Delicious Cheddar and Bacon Infused Ranch Potato Recipe in Just Easy Steps
Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make potato salad recipe to bring to your next cookout or picnic? Look no further than the Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad! This popular dish is a crowd-pleaser and tends to disappear quickly.
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of russet potatoes, 6 slices of thick-cut bacon, 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of ranch dressing, 1/4 cup of sour cream, 2 green onions, 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/4 tsp of black pepper, and optional garnish of extra crispy bacon.
To prepare the potato salad, start by cooking the potatoes until they are tender. Once cooked, drain them and let them cool. While the potatoes are cooling, cook the bacon until crispy and set aside.
Next, whisk together the ranch dressing, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create the dressing. Once the potatoes have cooled, gently combine them with the dressing, cheese, and crumbled bacon. Folding, not stirring, the potato salad helps keep the potato chunks picture-perfect.
For those who enjoy a little heat, diced jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce can be added for an extra kick. Diced celery or bell peppers can also be added for extra crunch.
The potato salad is best served cold and should not be reheated. It's ideal for picnics due to its travel-friendly nature and improved taste when served cold. The flavours of the potato salad get richer as it chills, making it a perfect make-ahead dish.
This potato salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It pairs well with cold fried chicken, piled next to a simple deli sandwich, or served alongside juicy burgers, sticky ribs, or grilled chicken. It's also a great addition to smoky backyard BBQs, picnics, and casual meals.
The Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad was created by Melissa Sperka, the author of the Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Casserole recipe, which closely resembles a cheddar-bacon-ranch-style potato dish.
One tip to ensure the dressing stays creamy is to use cold potatoes. Cold potatoes can prevent the dressing from becoming runny. Underseasoning the potato salad allows flavours to intensify as it chills.
Reserving some bacon for sprinkling on top right before serving adds a crispy contrast. For a bold twist, blue cheese dressing can be used as a substitute for ranch dressing.
So, whether you're hosting a cookout or bringing a dish to a potluck, the Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad is sure to be a hit! Enjoy!
