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Smoked potato salad with eggs, bacon, red onions, and creamy dressing in a glass bowl garnished with paprika and parsley

Smoked Potato Salad Recipe

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Smoked Potato Salad is the ultimate BBQ side dish—creamy, smoky, and loaded with bold flavor from applewood-smoked potatoes, crispy bacon, tangy dressing, and fresh herbs. It’s a crowd-pleaser at cookouts, picnics, and potlucks. Try this elevated twist on a classic that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.👉 Get the full step-by-step recipe below and save it for your next backyard bash!

  • Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 cups

Ingredients

Scale

For the Smoked Potatoes:

  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold or yellow potatoes
  • ¼½ cup applewood pellets (or pellets of choice)

For the Potato Salad Dressing:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1½ tablespoons BBQ rub (Beginners Luck or store-bought)

For the Salad Mix:

  • ¼ cup red onion (diced)
  • 2 ribs celery (diced)
  • 34 slices thick-cut applewood smoked bacon (cooked crispy)
  • 12 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

Step 1: Smoke the Potatoes

  1. Preheat smoker or Ninja Woodfire to 250℉ (120℃) using applewood pellets.
  2. Wash potatoes but do not poke or peel.
  3. Once heavy white smoke clears (after ~10–15 minutes), place potatoes directly on the grate.
  4. Smoke for 90 minutes or until internal temp reaches 200℉ (93℃).
  5. Remove potatoes, seal in plastic bag, and chill in an ice bath or fridge until cool enough to handle (~15–20 minutes).

Step 2: Make the Dressing

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, and BBQ rub.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

  1. Gently peel the smoked potatoes with your fingers.
  2. Cut into bite-sized chunks and place in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add half of the dressing and mix gently to coat.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  5. After chilling, add diced onion, celery, and the remaining dressing. Mix well.

Step 4: Add Toppings & Serve

  1. Just before serving, top with crispy bacon crumbles and fresh parsley.
  2. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

Nutrient Amount
Calories 285 kcal
Total Fat 18g
Saturated Fat 4g
Carbohydrates 24g
Fiber 2g
Sugars 3g
Protein 6g
Sodium 380mg
Cholesterol 25mg
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Cuisine: American