Description
A creamy, tangy, and indulgent potato salad made with just five main ingredients: Yukon Gold potatoes, crispy bacon, ranch dressing, sharp cheddar cheese, and green onions. It’s a perfect side dish for summer gatherings that tastes like a loaded baked potato.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
- 1 cup creamy ranch dressing
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 4–5 stalks green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Water and salt (for boiling)
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces, slice green onions, and cube cheddar cheese.
- Cook potatoes: Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt, and bring to a boil. Add whole scrubbed potatoes and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and let cool slightly until warm.
- Cook bacon: Bake bacon in the oven at 400°F on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until well-done and crispy. Let cool on a wire rack and chop into pieces.
- Combine base: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm potatoes, crispy bacon, and cubed cheddar. Pour ranch dressing over everything and gently toss to coat evenly without mashing potatoes.
- Add green onions: Stir in sliced green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning with black pepper if needed.
- Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
Use Yukon Gold potatoes as they hold their shape well; avoid Russets which get mushy. Cook bacon until well-done for crispiness. Add dressing when potatoes are warm, not hot, to prevent melting cheese and making the salad greasy. Let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: potato salad, bacon ranch, summer recipes, labor day, crowd pleaser, easy side dish, loaded potato salad