Creamy Mayo Free Potato Salad with Bacon

I love mayo as much as the next gal, but every now and then you’ve got to mix things up. That’s when this Mayo Free Potato Salad comes into play. If you're looking for the perfect side dish for a crowd, or a simple at home recipe, I've got you covered.

Pssst...I have a secret to give it a creamy consistency without the mayonnaise.

Read on, spud lovers.

Growing up, my Grandma made the BEST potato salad. I’d call it a traditional Midwest potato salad - you know, the kind loaded with mayonnaise, celery, onion, and topped with hard boiled eggs and paprika.

Always, paprika! It was (and still is) to die for!

I’m soooo glad I ate this as a bowlful as a kid because these days, I’m trying to eat a little healthier and if I ate that much mayo I might as well just glue it onto my hips.

As you can tell, I have serious guilt issues anytime a recipe calls for a jar of mayo. Yep, some good old-fashioned Catholic guilt gets me every time.

So here's our alternative.

You can prepare this mayo-free potato salad with Yukon gold potatoes but fingerling or new potatoes work just as well. Just don’t use a Russet or baking potato – you’re not going to get the same creamy results.

Healthy Potato Salad

Summertime around here is chocked full of backyard barbecues and is the land of potluck party buffets. Many times, the food sits for a little while as people come and go to the party.

These gatherings would be delicious with my creamy potato salad recipe but I'm not a big fan of mayo sitting in the heat for hours.

In these party scenarios, a vinegar based potato salad is my pick!

What’s in No-Mayo Potato Salad?

All you'll need to make this tasty potato salad are:

• yukon gold potatoes
• white vinegar
• minced garlic
• sugar
• salt
• ground black pepper
• olive oil
• green onions
• cooked bacon

How to Make Potato Salad Without Mayo

Ok, you all know I love a shortcut so here’s my tip about prepping the potatoes.

You can boil them, you can pressure cook them or you can even microwave them.

If you ever need to prep a side dish and you are channeling a zero in the ambition department, listen up!

YOU CAN STILL MAKE THIS SALAD.

Buy a bag (or two) of pre-washed, microwaveable potatoes. There is practically no effort on your part and you’ll come out looking like a superhero.

Or, since we're using yukon gold potatoes, there's no need to peel them. Because no one likes to peel a potato, am I right?

While the potatoes cool, make your mix of vinegar, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper and olive oil in a large bowl.

No matter how you make your potatoes, here’s the trick to making a creamy potato salad.

Let the potatoes cool, but not completely. As soon as they’re warm but not too hot to handle, chop them into bite-size pieces and toss in the vinegar mixture, stirring to combine.

When you do this, the potatoes absorb the liquid and start to combine making a creamy combination.  Don't be afraid to briskly stir.

Show 'em some love!!

Add some green onion and let it chill for a few hours or overnight.

This salad is best served at room temperature, so pull it out of the fridge about an hour before serving (it will give the olive oil time to loosen up).

It tastes even better the next day!

Top with cooked, crumbled bacon and there you go – Mayo-Free Potato Salad!

Gobble these up alongside some Thai Coconut Lime Chicken on the grill, or some Honey Dijon Turkey Burgers!

Other recipes you'll like:

• Creamy Potato Salad
• Warm Spinach Salad with Root Vegetables
• Italian Farro Salad
• Canned Baked Beans with Bacon

Made with love,
Deanne

More Potluck Salads for a Crowd

• German Potato Salad
• Baked Beans
• Healthy Broccoli Slaw Recipe
• Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges

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