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Loaded Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

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A creamy, smoky potato salad with tangy ranch dressing and crispy bacon, perfect for summer BBQs and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold or red potatoes, washed and cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (full-fat or Greek yogurt as a substitute)
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 3–4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Place chopped potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by about an inch. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender but not falling apart, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. While potatoes cook, heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon slices until crispy, flipping as needed. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease, then crumble into bite-sized pieces. Optionally save a tablespoon of bacon fat for the dressing.
  3. In a small bowl, mix ranch dressing, mayonnaise, white vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning and add a teaspoon or two of milk if dressing is too thick.
  4. In a large bowl, gently toss warm potatoes, celery, green onions, and fresh dill. Pour dressing over and fold carefully to coat evenly without mashing potatoes.
  5. Fold in crispy bacon pieces just before serving to keep them crunchy. Reserve some bacon for garnish if desired.
  6. Refrigerate salad for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld. If short on time, 30 minutes in the fridge is helpful.

Notes

Do not overcook potatoes to avoid mushiness. Toss potatoes while warm for better flavor absorption. Add bacon last to keep it crispy. Salad tastes better after chilling for several hours or overnight. Use dairy-free ranch and vegan mayo for a dairy-free version. Substitute bacon with smoked turkey bacon or roasted chickpeas for dietary preferences.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato salad, bacon, ranch dressing, summer BBQ, comfort food, easy potato salad, creamy potato salad

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/loaded-bacon-ranch-potato-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food-for-summer-bbqs/