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Creamy Loaded Bacon Ranch Potato Salad No Mayo Recipe Easy and Perfect

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A creamy and flavorful potato salad made without mayonnaise, featuring crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, and a tangy sour cream dressing. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
  • 1 cup sour cream (full-fat preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Place peeled and chopped Yukon Gold potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for 10-12 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender but still hold shape. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. While potatoes cook, fry the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat and crumble once cooled. Alternatively, bake bacon on a foil-lined tray at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine sour cream, buttermilk, and ranch seasoning packet. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  4. Add the warm (not hot) potatoes into the dressing bowl. Gently fold to coat all potato pieces well, avoiding mashing or breaking potatoes.
  5. Stir in crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add a splash more buttermilk if the salad feels too thick.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve cold or slightly chilled.

Notes

Use warm potatoes when mixing with dressing to help absorption without mashing. Bacon can be baked instead of fried for easier cleanup. Chill salad for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream with dairy-free yogurt and buttermilk with almond milk plus lemon juice. Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days; stir in buttermilk before serving again.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato salad, bacon, ranch seasoning, no mayo, creamy potato salad, picnic recipe, barbecue side dish

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-loaded-bacon-ranch-potato-salad-no-mayo-recipe-easy-and-perfect/