What’s not to love about a fully loaded ranch potato salad filled with bits of bacon and chunks of egg? This has been my kids’ favorite potato salad for over 10 years now.
This is a super easy-to-make potato salad with bacon, eggs, and ranch dressing and it’s been a huge hit with everyone who tries it.
Ranch Potato Salad
One day a few years ago, while I was making a fresh batch of Ranch Dressing, my eye fell on an enormous leftover baked potato and a few hard-boiled eggs waiting in the refrigerator.
The ingredients were almost begging me to make a potato salad. I won’t pretend that the bacon here was leftover, I cooked it fresh. Who ever heard of leftover bacon?!
Even with cooking the bacon, this ranch potato salad came together so easily that I instantly knew it would be one that would show up in the future on our lunch and dinner menus. This recipe multiplies beautifully and I usually double or triple it for get-togethers with friends.
I’ve served this to plenty of guests, brought it to potlucks, and made it as a dinner side dish just for the family. It’s a guaranteed hit every time.
Potato Salad with Bacon
When I decided to make a ranch potato salad that first time, my mind immediately turned to bacon. There simply isn’t a bad way to include bacon in a salad, right?
I wanted a salad with the flavors of ranch dressing, but also with some smokiness from the bacon. I used just a bit of the bacon grease to season the dressing and the whole salad picked up that slightly smoky flavor that we love.
With a few leftover hardboiled eggs and baked potatoes, this salad comes together quickly. Rather than using a storebought or pre-made ranch dressing, I made an extra thick dressing with mayonnaise and all the usual ranch seasoning suspects like dill and parsley.
Every bite of this potato salad is creamy and full of smoky bacon and herbed ranch flavor. Fresh green onions tossed in at the end added a terrific bite and satisfying crunch to the salad.
Don’t be scared of the bacon grease, it makes an enormous difference in the final result. It’s just a small amount and takes this from an ordinarily good potato salad to something that tastes better than any potato salad you’ve had from a restaurant or deli. It blows the store-bought salads completely out of the water.
Potato Salad with Ranch Dressing
Can there be a perfect potato salad? If so, this is it. I found myself snacking on this all afternoon that first time I made it.
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:
- cold baked potatoes
- hard-boiled eggs
- cooked bacon
- reserved bacon grease
- mayonnaise
- white vinegar
- kosher salt and black pepper
- dried dill, parsley, and chives
- green onion
Every time I walked through the kitchen, a fork managed to find its way into my hand as I opened and closed the refrigerator, just to “taste test” this recipe one more time. I’m lucky that there was enough left for our dinner!
Ever since the first time I made this ranch potato salad, I’ve served it as a side dish to countless main dishes. We love it with Crunchy Baked Chicken and Filthy Burgers but also it’s hearty and filling enough to serve as a lunch or light dinner all on its own.
And yes, I still find myself sneaking bites of it whenever I have leftovers in the fridge. This potato salad doesn’t need to wait or chill before being served. The flavors of everything come together perfectly right away and it’s best served fresh. I’ve also stored it in the fridge for a few hours or up to a day before serving and it’s still tasted fantastic.
Be prepared for everyone to ask you for your recipe when you bring this to a potluck. Everyone is always blown away by this combination of tender potatoes, creamy ranch, and smoky bacon.
Potato Salad Recipes with Eggs
Nothing says barbecue or picnic like a potato salad. If you’re looking for more great potato salad recipes, here are some more I’ve made over the years you need to try.
Looking for more potato salad recipes with eggs? Check out our Dill Pickle and Bacon Potato Salad and this Roasted Potato Salad.
Jalapenos and cheddar cheese make this Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad a guaranteed win. With a creamy, spicy dressing and smoky bites of bacon and egg throughout the salad, it’s a crowd favorite.
Creamy deviled egg filling creates the dressing that coats each bite of this potato salad. Chunks of potato and hard-boiled eggs are tossed with the dressing to make the ultimate potato salad for anyone who loves deviled eggs.
Tender potatoes mingle with crisp fresh vegetables in a creamy, herb dressing to take this Loaded Vegetable Potato Salad over the top.
An abundance of lemon and dill make this Lemony Dill Potato Salad the freshest tasting potato salad I’ve ever made. It has an unexpected bright flavor that makes you stop and savor the first bite.
Inspired once upon a time by a bit of leftover Elote Dip and a spoonful of leftover potato salad, this Street Corn Potato Salad was a fun random creation that I knew I needed to turn into a full potato salad recipe.
Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 1 baked potato about 1 lb, baked, peeled, and diced small, about ½" in size
- 3 hard-boiled eggs peeled and chopped
- 3 slices cooked bacon chopped or sliced small
- 1 tablespoon reserved bacon grease
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried chives
- 1 green onion sliced very thinly
Instructions
- Combine the potatoes, eggs and bacon in a bowl and set aside. Whisk together the remaining ingredients, except for the green onion.
- Pour the dressing over the potato mixture and toss well to coat. Add the green onions and toss lightly.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 4/16/13 – recipe notes and photos updated 4/15/24}
Jenn says
Okay, its official… I am moving into with you.. or at least moving in next door to you!! What a fantastic idea…. and yes, this is definitely THE perfect potato salad!!! Ranch + Bacon = Heaven!!!
Big Dude says
Your had me with the title and with the recipe and the pics, I'm definatey in.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Not sure how it tastes but it is the prettiest potato salad I've ever seen. The bacon is sliced beautifully and the picture seals the deal. I'm glad I planted dill and chives in the garden this year – I only wish I could grow bacon 🙂
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen says
Oh yum, this looks so delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Karen Downes says
Mary, would you mind if I made a Barefeet in the Kitchen board on Pinterest? I pin a ton of your recipes and I love this blog. I just wanted your permission first. If you don't want me to that's ok. Thanks.
Jean | Delightful Repast says
Mary, that looks soooo good! I like lots of egg in my potato salad, and this looks like a tasty combination.
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
Potato salad is on our menu for this week and this one looks so delicious!!
Anonymous says
Definately making!Looks yummy, but why call it ranch potato salad if ranch dressing isn't in it?
Mary says
Dill, parsley and chives are the dominant flavors in my homemade ranch dressing. The potato salad tastes like that dressing. Hope that helps!
Gerry @Foodness Gracious says
Ranch, bacon, eggs…what are you doing to me? All of my food groups in a salad is too good to be true 🙂
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
I think you may be right…this looks like the perfect potato salad! Pinning, so I don't forget! Thanks for sharing!!!
Anonymous says
HOW MANY IS THIS SUPPOSE TO FEED?
Mary says
It is a small batch recipe. 4-5 servings.
Anonymous says
Did you want to give up your recipe for your homemade ranch dressing ? 🙂
Mary says
The ranch dressing is linked in the first sentence. To make the recipe though, I included the separate ingredients to make it simpler. (if you don't already have the dressing in your fridge!) Hope that helps!
Chris says
I have to try doing the extra small dice of the potatoes, I haven't done that before. But I like the texture it gives you.
Julie E says
Mary it was lovely to meet you at Donna and Chad's too! I'm always a little shocked still when I meet someone and they say they know my blog…in a good way. 🙂
This potato salad sounds delicious and I'm super picky about my potato salads (I hate pickles). I can't wait to give this a try.
Anonymous says
Glad I saw this recipe. Was looking for another dish to make for my daughter's Birthday Party this weekend. This looks like a winner and it will be go great with burgers and brats.
Brenda Dubas says
If you want to up it a little, (my mother-in-law makes the best potato salad in the world) add some diced radishes and diced dill pickles!
Bert Lynn says
You had me at bacon grease….so wrong but ohhh so right! We'll call RightWrong.
Anonymous says
Your recipie was a hit at our house! Making it again tonight we've even made variations on it by using dill pickle juice instead o vinegar and added cheese. 🙂 love love love it! Thanks from my kitchen to yours!
Susan Butler says
Looks wonderful, but at my house, this would be MAYBE 2 servings! LOL!
plasterers bristol says
Cor this sounds lovely…..I love egg salad, and Evan better with bacon.
Simon
Kim Honeycutt says
Something different and delicious to try! Pinning it!