Simple Potato Salad Recipe with Pickles and BACON

Try out this Potato Salad Recipe with Pickles and Bacon that’s picky eater approved. The only crunch is from crispy bacon and dill pickles!

This potato salad recipe with pickles was made with a very specific person in mind: my dad. If you know him, you probably know that he absolutely does not do fresh onions or celery in anything. Especially fresh onions. So naturally, anytime I try to make a side dish that he’ll enjoy, we have to work around that very firm boundary.

But here’s the thing… if my dad likes something, my kids almost always will too. So this potato salad with pickles and bacon? It passed the ultimate picky eater test in our family. No raw onions, no crunchy celery…just creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, tangy dill pickles, and that classic mustard-mayo flavor that makes potato salad what it is. Dad approved, kid approved, win.

Why This Potato Salad Recipe with Pickles Works

This recipe is everything a traditional potato salad should be, just a little more friendly to those texture-sensitive folks we all know and love. It’s creamy, tangy, savory, and packed with tons of flavor. Plus, the bacon and pickles add just the right amount of crunch without scaring off anyone who’s anti-vegie.

Here’s why you’ll love this potato salad recipe with pickles:

• No raw onions or crunchy celery, as discussed
• It’s quick and easy to throw together with simple pantry ingredients
• No trip to the grocery store required for fresh celery…it’s not something I keep on hand
• Creamy dressing with a punch of dill pickle flavor
• Picky eater approved (seriously)
• Great for summer grilling, picnics, holidays, or a Tuesday night with slow cooker ribs

Potato Salad Recipe with Pickles Ingredients

This recipe uses basic ingredients you can grab from your local grocery store. Nothing fancy, just a good, old-fashioned, easy dill pickle potato salad that gets better every time you make it.

• 5 lbs gold potatoes (Yukon golds or yellow potatoes work perfectly with their thin skin and creamy texture)
• 1 cup bacon, cooked and chopped (crispy is key!)
• 1 cup chopped pickles or dill pickle relish (go for crunchy dill pickles if possible)
• 1 3/4 to 2 cups mayonnaise (use full fat for best results)
• 6–8 tablespoons mustard (just yellow mustard…I don’t get fancy with dijon mustard in this recipe)
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Optional add-ins (if you’re not cooking for my dad):

• Chopped green onions
• A little bit of fresh dill or fresh chives
• Hard-boiled eggs, chopped small

How to Make Potato Salad with Pickles and Bacon

This creamy potato salad comes together in just a few steps. You’ll need a large pot of water, a large bowl, and a small bowl for mixing the dressing.

Step 1: Boil the Potatoes

Wash and cut your potatoes into 3/4 inch chunks. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook for about 20 minutes, or until fork tender. Don’t overdo it…you want tender potatoes, not mashed.

Step 2: Drain and Cool Slightly

Drain your potatoes and let them cool for just a few minutes. You want them warm, not hot. Warm potatoes absorb the dressing best and make for that perfect potato salad consistency.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

In a separate small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, bacon, chopped pickles or pickle relish, and all the seasonings: onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, regular salt, and pepper.

You’ll see from my photo, I did not do the dressing separately…I just dumped all the ingredients in with the potatoes. One less dish is just what you need sometimes, right! You will also see in the background we were dying Easter eggs while I was making the potato salad. Sorry y’all…its really not asthetically pleasing around here. We really eat what we make and photograph and we live in the Farmhouse 181 kitchen. Learn more about us here! This is just who we are.

Step 4: Combine and Stir

Pour the dressing mixture over your warm potatoes and stir gently to combine. The stirring will naturally break down a few pieces of potatoes…just enough to help the dressing coat every chunk.

Step 5: Serve It Up

Serve warm (our favorite!) or refrigerate for several hours to serve cold. This stores well in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.

Tips for the Best Potato Salad Recipe with Pickles

• Don’t skip the dill pickle juice if you like more of that tangy flavor! A splash adds brightness.
• For a touch of acidity, a little apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can help balance flavors.
• Taste and adjust the dressing before mixing it in. Mustards and pickles can vary in saltiness.
• Use Yukon golds, red skinned potatoes, or baby potatoes for the best texture. They hold up well and don’t get too mushy.

Make-Ahead and Leftovers

This dish gets even better the second day. If you’re making it ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a stir before serving to wake it back up. It’s a great side for everything from grilled chicken and burgers to pork ribs and fried chicken.

Variations on Classic Potato Salad

This is a great base recipe, especially if you’re avoiding raw onions or celery. But if you’re not working around food aversions, here are a few ways to make it your own:

• Add chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra richness
• Stir in a bit of dijon mustard or grainy mustard for deeper flavor
• Add fresh herbs like dill, spring onions, or chives

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for a potato salad recipe with pickles that even the pickiest eaters will love, this one is it. It’s creamy, tangy, packed with savory bacon and pickle flavor, and free of anything crunchy and suspicious (you know what I’m talking about). It’s become our go-to side for summer grilling, weekend cookouts, and even Sunday supper.

So if you’re cooking for someone who picks out the onions and side-eyes anything with celery…this is your new go-to.

Hope y’all enjoy it as much as we do. And if you try it, leave a comment and let me know…did it win over the picky eaters in your house?

From our table to yours…Easter Eggs and all…enjoy!

Other Farmhouse 181 Recommendations

If you enjoyed this potato salad recipe, you might like these other side dish recipes as well!

• Best Ever Green Bean Casserole
• Simple Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
• Quick Black-Eyed Peas Recipe (Pressure Cooker-Instant Pot)