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Savory Loaded Bacon Ranch Potato Salad with Crispy Shallots

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A creamy, smoky, and crunchy potato salad featuring crispy bacon, homemade ranch dressing, and crispy shallots, perfect for BBQs and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts separated)
  • 1/2 cup crispy fried shallots
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Place peeled and chopped Yukon Gold potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender but not falling apart. Drain and let cool for about 10 minutes.
  2. While potatoes boil, heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon slices until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces once cool.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth. Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill weed, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, gently toss the cooked potatoes with chopped bacon, sliced green onion whites, and half of the crispy shallots. Pour ranch dressing over the mixture and fold carefully to coat without breaking the potatoes. Add more buttermilk if salad seems dry.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Just before serving, sprinkle remaining green onion greens and crispy shallots on top.

Notes

Do not over-mix after adding dressing to keep potatoes chunky. Cool potatoes before dressing to prevent mayo separation. For crispy shallots, frying yields better color and crunch than baking. Make ahead for best flavor. Use gluten-free shallots for gluten-sensitive diets. Dairy-free substitutions include vegan mayo, coconut yogurt, and plant-based milk with lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato salad, bacon, ranch dressing, crispy shallots, BBQ side dish, picnic recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/savory-loaded-bacon-ranch-potato-salad-recipe-with-crispy-shallots-easy-and-perfect/