Best Classic Potato Salad (with Bacon)

This classic potato salad is amazing! Small red potatoes are coated with a creamy dressing, along with hard boiled eggs, bacon and lots of texture. This traditional recipe is a crowd-pleasing favorite for parties and potlucks!

classic potato salad in white bowl surrounded with napkin, spoon, chopped chives, overhead view.

Why You’ll Love It

I’ve been making this potato salad with eggs and crumbled bacon for at least 15 years, to rave reviews! It’s classic with a few ingredient “upgrades” that I know you’re going to love.

It’s a tried and true recipe I reach for time and time again, similar to my creamy pasta salad or deviled eggs with bacon.

Best Potato Salad Ever!

I’m not sure I can properly convey how delicious this old fashioned potato salad is, but I guarantee it will be a winner on the menu. The flavor has depth while the tender potatoes and eggs are balanced with crunchy diced vegetables.

There’s also some ingredients like balsamic vinegar and chipotle mustard, that take it to the next level. Seriously, it’s so good!

close up view of small red potato salad with bacon and chives on top.

Key Ingredients

  • Potatoes. This recipe calls for small red potatoes. They’re easy to cook and you don’t have to peel them because the skin is thin and tender and very tasty. For summer holidays you can use a colorful trio of red, white and blue potatoes.
  • Vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is used here and is a little different than what you may be used to but trust me, it works! Apple cider vinegar is a more traditional choice which you can use as a substitute if you want, but the balsamic adds a sweet tanginess.
  • Mustard. Here’s another ingredient that gets a twist. Use chipotle mustard for a spicy zing. I’ve also used Sriracha mustard with success. The flavor is more complex than yellow or Dijon mustard, and of course you could use either of those as a substitute.
  • Dressing. My creamy blend uses both mayonnaise and sour cream. The combination is a little lighter than using all mayo, and more flavorful than using all sour cream. It’s perfectly balanced.
  • Hard Boiled Eggs. Buy them already cooked and peeled in the refrigerator section of the grocery store if you want to save time and effort. Or you can cook and peel them several days ahead and refrigerate until ready to use.

PARTY TIP: Make potato salad a day ahead to save time and so the flavors can fully develop. It should be made AT LEAST 2 hours ahead, regardless.

potato salad in white bowl on white table.

How to Make It

There are only 4 easy steps to making this dish. See full instructions in recipe card below.

  1. Cook the potatoes.
  2. Toss in seasonings and diced vegetables.
  3. Mix the creamy dressing ingredients together and pour over potato mixture. Gently stir or fold in the dressing to coat everything.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but longer is better. Make it the night ahead!

Boil Potatoes for Potato Salad

  1. Place potatoes in a stock pot and cover them with water. Heat on high to bring water to a boil, then lower the heat to medium so potatoes cook at a low steady boil.
  2. Cook for about 15 or 20 minutes and check for doneness by piercing the center of a potato with a fork. It should be soft in the middle but firm enough so it doesn’t fall apart.
  3. Drain and cool potatoes so you can handle them. Cut them into halves or fourths depending on the size, and then proceed with the recipe.
potato salad with red potatoes in creamy dressing with bacon and chives, overhead.

When to Serve It

Here are some occasions that you’ll want to add this side dish recipe to your meal.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some great main entrees to pair with classic potato salad.

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small red potato salad recipe with chopped chives on top.

Classic Potato Salad Recipe

Yield: about 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes

Make this classic potato salad recipe your go-to summer side dish! With unique ingredients like balsamic vinegar and chipotle mustard, it hits the spot for potlucks and backyard barbecues.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound small red potatoes
  • 1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1/3 cup celery, chopped
  • 2 hard boiled eggs, chopped (I just crumble them with my hands)

Dressing

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1 Tablespoon chipotle mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping

  • 4 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • fresh chives

Instructions

  1. Cook red potatoes: Place potatoes in a sauce pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool.
  2. Cut potatoes into fourths, and sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, and mix carefully to coat. Add onions, celery, and eggs.
  3. Combine the dressing ingredients together in a separate bowl, and fold into potato mixture. Cover and refrigerate for several hours; overnight is optimal.
  4. Before serving, sprinkle snipped chives and bacon on top.

Notes

Try it with Sriracha mustard instead of chipotle mustard.

Use red, white and blue potatoes for a July 4th theme.

Did you make this recipe?

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5 Comments

  1. I just made this for my babies birthday party. It was absolutely the best potato salad I have ever tasted! We are vegans, even with my modifications and ommiting the eggs it was amazing. This will be my potato salad recipe I make from now on. THANKS!!!

    1. So glad to hear it, Michelle! Thanks for letting me know – I love the feedback. Glad you were able to make modifications to fit your lifestyle. 🙂

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