The Best Roasted Red Potato Salad Recipe for Summer Picnics

Crispy, golden roasted red potato salad brings summer memories dancing across my plate.

Sunlight glimmers on herb-flecked chunks of perfectly seasoned potatoes.

Mediterranean flavors whisper through each delectable bite.

Vibrant ingredients promise a fresh twist on classic comfort food.

Salt and pepper mingle with tender potato edges, creating unexpected depth.

Herbs picked from my windowsill garden add bright, zesty notes.

You’ll love how simple ingredients become something extraordinary with just a few expert techniques.

Let’s make magic happen in your kitchen today.

Roasted Red Potato Salad That Elevates Any Meal

• Elevate Your Weeknight Cooking: Simple, delicious roasted red potato salad transforms ordinary side dishes with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Roasting potatoes takes just 45 minutes, with simple ingredients and straightforward steps that make cooking stress-free for busy home chefs.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Creamy texture from mayonnaise, sour cream, and cream cheese combined with crispy bacon creates a universally loved dish that appeals to all ages.
• Versatile Entertaining Option: Perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, and family gatherings, this potato salad can be prepared ahead of time and chilled, making meal planning a breeze.

What’s Tossed Into Roasted Red Potato Salad

• Red Potatoes: Hearty base that provides a creamy and tender texture when roasted. Choose small to medium-sized potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin.
• Bacon: Adds a smoky and salty flavor to the salad. Opt for thick-cut bacon for better crunch and more pronounced taste.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, Cream Cheese: Creamy base that creates a rich and smooth dressing. Full-fat versions provide the best flavor and texture.
• Celery Seed: Offers a subtle, distinctive seasoning with a hint of celery flavor.

• Olive Oil: Helps roast potatoes evenly and adds a light, smooth coating. Use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Celery: Provides a fresh, crisp texture and light crunch to the salad.
• Roasted Red Peppers: Adds a sweet and slightly smoky flavor with vibrant color.
• Optional Add-Ins: Additional ingredients like green onions, chives, or herbs can enhance the salad's complexity.

Roasted Red Potato Salad Preparation Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 425°F.

Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Season Potato Goodness

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Toss everything together until potatoes are evenly dressed.

Step 3: Roast to Perfection

Spread potatoes on the foil-lined pan.

Slide into the oven and roast for 40-45 minutes.

Stir the potatoes every 15 minutes to ensure golden, crispy edges.

Potatoes should be fork-tender when done.

Let them cool for 10 minutes after roasting.

Step 4: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Cream cheese

Blend until smooth and silky.

Sprinkle in celery seed and set aside.

Step 5: Mash Some Potatoes

Take about half the roasted potatoes and gently mash them with a fork or pastry cutter.

This creates a delightful texture for the salad.

Step 6: Mix in Flavor Boosters

• Chopped celery
• Crispy bacon bits
• Roasted red peppers
• Optional add-ins of your choice

Step 7: Dress and Coat

Pour the creamy dressing over the potato mixture.

Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.

Step 8: Chill and Develop Flavors

Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour.

This allows the flavors to mingle and intensify.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop into a serving bowl and watch everyone devour this irresistible potato salad!

Potato Salad Roasting & Seasoning Tips

• Ensure potatoes are completely dry before roasting to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior with a crispy texture.
• Lightly mashing half the potatoes helps create a rich, creamy base while keeping some potato chunks for texture variation.
• Experiment with additional mix-ins like chopped green onions, diced pickles, or fresh herbs to personalize the salad's flavor profile.
• Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator allows the dressing to meld with ingredients, intensifying the overall taste.
• Prepare this potato salad a day in advance for a stress-free meal prep option that tastes even better the next day.

Potato Salad That Keeps Its Creamy Tang

• Transfer leftover potato salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Before storing, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the creamy dressing and prevent liquid separation.
• Gently warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a small splash of mayonnaise if the salad seems dry.
• Do not freeze this potato salad, as the creamy dressing and vegetables will break down and lose texture when thawed.

Herb Matches For Potato Salad

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Select a lightly oaked Chardonnay that complements the creamy texture of the potato salad, balancing its richness with bright, citrusy undertones.
• Serve with Grilled Chicken: Match the roasted red potato salad alongside herb-seasoned grilled chicken breasts, creating a harmonious protein and potato combination that enhances both dishes.
• Add Tangy Arugula Salad: Create a fresh, peppery side salad with arugula, lemon vinaigrette, and shaved parmesan to cut through the salad's creamy profile and provide a crisp contrast.
• Recommend Summer Pilsner: Choose a light, refreshing German-style pilsner that cleanses the palate between bites and complements the bacon and roasted potato flavors with its crisp, clean finish.

Red Potato Salad Herb Options

• Vegan Potato Salad: Replace mayonnaise, sour cream, and cream cheese with vegan alternatives like cashew cream, silken tofu, and plant-based mayo. Swap bacon for smoky tempeh or roasted chickpeas.
• Herb-Infused Potato Salad: Add fresh chopped herbs like dill, chives, or parsley to the dressing for a bright, fresh flavor. Incorporate roasted garlic or green onions for extra depth.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Version: Substitute red potatoes with roasted cauliflower florets. Keep the creamy dressing and bacon for a lighter, keto-friendly option that maintains the original recipe's rich taste.
• Greek-Inspired Potato Salad: Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and diced cucumber. Sprinkle with oregano and use olive oil instead of mayonnaise for a Mediterranean twist.

FAQs

• Can I make this potato salad vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the bacon or replace it with crispy vegetarian bacon bits or smoked almonds for a similar crunch and smoky flavor.

• Are roasted potatoes healthier than boiled potatoes?

Roasting potatoes with a small amount of olive oil can be healthier as it adds less water and maintains more nutrients compared to boiling, and creates a delicious crispy exterior.

• What makes the dressing unique in this recipe?

The combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and cream cheese creates a rich, creamy base with a tangy flavor profile that sets this potato salad apart from traditional recipes.

• Can I prepare this potato salad in advance?

Absolutely! You can roast the potatoes and make the dressing a day ahead. Assemble and chill for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld together.

Roasted Red Potato Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Roasted red potato salad delivers a mouthwatering blend of rustic charm and Mediterranean flavors. Rich herbal notes and crisp textures invite culinary adventurers to savor this delightful summer side dish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) red potatoes, quartered
• 1 cup cooked bacon, thinly sliced (turkey or regular)
• 1 cup celery, thinly sliced

Creamy Components:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened

Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup roasted red bell peppers, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1/2 cup chopped hard-boiled eggs
• 2 tablespoons pickle relish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a foil-lined roasting pan and heat the oven to a high temperature of 425°F for optimal potato roasting.
2. Coat red potatoes generously with olive oil, ensuring even distribution of salt and pepper for robust flavor development.
3. Spread potatoes across the prepared pan, creating a single layer to promote even browning and crisp exterior.
4. Roast the potatoes, rotating the pan every 15 minutes to guarantee uniform golden coloration and tender interior.
5. Remove potatoes from oven after 40-45 minutes when they reach a beautiful golden-brown hue and can be easily pierced with a fork.
6. Allow roasted potatoes to cool slightly for 10 minutes, which helps them maintain structural integrity during mixing.
7. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and cream cheese in a separate bowl, whisking until achieving a silky smooth consistency.
8. Incorporate celery seed into the creamy mixture, creating a flavor-rich dressing base.
9. Partially crush approximately half of the roasted potatoes using a fork or pastry cutter to create varied texture.
10. Fold in whole roasted potatoes, crisp celery, smoky bacon pieces, and vibrant roasted red peppers.
11. Gently pour prepared dressing over the potato mixture, carefully folding to ensure complete and even coating.
12. Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of one hour to allow flavors to meld and develop depth.
13. Serve chilled and enjoy the harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Notes

• Roast potatoes thoroughly to achieve a crispy golden exterior while maintaining a creamy interior, ensuring each piece gets maximum caramelization during cooking.
• Consider swapping bacon with turkey bacon or plant-based bacon bits for lower-fat or vegetarian versions that maintain the smoky flavor profile.
• Experiment with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to reduce calories and add extra tanginess, creating a lighter yet equally delicious dressing.
• Allow the salad to marinate longer than one hour if possible, as overnight chilling helps ingredients meld together and intensifies the overall taste experience.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Side Dish
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 364
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 570 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 28 mg