BBQ Baby Shower Potato Salad (Printable version)

A smoky potato dish featuring crisp bacon, sharp cheddar, fresh herbs, and tangy BBQ flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 3 lbs baby potatoes, washed and halved
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp kosher salt

→ Dressing

04 - 3/4 cup sour cream
05 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
06 - 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, smoky or sweet style
07 - 2 tsp Dijon mustard
08 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
09 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Mix-ins and Toppings

10 - 5 oz smoked bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
11 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
12 - 4 scallions, thinly sliced
13 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
15 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss halved baby potatoes with olive oil and salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until tender and golden. Allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and black pepper until smooth and fully combined.
03 - Add cooled roasted potatoes to the dressing. Gently toss to coat all pieces evenly.
04 - Fold in chopped bacon, cheddar cheese, scallions, chives, parsley, and red onion, reserving a portion of each for garnish.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with reserved bacon, cheese, scallions, and fresh herbs.
06 - Chill for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer barbecue without needing a grill or hours of planning.
  • The roasted potatoes hold their shape and don't turn mushy, even if it sits out longer than expected.
  • Bacon and cheddar make it feel indulgent while staying surprisingly easy to pull together.
02 -
  • Never skip cooling the roasted potatoes to room temperature—warm potatoes will turn your dressing watery and soak up all the flavor instead of letting it coat the surface.
  • The acid in the vinegar and BBQ sauce is essential; without it, the salad tastes flat and one-note no matter how much cheese you add.
03 -
  • Cut your baby potatoes into even-sized halves so they roast at the same speed and nothing gets overcooked or undercooked.
  • Make the dressing in the bowl you'll be serving from to save yourself one extra dish and reduce the temptation to taste-test along the way.
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