the recipe comment, but I do not want to “waste” the dish by not incorporating the vinegar, but am also very curious as to why the recipe calls for sprinkling the potatoes with vinegar, followed by a 30-minute rest period? My instinct would be to add the vinegar to the dressing, so am curious as to the direction in the recipe?
Hi Laura! We explain in the post that we allow at least 15 minutes for the cider vinegar to soak into the warm potatoes. The warmer the potato, the more quickly the vinegar will absorb. Don’t skip this step, it adds a great pop to the salad. Hope this helps answer your question! :)
This was amazing! Made it last week to take to friends’ for dinner and making it again this weekend, too!
can’t get enough!
Happy to hear it Rachel!
What is the correct serving size? It can not be 1g. Could it be 100g?
Hi Aaron, the recipe makes 12 servings so the nutrition facts, calories, etc. are per 1 serving. We hope you enjoy!
Making this tonight, only since I don’t have Apple Cider vinegar, I’m going to use pickle juice. Intrigued at how that’s going to go. Will let you know!
This was the best baked potato salad I have ever made. It’s a keeper❤️
Happy to hear Lynda!
You replied to someone’s question about a “sprinkle of apple cider vinegar” to use 1-2 teaspoons. But the recipe calls for 3 tablespoons- that’s quite a difference. Which is correct?
Hi Betsy, we apologize for the confusion. The correct amount is 3 tablespoons.
Can this be made and dressed a day or two in advanced?
Yes Marian! It only gets better with time.
It was delicious but to others trying it do not omit the vinegar step on the warm potatoes. I did (forgot) and it was missing that one little something like the author’s hints said it adds a “zing”. It was really good but I’m sure the vinegar just adds that extra flavor I omitted on accident (☹️). We will definitely make it again but will not forget the vinegar step!
The vinegar makes quite an impact. I’ve also always boiled my potato salad potatoes. Never again! Baking them should have been a no-brainer – much better flavor compared to boiling.
Good Recipe~
One of the comments asks how much apple cider vinegar to use and the reply was 1-2 tsp., but the recipe calls for 3 TB. Which amount is correct? Thanks!
So it’s 1-2 t and not 3T?! That’s a significant difference. I did not read comments before making this and I put 3T like the recipe states. That’s 4-9 times what it’s supposed to be. Can this be corrected in the recipe so others don’t mess up their potato salad like I just did?
Hi Aaron, no, it’s 3 tablespoons, we apologize for the confusion!
Hi Linda! We’re sorry for the confusion. 3 tablespoons is the correct amount!
Hi Linda, we apologize for the confusion. It’s 3 tablespoons.
Fantastic recipe for a bbq! Tasted even better next day! thank you!
Glad you enjoyed Hedy!
Been making a similar tater salad and I add a dash of cayenne, and bit more pepper as I LOVE pepper. It is a keeper! I sometimes switch it up and keep the skins on as well. Delicious both ways!
This is my favorite potato salad recipe! I make it regularly for family functions and potlucks, I always come home with an empty bowl. The apple cider vinegar makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing!
GREAT POST!! I have made this potato salad before, and it is a winner. Going to make yours today.
I really LOOOOOVED the article, “Get off your Butt”, which has 2 Ts, BTW! How did you know I have been in an overwhelmed slump? Think it was such good advice. THANKS!
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful day.
I now wanna try it lol but I wanna add pickles and eggs lol
I make something very similar! Instead of cheddar cheese I use blue cheese, and use low fat greek yogurt rather than sour cream. Your recipe is delicious also!
Just made this but kept the potato skins on and OMG it’s delicious! The best I’ve ever made! Thanks so much
Sounds delicious! But please define “sprinkle” with apple cider. How much?
Hi Sharon, sprinkle 3 tablespoons of vinegar on the warm potatoes for flavor.
Would you really have to peel the potatoes? I mean in true baked potato fashion, I would eat the whole darned thing!
Hi Patti, you can leave the peels if you like. My mom peels, thus, I peel. p.s. She’s a Patti too!
My fav potato salad recipe! Making tonight for Super Bowl Sunday! Thank you for the recipe!
Can i ask what the reason is for using olive oil & salt on the potatoes if the skins aren’t being used? I’ve made it like this, but keep about 1/2 of the skin in the salad. I’m debating if i should try a skinless version & curious if this step makes any difference in the final product, or if it’s just the standard method & made it’s way in the recipe by default. Thanks :) ♀️
I just wanted you to know that I made these for our fourth of July church picnic/barbecue and it was a hit! There are lots of amazing cooks in my church and more than one person said it was the best potato salad they had ever eaten, and were intrigued by my use of baked potatoes. One person said that because the potatoes were baked there were no bites that didn’t have the “dressing” part soaked in (dry bites). Also, my 3-year-old son who is notoriously picky took one bite and a very loud, “MMMMmmmmmMmmMMmmmmM!” came out of him, haha.
The only thing I changed was I added some mustard. Thanks so much for the recipe, this is a keeper!
I think I need to go outdoors to get out of my rut. It’s been so difficult these days with all of these editorial deadlines!
And this potato salad – yes and yes! I might just have to go on a picnic so I can enjoy this in the woods! :)
I could eat this entire bowl every day for a year and never get tired of it. Seriously, love this kind of salad.
I’m with you on that one Stephie. Thx for the comment.
Love the addition of bacon! Looks like a perfect evening.
It was so much fun Barb. We should do a Utah blogger BBQ there, its so pretty!
Love the feel of this, Heidi. And scrumptious potato salad!
Thanks as always Sandy!
I want this potato salad in such a MAJOR WAY right now!!
Everyone looks so happy!
I’m glad you got your groove back! I love the crumbled baked potatoes. They are so perfect for potato salad and the bacon!!! Perfect combination.
Call me Stella, like in the movie. She’s back!
Definitely making this recipe this summer! I love a good loaded baked potato and making it into a salad to feed a crows is perfect!
I love potato salad and usually make a German style one, but I also love a baked potato, so this looks great and I’ll have to try. I had to smile, because you tell people to go use Greek Yogurt if they want to cut calories, my recipe this week I tell them NOT to skip on the full-fat sour cream ;)
Weeellll, you know. It was JUST an option :) and the sour cream made it to the recipe for sure!
I couldn’t agree more….and this potato salad looks so good. And wherever you are in these photos is absolutely beautiful!
Canyon cookout – that sounds so fun! I am a huge fan of potato salads and this one juts has to happen!
I totally want to go camping with you! This potato salad would be gone in 2 seconds flat!
Love this! And now I want to go up the canyon!
My mind always clears when I get out into nature. And, more importantly, the food tastes better there too!
I know just how you feel lately, Heidi. I’m in the midst of working myself out of a rut right now. Maybe making this potato salad will give me that extra boost I need to get out of it? :) It looks delish!
Find some friends to eat it with, it will definitely give you some gumption. Good luck!
Nice recipe and great pics of cute family. Thanks
Wow, what a salad and everyone looks so happy. We went camping too, nothing like a spell in the outdoors to recharge the mind :)
That looks like just about the most fun cookout ever! I love this post!
Thanks so much Lori, I have to remember that its just up the street and we need to take advantage of it more often. Soon you’ll be having campfires in your front yard!
Heading up the canyon is always a good idea, especially when good food and friends are involved! Let’s do it sometime soon:)
These pictures are fantastic, Heidi. I find myself wanting to throw the family in the car and drive into the canyon…at 6L30am. And that potato salad beats any potato salad that I’ve seen for a long time.
We all need to do a get together soon!