Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Smoky: This potato salad boasts a unique, smoky flavor that’s incredibly satisfying. The potatoes and hard-boiled eggs are smoked to perfection, adding a whole new dimension of flavor to the classic dish.
Easy: There’s nothing complicated about this recipe. From the preparation to the smoking, everything is straightforward and the delicious end result is so worth it.
Delicious: Potato salad is always a winning dish but this gourmet version boasts bacon as well as a beautiful smoky flavour which everyone will love.
Versatile: Not only is this smoked potato salad with bacon perfect for a gathering, potluck or picnic, but it pairs with just about anything as a side dish and will keep for several days.

Smoky Potato Salad Recipe Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Red potatoes: This variety is waxy and firm, making it the perfect potato for potato salad. You can leave the skin on for a rustic look or peel it off if you prefer. You can also use Yukon Gold potatoes if that’s what you have on hand.
Hard-boiled eggs: These add a protein punch to the salad, as well as a creamy texture. They’re smoked along with the potatoes to absorb that wonderful smoky flavor and then chopped and added to the salad for an extra depth of flavor.
Mayonnaise: This is the base of the creamy dressing, adding a rich, velvety texture and a subtle tangy flavor. You can use a vegan mayo if you prefer, to make the dairy-free.
Garlic paste: A handy ingredient that adds a strong, fresh garlic flavor. You could substitute it with minced fresh garlic.
Bacon: Everything is better with bacon! Chopped, it will add a salty, smoky flavor.
Jalapenos: These are added for a bit of a spicy kick. Be sure to remove the seeds if you prefer a milder flavor, or leave them out altogether if you’re not a fan of spicy food.
Chives: These will be chopped and added as a garnish. They add a mild onion flavor and a pop of green color.

How to Make Smoked Potato Salad

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Smoke the potatoes:  Toss them with oil and chilli powder. Place in smoker for a couple of hours on a rimmed baking sheet.
Smoke the hard boiled eggs:  Add eggs to the smoker with the potatoes for an hour. Potatoes should be fork tender but still stiff.
Peel and dice the potatoes:  Cut into bite sized pieces or large chunks if you prefer. Leave some of the skin on for a richer smoky flavour.
Make the dressing:  Mix mayo with mustard, garlic, slaw dressing, hot sauce, paprika, and some salt and black pepper. Add in egg yolks.
Chop the remaining ingredients:  Chop the egg whites, celery, onion, bacon, and jalapeños.
Add the potatoes:  Add the potatoes and stir everything together. Let the dish sit overnight if you can, else give it at least 3 hours, then serve with chives.

Substitutions and Variations

Less smoke: If you’re not a fan of heavily smoked food, simply reduce the smoking time or omit the step to smoking the hard-boiled eggs altogether.
Spicier kick: If you like your food with a bit more heat, feel free to add more ancho chili powder or hot sauce to the recipe.
Optional Additions: Diced dill pickles or dill pickle relish can add a tangy twist to your smoked potato salad.
Dressing: Instead of the usual mayonnaise and slaw dressing, you can try a different creamy approach by using sour cream or Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise and choosing a different creamy dressing instead of the slaw dressing.
Herbs: Another way to change up the flavor profile is to add a different herb or two. For instance, you could mix in some cilantro or green onions along with the chives.

Serving Suggestions

Main Dish: Smoked Potato Salad pairs well with a variety of proteins such as grilled flank steak, roasted chicken, BBQ pulled pork, or some smoked turkey breast. These hearty dishes complement the rich and creamy texture of the potato salad, making for a satisfying meal.
Lighter Main: For a lighter but still satisfying option, consider serving your bacon potato salad with dishes like a chopped Italian sandwich or a fried chicken sandwich. These sandwiches add a bit of crunch and a contrasting texture that works well with the potato salad.

How to Store Grill-Smoked Creamy Potato Salad

Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. However, if the potato salad has sat out for more than 2 hours indoors or more than 1 hour outside in the heat, it’s safer to just discard the leftovers.
Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge.

Top Tips 

Don’t skip the refrigeration: After you’ve prepared the salad, make sure to refrigerate it for at least 3 hours before serving. Ideally, let it sit overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes for a tastier dish.
Make it your own: Feel free to experiment with the recipe. You can add different ingredients like dill pickles or dill pickle relish or adjust the amount of chili powder and hot sauce to suit your preference.