Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
on Jun 17, 2017, Updated Jul 04, 2024
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This Bacon Ranch Potato Salad is a simple but flavorful side dish that you will be tempted to eat by itself if not as a side dish. This recipe is just that delicious and remember whichever option you choose, we promise not to judge.

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Table of Contents
What is this?
Potato salad is a hallmark of summer. It is standard fare at outdoor picnics and family reunions and is among the earliest food memories that I have coming out of my mom’s Mennonite kitchen.

Her potato salad, with its homemade creamy sauce, was a signature dish and one that everyone recognized as coming from my mom.
This updated version of Bacon Ranch Potato Salad is a bit more 21st century in both compositions and in taste.

What’s in it:
- Baby red potatoes
- Bacon
- Ranch seasoning
- Sour cream
- Lemon juice
- Cheddar cheese
- Fresh chives

The lemon juice gives this recipe for bacon ranch potato salad a lively zing, keeping the tone lively and fresh.
Sour cream keeps it lighter tasting when compared to a cream or mayonnaise base and the shredded cheese lends the structure and flavor that can only be found in good cheddar.

The stars of this show though are of course the bacon and the ranch dressing seasoning. The two are a bona fide match made in culinary heaven.
We’ve made this bacon and ranch potato salad a couple of times and take my advice and do not sacrifice the quality of the bacon that you use for this recipe.
Recipe Tip
Look for bacon that is not all fat and loaded with sodium and other preservatives. You pay a bit extra for the good bacon but believe me, it is worth it and your finished product will reflect this.

Lastly, there are fresh chives in this bacon ranch potato salad. We like the color and flavor that the chives bring to the picnic table. Feel free to substitute shallots or finely chopped red onions as well. As with almost any recipe, a dash of salt and/or pepper is always a personal option; use either one of these seasonings to your own personal taste.
Variations and Substitutions
Greek Yogurt Substitute:
- Replace light sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier and higher-protein option.
Vegetarian Version:
- Substitute bacon with roasted chickpeas or crispy tofu for a vegetarian-friendly alternative.
Herb Swap:
- Instead of chives, use green onions, dill, or parsley for different herb flavors.
Cheese Options:
- Try using different cheeses such as feta, Monterey Jack, or blue cheese for a unique twist.
Spicy Kick:
- Add a diced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to the sour cream mixture for extra heat.
Vegan Variation:
- Use vegan sour cream and vegan cheddar cheese, and replace bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon.
Add Vegetables:
- Mix in chopped celery, bell peppers, or red onions for added crunch and flavor.
Ranch Dressing Substitute:
- Instead of ranch seasoning, use a homemade herb dressing made with dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder.
What Goes with Potato Salad
Besides the taste, the beautiful thing about our homemade potato salad is that you can serve it with just about any protein.
Some of my favorite main dishes to serve this with are grilled chicken, jerked beef, and Traeger smoked pork chops.
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Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs baby red potatoes
- 8 oz bacon
- 16 oz light sour cream
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chives, chopped
- 1 oz ranch dressing seasoning, 1 packet
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Wash and quarter baby red potatoes and place in large pot of boiling water. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until fork-tender, taking care not to over cook. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- While the potatoes are boiling, fry up 6 to 8 slices of bacon until crispy. Drain on absorbent surface such as a brown paper bag or paper towel. Cool and crumble or chop with a knife.
- In small mixing bowl, comb combine sour cream, ranch seasoning, lemon juice and shredded cheddar cheese. Thoroughly combine.
- Return potatoes to pot and then pour sour cream mixture over them while gently stirring with a soft spatula. Mix in chives and salt (if desired.) Transfer to serving dish and cool in refrigerator for at leas 1 hour prior to serving.
Video
Notes
- Boil the baby red potatoes until fork-tender and rinse with cold water.
- Fry the bacon until crispy, then crumble or chop it.
- Mix the sour cream, ranch seasoning, lemon juice, and shredded cheddar cheese, then combine with the potatoes and bacon before chilling.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Easy Salad Recipes
How much of ranch dressing is used
Hi Larry, You’ll use one, 1 oz packet of dry ranch dressing for this potato salad recipe. Hope you try it!
It’s good but much too ‘lemony’ for my taste and am trying to find a solution to cut the sour before I serve it to my husband who definitely won’t like it. . I only used 1.5 small lemons juiced too. ๐ I did use dried chives since I had no fresh, Coronavirus shut down, lol, and that worked well…it’s just the tang I have to temper.
Thanks for this summertime classic; looking forward to tasting it soon!
Thank, Amy! We know you will enjoy this potato salad!
Sounds delicious! I’m a big fan of potato in any form or style and this recipe definitely will keep me eating without stopping.
Thanks for the kind comments, Carlos!
This sounds lovely, I must try to make it ,Dan !!!
Thank you Claire; I think you will like this one!