This Loaded Potato Salad is full of cheese, bacon and green onions! Creamy and delicious, this potato salad is perfect for potlucks and holiday side dishes.
I took my grandma’s potato salad recipe and gave it an upgrade. Like a loaded baked potato, in salad form!
This potato salad recipe was originally published in July 2014. I have updated the recipe notes and improved the photos in July 2025.
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
Taste & Texture: This cold side dish is loaded with potatoes, cheese, and bacon and tossed with a tangy ayonnaise dressing.
Prep Tip: Boil the potatoes with skin ON, then when they are soft, remove from pot, pinch the skin to remove.
Potatoes: I prefer red potatoes. Be sure to dice them small just like my grandma taught me!
Traditional: My grandma’s potato salad recipe is the classic version of today’s upgraded salad.
Each time I make this I get rave reviews, some stating that’s THE BEST potato salad they’ve ever had in their life, and someone always asks for the recipe.
– Debbi
Ingredient Notes
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Potatoes – I use red potatoes for potato salad. They have a lower starch content than other varieties which makes them perfect for boiling.
- Mayonnaise – Make sure to use the REAL stuff! Not miracle whip. In my house we prefer Hellman’s, but Duke or any store brand works well too.
- Bacon – Cook on the stove (or oven) and crumble into pieces.
- Shredded cheese – I use colby-jack, cheddar is perfect as well.
- Green onions – for a pop of freshness and color.
I also seasoned the salad with a little salt and pepper to taste. The bacon and cheese add so much flavor already that you don’t need a ton of seasonings or spices in this recipe.
Tips and Tricks
- Boil the potatoes whole unpeeled. After boiling, pinch the skin and it will slide right off. It’s such a time saver!
- Be sure to let your potatoes cool slightly after removing the skin and before assembling the salad. This keeps the potatoes from getting mashed.
- Store loaded potato salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve. I think it tastes best when it’s had an hour or so to chill. The flavors will blend beautifully.
More Potato Recipes
- Try out these creamy Baked Mashed Potatoes or Baked French Fries for a way to use your oven for some potatoes!
- Try this Sweet Potato Casserole or this extra sweet, Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows for your next family dinner!
- Get out your pressure cooker for this version, Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, just as sweet and delicious!
- Serve today’s potato salad along with BBQ Jackfruit Sliders for a hearty crowd pleasing meal. Or serve it alongside my favorite bbq chicken recipe for a complete dinner.
- Have you ever had a warm potato salad? Try my German Potato Salad recipe and find out how delicious it can be.
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Loaded Potato Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds red potatoes
- 30 ounce jar Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise
- 1 pound bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded colby-jack cheese
- 3 green onions sliced
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil potatoes in a large pot, covered, until fork tender. Remove immediately and the skin should pinch right off. Cool ten minutes, then dice the potatoes small (this keeps them from being mashed).
- In a large bowl combine diced potatoes, mayonnaise, bacon, cheese, onion, salt and pepper.
- Mix until blended. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Boil the potatoes whole unpeeled. After boiling, pinch the skin and it will slide right off. It’s such a time saver!
- My grandma always cut her potatoes really tiny for her potato salad. It keeps them fresh getting mashed when you toss them with the other ingredients.
- She also only used Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise. Trust me, it makes a difference.
- Store loaded potato salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve. I think it tastes best when it’s had an hour or so to chill. The flavors will blend beautifully.
Nutrition
Easy Side Dishes
This Loaded Potato Salad is sure to be a crowd pleaser. I can tell you it definitely was a hit with my family! Loaded with bacon, cheese, and green onions!
Is that right. a whole jar of mayo ?
That is correct. You can add less to start with, and add more as you like.
Love your recipe for loaded potato salad. Mine is close . I drizzle olive oil (light coating) stir and salt and pepper next. This is done while potatoes are still very warm
Hi Aimee,
Crazy weeks are what summer’s all about for us — love this as a perfect dish. We have a pool party coming up and I think this will be our dish! Excited to try it!
Each time I make this I get rave reviews, some stating that’s THE BEST potato salad they’ve ever had in their life, and someone always asks for the recipe. People have requested that I bring this to the next potluck, picnic, etc. It is also awesome heated up as well, except the oils come out from the mayo. I’m getting ready to make it for our Memorial Day picnic, and thinking of trying half sour cream this time around. Thanks for the awesome recipe Aimee!
We just had it this weekend as well, it’s always a hit. LOVE the idea of heating it up 🙂
Let me just say… Potatoes are one of my favorite foods. Love it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I know this is weird, but potato salad might be my all-time favorite food…
I can’t wait to try this recipe!!
Sounds very delicious, I wouldn’t miss the boiled eggs, think that they fit perfectly. You are right about Hellman’s real mayonnaise, there are the difference 🙂
Talk about potato salad on steroids!
Yeah….and in this case steroids = delicious 🙂
Mmm, I hate making potato salad because my potatoes always end up too mushy or undercooked but I’m gonna risk it for this. Looks awesome!
Definitely let your potatoes cool before dicing, keeps them from being mashed. That way if you over cook them it won’t matter (better over cooked than under cooked)!! ENJOY 🙂
Potato Salad with bacon and cheese is always a winner here too!!! This is the perfect potluck salad for summer!
This potato salad looks like an absolute crowd pleaser. Just the thought of bacon and cheese – yum!
I know everyone in my crowd loved it 🙂
I love this recipe! great to take to a picnic or potluck
Looks delish! Perfect picnic food. 🙂
What a great way to serve potato salad! And, more importantly, to eat it!
I bet this would disappear in an instant at any family gathering! Looks so delicious! Pinning!
Thanks for pinning Mallory!
I make a version of this using half sour cream for half the mayo, and baked potatoes instead of boiled. It’s the only potato salad my husband will eat, and I am always asked for the recipe. Perfect cook-out food!
That sounds great! I think I might try your version 🙂
This is perfect for the picnic that we’re attending. I love potato salad but it’s never been loaded before!