This light and tangy small batch no mayo potato salad with bacon is the perfect summer side. This easy potato salad takes less than 30 minutes to make, and is great at a BBQ or with added grilled chicken for your own dinner.
[This no mayo potato salad with bacon recipe was originally posted in July 2019. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
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This no mayo potato salad with bacon, Shaved Zucchini and Corn Salad, Broccoli Salad with Grapes, Rainbow Coleslaw, or 5 Minute Asian Coleslaw are great BBQ side salads.
Table of contents
How this potato salad is gonna make your life easier
Chopped vegetables, freshly fried bacon, and a simple dressing.... that can sit in the sun for a bit AND is just as good day 2? Can life get any better? I like to leave the potato wedges fairly large which means that you chop them up really quickly, and the remaining vegetables are easy & quick to chop.
This small batch no mayo potato salad with bacon isn't just a great side dish to take to a summer BBQ but, when you add some simple grilled chicken or edamame-it makes a delicious full meal for one + leftovers. As I mentioned above, this salad is GREAT day 2!
What makes this dish so good
How to make this potato salad
Start this no mayo potato salad with bacon by cooking the potatoes, if you haven't yet. Here's how I cooked the potatoes in my Instant Pot. Instead of setting the timer for 17 minutes, cook them for 10 minutes.
Cook bacon while potatoes are cooking, and chop about 1 cup of (cut) vegetables, if you're making it as a side dish. Cook chicken now too if you want this for a whole meal.
I used green bell pepper, celery, tomatoes, and green onions because that's what I had on hand. Use whatever you have. The no mayo potato salad with bacon is great with lots of different vegetables in it.
Transfer cubed potatoes to medium mixing bowl, add remaining chopped vegetables and cut bacon to the potatoes.
Set salad bowl aside and whisk together 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ½ tablespoon dijon mustard in a small bowl. This dressing really makes the no mayo potato salad with bacon super flavorful and delicious.
Pour salad dressing over potato salad and toss until well incorporated. You can eat this salad immediately, but I'd recommend leaving your no mayo potato salad with bacon out at room temperature for at least 15 minutes to let the potatoes and other vegetables soak up some of the dressing. It's also great the next day!
Expert tips
- Cut vegetables (except tomatoes) into similarly sized small pieces for this no mayo potato salad with bacon.
- Use vegetables you have on hand, feel free to switch them up if you have different veggies on hand
FAQ
There are lots of different potato salad recipes. You can make mayo based potato salad or a vinegar based one, like this no mayo potato salad with bacon. Most potato salad recipes include steamed/boiled potatoes, some vegetables and/or eggs, and a dressing. All you have to do is chop up the potatoes and other vegetables, eggs, and other ingredients, then toss them in a yummy dressing.
There are lots of potato salad recipes and general versions. You can make a vinegar based potato salad or a mayo based salad. They're both great for different reasons. Some have few ingredients: just potatoes, eggs, and dressing; while others have vegetables and/or bacon in them like this recipe.
Cutting potatoes before boiling them will cut down on cooking time, so yes-I recommend it!
Instead of thinking about this no mayo potato salad with bacon as being less or more healthy, I like to make this salad if I'm in the mood for lighter flavors. The vinegar based dressing is bold, refreshing, and so good. Sometimes it's fun to make a potato salad that's not the traditional mayo based one. I also like this salad because it's safer to sit out for longer than a salad with mayo, so it's easier food-safety wise. At the end of the day, I recommend choosing a potato salad recipe based on how it pairs with the other foods you're cooking/eating and what sounds good vs the nutritional value of the ingredients. This is about practicing Intuitive Eating and tuning into your body to decide what to eat.
Ways to repurpose this potato salad
- Turn your no mayo potato salad with bacon into a full on salad by doubling the dressing and adding your favorite greens
- Swap out some potatoes for pasta to turn it into a fun and easy summer pasta salad
Other recipes using potatoes
- Rustic potato and brussels sprouts gratin
- Cheesy Instant Pot mashed potatoes
- Easy breakfast tacos
- Cajun shrimp and veggie tin foil packets
- Sheet pan roasted vegetables
Did you make this no mayo potato salad with bacon? leave me a comment to share how it turned out!
Eggless Potato Salad
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- cutting board
- knife
- Mixing bowl
- Sautee pan
- Small bowl
- Serving spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium red potatoes cut in half
- 1 cup water
- 2 slices bacon
- ⅓ cup grape or cherry tomatoes sliced
- ¼ cup green bell pepper chopped
- 1 stock celery choppe
- 1 whole green onion sliced
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt divided
Instructions
- Cook Potatoes: Pour 1 cup water in Instant Pot bowl then place 1 lb of evenly sized potatoes on steamer basket in Instant Pot bowl. Secure lid of instant pot and set vent to SEALING. Set to STEAM, and set timer to 10 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for about 5-7 minutes after timer goes off. Then open vent, remove lid, and take potatoes out of the Instant Pot. Cut into even sized pieces. Place in medium sized mixing bowl.
- While potatoes are cooking, place 2 slices of bacon on a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until desired crispiness, between 5-10 minutes. Once done, set aside. Pour excess grease into heat safe bowl to save for later. Chop bacon once it's cooled enough to handle.
- Mix salad dressing together by adding 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ tablespoon dijon mustard, and ¼ teaspoon salt to a small mixing bowl. Mix until incorporated.
- Add remaining vegetables and bacon to mixing bowl. Pour dressing over vegetables, and mix until well incorporated. Serve immediately or store in refrigerator until use.
Notes
- Turn this into an entree by cooking chicken with the bacon
- This salad makes great leftovers, letting it sit and marinade in the fridge will make it even more flavorful!
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Sue says
I love this salad not only because it's eggless but also for the delicious vinaigrette dressing. So perfect for summer!
Rebecca says
yes! it's soo good & will last longer outside than a mayo based one or one with eggs
Jessica Formicola says
This is my kind of potato salad! I love that you added bacon and tomatoes!
Rebecca says
bacon is the best!!
Beth says
This is such a delicious salad. Perfect for the hot weather. I'm always afraid to bring mayo based potato salads to picnics. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca says
yes! that's one of the best parts about this salad
Dannii says
A potato salad is a must at a BBQ and this looks like a delicious egg free version.
Rebecca says
thanks! this one will last outside for longer than an egg version too
Kay says
Delicious and the addition of bacon makes it taste soooo good!
Rebecca says
totally agree! bacon just puts it over the edge
Vicki Carr-Walden says
I'm always looking for a great recipe to make for my weekly lunch meal prep so I can take it to work. Do you think this would work out? Ofcourse, I would leave out the eggs and I could add them if I like the day I would eat it.
Rebecca says
Hi Vicki, yes absolutely! this easy potato salad is great after a day or a couple. It actually doesn't have eggs in the recipe so you don't have to worry about them, but hard boiled eggs would be a great (and super easy) protein packed addition! great idea