The easiest potato salad recipe ever! Ranch Potato Salad is loaded with tender red potatoes, sharp Cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions. This salad has a quick two-ingredient ranch and sour cream dressing.
POTATOES: Leave the peel on the red potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Put the potato cubes in a large pot and cover with about 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and add salt. (I add 1 teaspoon per every 4 cups of water.) Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium low (at a bare simmer), and cook uncovered for 8-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender (easily pierced with a fork). Check often to avoid overcooking the potatoes--that will cause a mushy salad.
POTATOESCONT.: Drain the potatoes and run under cold water. Let stand to dry completely before adding to the salad.
DRESSING: Meanwhile, mix the ranch dressing packet (See Note 1) with the sour cream. Whisk until smooth.
BACON: Cook and drain the bacon; chop coarsely.
SALADASSEMBLY: Place the completely cooled potatoes in a large bowl. Add in the chopped bacon (See Note 2), shredded Cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions. Pour the dressing over everything and gently toss to combine. Add cracked pepper to taste.
CHILL: Covered, in the fridge, for at least 30 minutes (preferably 1 hour) before serving.
Notes
Note 1: Ranch Seasoning Mix: We like Hidden Valley Ranch® seasoning mix best (not sponsored) and have found other brands to lack flavor or be overly salty. If you are sensitive to salt or concerned, start with half the seasoning mix and add more gradually.Note 2: Bacon: If you'd like the bacon to stay crispy (instead of a softer/chewier texture), add the bacon to top individual servings. Mixing bacon into the salad softens it.