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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Published: May 27, 2024 · Modified: Oct 13, 2024 by AshleyFreeman ·

    Red, White, and Blue Cheese Potato Salad with Bacon

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    You'll be ready for every summer bbq and cookout with this festive red, white, and blue cheese potato salad recipe. A gorgeous medley of red-skinned, white-skinned, and purple potatoes is tossed with blue cheese dressing, sour cream, and herbs, and is crowned with crispy bacon. It's the potato salad of my dreams, and the best news is that it's even better the next day, so it's the perfect make-ahead side dish.

    Red, White, and Blue Cheese Potato Salad with Bacon in a ceramic bowl with blue design, wooden spoon, rattan mat, and blue cloth off to the side.

    To me, potato salad screams summertime, and the patriotic theme of this version makes it ideal for your Memorial Day cookout, fourth of July celebration, and Labor Day get-together. That said, this delicious potato salad is great really anytime of year. You can also use just red potatoes, yellow potatoes, white potatoes, or purple potatoes exclusively instead of the mix.

    Looking for more perfect side dish recipes for the summer? I've got a lot of great recipes to get you summer cookout ready! Try this delicious Green Bean Salad. My Roasted Beet and Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese is another delicious salad to bring to the neighborhood potluck. It's a gorgeous salad with juicy watermelon, red and yellow beets, arugula, goat cheese, and pepitas--a show-stopper for sure.

    My Carolina Caviar can double as a dip or a side dish--it's a zesty blend of field peas, black beans, corn, and peppers all held together with a tangy cilantro vinaigrette. Finally, my Savory Green Tomato Pie is another delicious side dish recipe that's an ode to summer and can be served as a side or a meatless main dish. It's got all the flavors of fried green tomatoes, but in flaky pie form. It's a favorite for sure.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Tasty tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Related
    • Even more
    • 🍽Get the recipe
    • Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
    • Food safety

    Ingredients

    Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this recipe:

    Ingredients for Red, White, and Blue Cheese Potato Salad with Bacon.
    • baby red skin potatoes, white skin potatoes, and purple potatoes (look for different varieties often labeled as "gourmet blend")
    • kosher salt and black pepper
    • thick-cut bacon
    • blue cheese dressing
    • sour cream
    • green onions
    • celery
    • fresh parsley

    (See recipe card for quantities.)

    Instructions

    Now that we've got our ingredients, it's time to get cooking!

    Salting the water in a red enamel pot full of baby potatoes.
    1. First, place the potatoes in a medium saucepan and add water to cover. Season heavily with salt. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender. Drain, and cool completely.
    Removing cooked bacon from a cast-iron skillet with metal tongs.
    1. Next, cook the bacon in a large skillet until browned and crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Chop.
    Cutting a medley of cooked baby potatoes into bite-sized pieces on a wooden cutting board.
    1. Then, cut the cooled potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Transfer to a large bowl.
    Folding chopped cooked bacon into potato salad in a large mixing bowl with a red spatula.
    1. Finally, add the blue cheese dressing, sour cream, celery, green onions, parsley, and bacon. Toss gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    Hint: For the best results, it's super important to salt the water the potatoes cook in. If you don't it will be very difficult to season it properly.

    Substitutions

    Need to make some ingredient changes? Here are some ideas:

    • Potato Medley - instead of the blend of golden potatoes, red-skinned potatoes, and blue potatoes, use another baby potato mix or just one type of potato. Waxy potatoes work best because they hold their shape, so be sure to choose those.
    • Sour Cream - use yogurt instead of sour cream if you'd like.
    • Vegetarian - to make this recipe vegetarian, just omit the bacon.

    Variations

    Here are some other variations to change things up:

    • Spicy - stir a little cayenne pepper into the dressing to make this potato salad a little on the spicier side.
    • Eggs - add chopped hard-boiled eggs to make this potato salad even more decadent.
    • Super Blue Cheese - are you a blue cheese fanatic? I love the mild hint of blue cheese from the flavorful dressing, but if you're a blue cheese lover, I say go for it. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles to take this potato salad over the top.

    Equipment

    To make this recipe, you'll need the following:

    • chef's knife
    • paring knife
    • dry measuring cups
    • medium saucepan
    • colander
    • large bowl
    • large skillet
    • metal tongs

    Storage

    Let me tell you a little secret: This potato salad is actually better the next day, so I recommend making it a day in advance. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

    This potato salad does not freeze well.

    Tasty tip

    Allow the potatoes to cool completely before cutting them into chunks. If you don't you'll end up with mashed potato salad instead.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why don't you peel potatoes for potato salad?

    You certainly can peel the potatoes for potato salad, but since I used small potatoes, that would've taken forever. Plus, I love the added texture and color the peel gives to the potato salad. If you want to use large potatoes, cook them in the skins, and then peel them if you'd like to.

    How do you keep potatoes from falling apart when making potato salad?

    The trick is to let them cool completely before cutting them into chunks. You can even boil them a day ahead of time and then cut them.

    Is it better to boil potatoes whole or cut up for potato salad?

    I recommend boiling the potatoes whole. They'll keep their shape better and you won't end up with mashed potato salad.

    What's the best type of potato for potato salad?

    Waxy potatoes are the best types of potatoes for potato salad. The potato medley I use in this recipe are all waxy potatoes. Yukon Golds are another great potato option.

    Do you put potatoes in cold water then boil?

    Yes. This ensures even cooking. If you were to start the potatoes in boiling water, then the skins and outsides would cook way too fast. The potatoes would be at risk of falling apart and causing a mushy potato salad.

    Why put salt in water when boiling potatoes?

    Salting the water is probably the most important step for this recipe. Because waxy potatoes are dense, it's harder for seasonings to penetrate them. Cooking them in heavily salted water ensures that the salt will reach the centers of the potatoes.

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Slice of Edwards Turtle Pie recipe on a white plate with a bite out on a fork and a blue platter of the whole pie behind.
      The Ultimate No Bake Turtle Pie with Chocolate Crust
    • Three plates with slices of homemade Publix key lime pie with a blue rimmed enamel pie pan of key lime pie to the side.
      The Best Key Lime Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
    • Metal surface topped with Roger Wood sausage Low Country Boil, two cans of beer, and metal containers of tartar sauce and cocktail sauce.
      Low Country Boil with Roger Wood Smoked Sausage
    • Metal Ovenex Starburst pan filled with Phillips Crab Cakes and a bowl of Cajun Tartar Sauce with lemon wedges and fresh herbs sprinkled on top.
      How to Make Crab Cakes with Cajun Tartar Sauce

    Even more

    These are more of my favorite recipes:

    • Wooden tray topped with a light blue bowl of Cajun tartar sauce with hot sauce on top, a bottle of hot sauce on the side, as well as lemon wedges, parsley leaves, and a kitchen towel.
      Easy Homemade Cajun Tartar Sauce with Creole Mustard
    • Wooden bowl filled with creamy chicken macaroni salad with ceramic serving spoons, an orange checked cloth, two yellow glasses filled with ice water, and one pottery plate topped with a serving to the side.
      The Best Creamy Macaroni Pasta Salad with Chicken
    • Light wooden bowl filled with Zoe's Kitchen Copycat Pasta Salad with a wooden salad set in the bowl, a blue cloth, two blue glasses, a bowl of fresh basil, and salt and pepper shakers on the side.
      Tomato, Basil, and Feta Pasta Salad (Zoe's Copycat)
    • Green bowl filled with Elote Pasta Salad with a small wooden bowl of Cotija cheese and a small white bowl of cilantro on the side plus a green checked napkin and wooden serving spoon.
      Zesty Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Pasta Salad

    🍽Get the recipe

    Red, White, and Blue Cheese Potato Salad with Bacon in a ceramic bowl with blue design, wooden spoon, rattan mat, and blue cloth off to the side.

    Red, White, and Blue Cheese Potato Salad with Bacon

    Flavored with blue cheese dressing, herbs, and crispy bacon, this is the best potato salad! The patriotic red, white, and blue potato salad recipe is sure to be the hit at your next cookout. And, since the flavors only improve over time, it's the perfect make-ahead side dish.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8

    Equipment

    • chef's knife
    • dry measuring cups
    • medium saucepan
    • colander
    • paring knife
    • large skillet
    • metal tongs
    • large bowl

    Ingredients

    • 3 lb baby red-skin, white-skin, and purple potatoes
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 4 slices thick-cut bacon
    • ¾ cup blue cheese dressing
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
    • 3 green onions, chopped
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

    Instructions

    • Place the potatoes in a medium saucepan and add water to cover. Season heavily with salt. Bring to a boil and cook until a paring knife can easily pierce through the center of the potatoes, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes. Drain and let cool completely.
    • Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Chop.
    • Once the potatoes are cooled, cut into bite-size pieces and transfer to a large bowl.
    • Add the blue cheese dressing, sour cream, celery, green onion, and parsley. Fold in the bacon and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips

    When developing and testing recipes, here are some key things that I do for more success in the kitchen:

    • Be sure to use dry measuring cups for things like flour, sugar, and mayonnaise and a liquid measuring cup for things like water, milk, and broth.
    • When measuring dry ingredients like flour and powdered sugar that can pack down, spoon the ingredient into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife as opposed to scooping the measuring cup into the ingredient.
    • I test and develop recipes using a standard electric oven and standard gas stovetop. Be aware that if you use an electric stovetop or convection oven, your bake times will be different.
    • When recipes call for kosher salt, I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt.

    Food safety

    Finally, don't forget to keep these food safety tips in mind when making this recipe.

    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature or in hot weather for extended periods.
    • Never leave cooking food unattended.
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov

    More Side Dishes

    • Wooden rimmed white bowl filled with sweet pepper and cucumber salad on top of a raffia placemat along with a wooden spoon and blue towel.
      Sweet Pepper and Cucumber Salad with Ginger Dressing
    • Blue rimmed oval platter topped with crispy smashed potatoes garnished with chopped chives along with a white linen and small white bowl of more chives off to the side and a yellow bowl of sour cream on the platter.
      Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes with Garlic
    • Air fryer hot honey roasted carrots on a blue-rimmed oval platter with a gold and wooden handled fork, blue checked cloth, and white bowl of chopped parsley.
      Easy Hot Honey Roasted Carrots in the Air Fryer
    • White bowl filled with Ruby Tuesday Broccoli Salad with a yellow striped napkin on the side and a wooden handled spoon inside the bowl.
      Simple Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jordan says

      July 02, 2024 at 12:12 pm

      5 stars
      Such a knockout flavor combination. I've never tried a blue cheese potato salad until this recipe but I'm absolutely hooked now. Can't wait to share it on the 4th!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        July 04, 2024 at 12:49 pm

        Woohoo! Thanks so much!

        Reply
    2. Moop Brown says

      July 01, 2024 at 4:22 am

      5 stars
      This potato salad seems really festive and tasty and like a perfect dish for a fourth of July cookout or get-together.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        July 01, 2024 at 2:03 pm

        Yeah! Perfect for 4th of July 🙂

        Reply
    3. Molly Kumar says

      July 01, 2024 at 1:49 am

      5 stars
      The salad was do easy to make and was such a hit for the weekend brunch. We loved the mix of potatoes with sour cream and bacon. Such simple ingredients but packed with flavors!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        July 01, 2024 at 2:03 pm

        Sometimes simple is best! Thanks for your note!

        Reply
    4. Veronika says

      June 30, 2024 at 9:39 pm

      5 stars
      I brought this to a family BBQ and it was a hit, thank you for the recipe! Loved the idea of three kinds of potatoes!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        July 01, 2024 at 2:03 pm

        Yay! I'm so glad everyone loved it!

        Reply
    5. Tammy says

      June 30, 2024 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      What a fun way to add a little festivity to a summer barbecue. I love potato salad and the blue cheese and sour cream dressing is a great idea in place of mayo!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 30, 2024 at 2:25 pm

        It's a favorite flavor combo in our house!

        Reply
    6. Leslie says

      June 28, 2024 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      Potato salad is one of those things I crave every summer! This is such an amazing recipe! Perfect textures and flavors for this classic dish!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 30, 2024 at 2:24 pm

        Me too, Leslie! Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    7. Jacqueline. says

      June 27, 2024 at 10:02 am

      5 stars
      This is hands down my new favourite potato salad recipe! Loved the addition of blue cheese dressing.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 27, 2024 at 12:50 pm

        Hooray! I'm so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    8. Bernice says

      June 25, 2024 at 3:22 pm

      5 stars
      In the summer, there is always some kind of potato salad on the table at every family BBQ. I've tried many different recipes but this one is the one my father in law loves the most... and it's because of the blue cheese!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 27, 2024 at 12:48 pm

        Same with my husband! Well, that and the bacon 🙂

        Reply
    9. Kathryn says

      June 25, 2024 at 11:03 am

      5 stars
      This salad is so fun and festive for the 4th of July! Love the blue cheese dressing and the colored potatoes. Made a fun side dish, thanks!!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 25, 2024 at 2:06 pm

        Thanks so much Kathryn!

        Reply
    10. Gloria says

      June 24, 2024 at 4:42 pm

      5 stars
      Who doesn't love a great potato salad. This is perfect for any BBQ party. It will be a hit with my guests for sure.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 25, 2024 at 2:05 pm

        Yes! Perfect for summer cookouts!

        Reply
    11. Jeri says

      May 28, 2024 at 6:15 pm

      5 stars
      This potato salad was a hit! My family loved it, and the combination of red, white, and purple potatoes was stunning! It was super easy to make ahead, and it tasted even better the next day. This recipe is definitely a keeper for all our summer cookouts!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 28, 2024 at 8:40 pm

        So glad it turned out well, Jeri! Thanks so much for your note!

        Reply
    12. Nora says

      May 28, 2024 at 7:18 am

      5 stars
      Yummy, patriotic salad recipe! Can't wait to make it again!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 28, 2024 at 10:47 am

        Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    13. Amy says

      May 28, 2024 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      I was clearly the most popular guest at a friend's Memorial Day cookout. Everyone loved it and have been told to make it again for next year lol

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 28, 2024 at 10:47 am

        Woohoo! I'm so glad!

        Reply
    14. Krystle says

      May 27, 2024 at 12:49 pm

      5 stars
      I love the sour cream and bleu cheese combo in the dressing.We make this for all our summer picnics

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 28, 2024 at 10:46 am

        It's so good! You'll be set for this summer!

        Reply
    5 from 14 votes

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    Photo of Ashley Strickland Freeman in a kitchen.

    Hi, I'm Ashley, "your best friend in the kitchen." I'm a food stylist, culinary producer, editor, travel junkie, and author of The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook from Charleston, SC. Thanks for stopping by Little Black Skillet!

    More about me →

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