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Loaded Smoked Baked Potato Salad with Bacon

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A comforting and smoky twist on classic potato salad featuring smoked baked potatoes, crispy bacon, and a creamy tangy dressing. Perfect for backyard BBQs and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large baking potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
  • Olive oil (for coating before smoking or baking)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 3 green onions, finely sliced
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Scrub the potatoes well and pat dry. Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
  2. If using a smoker, set it to 225°F and smoke the potatoes directly on the rack for about 1 to 1.5 hours until tender when pierced with a fork.
  3. If not using a smoker, preheat oven to 400°F and bake potatoes for 45-50 minutes, turning halfway through.
  4. While potatoes cook, fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces. Reserve a teaspoon of bacon fat if desired.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
  6. Let the smoked or baked potatoes cool enough to handle, then slice in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides into a large mixing bowl, keeping some texture.
  7. Add crumbled bacon (reserve some for garnish), chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese to the potatoes.
  8. Pour the dressing over the mixture and fold gently with a spatula until everything is well coated. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
  10. Before serving, sprinkle reserved bacon and extra green onions on top.

Notes

If potatoes seem dry, add a splash of milk or more mayo to loosen the salad. Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor. Avoid over-mixing to prevent mushy potatoes. Bacon fat can be added to dressing for extra smoky flavor. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato salad, smoked potato salad, bacon potato salad, comfort food, BBQ side dish, creamy potato salad

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/loaded-smoked-baked-potato-salad-with-bacon-easy-recipe-for-comfort-food-fans/