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
{originally published 7/9/18 – recipe notes and photos updated 8/28/24}
Judy says
Maybe try another state for reunions, just sayin’!!
Sam says
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!
Carol Maddox says
What kind of mayo did you use
Teri says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m happy to hear you love the potato salad too, Teri!
Linda says
How much mustard did you use?
Kay says
That’s how we always made it too. And a splash of pickle juice
Doris Backstrom says
Might try bread and butter pickles
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the salad, Doris!
Christine says
Can’t wait to try this delicious looking dish!!!! 🤗🤗🤗
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love the potato salad, Christine.
Judy Schaubel says
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?
Mary Younkin says
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.
Donna Ciaccio says
Don’t put the lid on the pan when boiling potatoes. Lid off
Mary Younkin says
Donna – Definitely keep the lid off.
Deborah Pinthus says
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
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad that you love the recipe, Deborah. Unfortunately, I don’t have a way to print and mail the recipes to you.
Melissa says
Just screen shot like we all do 🙂
Kay says
If you are on Facebook, go up to the 3 dots ( … ) click on it and you can save the recipe
Margaret says
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!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the potato salad, Margaret.
Anne says
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!!
Mary Younkin says
That sounds delicious, Anne.
Heather says
Thank you for this recipe.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the potato salad, Heather.
DELORES FLEMING says
wow everything looks sooo good
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the recipes, Delores.
Sharon says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the potato salad, Sharon.
Catie Arney says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love it, Catie!
Natasha says
best potato salad ever!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you love it, Natasha.
Jolena says
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
Mary Younkin says
That sounds great too, Jolena!
Valerie says
Surprised no mustard. I think I’m gonna throw some in
Mary Younkin says
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!
Lise Tanguay says
I put pickles eggs and sweet relish instead cause thats all i had and no onions just onion salt it was amazing.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you liked it, Lise.
Donna says
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.
Mary Younkin says
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!
Chris says
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
Mary Younkin says
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.