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Thrown together on a whim one night many years ago while we were on the road, this Bacon Potato Salad rapidly became a family favorite.
Filled with plenty of eggs, bites of bacon, and a bright dill pickle flavor, this salad has proven irresistible to everyone who tries it.
Sean and I were craving potato salad, and I was improvising with what I had on hand in the camper. It was a lucky whim that turned into this dill pickle and bacon-inspired salad.
Sean commented that it was really good before I had even tasted it and sure enough, this recipe turned out to be an absolute keeper.
Bacon Potato Salad
The first time I added bacon to a potato salad it was a game-changer. We all know that bacon + potatoes is pretty much a guaranteed win, right?
After that, I added bacon to our salads whenever I made one all summer long. This has become the most requested potato salad that I make when we get together with friends.
The first time I made this recipe, I wasn’t about to cook bacon in the camper. (We would have been smelling like bacon for days!) However, I spied the real bacon crumbles in the fridge and decided to try them in this salad.
I love using bacon crumbles for easy breakfasts and salad toppings, so I figured they’d probably work fine. Sure enough, the bacon crumbles worked great in the potato salad.
That said, when given a chance? I cook the bacon myself to have larger pieces in each bite!
Potato Salad Recipe with Bacon
To make this salad, place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Boil over high heat until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and let cool.
Combine the mayonnaise, dill relish, dill, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Add the potatoes, eggs, and bacon to the bowl. Stir to mix well.
Sprinkle with green onions and stir to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Potato Salad Recipes
For more salads you might love, try the Garlic Lover’s Potato Salad, the Lemony Dill Potato Salad, and the Honey Dijon Roasted Potato Salad.
Supercharge your cookout side dish game with this Dill Pickle Potato Salad. Classic tender potato salad gets a glow-up with scandalous amounts of dill pickles, pickle relish, pickle seasonings, and hard-boiled eggs.
This Honey Mustard Warm Potato Salad by Spend with Pennies and this Warm Bacon Corn Smashed Salad by Real Housemoms are next on my list to try.
Bacon Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes cut into ½-¾ inch pieces
- 6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled OR ½ cup real bacon crumbles
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons warm bacon grease
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper adjust to taste
- 6 hard boiled eggs roughly chopped
- 4 green onions sliced thin, about ½ cup
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Boil over high heat until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and let cool.
- Cook the bacon and set aside 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease. Combine the mayonnaise, reserved bacon grease, dill pickle relish, dried dill, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add the potatoes, eggs, chopped bacon, and green onions to the bowl with the dressing. Stir to mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 7/9/18 – recipe notes and photos updated 8/28/24}
Maybe try another state for reunions, just sayin’!!
I’ve been searching for a potato salad recipe all day, and this looks like a winner! Never thought to include pickles! I can’t wait to try this at home, thanks for sharing!
What kind of mayo did you use
I’m from Idaho. This is almost my grandma’s recipe. Uses russet potatoes, eggs, chopped dill pickles, mustard and mayo. No need for bacon if you don’t have it. Always a winner. I have always been surprised by how many people haven’t had something like this having grown up on it.
I’m happy to hear you love the potato salad too, Teri!
How much mustard did you use?
That’s how we always made it too. And a splash of pickle juice
Might try bread and butter pickles
I’m glad you like the salad, Doris!
Can’t wait to try this delicious looking dish!!!! 🤗🤗🤗
I hope you love the potato salad, Christine.
Was wondering if chopped dill pickles, after removing the seeds would be a suitable substitute for the pickle relish? And have you ever tried it with chopped cooked ham that’s fried in a skillet instead of the bacon? NO? You should 😂 Let everyone know what you think. I thought it was delicious!👌
PS does anyone else’s potatoes always end up mushy? What am I doing wrong?
Hi Judy, you’ll want to cook the potatoes until they are barely fork tender. Cooking them until they fall off the fork will result in much softer almost mushy potatoes. I bet it’s delicious with the cooked ham too. And yes, chopped pickles will work nicely.
Don’t put the lid on the pan when boiling potatoes. Lid off
Donna – Definitely keep the lid off.
I’ve been searching for a great potato salad recipe ever since my husband passed away. I think I have now found the one for me. Can you please send me this recipe I dont have a printer . Thanks
Deborah Pinthus
I’m glad that you love the recipe, Deborah. Unfortunately, I don’t have a way to print and mail the recipes to you.
Just screen shot like we all do 🙂
If you are on Facebook, go up to the 3 dots ( … ) click on it and you can save the recipe
I have had potato salad with dill pickles and mayo thanks to a good friend from California that introduced me to the recipe! Thanks Andy! I’m betting the bacon will make it even more delicious!
I’m so glad that you like the potato salad, Margaret.
Hi Mary,
I’ve been putting dill pickles in my potato salad for years. We love the flavour they add. I also add some Italian salad dressing as well. Everyone always says that they love the potato salad I make. I will try it with bacon next time. Sounds yummy!!
That sounds delicious, Anne.
Thank you for this recipe.
I’m glad you like the potato salad, Heather.
wow everything looks sooo good
I’m so glad that you like the recipes, Delores.
I always use dill and celery seed for flavor along with chopped dill pickles and green onion mixed in. Paprika on top for color. I also peel and cut my potatoes to size before cooking.
I’m glad you like the potato salad, Sharon.
I have always used sweet pickle relish in my potato salad, and used mustard instead of dill. But adding the bacon would be a wonderful addition. Can’t wait to try this new twist.
I hope you love it, Catie!
best potato salad ever!!
I’m so happy that you love it, Natasha.
Mine is similar also but I use dill mustard and dill pickle juice after I add dukes mayo and mix. Yum! Might need to try it with the bacon though….sounds delicious
That sounds great too, Jolena!
Surprised no mustard. I think I’m gonna throw some in
It’s great with mustard as well, Valerie. I make it both ways, but as written it’s more reminiscent of a ranch dressing flavor. Enjoy!
I put pickles eggs and sweet relish instead cause thats all i had and no onions just onion salt it was amazing.
I’m so glad you liked it, Lise.
I have never made potato salad before. Do you cut the potatoes first and then boil or boil them whole and then cut them? This looks great. Thank you.
You’ll cut the potatoes first, Donna. Just watch closely towards the end of the 10 minutes and pull them from the heat and drain as soon as the potatoes are fork-tender. I hope you love the potato salad!
Question on the full and bacon potato salad. Is there a reason you don’t use mustard? Every type I’ve had has used mustard… this confused me.
Thank you
Chris – No big reason, just different options and ways to make potato salad. There are over 15 variations on this site, enjoy finding your favorite.