Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad Recipe with Greek Yogurt

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Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad is made without mayo and uses Greek yogurt instead, for a healthier version of the classic picnic side dish recipe. But it still packs in all of your favorite flavors, and you don’t even need a Ranch dressing seasoning packet. Perfect to bring to all of your summer parties and potlucks!

Originally published on May 29, 2016

Finally, ’tis the season for sun and warm weather. It’s the time of the year for going to the park, the beach, baseball games, and the pool. We are throwing burgers and steak on the grill, and devouring them with sides like Easy Baked Beans, tomato cucumber salad, and other salads swimming in mayo.

Unless you’re me. Or anything like me.

Are you on Team Mayo? I am not, so whether I am making chicken salad or coleslaw or deviled eggs or blue cheese dressing, I’m ditching the mayonnaise.

Maybe you are swapping mayo for an alternative to cut down on calories. Or perhaps, like me, you don’t like the flavor or texture. You can even get more nutritional benefits by using another ingredient, like…

How do you make potato salad without mayo?

The answer is Greek yogurt! Your potato salad is still creamy, especially when you add a little apple cider vinegar and olive oil to make it smooth. And it gives you a nice bit of tangy flavor. Plus you get additional protein and calcium with fewer calories as a bonus.

And in this recipe, the summer staple gets an upgrade by making it both yummier and healthier. Bacon deliciousness and Ranch seasonings (but no bottled dressing or seasoning packets) kick up the flavors.

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Greek Yogurt Potato Salad

You actually don’t need a seasoning packet to make this recipe. Just add the same dried herbs and spices as in this easy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing recipe. Then upgrade this barbecue staple with bacon, cheese, and even a few tomatoes for some color and fresh flavor.

Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!

What You’ll Need

For the dressing:

• Plain Greek yogurt
• Olive oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Dried parsley
• Dried dill
• Salt and pepper

For the potato salad:

• Boiled and cooled potatoes
• Cooked and crumbled bacon
• Tomatoes
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Stir together the dressing ingredients.
2. Pour over the boiled and cooled potatoes and toss to coat.
3. Gently stir in the tomatoes, bacon, and cheese.

You now have one delicious side dish!

Brianne’s pro recipe tips

Boiling the potatoes

I like to use small creamer potatoes that you only have to wash and halve or quarter. But you can use larder white or red potatoes cut into about 3/4-inch pieces. These potatoes all typically have a tender skin, so it isn’t necessary to peel them, but you can if you like.

After preparing the potatoes, place them in a pot with cool water, then bring to a boil and cook until fork tender. This will take about 8-10 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the potatoes or they will break apart and get mushy.

After draining the water, return the potatoes to the hot pan to allow the heat to evaporate off some of the moisture. Then cool them completely before mixing with the dressing.

Cooking the bacon

You can cook the bacon in a pan, in the microwave, or in the oven. You’ll want it to get nice and crispy to add a bit of texture to the potato salad.

Pre-cooked bacon is also an option to cut down on prep time, but do not use artificial bacon bits.

Storing the Ranch potato salad

Like traditional potato salad, Greek yogurt potato salad must be store in the refrigerator to keep it from spoiling. While you can make it in advance and store it overnight or for a couple of days, for best flavor, I recommend serving the same day. If you make it ahead of time, you may need to add a bit more yogurt or vinegar to moisten it up again.

What to serve it with

Here are a few summertime favorites that go well with potato salad without mayo:

• Spicy Buffalo Hot Dogs with Bacon and Blue Cheese
• Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Balsamic Marinade
• Barbecue Chicken Tostadas
• French Onion Stuffed Burgers

More Ranch recipes

• Cheddar Bacon Ranch Roasted Potatoes have the same flavors as this dish but in a crispy, hot dish.
• Barbecue Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad makes a hearty, protein-packed lunch.
• Bacon Barbecue Ranch Salad can be served with dinner or top it with chicken or steak to make it a meal.
• Ranch Baked Chicken is foolproof with only five ingredients.

Favorite summertime side dishes

• Chili Lime Corn has the perfect amount of zing and a hint of spice.
• Sauteed Summer Veggies highlight the best seasonal flavors with just a hint of brown butter.
• Roasted Corn Salsa brings fresh veggies and corn together in one bowl of deliciousness.

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad Recipe without Mayo 

5 from 1 vote

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

A lightened up version of a staple summer side dish made with Greek yogurt and all of your favorite flavors. This creamy Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad will be the hit of your summer BBQs!

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

• 2 pounds creamer potatoes halved or quartered
• 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 slices center cut bacon
• 1/2 cup halved grape tomatoes
• 1/2 cup coarsely shredded cheddar cheese about 2 ounces

Instructions

• Place the potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water.
• Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 8-10 minutes, or until tender enough to be pierced with a fork.
• Drain the potatoes, place in a bowl, and cool completely.
• While the potatoes cool, cook the bacon in a pan until crispy, and drain well on a paper towel.
• Crumble the bacon and set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, dill, and black pepper, and stir until well-mixed.
• Pour the Greek yogurt mixture over the potatoes, and toss gently, then gently stir in the bacon, tomatoes, and cheese.

Notes

If you are preparing the potato salad in advance, hold back a little of the ranch or add another tablespoon or so of vinegar before serving

Nutrition Facts

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Amount Per Serving (0.75 cup)

Calories 156 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 9mg3%

Sodium 218mg9%

Potassium 506mg14%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 165IU3%

Vitamin C 23.6mg29%

Calcium 98mg10%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keywords: bacon cheddar potato salad, bacon ranch potato salad, best potato salad recipe, greek yogurt potato salad

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Enjoy!