Paula Deen Potato Salad Recipe for Summer Fun

Paula Deen’s potato salad represents comfort food at its finest, bringing Southern charm to any gathering.

Classic ingredients blend together in this beloved recipe that sparks memories of backyard cookouts.

Family-style side dishes rarely taste this rich and satisfying, combining smooth textures with crisp protein accents.

Every bite promises a delightful mix of creamy and crunchy elements that dance across your palate.

Regional culinary traditions shine through in this straightforward yet remarkable preparation that elevates simple ingredients.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this dish comes together without complicated techniques or hard-to-find components.

Regional potluck champions know this recipe transforms ordinary meals into memorable experiences: get ready to impress everyone at your next meal.

Why Paula Deen’s Potato Salad is a Summer Classic

• Elevate Comfort Food: This potato salad transforms classic comfort food into a gourmet experience by adding crispy bacon and creamy dressing, making every bite rich and satisfying.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: With simple steps and straightforward ingredients, home cooks can whip up this delicious side dish in just over an hour, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.
• Flavor-Packed Texture Explosion: The combination of tender boiled potatoes, crunchy bacon bits, soft chopped eggs, and zesty green onions creates a multi-dimensional taste and texture profile that keeps taste buds excited and engaged.
• Southern-Style Crowd Pleaser: Paula Deen's signature touch brings a traditional Southern charm to this potato salad, making it an ideal dish for barbecues, picnics, potlucks, and family celebrations where everyone craves a hearty, delectable side.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Potato Salad

• Red Potatoes: Starchy and hold shape well, perfect for potato salad with good texture.
• Eggs: Adds richness and protein, classic potato salad component for extra creaminess.

• Bacon: Provides smoky crunch and deep savory flavor, high-quality bacon recommended.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, mild onion taste and bright color to the salad.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds ingredients, use full-fat version for best flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy depth and subtle heat to the dressing.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall taste profile.
• Bacon Grease: Optional extra flavor booster, adds richness to potato cooking and dressing.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Potato Salad

Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon

Fry bacon in a skillet until golden and crunchy. Carefully drain the bacon on paper towels, keeping 2-of bacon grease. Crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add of reserved bacon grease and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and let cool completely. Chop potatoes into bite-sized chunks.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

Whisk until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine All the Goodies

• Sliced green onions
• Chopped hard-boiled eggs

Coat everything evenly with the prepared dressing.

Step 5: Add the Final Crunch

Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the salad. Fold gently to distribute bacon pieces throughout. Chill for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld together. Serve cold and enjoy the ultimate potato salad experience!

Tips for Perfecting Paula Deen’s Potato Salad

• Infuse Potatoes with Flavor: Drop warm potatoes directly into dressing to maximize taste absorption and create a more vibrant salad experience.
• Select Perfect Potato Varieties: Grab small red or waxy potatoes that maintain structure after cooking, ensuring a delightful, firm texture in every bite.
• Boost Taste with Bacon Magic: Splash a tablespoon of bacon grease into boiling water, transforming ordinary potatoes into a smoky, mouthwatering foundation for the salad.
• Balance Seasoning After Cooling: Sample the chilled salad and tweak salt, pepper, or mustard levels since cold temperatures can diminish initial flavor intensity.
• Allow Flavors to Harmonize: Refrigerate the salad for minimum one hour, letting ingredients mingle and develop a more complex, delicious profile that will wow your guests.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Potato Salad

• Refrigeration Mastery: Keep potato salad in a sealed glass or hard plastic container to lock in freshness and prevent odor absorption. Glass containers create a superior barrier against bacterial growth and maintain the salad's original texture better than plastic alternatives.
• Temperature Control: Cool the salad completely before refrigeration to prevent condensation and potential bacterial development. Position the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to ensure consistent cooling and maximum preservation.
• Smart Consumption Strategy: Consume the potato salad within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety. Discard immediately if you notice any unusual smell, color changes, or signs of spoilage, as mayonnaise-based salads are particularly prone to bacterial growth.

Creative Variations on Paula Deen’s Potato Salad

• Smoky Southwest Potato Salad: Swap Dijon mustard for chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, add diced jalapeños, and mix in fresh cilantro for a spicy southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Potato Salad: Replace bacon with crumbled feta cheese, incorporate chopped fresh oregano and parsley, and drizzle with olive oil instead of bacon grease.
• Loaded Baked Potato Salad: Mix in shredded cheddar cheese, extra crispy bacon bits, additional green onions, and a dollop of sour cream to mimic classic loaded baked potato flavors.
• Herbaceous Green Potato Salad: Introduce fresh dill, chives, and chopped cucumber to create a lighter, more refreshing version with increased herbal notes and crunch.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Potato Salad

Potato salad mavens rejoice!

Paula Deen’s signature recipe transforms humble ingredients into southern comfort magic.

Bacon grease whispers indulgent secrets into each creamy bite.

Green onions provide sharp contrast against rich, velvety potatoes.

Crispy bacon crumbles crown this classic side dish with salty perfection.

Pure southern charm meets culinary creativity on one delightful plate.

Hungry readers, this recipe demands your immediate kitchen adventure – grab those ingredients, share this delectable discovery, and let taste buds dance with pure delight!

Paula Deen Potato Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s classic potato salad delivers Southern comfort with creamy, tangy perfection. Crisp celery, hard-boiled eggs, and mustard create a side dish that brings family gatherings and summer picnics to life, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb small unpeeled red potatoes
• 4 strips bacon
• 1 boiled chopped egg

Dressing and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• to taste salt
• to taste pepper

Garnish:

• 1 sliced green onion

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Instructions

1. Prepare crispy bacon by cooking until golden and crunchy. Drain excess fat, preserving 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of bacon grease. Crumble bacon into small pieces and set aside for later use.
2. Select medium-sized potatoes and rinse thoroughly. Place potatoes in a large saucepan, covering them with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of reserved bacon grease and a small pinch of kosher salt to enhance flavor.
3. Heat potatoes over medium-high heat, bringing water to a rolling boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes become fork-tender, ensuring they are soft but not mushy.
4. Drain potatoes using a colander and allow them to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, slice potatoes into uniform bite-sized cubes for consistent texture.
5. Create a creamy dressing by whisking 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) mayonnaise with 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard. Season with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of salt to balance flavors.
6. Gently fold cooled potato cubes, thinly sliced green onions, and chopped hard-boiled eggs into the prepared dressing, ensuring even coating.
7. Incorporate crumbled bacon pieces delicately into the potato mixture. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.

Notes

• Elevate taste by mixing warm potatoes with dressing, allowing deeper flavor absorption and creating a more delicious salad experience.
• Select small red potatoes or waxy varieties to maintain perfect shape and texture after cooking.
• Infuse subtle smokiness by adding a tablespoon of bacon grease to boiling water during potato preparation.
• Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of one hour, enabling flavors to harmonize and develop a refreshing depth.
• Perform a final taste test after chilling, as cold temperatures can mute seasonings, and adjust salt, pepper, or mustard accordingly for optimal flavor balance.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 50mg