Cheddar, corn and bacon potato salad with red, white and 'blue' potatoes is a great side dish for summer BBQs, cookouts, picnics and parties!
Y’all know I love me some potatoes.
Our go-to is my easy microwave baked potatoes but of course I love them roasted, mashed, smashed, all the ways!
And in the summertime, potato salad is a staple. It’s great for picnics, BBQs, holidays and any night when you’re grilling out.
I love, too, that it’s make-ahead, so if we’re coming back from a day at the pool, it’s just ready for us while we throw some chicken or fish on the grill and I steam a vegetable. Ah, simplicity.
Today I’ve got a fun, patriotic red, white and blue version for you in this cheddar, corn and bacon potato salad. It’s loaded up with deliciousness and will satisfy with every bite.
It's great for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day get togethers.
The colors, to start, cannot be beat.
Purple potatoes are one of my most favorite things in the world. Purple being my favorite color and potatoes being my favorite starch.
Yes, you can use all regular potatoes but that just seems a little sad when you could have this beautiful mix instead. Just saying...
Beyond the colors, the flavor here is incredible!
It’s perfectly creamy with the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt balance, plus a hint of acidity from the vinegar (my favorite trick for potato salad).
And then the cheddar cheese adds another layer of creamy goodness that gets folded in along with some fresh summer corn.
You’ve also got some subtle spice and smokiness from the cayenne and paprika and the gorgeous crunchy, crumbled bacon piled up on top. Oh my YUM!
I’m not sure there’s a more appropriate side dish to serve for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day or any of your summertime gatherings.
So let's get cooking!
Recipe Notes:
- Make sure your potatoes are all in an even layer in your pot when you cook them so that they cook through evenly. Also, don’t let them go too long. You want to be able to slice them without them falling apart into mush. Check starting at around 18 minutes, and every 2 minutes, until they are ready.
- Pro tip: I like to hit the cooked potatoes with vinegar while they’re still warm. They drink it in and it gives an easy depth of flavor that can’t be added in later.
- Bacon: The bacon gets soft when mixed in and refrigerated with this potato salad, which I don’t really mind. You could save all of it to serve on top of the potato salad when you’re ready to eat or you can mix in half and reserve half, like I suggest here.
And, I must say, this cheddar, corn and bacon potato salad goes exceptionally well with my cheddar chicken burgers from Monday.
I’ve got one more great summertime and Memorial Day recipe for you coming on Friday, so don’t miss it!
You can sign up for my free email newsletter so you never miss a recipe! You'll also get my free e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Cheddar, Corn and Bacon Potato Salad
Cheddar, corn and bacon potato salad with red, white and 'blue' potatoes is a great side dish for summer BBQs, cookouts, picnics and parties!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. red, white and purple potatoes mix (I used a mixed bag of fingerlings)
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup corn (fresh from about 2 cobs or corn or frozen corn, thawed)
- 4-6 slices bacon
- 4 green onions, chopped (light green and green parts)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (I use reduced-fat)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (I use non-fat)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Instructions
- Cook whole potatoes in boiling salted water for 20-25 minutes, until almost tender. Be sure to use a big pot so they are in an even layer on the bottom.
- Drain and let cool slightly, until cool enough to touch. Slice the potatoes into ½-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Pour 2 tablespoons of the white wine vinegar over the potatoes while they are still hot. Let cool completely.
- Meanwhile, cook and crumble your bacon and shred your cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, remaining teaspoon of white wine vinegary, sugar, paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne, if using. Stir until smooth.
- Place the cooled potatoes in a large bowl. Add corn, shredded cheddar cheese and about half of the bacon and green onions. (See notes.)
- Add the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt mixture and stir until everything is well coated. Refrigerate at least an hour and up to 24 hours.
- When ready to serve, top with the remaining bacon and green onions. Enjoy!
Notes
This potato salad is meant to be made ahead, so please plan accordingly.
The bacon that gets mixed into the potato salad before it gets refrigerated will soften. You can reserve all of the bacon until you are ready to serve if you want to ensure it all stays crispy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 319Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 607mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 11g
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
You're right...should definitely use those beautiful potatoes....the colours are so pretty! And, for me, cayenne is not optional 😉 Loves me some spice, girl! This is the perfect salad for any Summertime bbq. Big fan of potato salad and when you add corn, cheese and bacon, it just puts it over the top! Yum! Pinning 🙂
Kathryn
So glad we're on the same page 😉 Thanks Dawn!
Kate @ Framed Cooks
Don't you just love the purple potatoes? So festive! Love the corn and the cheeeeeeese and the bacon too of course - all the good things in one salad!
Kathryn
Adore them! And yes, this is an all-star salad for sure 😉
Alida @ Simply Delicious
This has GOT to be like the ultimate of all the ultimate potato salads, right?! Love!
Kathryn
Thanks Alida! It's pretty epic!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
Girl, I do love me some potatoes too! I've never seen a potato salad quit like this before! I'm thinking it may need to make an appearance on my picnic table this weekend!
Kathryn
It's picnic perfect 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
I am right there with you in your love of potatoes! But really, what sane person doesn't love spuds, right?! This potato salad is fabulous, Kathryn! LOVE the tri colored potatoes in here - so patriotic! And I'll take extra cheddar, corn and bacon please!! SO GOOD! Cheers friend - to a wonderful holiday weekend!
Kathryn
Thanks lady! It's all kinds of fun 🙂
Adina
I never knew about cooking the potatoes in a single layer so that they cook more evenly. I will put them in the big pot next time. I love the colors, I could never buy purple potatoes around here.... 🙁
Kathryn
It really helps! And sad, I wish I could send you some purple potatoes Adina!
Amanda
Gosh this would be amazing at a summer bbq...maybe even at a Memorial Day bbq! There's really nothing as Patriotic as Bacon and Cheese! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kathryn
Haha, so true Amanda! It's really an all-American kinda dish 🙂
Brie
You're right purple potatoes are just too fun to pass up! The tip about adding the vinegar while they cool, soooo awesome Kathryn I think you just seriously upped my potato salad game 🙂
Kathryn
Yay, thanks Brie! That quick splash of vinegar really adds great flavor!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate
A few things: I'm super into potatoes, too. Purple is my favorite color. And I love food that I can prep early so I don't have to run around like a chicken with its head cut off when entertaining. We sound pretty similar. Let's be friends?
This potato salad is elevated from the recipe I enjoyed during my childhood, and I am stupid excited to make your rendition. How could this NOT be delicious? I meaaaaaaan.. potatoes and corn and BACON all together in one dish? Hard to beat!
Thanks so much for participating in the Great Blogger BBQ with us today. This has been SO much fun! I hope you and yours have a lovely holiday weekend!
Kathryn
Let's do be friends! Come on over and bring some of those blackberry gin smash cocktails and I'll serve you up some of this salad and we can sit on the porch and where purple hats or something. 🙂
Thank YOU for getting us all together - what a great virtual BBQ party! Just wish we could make it all happen (us and the food) in person! Happy Memorial Day weekend to you!
Tez @ Chile and Salt
What a BEAUTIFUL potato salad Kathryn! Can`t wait to make this for my next BBQ!
Also LOVING the 50 Cook Out Recipes! Have plans to make Katie`s Quinoa Tabouli by A Fork’s Tale tonight!
Thanks for the great post!
Kathryn
Thank you Tez! It's a great BBQ side dish for sure 🙂 And yes - Katie's quinoa tabouli totally caught my eye too - hope you enjoy!
Kelsey @ Appeasing a Food Geek
I am always looking for more potato recipes, so this is going on the list asap! And I love purple potatoes, so I know that this is going to be a winner. Happy #greatbloggerBBQ 🙂
Kathryn
Thanks Kelsey! Love that we're fellow potato fanatics!
karrie@TastyEverAfter
Just wait until I show this to my Hubby tonight. He'll want me to make it once a week! lol! No kidding, he LOVES corn and potatoes and bacon. OMG...BACON!!!!!! Too much love on one plate 🙂 Have a great holiday weekend!
Kathryn
Haha, thanks Karrie! Hope he loves it!
Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss
I must be living under a rock because I've never seen a purple potato! This potato salad looks like a real winner though - most potato salads I see are all the same variation of plain/boring-ness. You had me at bacon!
Kathryn
Oh, you need to go find you some! They don't taste any differently, really, but man they are pretty!! And yup, bacon will do that every time 😉
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction
Mmmm, my kind of salad! This looks absolutely delicious!
Kathryn
Thanks Marsha!
Heather Seeley
This has to be the prettiest potato salad I have ever seen! My kids would absolutely love the addition of purple potatoes. Putting this on my summer food rotation for sure. Thanks for the great recipe and including me in the summer cookout recipes.
Kathryn
Thanks Heather! It's definitely a fun one for kids - of all ages 🙂
Nancy | Plus Ate Six
I've never tried purple potatoes before 🙁 They look so pretty. You've put all my favourites into one bowl - corn, cheese, bacon and potatoes - I'm happy!
Kathryn
Hope you can find some purple potatoes Nancy - they are so fun! If not, no worries, this salad still has all the other goodies 🙂
CakePants
This sounds like a winning combination of flavors - I've never tried adding cheese to potato salad, but it sounds irresistible! I love the added color from the potatoes as well!
Kathryn
Thanks, this is definite a flavor-packed potato salad 🙂
April R - Uncookie Cutter
Thanks for linking up at You Link It, We Make It last week and congrats on your feature today! This salad looks amazing. I'll be pinning to our group board!
Kathryn
Thanks so much April! I'll definitely stop by the party 🙂
Frugal Hausfrau
This would be a hit at any potluck! I love that you have some good spice in there - and bacon!! Thanks for joining us again at Throwback Thursday!!
Mollie
Kathryn
A little spice, a little bacon - can't go wrong! Thanks Mollie 🙂
Royvia
Great post.
Super cha sb funciona
o seu conteudo é realmente muito bom!