When you’re craving a rich, satisfying potato salad that doesn’t require a long list of ingredients but still delivers incredible flavor, this creamy ranch-style red potato salad is the perfect answer.
This recipe takes the familiar comfort of potato salad and enhances it with the cool tang of ranch dressing and the savory crunch of bacon. Even those who typically shy away from traditional potato salads find themselves going back for seconds. It’s especially ideal for cookouts, potlucks, and summer picnics—easy to make, impossible to resist.
Ingredients for Creamy Ranch-Style Red Potato Salad
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1 packet dry ranch salad dressing mix (1 oz / 28 g)
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2 cups light mayonnaise (475 ml)
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3/4 cup chopped scallions (75 g)
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1 pound bacon (450 g)
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5 pounds red-skinned potatoes (2.3 kg)
How to Make Creamy Ranch-Style Red Potato Salad
Test Kitchen Tips:
We recommend cubing the potatoes before boiling them—15 minutes was just right for us. For the bacon, microwave 1–1.5 minutes per slice until crisp.
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Chop the unpeeled red potatoes into small cubes. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
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Drain the potatoes and let them cool to room temperature.
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In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ranch mix, light mayonnaise, and chopped scallions. Cover and refrigerate the dressing while the potatoes finish cooling.
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Place the bacon slices on a microwave-safe plate, cover with paper towels, and microwave until crisp. Let them cool, then crumble into small pieces.
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Gently stir the chilled ranch-mayonnaise mixture into the cooled potatoes, folding carefully to coat without breaking up the potato pieces.
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Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top of the potato salad just before serving.
This creamy ranch red potato salad brings a fresh twist to a summer classic, combining simplicity with bold flavor. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, it’s a must-have side dish for gatherings of all kinds. The combination of creamy ranch, tender potatoes, and crispy bacon creates a satisfying contrast in every bite.
Bring it to your next backyard BBQ or picnic, and watch it disappear from the table before anything else. It’s proof that sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones everyone remembers.
