No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad with Bacon

This warm roasted potato salad is not only great for your next potluck or cook out, but it’s perfect for a simple dinner.  Roasted crispy potatoes and bacon in a balsamic dressing without mayo! Not your Mom’s potato salad, but possibly better.  

Potato salad is one of those dishes that most people have strong opinions about.  It’s hard to beat my moms, with mustard, mayonnaise, celery seeds, hard boiled eggs, pickle relish and black olives along with boiled potatoes. But no one can make it quite the same as she does.  

Instead, I make a ranch potato salad when I want a mayonnaise based salad. If you’re looking for a potato salad without mayonnaise to take to an outdoor event or potluck or want a warm easy side dish, then you’ll love this roasted potato salad recipe.

Bacon and balsamic dressing along with fresh herbs and roasted potatoes combine to make an amazing warm salad.

While I lean toward cold potato salads, my gang loves German potato salad which is served warm and made with bacon grease and vinegar.  I’m not particularly fond of the strong vinegar taste in traditional German salad, so I developed this compromise. It’s fantastic warm but is just as good at room temperature. It has a balsamic dressing so there’s a little vinegar but it’s not that strong.

This potato salad with roasted potatoes is nothing like my moms, in fact, I’m not sure I would even call it a salad, it’s more like a side dish.

The potatoes are a little crisp and coated in a slightly sweet dressing with crispy bacon mixed in and it can be served warm but is just as good at room temperature. It’s my family’s favorite side and what I’m asked to make anytime I ask them what they want for dinner. If you like potatoes and bacon but want a more traditional side dish then you might like loaded mashed potatoes made in the microwave.

I was inspired by a side that was served at Elliotts, a local restaurant in Pinehurst. Instead of mayonnaise it has Stonewall Kitchens’ Maple Balsamic Dressing. Let me just say, this dressing is great all by itself.  It has a subtle maple taste along with a mild balsamic flavor. You can use what’s leftover on any lettuce based salad, the recipe only uses about half of the bottle.

Things You’ll Like About Potato Salad with Bacon

• No mayo so it’s great to take if you ‘ll be outside.
• Roasting gives you crispy potatoes and no boiling water
• Quick and easy, the oven does all the work
• Goes with almost anything

This homemade potato salad is so quick and easy to put together.  Just cut your potatoes into bite size chunks and roast with garlic and a bit of oil. While your potatoes are roasting, fry some bacon and then pour the dressing over the roasted potatoes along with crispy bacon and green onions for a great side dish. 

Pro Tip: Learn how to keep your parsley fresh for weeks so you can so you can have on hand for this recipe.

On those nights where you’re just having a rotisserie chicken for dinner (a lot of nights for me), this side will transform an ordinary dinner with very little effort. It’s perfect for a potluck since there’s no mayonnaise. Having folks for dinner, make this ahead, it’s delicious at room temperature.

Ingredients for Warm Potato Salad

• Small red potatoes – if you use the small ones, you”ll only have to cut them in half or thirds. If you have normal size potatoes, just cut them into bite size pieces.
• Garlic cloves – use fresh the flavor is so much better.
• Maple balsamic dressing – if you can’t find Stonewall try any creamy balsamic dressing. Newman’s Own with honey should reproduce the flavors.
• Bacon – I use thick sliced bacon, try pepper bacon or applewood smoked bacon for even more flavor.
• Green onions and parsley.

How Do You Make Roasted Potato Salad

Step 1: fix the potatoes

Start by cutting potatoes into small chunks, drizzle with oil and roast for 30 minutes or until they are tender and brown.

Step 2:

While the potatoes are roasting, cook some bacon and combine it with green onions and balsamic maple dressing.

Add to the warm potatoes and serve.

This is called a salad but I think it’s more of a side dish. It’s a great way to serve roasted potatoes.  You can definitely serve this cold but we like it warm or at room temperature the best.

FAQs for No Mayo Potato Salad

What can you do with the leftover balsamic dressing?

This maple balsamic dressing is awesome on any tossed salad, so it won’t go to waste.

What type of potato should you use for a warm potato salad?

The miniature new potatoes will save you time but any size red potatoes will work.

Should you let the potatoes cool before adding the dressing?

No, add the dressing while the potatoes are hot so that the flavor will absorb into the potatoes.

What temperature is best for oven roasted potato salad?

The flavor and textures are the best served warm or at room temperature. You can refrigerate but the potatoes will change texture if they have been refrigerated for more than a day.

Can you freeze potato salad?

Yes you can freeze potato salad but the texture of the potatoes will not be the same.

More Salads to try

More sides to serve with potato salad

• Charred corn
• Roasted asparagus
• Cucumber salad
• Broccoli salad
• Corn pudding
• Tomato galette
• Roasted carrots
• Vegetable packs
• Mac & cheese

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.