Ranch Potato Salad

Table of Contents

1. RANCH POTATO SALAD INGREDIENTS
2. HOW TO MAKE THIS RANCH POTATO SALAD RECIPE
3. HOW TO SERVE
4. STORAGE
5. FAQ
6. MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
7. JUMP TO RECIPE

Ranch potato salad is full of tender pieces of potatoes, tasty cheddar cheese, crispy bacon and creamy ranch dressing. Deliciously satisfying, this is a perfect side dish to complement to almost any meal all year long.

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MORE POTATO RECIPES:
Oven Roasted Potatoes | Kielbasa and Potato Bake

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RANCH POTATO SALAD INGREDIENTS

You will need:

• 3 pounds red baby potatoes
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 cup diced fresh green onions
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon (follow this link to make it in the oven)
• 1 bottle (473 milliliters, 16 ounces) Ranch salad dressing
• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

Potatoes: Golden or red potatoes are best because they are less starchy potatoes. Leaving the potato skins on is optional if you prefer your potatoes with no skins.

Onions: You could add sweet onion or red onion to your potato salad. I love adding red onion to my potato salad. It adds some nice color. Soaking the onion in water helps to make it slightly milder, which would help take the bite away from the red onion. However, this step is optional, depending on your taste preference.

Eggs: Turn this into egg potato salad by adding hard-boiled eggs for even more protein.

HOW TO MAKE THIS RANCH POTATO SALAD RECIPE

STEP ONE: Cut potatoes into bite-size pieces. If the potatoes are larger potatoes, cut them in quarters; otherwise, half will be enough.

STEP TWO: Place the potatoes in a 2-quart pot and cover with water. Boil for 5 to 7 minutes until fork tender, not too long or they will get mushy. Drain the water and place potatoes in a large bowl. 

PRO TIP: Always start your potatoes in cold water. If you add them directly to boiling water, the outsides will cook immediately while the insides will take longer, leaving you with some pieces that are still hard.

PRO TIP: Don’t forget to ad a bit of kosher salt to your water once you add the potatoes. It will add the flavor right into the potatoes.

STEP THREE: Pour vinegar over the warm potatoes, stir well to mix, then let potatoes cool completely at room temperature. 

PRO TIP: Make sure your potatoes are cooled completely, or they will absorb too much of the dressing and you will have to add more.

STEP FOUR: Once the cooked potatoes have cooled, add the rest of the ingredients: green onions, cheese, cooked bacon bits, ranch dressing, pepper, and paprika. Stir well to mix. 

STEP FIVE: Cover the bowl with plastic food wrap and let it sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving to give it enough time to absorb the flavors.

PRO TIP: The longer you leave it in the fridge, the better to absorb all those yummy flavors.

HOW TO SERVE

Potato salad pairs well with so many different dishes. Try it alongside our instant pot chicken wings or classic sandwiches like sloppy joes or grilled ham and cheese.

Serve this bacon cheddar ranch potato salad with our iced tea, raspberry iced tea, sweet peach iced tea, or our southern strawberry sweet tea on the side. Add our fruit salsa and cinnamon chips, and you’ll have a full meal.

If you are serving this red potato salad for summer potlucks, this salad shouldn’t sit out for any longer than about 2 hours. Keep refrigerated until you are ready to serve and then pop it in the fridge after the meal.

For more side dishes, try our classic Potato Salad, German Potato Salad, Easy Italian Pasta Salad, Classic Coleslaw, and Broccoli Salad. 

STORAGE

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers of this creamy bacon ranch potato salad in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

MAKE-AHEAD: You can make this easy potato salad the day before and let all the flavors mingle overnight in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.

You can’t go wrong with the combination of smoky bacon, cheddar cheese and ranch dressing. Make this loaded ranch potato salad a staple of your dinner and picnic rotation or whip up a batch for your next barbecue.

FAQ

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
• Twice Baked Potato Casserole
• Broccoli and Cheddar Potato Skins
• Ranch Seasoning
• Twice Baked Potatoes
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• Grilled Potatoes
• Potato Chip Chicken Tenders
• Loaded Baked Potato Salad
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• Corn Salad