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Best Ever Potato Salad Recipe
This BEST EVER Potato Salad recipe from grandma is easy, creamy, loaded with bacon, and a secret ingredient in the dressing puts it over the top! It converted me from being a potato salad hater to a potato salad lover! Please don’t go through the entire summer without making this at least once!
Potato salad falls into the same camp for me as egg salad. It’s a mayonnaise-based salad that I 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.
What Makes This Potato Salad the Best?
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.
How to Make Potato Salad Ahead of Time
I totally get it… you’re hosting a picnic, or you’ve been invited to a bbq and you don’t want to be throwing the potato salad together last minute, plus we all know that given some time to sit in the refrigerator only makes it exponentially better.
You can safely (and easily) make this potato salad up to 1 day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator before serving.
I have served this to people who, like me, claim to hate potato salad because of how gloppy 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 recipe, declaring it the best they’ve ever had.
So there you have it. The best potato salad, ever. You’ll want to keep this recipe stashed away for all of your summer parties and picnics! Be prepared for lots of recipe requests!
If You Like This Potato Salad Recipe, Try These Summery Salads:
Five years ago: The Best Twice Baked Potatoes
Six years ago: DIY: Iced Coffee
Seven years ago: Colossal Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookies
Watch How to Make the Best Ever Potato Salad
Did you make this recipe?
The BEST EVER Potato Salad recipe from a friend's grandmother, with a special secret ingredient in the dressing! It converted me from being a potato salad hater to a potato salad lover!
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.
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 and remove the pan from heat.
Add the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar and salt to the reserved bacon drippings in the skillet and whisk to combine.
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.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Leftovers can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 574kcal
Fat: 47g
Saturated fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 173mg
Sodium: 1032mg
Potassium: 714mg
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 4g
Protein: 14g
Vitamin A: 250%
Vitamin C: 19.1%
Calcium: 37%
Iron: 1.6%
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in April 2011, updated with new photos in June 2016, and refreshed again with updated photos, a video, and extra recipe success tips.
[photos by Ari of Well Seasoned]
Indeed, hands down, this is THE BEST Potato Salad I have ever come across. Like me, I do not really like potato salads that are drenched thickly with mayonnaise. I like being able to taste the different textures in it and this is PERFECTION. Thank you so much for sharing it. I have since made it numerous times and each time, I actually scrape the bottom of my bowl EACH TIME. That is saying a lot for a picky eater like me. And each time I make it for family and friends, nothing is left to take home!
Every time I need to bring a dish now, this is what they ask for.
Awesome! I made it for Christmas and I’ve made it several times since. Thank you!
I have made this over and over!! The ONLY exception I did was not to use potatoes…I used chopped raw cauliflower instead as most of my family is keto!! They love this recipe!!! So thank you!!!!
This is basically our secret family recipe, minus the Dijon, and it’s the best ever. I always take to to parties and people rave about it. I have never liked regular potato salad—once you have the best it’s hard to like others.
I made this yesterday, and hands down, it really is the BEST potato salad I ever had!! What sets it apart from the normal potato salad, for me, is the amount of bacon and the bacon drippings in the dressing. I’ve already passed it on to my daughters! Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
Just made this today and had it with shrimp burgers from cook’s illustrated site. OMG!!! So delicious. I have always thought of potato salad as “ho hum”…always about the same. This totally blows me out of the water. This will be our “go to” recipe from now on!!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Hi there! While taking a look at your web site, your Best Ever Potato Salad caught my eye. I had a bag of baby Yukon gold potatoes on hand, so used those instead of red potatoes, and I used Maui onion instead of yellow onion, plus a red pepper I had on hand, as well as the rest of your suggested ingredients. My mom always swore by using bacon grease for all kinds of things. I hadn’t thought of using it in the dressing, but it was delicious. I did make the potato salad a day ahead of needing it for shared pot luck weekly dinner down by the ocean. I have to admit, I forgot to take a picture and before I knew it, the bowl of potato salad was almost empty!! Needless to say, everyone loved it. Thanks so much for sharing your recipes. I’ll be back to try some of the others.
It never occurred to me to add bacon to my potato salad. I like the idea of adding bacon drippings to the mayonnaise.
Kind of fun to see all of the different add-ins and twists that people have. We are sort of boring. I guess you could call it classic,or traditionalists..but we do the mayo mustard hard boiled eggs, a little bit of onion and a bit of sweet pickle relish. Bit I’m going to be adventurous and make a German potato salad for my Dad. He asked for it. So I really am needing to venture out of the same old..living on the edge😋 hope u had a good mothers day. We had a lovely family time weekend. Very blessed low key time..just perfect really.
I always steam my potatoes inside of boil them. They hold up better in a salad.
Steaming the potatoes – that’s interesting to me. How do you do it, and how long does it take to steam potatoes? Do you use red skinned or russet? I like the idea that they hold up better when steamed.
I’m not a mustard fan. I make it without and thought it was delicious.
Made this for an office potluck and it was a hit! Thanks for sharing!
Going to try itangie
I made this and it was not false advertising at all! This is so far, the best potato salad I have never hated. I am not a big potato salad person but this, i ate. And ate. And ate. I served it our chairman’s luncheon meeting and the boss gave it a thumbs up. I did not change a thing. it is awesome. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Very similar to my recipe which was my mother’s recipe that was her grandmother’s recipe. Only difference is the added sugar and mustard – we don’t use those ingredients. I can add a tip on the potatoes here so that you’ll never have a mushy potato salad. When your potatoes come out of the hot water line them up on tinfoil and let them cool that way side-by-side. It removes any excess water and excess starch and it comes out perfect and never mushy.
Making your own potato salad seems so intimidating sometimes! I feel like I’m just getting the hang of it!…
Thank you for sharing your recipe. It was super easy to follow and taste so delicious. I added one green apple 🍏 diced finely and half a red onion. I will be garnishing with garlicscapes.
Absolutely the best tasting potatoe salad i have ever tasted. So yummy! I could eat the whole bowl myself. Thanks grandma so tasty, only way i will be doing it from now on. 😁
Best potato salad ever!!! I doubled the potatoes as i had 14 guests. It was enough to serve them all and it all went in one go! Thank you for sharing.
I hate it when people comment that they altered a recipe but i have been trying to make a southwestern potato salad (with cubed chedder, red pepper) and could not find anything, then I tried your tip with the bacon fat and mustard and omg omg thank you thank you heaven….(:
Wow. I have never made potato salad before but this recipe looked good. It is fabulous! The dressing, even without the bacon is really good. I used bacon bits (keep them in the freezer) and it worked just as well.
I don’t like the way your link/post button cover the left side of the recipe. Very inconvenient.
Hi John, I’m not sure what you’re referring to, as I don’t see anything like that. Can you take a screen shot and let me know what operating system and browser you’re using? That will help me fix it!
I did make this and it is very good. I WILL make this again.
By far the best potato salad I’ve ever had!
I’ve made a recipe similar to this minus eggs, onions and bell peppers. In my mayonnaise mixture I use apple cider vinegar, spicy brown mustard, celery and bacon bits. The eggs and onions make it spoil quicker, onions also leave a strong aftertaste.
Can you put carrots in potato salad
Hi Michelle, I personally wouldn’t because you would have to cook them a LONG time to soften, otherwise you would have crunchy chunks of carrots in the potato salad. From a texture perspective, I don’t think I would like it.
Wow, who knew bacon grease could make potato salad taste so great. I’m giving this 5 stars.
Made this today and it is delicious! I substituted yellow mustard for the dijon mustard as I am not a fan of dijon. I will definitely be making this again! LOVE
With all the praise, I am not sure what happened when I made it. I checked a couple times and followed directions to a T. I’m an experienced cook of 50 years as well. I’m thinking maybe the brand of bacon was more salty than the brand I normally use. But that much bacon, paired with the 2 TBS. of bacon grease, then with the added tsp. of salt, and it was EXTREMELY salty… on the verge of inedible. Seriously. And I love salt. Everyone else is happy with it, so I’m puzzled. This is the first of your recipes I have made, but I want to try other ones that I might like instead. Sorry. Wish I had the reaction everyone else had.
It’s my favorite potato salad ever!! I won’t make another ever again!! As a matter of fact I made it for tonite. Can’t wait to dig in!! Anyone who has tried it, wants the recipe!! Thanks
This is a very tasty potato salad and even my critical foodie hubby loved this potato salad! The bacon is a great addition that I’ve never tried before! I used The old fashioned smoke house special bacon from Thielen meats in Little Falls, MN from a trip up to northern MN. I omitted the green peppers,mustard and sugar and instead used a little turmeric and curry powders. This is my new potato salad recipe!! Thanks!
Oh my! This is the best potato salad recipe I have made…..very tasty!!
This is one of the best potato salads that I have ever had. I made it with very few changes and it was wonderful. I only used 6 slices of bacon, left out the green pepper and onion. But I did add a bunch of green onions. I made it for a luncheon and everyone raved about it, even the 91 year old aunt! This will be made lots of times this summer!
I have made numerous potatoe salad recipes and was looking for something a little different . This is yummy! Doubled the recipe and used a generous portion of capers instead of the green peppers. Lots of fresh ground pepper. It’s goung to the Kentucky Derby tomorrow. We party on the backside with the horses and this will be a new winner!
Reminds me of my Grandmas German Potato salad will save recipe and try this summer with Pork Ribs. Thanks you have a Great site
This looks good. I cut down on mayo, no sugar and I add pickle juice. Bacon addition good!
I wasn’t going to rate this recipe at first. When I first made it, then put it in the fridge for a while to get cold while I finished cooking the rest of Easter supper, I thought it just okay the first day that I ate it and my fiance thought the same thing, just okay. However, when we ate some of it the next day after it sat in the fridge much longer and got really cold, it seemed to really come together. We definitely enjoyed it much better and ageee with it being savory. So I give you 5 stars and thank you for a different version of potato salad that I will definitely make again.
Do u use mayonnaise or hellmans?
Hi Jennifer, I use Hellmann’s, which is a brand of mayonnaise, so yes to both ;-)
Best Ever Potato Salad is amazing! The family has been begging for it again and again! Good job on this one!
AMAZING. I made this for a BBQ and it disappeared quick. I added sliced black olives and a little extra mayonnaise after it chilled in the fridge. Definitely making this again.
This is by far the best potato salad ever. I’ve never been a big fan of potato salad either, but I make it because my husband likes it. This recipe made me a believer. I will admit I didn’t use celery or green pepper because I didn’t have any and I added shredded cheese. I honestly don’t think it matters what you put in it, it’s the dressing made with bacon drippings that puts this recipe over the top! I will never need another recipe, this is the winner!!
I made this great recipe. I changed the onion to purple and added zucchini relish.
Hands down, the best ever!
when u say 1 stalk, does that mean 1 rib or whole stalk
Hi Ruby, 1 rib, sorry for any confusion!
Just made this for a shared lunch at my work – everyone loves it and wants the recipe! Absolutely delicious!
Your recipes excite me. I am going to have to try the potato salad tomorrow. <y daughter is coming over and bringing her bacon-cheese-hot dogs. I almost drool reading your potato salad recipe. Love your Friday page. Love to see your boys and that huggable dog. Keep up the good works. Sue
Question regarding the potatoes… am I correct in thinking that the potatoes should be cool before mixing in the dressing?
I don’t want the dressing to melt off of the potatoes and make a mess. thanks!
Hi Lori, Yes, they should be close to room temperature. I’ve found that if you do the potatoes first, then proceed to everything else, by the time the dressing is ready, the potatoes should be just fine to add them in. Enjoy!
Made this yesterday for a football party and everyone loved it. My only modification was that I left out the sugar.
Can I substitute Pancetta for bacon?
Sure!
FANTASTIC recipe!!! Not a huge pot salad fan, but THIS one knocks it outta the park!
A few suggestions…
Only add 3-4 bacon strips (cooked and chopped)
Limit bacon grease to 1 to 1.5 Tbls *otherwise you get a greasy aftertaste
Add lots of fresh ground pepper!
Make sure to mix dressing ingredients separately, then add to potatoes & veg (avoid over mixing, so pots don’t get totally mushed)
*Also note…with 1.5lbs red potatoes, your salad will be heavily “dressed”…I’ve had folks ask for minimally dressed, in which case, cook 2 lbs potatoes.
Otherwise, this potato salad gets TOP marks, and should be included for any backyard BBQ!
My second time making this and I love it!! Everyone can’t get enough!
Growing up I never really liked potatoe salad. Everyone else around me liked it and as I got older I kept trying the odd taste at social events but still wasn’t a fan.
Thank to the Brown Eyed Baker I can join the potatoe salad lovers. BUT, this salad is the best and I am not the only potatoe salad fan to love this recipe.
I made a double batch and took it to a social event and had many compliments. So in return my compliments to the Brown Eyed Baker. THANK YOU!!
Thank you for wonderful recipes.
Have you used an Instant Pot? My wife makes a red skin potato salad similar to this and it is the best I have ever had.
Hi John, I still don’t have an Instant Pot! I keep wavering on pulling the trigger since I don’t know how much I would use it? And I have a couple slow cookers? Worth having both?
Greetings from Sweden! I am a regular visitor of your website and usually only look at the cake recipes, but I tried this salad at my summer party. Everyone loved it and thought that it was the most delicious potato salad ever! I changed nothing and even though there is mayo, I don’t mind….everything in moderation. :-) Thanks!!
I’m so thrilled to hear the potato salad was a big hit!
I made this and it was fantastic! … I skipped the sugar and cut back a bit on the salt, but the bacon drippings definitely put it over the top! I also cooked up an 8 Oz (or so) bag of Trader Joe’s English peas. .. Great addition. Whole grain mustard and lots of finely chopped cornichons. I had a red pepper, so I used that as well. It got raves from my family!! … Thanks for sharing!!
Intensely attractive option for those vegetarians who love to experiment with their usual salad!
Jackpot! Thank you for the wonderful recipes I found on your site this morning. I don’t have the exact recipe names in front of me…salted cookies with ground coffee in them, the best potato salad, no bake peanut butter chocolate cookies, Boston creme cupcakes. You gave me much to look forward to .
Just finished making this recipe with a couple of minor substitutions.. I used red, white and blue (purple) mini potatoes for the 4th of July Holiday. I used scallions in place of the onions and omitted the green peppers. I only used 2 eggs. The potato salad is fabulous even before chilling. I look forward to serving it tomorrow. Definitely an “old fashioned style”. Perfect for this holiday.
I made your Best Ever Potato Salad yesterday for Father’s Day dinner. It was the first time I made potato salad–my mom always made it for picnics and holidays. My husband and son-in-law loved it! I followed the recipe as is, it was easy to put together and they enjoyed it very much! Thank you for helping me add to my recipe collection, again!
Just made this morning to go with grilled Bratwurst this evening. Great recipe- will taste even better and refrigerating all day. Thanks!
This is by far the best potato salad, a little time consuming but well worth the time. Very flavorful. Whole family agreed this is the only potato salad for our family.
I am 50 and a good cook but have never made potato salad because I really don’t care for it. I only made this because when I asked what to bring to a party, this was the request. My husband loves all potato salad and we both loved this along with all the party guests who tried it. I definitely love this recipe. I made a few slight changes. I did not add any eggs, I added black pepper because I like it in everything, and I did not add the full amount of dressing. I made the dressing as the recipe called but then spooned it on until I had the right amount for us. I trippled the recipe and had a little over a cup of dressing left over which I saved for future use.
I made this last night….it is the best potato salad have ever made or tasted. Sooooooo yummy!I micro waved red potatoes in batches for 5minThey were perfect!
This is seriously delicious! My husband (not a huge fan of potato salad ) had seconds. It’s creamy without an overbearing mayonnaise taste. Definitely has earned the spot of my go to ! Thanks for the wonderful recipe
This was very good! My guests loved it!
It looks very nice :)
When u refrigerate the salad wouldn’t the bacon drippings in the dressing congeal?
Nope, not at all!
I made this for a big event at out church today “Bike Blessing”. and it was a hit! But I started with 20 lbs. red potatoes, 3 dozen eggs and 3 lbs. bacon. I pretty well stayed with the recipe except I used green onions and a vidalia, used a red bell instead of green and added pimento, grated garlic, dill and siracha. Thanks for the recipe and I am sure I will be asked to make it again. and I am posting on fb for all those who asked for recipe today. God Bless!!
I should have added that this is quite a good recipe, without any modifications. Also, Vidalia onions are in season, and they add a pretty wonderful combination of sweet and peppery.
My prior comment about cooking bacon in 1″ cut pieces was simply a question about a technique I’ve never really understood.
What is the objective in trying to cook 12 0z (!) of bacon cut into 1″ pieces? That’s an almost impossible way to get evenly cooked bacon, and an almost guaranteed way to end up with a combination of burnt and raw pieces. I’ve seen this recommendation before, and I just don’t get it. Maybe you can provide the rationale.
I’ve made egg salad, tuna salad, potato salad, you name it and they all become watery when I add the chopped eggs. Is it the whites that are turning to water?
Hi Victoria, Hmmm I’ve not had that issue. As long as the eggs are cooked, they shouldn’t turn watery at all.
Sounds great but would be better if you skip the green pepper and use sweet pickles instead. My mother used candied dill strips.
Oh my God! I omitted the sugar, bell pepper and onion and it is still unbelievable.
Why add the sugar? Unless you make your own mayonnaise or get a particular brand (which I will not name because everyone should read labels) your store-bought mayo has sugar in it anyway. Even if your mayo has no sugar, I still don’t see the need for it in potato salad.
I want you to know how much I enjoy your recipes, pictures, and blog. I get quite a few emails with recipes to try but I have started to weed them out because I am getting waaaaay too many.
I won’t be deleting yours though….I get a kick out of reading your thoughts and comments.
You have made me think about having Sunday dinners at my house too!
Take care,
Debbie
I skipped the onions and green peppers and subbed green onions and everyone loved it! I’m still getting asked about the recipe!
I made this on Thursday. It is excellent. I am lucky there was enough for the weekend. My husband took it with his lunch and others managed to taste test it before the weekend. Good thing I doubled the recipe. I love salt but agree much less is needed if you are using bacon. I used 1/4 tsp salt. It is perfect. I also cooked the bacon in the oven as it is less messy. I scraped the bottom of the pan and used a turkey baster to remove the oil and bacon drippings. I definitely got the bacon drippings flavor. Thanks for such a great recipe.
Everyone really liked it
Made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. Will definitely be my go-to potato salad recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Just made this & it is amazing! This is definitely on my “list” of sides for the summer! <3
My mother in law makes it like this, but she crumbles some of the bacon and puts it in the potato salad. It is soo good. Especially the next day.
One thing I love about BEB recipes is that you can usually omit or substitute any ingredient you don’t care for. I am a potato salad fanatic, but it must be the classic Hellmann’s type, simple and perfect. I adore mayonnaise, and lots of it, but I cannot stand mustard in my potato salad. Ever. Still, this recipe is beckoning me to make it, and make it I will. I’m just going to eliminate the mustard and green pepper. I think the addition of bacon drippings is GENIUS! I’m very appreciative of BEB sharing this awesome recipe.
I make potato salad basically like this recipe. Sometimes I bake the potatoes instead of cooking them, add a little pickle juice and leave out the green pepper (we don’t like them).
This really is the ‘Best potato salad ever”. After I made it for a special family event, all of my family members demanded the recipe. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Does adding the mayo to the warm bacon drippings separate the mayo? Looks delicious.
Hi Brent, At first it will look separated, but continue whisking and it comes together as a smooth dressing.
Best potato salad I have ever made! I replaced the green pepper with frozen peas. Yummy
OMG, I think peas would be fantastic in this!
made this today to bring to Mother’s Day! Omg it’s so good Best ever!
This is so delicious! I love it! Thanks for this recipe!
This sounds so good! I will try to use avocado instead of mayonnaise.
The very best potato salad ever!!!! Love love love it!!
Hi. Is the recipe missing pepper; Would you sprinkle paprika on top of the finished product? Thank you in advance.
Hi Rick, This particular recipe does not include pepper, but you can certainly add it if you’d like! I’m not a huge fan of paprika on potato and egg salads, so I don’t use it, but you could if you’d like.
Just wondering can I boil the pots the night before and store in fridge, or make the whole salad the night before with the dressing.
Thanks
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa, You could make the whole thing the night before; I actually think it tastes better after if it’s had time to sit and the flavors meld together.
I can’t describe in words how delicious this was! I am a bacon fanatic and went into bacon coma when I ate it! I added a little more bacon and bacon fat to my homemade mayonnaise. Now I want potato salad every day! Thank you for the delicious recipe.
OMG! I can hardly stay out of the bowl, and I just put it in the fridge to cool! I was on of those folks that was really picky and only liked my own potato salad. But bacon?!? What a great addition! I left out the onions and peppers as neither of us are fans, but I did add some celery seed and onion powder. Having this for dinner with bbq chicken… I can hardly wait! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
This is a fabulous potato salad. I’ve been trying for years to duplicate my ex-husband’s recipe (yeah, he wouldn’t give it to me) and this is as close as I will ever come. I do miss the dill pickle he used to put in his, and I will add one the next time. Also, I did omit the green pepper, but chopped up the ends of some green onions for the same color. Glad I made a double batch!
Good overall, but too much salt and too many eggs. Bacon in itself is salty. Next time I will cut the salt, and only do three eggs. Dressing with the bacon grease very good. Thanks.
I crisped the bacon in duck fat; best of all worlds. I thought it still needed acidity to cut the richness so I added some capers. I still like my mom’s better. But I can’t reproduce it. Probably just a taste memory……..
Im making this right now ! Im excited. My fiance loves bacon
I changed it up because I didnt have dijon mustard or celery and we’re not big on green pepper. I used frenchs honey mustard and chopped pickles. It is the best potato salad I’ve ever hsd.
Have been looking for a new potato salad recipe.. and this one looks like it might be the one to try for this Christmas 2013 Dinner.. being In Australia, salads and cold meats are the go..I normally use the eggs in a potato salad but bacon celery and Green capsicum and onion sound like it will add not only flavor but also texture to the dish, thanks for sharing :)
Just came across this and decided to give it a go.I did the potatoes sous vide and the texture was amazing.Totally different.Will be using this in future.Every body raved about it.
Only made half of this recipe and I didn’t include green pepper and celery because I didn’t have them. It still turned out great. Very delicious!
Was delicious!!! Although replaced onion with spring onions (scallions) and ditched the green pepper – it doesn’t belong there – too overpowering. I also added fresh parsley… Will definitely be doing this again.
Yay! This recipe is fantastic, I just finished making it! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your recipe. The potato salad was awesome!
I agree with you!
I don’t normally put mustard in my potato salad, but this was wonderful! http://www.fransfavs.com/2013/07/best-ever-potato-salad/#more-6379
Just made this, with organic potatoes, grass fed bacon, free range eggs…. I had no celery so I used capers and scallions, yellow and red peppers. Made the dressing as is with a little less mayo. Should have reduced the salt, it’s a little too salty with the bacon. And I added black pepper. Once it’s chilled we’ll do the real taste test. I can see this as my go to P-salad recipe!
I just made this last night. It is sooooo…. good! I’m not a potato salad person but now I am. I made it for a cookout tomorrow but ended up bring a pile of it in to work for lunch. I’m officially converted. I’ve already forward on the recipe to two co-workers. Thank you!!!
I was looking online yesterday for a potato salad recipe to make with ingredients I already had. Found this and when I served it to my hubby and son they both said “this is THE BEST potato salad I’ve ever had”! Delish!!!! I cant wait to bring this to my sister in laws next family dinner. I have always thought she made the best potato salad, but this has even got hers beat, hands down. Thanks! :-)
I tried this recipe yesterday, only I didn’t have red potatoes, I used Irish instead.Took off the skin,as we don’t like them.
Didn’t have dijour mustard ,so used reg,I also diced up a small spear of Kosker pickle ,other wise it was fantastic, we both loved it, I am serving tonight with fried chicken YUMMY!!
Damn. Now my mom’s secret ingredient is out of the bag too! LOVE the bacon drippings. And while we’re at it, my mom does a combo mayo, buttermilk…shakes it up with salt, pepper and bacon drippings. It’s never too mayonnaise-y. Sometimes when she’s feeling kooky, she’ll add sliced black olives. That’s good too. She is truly potato salad queen.
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!
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.
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!
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! :)
Hi Karen, You will see some bits from the bacon grease but it definitely doesn’t make the dish look “dirty”. Enjoy!!
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.
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!!!
What kind of onion are we supposed to use with this recipe? Red or yellow?
Hi Erica, Yellow onion.
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.
What a hit! This is my new go to potato salad recipe! Thank you
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.
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 :)
Hi Marnie, You are spot-on! The bacon drippings is just the bacon grease in the pan.
just heard about this recipe
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 :)
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….
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.
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?
Hi Christine, I have never actually weighed the potatoes (eek!) but I would say you’ll probably want to triple the other ingredients.
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!
Looks really yummy, the bacon is what makes it really stand out in awesome taste probably.
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. :-)
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!
WOW this is soooooooooo good :) Thanks for a great recipe!
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!
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.
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
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!
This really does look so good!! I’m putting it in my files and I’ll be trying it in the coming week. Thanks!
Just tried your recipe. Loved it!! The bacon really made the difference. Definitely a recipe to keep. Thanks.
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.
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.
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?!!?
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.
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~~
Great recipe!!!! Thanks for sharing. :)
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!!
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.
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!
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!
Just made this to take to a backyard BBQ party! Can’t wait to share it with everyone else. So yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Bacon drippings make everything wonderful. Don’t know what it is. They just do. This looks seriously good. Thanks for sharing.
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.
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!
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!
Turned out so good! Thank you!
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.
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!
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!
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/
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.
So you add sweet pickles as well as bacon drippings? Good to know because as much as I love bacon, I can’t imagine having potato salad without the pickles!! In fact, a splash of the pickle juice is the key ingredient in my favorite potato salad recipe from a family friend. Will try adding the bacon next time!! :)
Oh I’m so glad you posted this (even though it’s been years)! My husband doesn’t like bell peppers so I avoid them if I can, but I was wondering about pickles. I’ve always had issues with potato salad in the past with the dressing being too much mayo, but then the potatoes themselves tasting somehow dry. Going to try this recipe tomorrow to have with our hot dogs during our unseasonably warm winter here in Northern California!!
Bacon drippings – you are an evil genius!
I love love potato salad. This is a great recipe.
Is the skillet hot when you add the mayo and fixings to the bacon grease?
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.
I love potato salad! The ultimate comfort food. I will have to give this recipe a try!
My mom makes it this way and its a huge hit!
I love potato salad, (we only have it at Christmas time though), and this looks super delicious. Bacon all the way.
You had me at bacon drippings :) I can’t wait to try this recipe this summer!
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!
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 :)
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.
Bacon makes everything better, doesn’t it? :)
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.
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.
my husband might even like this potato salad! yum!
This does indeed sound like a fabulous potato salad – you can’t go wrong with bacon drippings. Your photos are looking really good, Michelle!
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!
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. :o)
Okay, this looks incredible!! I love potato salad so I’m definitely going to try it!
Bacon, Potatoes… Yes Please!!! Looks amazing!
I ageree :)
This recipe is EXACTLY what I was looking for!
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!! :)
Would love to have this recipe…my neighbour used to make it…its to die for…
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!
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.
What is your grandmother’s recipe?
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 :-)
I don’t know if this is weird but what about artichoke in these as well?! Great photos and post.
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.
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.
Hi Gwenevere, I actually have two other recipes…
This maple-bacon popcorn is popped in reserved bacon drippings:
https://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:
https://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/09/08/bacon-onion-cheddar-biscuits/
Enjoy! :)
If you aren’t too concerned about the fat content, Bacon is absolutely the best flavoring, for Potato salad and for Collards too. In the interest of health, you could substitute smoked turkey parts( leg or wings) in the collards. Remember to cook them long time befre the frost hits them. Afterwards 30 min to 1 hour will do.
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.
Sinful! And I LOVE it!! :)
This recipe looks great and, AS ALWAYS, your pictures are gorgeous!!
Oh the secret is out! Hard to go wrong with bacon drippings! Can’t wait to try this!
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.
Bacon!! I love love love bacon! I am so glad you shared this :)
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!
Hey, you had me at bacon drippings.
This sounds amazing. Bacon drippings give everything such a better flavour, I will have to try it for sure.
Of course it’s wonderful! Bacon drippings? Yes, please!
Great potato salad recipe!
I absolutely love potato salad! Yours looks divine!! Bring on the crackers, I am ready!
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!
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!
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.
This sounds so yummy! except for the green pepper. Can’t eat it, so I will try it with out the pepper.
This really does look good. Bacon makes everything better!
I was just wondering, is there no substitute for mayonnaise? Maybe greek yoghurt?
Thanks!
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.
thanks :)
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!
Veganaise is a mayonnaise replacement
sure I use low fat Greek yogurt with Mrs. Dash Original no salt and chopped green onions a lot.
I think it is important to also add some oil (I prefer EVOO) and acid (I prefer a mix of lemon juice and a bit of white (or red) wine vinegar) in addition to Greek yogurt, or even sour cream (or a mix of those). But yes, with the addition of those, a partial or complete substitution of mayo works just fine!
Don’t forget to add some salt and sugar (that would’ve been in the mayo- especially the salt…
I personally find that sour cream, or even yogurt, do not provide quite as much acidity as a good potato salad needs, or the same lubrication as mayo provides- it’s just kind of bland and missing something (at least for me..), and the ‘simple dressing’ of oil and vinegar (with a substitution of mostly lemon juice for vinegar) works perfectly to make a wonderful potato salad in which the mayo will not be missed but celebrated!
Another fantastic addition: fresh herbs… namely dill and parsley (a bit of thyme or even marjoram can be nice too- although they are strong and will definitely change the flavor from being a classic potato salad, which dill and parsley compliment without significantly altering the flavor).
Great suggestions, Jolene -will definitely try these substitutions!
Thank you!
Neat idea! I can’t try it because I’m vegetarian, but I know my boy would love this!
Make it vegetarian, i am also a ,vegetarian You could use veganaise instead of mayo smart bacon and tofu in replace of eggs.
I was raised vegetarian from birth, although not vegan, so dairy, eggs and honey, etc. were on the menu… However, I have never been much or a fan of eggs or mayonnaise especially!
Egg salad, macaroni salad and potato salad were my sworn enemies & nemeses as a child at summer potlucks!
The “bacon replacements” and tofu>egg replacements do NOT solve the problem for me (and I like veganaise no more than mayannaise- although the poster didn’t say she was vegan). However, I did discover a remedy which helped me come to enjoy potato salad! And its solution shares an element of this one but goes a step or two further… In essence: substitute part of the mayonnaise for something else (that performs the same role/function—that being fat, acidity and creaminess). The solution: OLIVE oil (or any salad oil if you don’t like OO), a bit of lemon juice (or even some vinegar; white wine is best, not too strong; but be careful!), and some sour cream (or Greek-style yogurt; or even ranch dressing in a pinch if that’s not offense as well). Substitute about half of the mayonnaise for about 1/3 (of how much mayonnaise is called) of sour cream, and add a little less than 1/4 as much oil & lemon juice/vinegar (2 or 3 parts oil to 1 part “sour” liquid) as mayo is called for. Don’t forget salt and sugar to make up for what would’ve been in the mayo PLUS what your veggies will need. As well as the mustard… I also like a bit of Worcestershire sauce. Sorry about the weird quantities… I was trying to give amounts which could be translated/applied to any recipe and be scaled up. In a smaller recipe like this, the amounts can be guestimated and will be fine; if you were to scale this up the proportions I provided would be helpful (albeit requiring a bit of math). Fresh Herbs- especially dill and parsley- also are a fantastic addition to potato salad!