Bacon Mustard Potato Salad

Foodie friends, I have a confession to make.

close up of easy potato salad with bacon, bell pepper and parsley


 

I really don’t care for mayo potato salad. I know, I know, but it is just too much mayo for me. But I really, really, REALLY love potatoes and like having other no mayo potato salad options for BBQs, potlucks and picnics. Although we do have one old fashioned potato salad on the site…

Types of Potato Salad

Potato salad is a widely made and hugely varied side dish that can be prepared in so many ways. Here is a quick break down:

  • Southern Potato Salad– generally includes boiled eggs or deviled, and fresh celery or celery seeds
  • Warm or Cold– Nearly any no mayo potato salad be served hot or cold
  • German Potato Salad- includes mustard and can be served hot or cold
  • Red Potato Salad– swapping out potatoes for red, which are less starchy and give a smoother texture
  • Dill Potato Salad– Can mean you added the fresh herb dill OR that it includes chopped dill pickles or sweet pickles, like relish
  • Old Fashioned– includes gobs of mayonnaise, also called Amish Potato Salad
  • Cultural- on top of the above, then you can add Italian, Greek or even Russian flavor elements
  • Herbed Potato Salad– includes lots of fresh herbs, can be with or without mayo
wooden spoon with homemade mustard potato salad

Best Potatoes for Potato Salad

This is a trick question because it really depends on what texture you prefer and different potatoes have varying starch contents. Skins also a make a difference.

three small white bowls with bacon potato salad in them

Starchy potatoes instead of waxy work best, but ultimately any variety will work. This includes:

  • New potatoes
  • Red potatoes
  • Fingerling potatoes
  • Yukon gold potatoes
  • Russet potatoes

Next, decide if you want to keep the skin or not. Potato skins hold a ton of nutrients and flavor, so I generally opt to keep mine on. Feel free to use a Y peeler and take yours off.

Unique texture is the name of the game with my mustard potato salad and this comes from lightly mashing just a few. Stirring will create gummy potatoes, but mashing just gives a little mush without the gum.

homemade potato salad on a blue checkered linen

How Long To Boil Potatoes For Potato Salad

This question gets asked a lot and it is tricky to answer since different types of potatoes require differing boiling times. Size also matters.

bacon mustard potato salad in a small white bowl

Try to chop potatoes in a similar size so they cook at the same rate. I prefer to boil chopped potatoes versus whole because it takes less time and I get the uniform size. Rarely are whole potatoes the same size.

  • Bring water to a rapid boil in a large pot or saucepan.
  • Salt generously.
  • Add potatoes and boil rapidly for 10 minutes. If whole, this might take 20-25 minutes.
  • Check that potatoes are easily pierced with a fork or knife, but not falling apart.
  • Drain and quickly rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

I highly suggest using boiled potatoes opposed to baked or microwaved because boiling keeps moisture in. Other methods lend themselves to dry potatoes.

close up of bacon potato salad on a table

Ingredients

Potato salad recipes in general are pretty flexible and easy. Ours includes:

  • Potatoes
  • Pickled red onions– or raw diced onions, but pickling takes the bite out
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Dijon mustard– smooth or grainy
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Bacon– cooked and crumbled, totally optional, omit for a vegetarian (actually vegan) potato salad
  • Bell pepper– any color or a blend!
  • Parsley– use flat leaf, also known as Italian parsley
  • Maldon sea salt– optional, but adds a nice crunchy texture to the finished product
  • Pepper- Optional, I prefer to not use pepper in mine
ingredients for mustard potato salad

Homemade Potato Salad Dressing

This calls for more of a vinaigrette than a creamy based dressing. It soaks up into the potatoes so there is nearly no liquid left.

Red wine vinegar is best, but apple cider or white wine vinegar work well also.

how to make potato salad dressing with no mayo

Can I add mayo to this bacon potato salad? If you want, be my guest! Add as much mayonnaise as you want! 

How To Make Potato Salad

  1. Cook the potatoes, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. Place a few potatoes in a large mixing bowl and lightly mash to create texture. Add remaining whole potatoes.
  3. Make the potato salad dressing, set aside.
  4. Combine potatoes, pickled red onion, bacon, bell pepper and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour dressing over top. Toss to combine evenly, but to do not stir.
  5. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
progressive images how to make potato salad

Make Ahead & Freezing

If serving warm or hot, make your potato salad right as you plan to serve it, but for cold, make up to 1 day ahead of time. You might want to double the dressing and receive half to toss on right before serving.

Can I freeze potato salad? I do not suggest freezing. It will just get mushy when you defrost it. 

Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep in mind, it will continue to dry out a bit as it sits.

potato salad for pinterest

More easy side dish recipes:

straight on shot of bowl of instant pot mac and cheese

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is the easier way to make the perfect creamy homemade mac and cheese recipe without having to make a roux.
See The Recipe!
Almond Rice Pilaf is an easy side dish made with crunchy almonds, mushrooms and savory chicken broth and lemon juice to give it loads of flavor! An easy rice recipe the whole family will love. #ricepilafrecipe #easysidedish www.savoryexperiments.com

Almond Rice Pilaf Recipe

Almond Rice Pilaf is an easy side dish made with crunchy almonds, mushrooms and savory chicken broth and lemon juice to give it loads of flavor! An easy rice recipe the whole family will love. 
See The Recipe!
spoon in dish of twice baked potato casserole

Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe

You will love how simple it is to make this easy Twice Baked Potato Casserole! Everything you love about twice baked potatoes is wrapped up into one easy dish.
See The Recipe!
close up of potato salad for pinterest
bacon mustard potato salad in a bowl

Bacon Potato Salad

5 from 10 votes
Bacon Potato Salad can be served hot or cold and uses veggies and BACON! This is a NO MAYO potato salad! The perfect make ahead side dish.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fill a large Dutch oven or saucepan halfway with water, bring to a rolling boil, then add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt and cut potatoes. Boil for 10-15 minutes, until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Place a few potatoes in a large mixing bowl and lightly mash to create texture. Add remaining whole potatoes.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and olive oil.
  • Combine potatoes, pickled red onion, bacon, bell pepper and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour dressing over top. Toss to combine evenly, but to do not stir. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 111 kcal, Carbohydrates: 10 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 9 mg, Sodium: 117 mg, Potassium: 361 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Vitamin A: 210 IU, Vitamin C: 14.7 mg, Calcium: 25 mg, Iron: 2.6 mg
Calories: 111
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy potato salad, no-mayo potato salad, potato salad recipe
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
close up of spoon with potato salad
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

5 from 10 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    The smoky bacon and tangy mustard flavors really take this classic side dish to the next level. The potatoes are perfectly tender and the dressing is just the right amount of creamy. Absolutely delicious!

  2. 5 stars
    Love this recipe. Like you, I’m not a fan of mayo in potato salad and that’s why I can’t wait to try this recipe. Loving the mustard touch.

  3. 5 stars
    I had to laugh at your ingredient list, saying to add finely chopped red wine vinegar. 😉

    Other than that, this potato salad sounds delicious! Bacon always makes everything better.