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Creamy Loaded Baked Potato Salad with Sour Cream Ranch

creamy loaded baked potato salad - featured image

A creamy, tangy baked potato salad loaded with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a homemade sour cream ranch dressing, perfect for summer BBQs and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium russet potatoes (about 2 pounds/900g), baked and cooled
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 stalks green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 cup full-fat sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 packet ranch dressing mix (about 1 ounce/28g) or homemade ranch seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Scrub potatoes clean, prick with a fork, and bake directly on oven rack or baking sheet for 45-50 minutes until skins are crisp and a fork slides in easily. Let cool completely.
  2. Cook bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cool.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Cut cooled potatoes into bite-sized cubes (about 1 inch).
  5. Add potatoes, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar, and chopped green onions to the dressing. Gently fold to coat evenly without breaking potatoes.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
  7. Before serving, stir gently and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Optionally garnish with extra green onions or paprika.

Notes

Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter version. Swap cheddar for dairy-free cheese for a dairy-free option. Ensure ranch mix is gluten-free if needed. Chill salad for at least 1 hour for best flavor. If salad is dry after chilling, stir in more sour cream or mayonnaise. Avoid freezing to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked potato salad, sour cream ranch, loaded potato salad, summer BBQ, picnic side dish, creamy potato salad, bacon potato salad