Best Ever Potato Salad
104 comments » 
Potato salad falls into the same camp for me as egg salad. It’s a mayonnaise-based salad that I have long disliked because of how over the top mayonnaise-y it typically is. Until this recipe. It was a life changing experience and I neeeeeed to share it with you. This recipe comes from a friend’s grandmother and on the recipe card she gave me it is titled “Best Ever Potato Salad”. A bold statement and one that always gives me pause, but it is absolutely, 100% warranted in this case. First of all, I tend to trust old-school family recipes over others, second, the grandma was confident enough to call it the best, and lastly, it has a secret ingredient that takes it over the top. So I am totally comfortable in telling you that it is, indeed, the best ever.
The secret ingredient? Bacon drippings. Ahhhhhh.
Along with all of the great ingredients that give this salad a great depth of flavor and lots of texture, the dressing on this potato salad is what makes it insanely special. After frying up the bacon, you save a couple tablespoons of the bacon drippings and whisk in a modest amount of mayonnaise, some Dijon mustard, a bit of sugar and smidge of salt. It is ah-mazing. The flavor is robust, not terribly mayonnaise-y (huge bonus in my book), and a perfect accent to all of the flavors and textures in the salad.
I have served this to people who, like me, claim to hate potato salad because of how glumpy it can get with mayonnaise. I have also served it to people who claim that they only like their mom’s/grandma’s/aunt’s recipe and no others. All of these people? They have tripped over themselves raving about this potato salad, declaring it the best they’ve ever had.
So there you have it. The best potato salad, ever. You’ll want to keep this stashed away somewhere special for all of your summer parties and picnics! And be prepared for lots of recipe requests!
Two years ago: Pigu (Italian Gougeres)
Best Ever Potato Salad
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Prep Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
4 cups cubed red potatoes
10 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 stalk celery, diced
1 small onion, chopped
½ medium green pepper, choppedDirections:
1. Boil the potatoes until they are fork tender. (If you're not sure how to boil the potatoes, this is a good resource.) Drain the potatoes and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-low heat until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet.
3. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar and salt to the reserved bacon drippings in the skillet and whisk to combine.
4. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, onion and green pepper. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and gently stir to evenly coat. Stir in the bacon.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.
print
save
email
Neat idea! I can’t try it because I’m vegetarian, but I know my boy would love this!
Reply
brittney on January 9th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Make it vegetarian, i am also a ,vegetarian You could use veganaise instead of mayo smart bacon and tofu in replace of eggs.
Reply
I was just wondering, is there no substitute for mayonnaise? Maybe greek yoghurt?
Thanks!
Reply
Michelle on April 18th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Hi Silvia, I’ve never made potato salad with Greek yogurt or any mayo replacements, but you’ve done it in other recipes you could give it a try here.
Reply
Jo on April 22nd, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Over “mayonnaisey” potato salad has always been a problem for me too – I do half mayonnaise and half sour cream. It retains the consistency pretty well but its not mayonnaise.
I’ve never tried it with only sour cream but it seems like could work well!
Reply
brittney on January 9th, 2013 at 10:56 pm
Veganaise is a mayonnaise replacement
Reply
This really does look good. Bacon makes everything better!
Reply
This sounds so yummy! except for the green pepper. Can’t eat it, so I will try it with out the pepper.
Reply
Bacon. Drippings. Oh yeah. This is soooo going on my Easter menu. I’ll put it next to my bacon mac & cheese and then everyone can pass out in a bacon coma.
Reply
I JUST posted on potato salad! Bacon totally does the trick, doesn’t it? I’m with you on mayonnaise-y salads… I love ‘em if I make ‘em the way I like ‘em! This looks awesome, and I love the celery addition. I made mine with BBQ seasoning for a new twist. YUM!
Reply
I am trying this tonight! I have been trying to pry my friend’s grandmother’s recipe for over a year, IT was the best potato salad I have ever and it did contain bacon! Thank you so much…my hubbie will be much appreciative!
Reply
I absolutely love potato salad! Yours looks divine!! Bring on the crackers, I am ready!
Reply
Great potato salad recipe!
Reply
Of course it’s wonderful! Bacon drippings? Yes, please!
Reply
This sounds amazing. Bacon drippings give everything such a better flavour, I will have to try it for sure.
Reply
Hey, you had me at bacon drippings.
Reply
This is fabulous! I love everything about this recipe. From the bacon to the fact that you left the potato skins on! I make a similar recipe and add cubed chicken yum!
Reply
Bacon!! I love love love bacon! I am so glad you shared this
Reply
This is so similar to my best potato salad recipe and what I love the most? No pickle relish! Mine does mix some sour cream with the mayo so in answer to Sylvia’s question I wouldn’t hesitate to mix it up a bit with yogurt; especially Greek yogurt since it’s got such body.
Makes me want to make some . Now.
Reply
Oh the secret is out! Hard to go wrong with bacon drippings! Can’t wait to try this!
Reply
This recipe looks great and, AS ALWAYS, your pictures are gorgeous!!
Reply
Sinful! And I LOVE it!!
Reply
Oh yeah. Bacon drippings. They make just about anything better. With all deference to Benjamin Franklin, it is not beer, but bacon (and butter) that is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Reply
Just yesterday I had a facebook conversation with a friend who let us all know that her daughters favorite FAT is bacon. I’ll be sending this recipe her way. It’s nice to see a recipe that uses the bacon grease…do you have other such recipes? it’s so flavorful that it’s kind of strange that you don’t see more recipes for it.
Reply
Michelle on April 18th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Hi Gwenevere, I actually have two other recipes…
This maple-bacon popcorn is popped in reserved bacon drippings:
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2011/01/19/maple-bacon-kettle-popcorn/
And these bacon onion cheddar biscuits use some of the leftover bacon grease to fry up the onions:
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/09/08/bacon-onion-cheddar-biscuits/
Enjoy!
Reply
I LOVE anything with bacon! My mom made pilaf and would brown the rice first in a tablespoon of bacon grease. SO good! I’m looking forward to making this salad for sure. Oh—love the pictures too.
Reply
I don’t know if this is weird but what about artichoke in these as well?! Great photos and post.
Reply
Heavenly! You had me sold at bacon drippings before I even saw the rest of the ingredients! My friend is having a bbq Friday night and was going to use Ina’s potato salad recipe. I think I must forward this along to her
Reply
I’m intrigued. I swear by my grandmother’s potato salad recipe which is savory and sweet. I’ve never heard of using bacon in potato salad though so I’d like to give this a try and see how it goes. I don’t know if this will be able to beat out my grandma’s recipe though, it lacks our tasty spices and secret ingredient. I don’t keep actual measurements (I do it all by sight and taste) or I would send it over for you to try out.
Reply
You have this vegetarian drooling and actually wanting to try this…”best ever potato salad” is a bold claim but this sounds like it could be it! Maybe I’ll try it with veggie bacon. Thanks for the recipe!
Reply
Have you ever tried warm German Potato salad? My hubby is like you and dislikes mayo – this is our go-to potato salad at our house! And it has meat so it makes a quick and easy ‘skillet’ dinner too!!
Reply
This recipe is EXACTLY what I was looking for!
Reply
Bacon, Potatoes… Yes Please!!! Looks amazing!
Reply
Okay, this looks incredible!! I love potato salad so I’m definitely going to try it!
Reply
The bacon’s not for me. I prefer mine tasting really fresh with lemon juice and fresh herbs, and chives and black pepper, with a mix of greek yoghurt, garlic and mayo. Maybe I could take my bacon on the side, just not mixed in with the salad.
)
Reply
This sounds like my kind of Potato Salad.I’m not big on gloppy mayo salads, my 82 yr old Dad makes THE BEST GERMAN POTATO SALAD!!!!!!!!!! So I’m really spoiled,I have to make this soon!
Reply
This does indeed sound like a fabulous potato salad – you can’t go wrong with bacon drippings. Your photos are looking really good, Michelle!
Reply
my husband might even like this potato salad! yum!
Reply
Bacon – YES!!! Have you tried sour cream-dill potato salad? It’s basically dill dip with potatoes. You might like it. I found your blog last week & you’re in my Favorites.
Reply
You have once again proven my theory that anything – virtually anything – can be improved with the addition of bacon. Thanks for this perfect keeper recipe.
Reply
Bacon makes everything better, doesn’t it?
Reply
I’ve only started liking potato salad in the past few years or so, and am picky about what I like, but this sounds like a great recipe! I will definitely have to try it.
Reply
I, too, am not a fan of the mayonnaisse-laden potato salad, but this recipe sounds delish! Your blog and Annie’s from Annie’s Eats are my favorite food blogs. I used to click on the link from Annie’s blog to view yours, but now I’ve just bookmarked your page
Reply
I always give potato salad a pass because of the ick-may factor. Bleh. ‘Modest mayo’ still sounds a bit dodgy but the fact that it gets mixed with FRAPPING BACON DRIPPINGS means I’ll suck it up. Well done!
Reply
You had me at bacon drippings
I can’t wait to try this recipe this summer!
Reply
I love potato salad, (we only have it at Christmas time though), and this looks super delicious. Bacon all the way.
Reply
My mom makes it this way and its a huge hit!
Reply
I love potato salad! The ultimate comfort food. I will have to give this recipe a try!
Reply
Is the skillet hot when you add the mayo and fixings to the bacon grease?
Reply
Michelle on April 19th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Hi Carri Ann, Yes, the skillet is still hot when I add the rest of the dressing ingredients to the bacon grease. I use cast iron, so it takes quite some time for it to cool off.
Reply
I love love potato salad. This is a great recipe.
Reply
Bacon drippings – you are an evil genius!
Reply
We have a very similar family recipe but we cut up sweet pickles instead of green peppers. It’s delish. And agree, it’s the bacon drippings that are the secret weapon.
Reply
You clearly know how to get to a southerner’s heart! Potato salad is always awesome around here
I saved your recipe in my inspiration notebook so I can remember to try it ASAP: http://www.eatandwrite.com/2011/04/22/inspiration-notebook-recipes-to-try/
Reply
i’m actually pretty excited to try this, and i don’t even like potato salad! there’s been maybe one kind ever that i can tolerate. so thank you!
Reply
We love potato salad….especially with brisket. Can’t wait to give this a try….
I shared your recipe on my Must Try Tuesday post…
http://therickettchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/04/must-try-tuesday-april-19-2011.html
Thanks for sharing!
Reply
I just made this for a BBQ tomorrow afternoon – it is Delicious! If I didn’t tell people I was making it, I would be tempted to keep it all for myself.
Reply
Turned out so good! Thank you!
Reply
So I ended up making this for Easter, with just some minor changes, and it was super YUMMY! Not overly dressed, perfect flavor. This will now be a regular go-to recipe for gatherings and picnics! Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Bacon is a perfect addition to potato salad! I knew when I read your recipe it would be wonderful and it did not disappoint! I did use more like 5-6 cups potatoes, double the celery (we liek a lot) and a little less mayo but kept the mustard and bacon grease the same. it was great and will be my new go to. Thanks for another winner!
Reply
I just made this potato salad for dinner tonight and, of course, I had to sample it. This is going to be a real winner. Can’t wait until my husband tastes it. Thank you for sharing.
Reply
Bacon drippings make everything wonderful. Don’t know what it is. They just do. This looks seriously good. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Just made this to take to a backyard BBQ party! Can’t wait to share it with everyone else. So yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Reply
YUUUM! I made this for dinner yesterday evening as a side to some yummy burgers on the grill and it was VERY tasty. Possible the best potato salad ever
I actually munched on some right after I mixed everything together while it was still slightly warm/room temperature and I thought it was just as good as when it was chilled and the flavors had time to marry together. I wouldn’t have minded eating it as a side before chilling, but it was also tasty after 3 hours in the fridge, and still tasty the following day when I had leftovers for lunch! Thanks for a great recipe!
Reply
As a suggestion before commenting on a receipe why not make it first. Your comment is not very useful otherwise. So if you made it (a few have) then speak up … let us know if had to tweek it or was it fine as is.
Reply
Michelle on May 27th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Everyone is welcome to comment on posts, whether they have made the recipe or not. This site is not just for recipe reviews, but also for discussions and general chit chat about the things we find delicious or want to try. Comment away, everyone!
Reply
Thank you so much for this recipe, we’ve made this 3 times already and everyone LOVES it! This is the only potato salad recipe allowed in our kitchen!!
Reply
Great recipe!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Thanks for posting this recipe I made it with just a few changes and my husband declared it the best potato salad ever! I have linked my post back to your site.
http://cooklisacook.blogspot.com/2011/06/potato-salad-with-bacon.html
Thanks again,
Lisa~~
Reply
How do you feel about other kinds of potato salads?? german style/warm?? yum! My mom has been making “italian potato salad” for years and I love it!! Its with vinegar and oil, (you know I have a thing for tart vinegar tastes!!) I’ve been making coleslaw with vinegar and oil too…I, like you, hate gloppy mayo. Maybe you can lighten up egg salad too?!!?
Reply
Michelle on June 17th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Oh, I do love German-style potato salad! And I also love oil and vinegar coleslaw… hello Primanti’s
I did an egg salad a couple of months ago, and I really like it – not TOO mayo-laden.
Reply
Of course it’s yummy–bacon drippings and sugar–ha ha!! I personally do not like a potato salad with 100% mayo either. I always use half mayo and half sour cream or plain yogurt, not only for calorie-cutting reasons but as a matter of taste.
Reply
YES!!! This is “the best potato salad ever”, the name is not hyperbole. I’d been making one pretty close to this for years but this recipe, with the addition of bacon and sugar and no vinegar is perfect. I despise store bought and restaurant potato salads because they always are too heavy on something or completely lacking in something else.
This is perfection.
Reply
Just tried your recipe. Loved it!! The bacon really made the difference. Definitely a recipe to keep. Thanks.
Reply
This really does look so good!! I’m putting it in my files and I’ll be trying it in the coming week. Thanks!
Reply
Well…I have to say I think I have the ‘best ever’ potato salad and no surprise; it’s got bacon and bacon drippings. But I also mix half sour cream and half mayo for the dressing…I always thought that was more the big ‘secret’ but you’re right. Bacon trumps sour cream any day!
Reply
I have made this potato salad for years, but after I boil the potatoes, I salt and pepper them and place them under the broiler till crispy on the outside. YUMMMMM
Reply
Good God, I am in my 50′s and I have NEVER made potato salad for all the reasons everyone mentioned. Mayonnaise, YUCH. But I have to bring a vegetarian salad to a party the day after tomorrow and the birthday girl requested potato salad. Can I leave out the bacon?? I know, I know…blasphemy, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Will it still taste good? Anything else I could add in its place? Thanks!
Reply
Michelle on August 6th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Hi Dee, It will definitely still be good, just missing that “certain something”. I would replace the bacon drippings with a vegetable or canola oil for the dressing.
Reply
WOW this is soooooooooo good
Thanks for a great recipe!
Reply
I can say one thing, people who do not like mayonnaise on potato salad must be eating potato salad with Miracle Whip or some other awful mayo. The only mayonnaise that should be used is Hellman’s or Best Food (same thing, but west of the Rockies Hellman’s is called Best Food). I hate potato salad or deviled eggs that have M.W. in them…gross! I will be trying this recipe with Hellman’s.
Reply
Michelle on August 26th, 2011 at 9:22 am
That’s quite possible! I grew up in the 80′s and Miracle Whip was all the rage.You may have just cracked the case!
Reply
Looks really yummy, the bacon is what makes it really stand out in awesome taste probably.
Reply
I made this during the Thanksgiving holiday and it went so perfectly with leftover turkey sandwiches! This potato salad had EVERYONE raving…it really is the best ever! I made a lot, so we had leftovers for 3 days and it got yummier every day! I’m obsessed with the flavor combinations and textures. I have never been a huge potato salad lover–but I am NOW!
Reply
I am DEFINITELY gonna try this recipe…
Need some advice first…
I am making it for a group of 20 people and no matter what recipe i am using…I plan on using 8-10 lbs. of potatoes…
Any suggestions on how much to up the ingredients for this much?
Reply
Michelle on December 14th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Hi Christine, I have never actually weighed the potatoes (eek!) but I would say you’ll probably want to triple the other ingredients.
Reply
Also…I was contemplating roasting my potatoes this time as opposed to the traditional boiling the potatoes…
What do we think about this?
Same ingredients…just roasted potatoes instead of boiled….
Reply
Jason Baker on January 12th, 2013 at 8:10 am
I think its a great idea but I would only use the bacon and maybe the eggs and onion. Myself personally I wouldn’t use the celery or the green pepper. But I think it would be an awesome idea. If you have already done it can you post and let us know how it went.
Reply
I made a big bowl of this salad yesterday! I’m not a big fan of hard-boiled eggs in my salad, so I only added two. On the other hand, I’m a total, die-hard veggie girl, so I added twice as much bell pepper and four times as much celery. The result? Wonderful, wonderful crunchy texture. I only added about 2-3 tbsp of mayo, substituting the rest with Balkan yoghurt – that’s pretty much my standard approach to any salad. I also thought the salad would benefit from a bit of spice, so I added lots of freshly ground black pepper. The result? Awesomeness
Reply
just heard about this recipe
Reply
Can you please explain to a ‘Kiwi’ girl what bacon drippings are please? Is it just the fat that comes off the bacon in the pan? Thanks
Reply
Michelle on December 20th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Hi Marnie, You are spot-on! The bacon drippings is just the bacon grease in the pan.
Reply
I only just came across this recipe. The best part is I make my own mayonnaise from bacon drippings. I always collect the fat as we have bacon in our house every Sunday morning. There is usually around 8 people over for breakfast. I read about the advantages of bacon fat and have been using it ever since. I used my mayonnaise and of course I still put in the extra bacon dripping it was perfect. Everyone loved it. They couldn’t believe the difference the bacon fat made. This one has been printed of and placed in my salad folder in the kitchen. Thank you for posting it.
Reply
What a hit! This is my new go to potato salad recipe! Thank you
Reply
This is the best potato salad ever. How do I know? Because it’s the recipe that my mother and grandmother used! The ingredient amounts are slightly different, and they were for them too, depending on the number of people they were seving an their individual likes and dislikes. I never had a specific recipe for this as Mom ad Grandma just knew how much of everything to put together depending on the no. of people to feed. In those days, you learned how to cook by being the “assistant” to your mother and grandmother. Those are very good memories.
Reply
What kind of onion are we supposed to use with this recipe? Red or yellow?
Reply
Michelle on March 2nd, 2013 at 5:04 pm
Hi Erica, Yellow onion.
Reply
This is now my “keeper” recipe! I might have added a tad more bacon grease, but honestly I didn’t vear from the recipe at all and it came out really good! THANK YOU!!!
Reply
Just about the kind I make, except instead of sugar, I use a little sweet relish. Also use a little sweet relish in my deviled eggs………super good.
Reply
I plan on making this soon…it sounds delectable! My only question is….If you mix all the dressing ingredients in the frying pan, does the finished dressing look a little gritty and darkened from the fried bacon particles in the pan? Not that it’s going to stop me from making it…just wanted to know. Thanks!
Reply
Michelle on March 28th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
Hi Karen, You will see some bits from the bacon grease but it definitely doesn’t make the dish look “dirty”. Enjoy!!
Reply
Hi! I hope you don’t mind, I included this link to my blog. I don’t know your name, or at least I wasn’t able to get your name. I was inspired to share it with minor revisions on your recipe and it worked for me. Thanks!
Reply
THIS IS SIMPLY THE BEST POTATO SALAD EVER! I thank you from the bottom of my heart mami! I thank you for sharing all of this love, with all of us, to share with all of our other friends!!! When I was a kid I used to go with a friend, over to one of his friends house and his wife would make a salad similar. Now that I am much older and I have friends over to my house I have been fantasizing about a potato salad with bacon in it! So I came across you and your GREAT site via google. I made this recipe 3 days ago at my bbq and all in attendances wanted this recipe… I was a little hurt though, I thought all would want my ribs recipe… Few did, however nothing like this one! I double what your recipe called for and added some black pepper with a dash more salt… This recipe has truly been a dream come true for me! I deeply thank you for sharing this with your NEW friends in Seattle.
Reply
I have this in my fridge right now, chilling for tonight’s dinner. I tasted a bit, still warm, and OHMAHGAWD it is so good! I left out the green pepper as my husband doesn’t like them, and only used two hard-boiled eggs because I forgot to buy eggs (who does that?).
Can’t wait for dinner tonight!
Reply