Smoked Potato Salad
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My Smoked Potato Salad is a must try and easy to make. Instead of boiling the potatoes I smoked them first then tossed them with the usual ingredients plus bacon for the win. This is so good and perfect for summertime parties, BBQs and the BIG Fourth of July celebrations!
Smoked Potato Salad
There’s potato salad and then there’s Smoked Potato Salad. Smoked potatoes you say? Yes I did, and it’s a wonderful nuanced flavor added to a classic American side dish.
How to smoke a potato?
After a quick wash and dry, the potatoes are rubbed with olive oil and salt and pepper. On a tray and in the smoker they went. Super easy, nothing to it.
I decided to smoke some russet potatoes in my new Traeger Smoker Grill, and after, rubbed and peeled the cooled potatoes to remove the skins,. The aroma of smoke was there. Perfect!
I also decided to up my potato salad game with the addition of one of my favorite foods, bacon.
Because everything’s better with bacon. Right?!
Smoking the potatoes makes a huge flavor impact from just your average potato salad. It’s subtle, but adds that extra touch.
This Smoked Potato Salad is great served along side any grilled steak, ribs or chicken:
- Perfect Rib Eye Steaks
These Perfect Rib Eye Steaks are beautifully marbled, and seasoned with my version of Montreal Seasoning, but it’s better! A tab of compound herb butter melting on top finishes it off, so get ready for the best steak dinner! - Kansas City Style Ribs
Characterized by the thick, sticky sauce brushed on in the last 30 minutes of cooking. The dry rub and sauce are on the sweet side using a brown sugar base, but are balanced with chili powder and pepper, producing some truly finger licking good ribs. - Original Tommy’s Chili
Thick, almost spreadable, my copycat Original Tommy’s Chili is made using no tomatoes, no beans, uses several chili powders and masa harina to hit the spot. Perfect to top hamburgers, hotdogs, fries and my favorite, crispy tator tots! - Citrus Honey Grilled Chicken
Packed with flavor and a super easy dinner that’s on the table in no time. Orange juice, honey and rosemary marinate the chicken that’s grilled to tender perfection, then dressed with a pistachio, cilantro and citrus salad.
I used my Classic Potato Salad recipe for the base, except I opted to drop the sweet component of relish and added the savory crumbled bacon and some diced jalapeño. It just needed it, but feel free to omit if you must.
Other Summertime side dishes
For other side dishes perfect for any gathering, potluck or picnic, try my Honey Mustard Sweet Potato Salad, Loaded Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes, Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole, or for an incredible cookie how about my Bacon Fat Gingersnap Cookies. Enjoy!
Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lbs russet potatoes
- 2 celery ribs diced
- 1 jalapeño small, diced, (optional)
- 1 cup red onion small dice (See Note 1)
- 4 hard-boiled eggs quartered
- 4 slices hickory smoked bacon
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
Dressing
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard (See Note 2)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp celery seed
Instructions
- Coat potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Start the Traeger according to grill instructions. Set the temperature to the Smoke setting (set to Super Smoke if using a WiFIRE-enabled grill) and let smoker preheat with lid closed for 5 minutes.
- Place potatoes on a sheet pan and place directly on the grill grate. Smoke potatoes for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove potatoes from the grill. Raise the grill temperature to 450°F and preheat with lid closed 10-15 minutes. Place the tray of potatoes back on the grill and bake for 25 minutes or until tender.
- Slice bacon into small pieces and cook in a skillet over medium heat until rendered and crispy. Drain and set aside.
- When the potatoes are tender, remove from grill and set aside to cool.
- Remove the skin from potatoes and cut into large chunks. Set aside in a large bowl.
- Dice celery, set aside. Remove stem and seeds from jalapeño and dice small. After cutting the red onion, in a small bowl cover with cold water and let soak for 15 minutes, then drain. Cut and quarter hard boiled eggs, set aside.
- In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, garlic powder, pepper and celery seeds.
- Add bacon, diced celery jalapeño and onions to potatoes, pour dressing over all and mix well. Gently stir in eggs. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour for flavors to meld.
- Sprinkle smoked paprika on top for garnish (optional) and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- After cutting the red onion I cover with cold water and let soak for 15 minutes, then drain and use. This takes the raw bite flavor out of them.
- For a little extra kick, substitute with dijon mustard.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I’ll never go back to hiring potato salad again! What an easy way to add so much flavor. Loved it!
I am so glad to read that!
I am very picky when it comes to potato salads! This one has all the right ingredients to make it amazing! Cannot wait to dig in!
Yay! I hope you love it as much as I do!
What would high smoking temp be on a charcoal smoker?
Not quite sure. I do know that monitoring and playing with the vents alters the amount of heat intensity though.
Just made this for our 4th of July cookout. I don’t think any other potato salad will ever live up to this one. Delicious. It might not make it to the cookout. 😂
High praise indeed! Thanks so much Erica! 🙂
I am so jealous – I totally want that smoker!! What a great idea to smoke the potatoes 🙂 I can’t wait to try this. Plus bacon…YES!!
All of the above. Two thumbs UP! Thanks Danielle. 🙂
Bet that smoky flavor is fabulous Kevin! Love the addition of the eggs and bacon too!
AND you can alter the flavor by whatever wood chip you choose, too. Thanks Mary Ann!
Hey Kevin! I would never turn down potato salad and this sounds wonderful! Everything is better with bacon! I add pieces of homemade dill pickles to my standard recipe and also eggs. Paprika is a must for me! Your dressing is very similar to what I make.
Excellent Dorothy. My Classic Potato Salad sounds like what you’re describing. Love the smoke flavor in this one. Cheers!
I’ve never had smoked potatoes before, but it sounds incredible! Talk about adding a flavor punch to potato salad! Genius!
It’s just the right nuance to elevate that potato salad! Thanks Marissa. 🙂
I absolutely LOVE that you smoked the potatoes, Kevin! SO clever! Plus the addition of bacon!? YUM! Where do I sign up?! Pinning to try!
Summer food basics, right?! 🙂
Great idea to smoke the potatoes for the salad. I’m going to give this a try on my Weber Q, but start with my cold smoke ring. And, everything is better with bacon.
Excellent Ron, let me know how it turns out.