Loaded Potato Salad with Bacon and Egg

If you love a loaded potato salad with bacon and eggs, this old fashioned potato salad recipe is  one of the best. Made with Yukon gold potatoes tossed with a tangy dijon mustard and mayonnaise dressing, brimming with crunchy bits of celery and onion, this easy bacon and egg potato salad has all the good things you love.

This post has been updated for content and photos since its original publication in 2015.

yukon gold potatoes cut into bite sized chunks.

Old-fashioned potato salad

There is a huge difference between the classic old-fashioned potato salad that Mom used to make and the sad, goopy wannabes sold in every supermarket deli across the country. One is brimming with flavor and texture, while the other is just a flavorless homogenous mass.

If you missed my tone, I’m a big fan of the homemade variety.

Newsletter Signup
Join our community of food lovers!

Get my latest recipes, helpful kitchen tips and more good things each week in your inbox.

This loaded potato salad recipe strikes the perfect balance of tangy and creamy, with identifiable chunks of tender potato. 

In other words, it’s perfect. 

It’s also jammed with extras, so you never miss out on the good stuff (like bacon and eggs) with every bite.

Ingredients for bacon and egg-loaded potato salad:

  • Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Celery
  • Red Onion
  • Scallions
  • Mayonnaise Dijon Mustard
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Italian Parsley

What’s the best potato for potato salad?

I prefer Yukon Gold potatoes for making potato salad. They have just the right amount of starch and don’t break down as easily when tossing them with the mayonnaise-based potato salad dressing.

Red waxy potatoes don’t have enough potato flavor, and the dressing doesn’t cling as readily, while russets are too starchy and tend to fall apart when mixed with other ingredients.

Prepping the spuds:

Choose Yukon gold potatoes that are about 3-5” in length. (No need to peel them).

Slice the spuds in half lengthwise, then lay the flat side on the cutting board and cut in half again lengthwise. Then, cut horizontally into pieces about 1-2” wide. You want the potatoes to be chunky enough to be identifiable but not so big they can’t be eaten in one bite.

Add the potatoes to boiling, salted water and cook until tender but not falling apart. Transfer cooked potatoes to a large bowl with a kitchen spider (to drain off as much liquid as possible)

Pro-Tip #1:

Hard boil the eggs in the same pot of boiling water as the potato salad to save on time and  dishes.

cooked potatoes, seasoned with red wine vinegar.

How long to boil potatoes for potato salad?

When the potatoes are cut into uniformly bite-sized chunks, they cook very quickly, generally 10-12 minutes.

You can tell when the potatoes are ready by stabbing a chunk in the center with a sharp paring knife. If the potato slips easily off the knife, it’s done. If it doesn’t, it needs more time.

The secret to the best old-fashioned potato salad

The problem with most potato salads is that they’re very bland and one-note. the key is to add a splash of vinegar to the hot potatoes immediately after you’ve drained away the water.

In this case, I use red wine vinegar. Just a little bit sprinkled over the hot tubers will soak into the flesh and add a perfect tangy-sour note to balance the mayonnaise-y potato salad dressing.

Do not skip this step, it’s critical.

crisping bacon on a pan.

Potato salad with bacon

Bacon is one of the best parts of my loaded potato salad recipe. I use about ½ pound of thick-cut applewood smoked bacon. Consequently, you’ll get a bit of smoky bacon in just about every bite. I’ve found that even people who don’t usually eat potato salad like this recipe because they can taste the bacon.

Cook and crisp the bacon. You can fry it in a skillet or bake it in the oven (instructions given in the recipe card.)

chopping celery and onions.

Adding texture

A good old-fashioned potato salad should have onion and celery in the mix. They add flavor and a good crunch to the blend.

When chopping the celery and onion, remember you don’t want big chunks of either one in the potato salad recipe. Instead, cut them into a 1/4” dice.

They should be small enough to cling to the potato pieces and give each bite a little crunch.

Pro-Tip #2

Celery has a mild flavor, and scallions aren’t overpowering. However, red onion can be quite pungent. My remedy for onions with a strong stinging flavor and aroma is to soak them in ice water for 10 minutes. 

The water neutralizes some of the sting and keeps the onions very crisp. Drain the soaked onions in a fine mesh sieve and pat them dry with a paper towel to prevent them from making the potato salad dressing too watery.

This extra step is well worth it if you don’t like the harshness usually associated with raw onion.

making the potato salad dressing and chopping the eggs.

While the red onions are draining, mix together the homemade dressing for potato salad. It’s quite simple to make with just a little mayonnaise, dijon mustard, kosher salt, pepper and smoked paprika.

Peel and roughly chop the hard-boiled eggs.

Pro-Tip #3:

 Do not dress the potato salad with the dressing until the potatoes have cooled to room temperature.

To assemble the loaded potato salad, Combine the chopped celery, onion and scallions with the dressing and mix well. Pour the mayonnaise dressing over the cooled spuds and add crumbled bacon, parsley and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Use a large rubber spatula to gently fold the ingredients until well combined.

Don’t stir the potato salad too aggressively, otherwise the tubers can beak apart.

a serving bowl of old fashioned potato salad.

What does it taste like?

In a word, it’s perfect. The potato flavor is there, but it’s backed up with the smokiness of the applewood bacon and soft, but firm eggs. 

This loaded potato salad isn’t too mayonnaise-y. It’s perfectly balanced against the creamy dressing thanks to the red wine vinegar. 

We love the crunchy bits of celery and red onion (that doesn’t have that eye-stinging quality).

Potato Salad FAQ’s

Can I make the potato salad ahead of time?

Yes! This loaded potato salad can be made up to two days ahead. For the best results, reserve the crispy bacon to add just before serving.

How long is potato salad good for?

This recipe lasts for up to 5 days when stored tightly covered in the refrigerator. If any liquids from the vegetables leak out during refrigeration, just give the potato salad and old-fashioned stir to redistribute.

How long can potato salad with mayonnaise dressing stay out at room temperature?

According to the FDA’s website, items with eggs, mayonnaise, and dairy can be out for up to 2 hours at room temperature (one hour if it’s more than 90°F). If you’re serving this loaded potato salad for a summer cookout, I’d recommend keeping it on ice in a cooler until serving — or just keeping the salads and slaws in the cooler at all times and tell the guests where to find it.

Do you have any potato salad recipes without mayonnaise?

Yes! Try this light, herbal Southern French potato salad. It skips the mayonnaise for a tangy wine and dijon dressing.

Serving loaded potato salad with bacon and eggs in a bowl with a spoon.

What to serve with loaded potato salad with bacon and eggs:

Other side summer salads you’ll love:

Tried this recipe? Leave a rating and review.

Your comments and shares are invaluable to me and the thousands of readers who use this site daily. If you've made the recipe, leave a star rating and review. We want to hear how you liked it.

We'd love it if you shared the recipe with your friends on social media!

bacon and egg potato salad.
Print Pin
4.46 from 22 votes

Bacon and Egg Potato Salad

This loaded potato salad with bacon and eggs just makes sense!  It’s got a creamy dijon and mayonnaise dressing, crunchy celery, red onion and scallions and Yukon Gold potatoes for the best old fashioned potato salad you’ve had.
Author: Lisa Lotts
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword potato salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8

INGREDIENTS:

  • ½ pound thick cut applewood smoked bacon
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 3 stalks celery finely diced
  • ½ cup red onion finely diced
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced
  • 4 eggs hard boiled
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped

DIRECTIONS:

FOR THE BACON:

  • I like to cook bacon in the oven because there’s no splatter and it yields a perfect strip of crispy pork. To do it in the oven, preheat to 400 degrees. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Set a wire rack on top of the cookie sheet. Lay the bacon on the wire rack and cook for about 20-25 minutes until crisped.
  • Cut the potatoes into 1″ pieces (no need to peel them). Fill a large pot halfway with water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat and add 1 teaspoon of salt.
  • Add the potatoes and cook for 10-15 minutes. Test the potatoes for doneness by piercing one with a paring knife. If they slip easily off the knife and back into the pot, they’re done. If they stick, they need more time.
  • Using a spider or slotted spoon remove the potatoes and transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle the hot potatoes with the vinegar and toss to coat.
  • To boil the eggs in the same water as the potatoes, add the eggs to the pot of boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the eggs sit in the hot water for another 5 minutes. While the eggs rest, fill a small bowl with ice and water and transfer the boiled eggs to the ice bath to cool.
  • In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, kosher salt, black pepper and smoked paprika. Stir to combine.
  • Add the celery, onion and scallions to the dressing. Pour the dressing over the potato salad.
  • Peel and chop the eggs and add them to the potatoes. Chop or crumble the bacon into bite-sized bits and add to the potato salad. Add the chopped parsley. Toss gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Sprinkle with a little extra paprika and the parsley. Serve.

NUTRITION:

Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 529mg | Potassium: 644mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 389IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2mg

“Pin It” For Later!

a pin to save for later.

 

What’s in ?

  • List item 1
  • list ….

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

17 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My new favorite! Got rave reviews from everyone. Thanks so much

  2. Liam stafford says:

    5 stars
    My Mom always added bacon to her potato salad. She fried the bacon last thing added the bacon, then poured about a tablespoon of the hot bacon fat into the potato salad. And mixed. It really ups the bacon flavor and in a large bowl its not a lot of added fat.

  3. Can we use plain Youghart instead of Mayo

    1. Yes, you can swap mayo for yogurt, but it will change the flavor of the potato salad, making it more tangy.

  4. 5 stars
    This potato salad is amazing!! Frequently requested by my family and friends. Not a spoonful left, yum

    1. I’m so glad the whole gang enjoys it. Nothing compares with homemade!

  5. 5 stars
    I meannnn, you had me at bacon, my friend! Srsly Lisa, I would eat this for breakfast if it was in my refrigerator right now. Why not, right? It has ALL the things I want on a warm summer morning. Just pinned this beauty…thanks for the recipe! 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    There is nothing like a good homemade potato salad. One of the husbands favorites. I love the tip you shared about the vinegar & will be trying that. And potato salad is definitely better with eggs.

  7. 5 stars
    Well, Lisa, you’ve done it again with another great recipe. Potato Salad is one of those recipes that was my Mama’s specialty and I’ve always been afraid I couldn’t live up to hers. You’re inspiring me to try, though. And, by the way, I’ve never heard of the vinegar sprinkling tip. Great idea!

  8. 5 stars
    Love the addition of bacon, always good in my opinion! And like the vinegar idea too. Looks great!

  9. I like how you styled the ingredients for this recipe. Sounds like an awesome recipe.

  10. 5 stars
    I made your bacon and egg potato salad for a July 4th picnic. Everybody loved it. It is the best potato salad I have ever had. Thank you

    1. Hi Phyllis, I’m so glad you enjoyed the potato salad! It’s always a winner for a summer picnic!

  11. The mayo & bacon are both missing from the ingredient list – how much of each did you use?

    1. I’m so sorry, Jodi! I recently switched to a new recipe card widget and it has fussed with some of my older posts. I’ve fixed it. Use 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise — more if you think it needs more binder and 6-7 strips of bacon. I’ve updated the recipe. Thanks for the catch!

  12. 5 stars
    I never thought about bacon in my potato salad.But I will be trying your recipe

    1. Everything’s better with bacon – at least that’s what my better half says!