Description
This Loaded Baked Potato Salad is a comforting, creamy side dish packed with tender baked potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions. Perfectly seasoned and chilled, it combines the best flavors of a loaded baked potato in a delightful salad form, ideal for potlucks, barbecues, or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
Dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Add-ins
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the potatoes evenly.
- Prepare Potatoes: Wash the russet potatoes thoroughly and pierce them several times with a fork to allow steam to escape while baking.
- Bake Potatoes: Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 45 to 60 minutes until they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Cool and Chop: Remove the potatoes from the oven, let them cool completely to room temperature, then peel off the skins and chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
- Make Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper, stirring until smooth and well blended.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the chopped potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon, and green onions into the bowl with the dressing.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together until the potatoes and add-ins are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and serve chilled for the best taste.
Notes
- For best results, use russet potatoes due to their fluffy texture when baked.
- Ensure potatoes are completely cooled before mixing to prevent melting the cheese prematurely.
- Customize the salad by adding chopped celery or a splash of vinegar for extra tang.
- This salad can be made a day ahead to deepen the flavors.
- Keep refrigerated and consume within 2 days for optimal freshness.
