Zesty Jalapeño Popper Potato Salad Recipe for Spice Lovers

Spice lovers rejoice as this jalapeño popper potato salad bursts with creamy, zesty flavors that dance across your palate.

Crispy bacon bits and sharp cheddar cheese mingle with tender potatoes, creating a side dish that steals the show at every gathering.

The jalapeños deliver a kick that wakes up traditional potato salad, turning it from boring to bold.

Creamy ranch dressing coats each potato chunk, while green onions add a fresh crunch.

Tangy cream cheese weaves through the mix, echoing the beloved jalapeño popper appetizer.

Each forkful promises a delightful combination of heat, richness, and comfort.

Get ready to become the star of your next cookout with this irresistible potato salad that everyone will be talking about.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20min

Cook Time: 15min

Total Time: 35min

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients List for Jalapeño Popper Potato Salad

• Potatoes: Hearty foundation that absorbs flavors wonderfully, choose firm and waxy varieties for perfect texture.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances overall taste profile.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Luxurious base that creates silky, tangy coating with rich mouthfeel.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Aromatic seasonings that add depth and complexity without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Zesty spice that provides subtle heat and sharp undertone.

• Turkey Bacon: Crispy protein that introduces smoky dimension and satisfying crunch.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty element that adds creamy richness and tangy notes.
• Jalapeños: Fiery peppers that deliver bright, spicy kick and vibrant green color.
• Green Onions: Fresh, mild allium that provides gentle onion flavor and colorful garnish.

Kitchen Tools for Popper Potato Salad

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling potatoes, ensuring they cook evenly and become tender.
• Cutting Board: Perfect for chopping jalapeños, green onions, and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to dice jalapeños, slice green onions, and cut potatoes into cubes.
• Colander: Crucial for draining boiled potatoes and preventing overcooking.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Ideal for combining dressing ingredients and mixing potato salad components.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings for consistent flavor.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for mixing ingredients gently without breaking potato pieces.

Simple Steps to Make Jalapeño Potato Salad

• Potato Preparation

Start by gently boiling chopped potatoes in a pot of bubbling salty water until they’re soft and fork-tender. Let them cool completely before moving forward.

• Creamy Fusion

Whip together a zesty mixture of tangy mayonnaise, rich sour cream, and a sprinkle of aromatic spices that will make your taste buds dance with excitement.

• Flavor Symphony

Lovingly fold in crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, fiery jalapeño chunks, and bright green onion slices into the creamy base. Stir with care to ensure every morsel is kissed by the dressing.

• Flavor Harmony

Tuck the salad into the refrigerator and let the magical flavors mingle and get acquainted for about an hour. This resting period allows the ingredients to create a delectable masterpiece that will wow your guests.

Extra Add-Ins for a Flavor Kick

• Adjust jalapeño quantity based on heat preference by removing seeds for milder flavor or adding extra for more kick.
• Replace turkey bacon with regular bacon, crispy chicken bits, or vegetarian bacon alternatives for diverse protein options.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, smoked gouda, or blue cheese to personalize the salad's flavor profile.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance to intensify the dressing's taste and allow ingredients to blend perfectly.

How to Serve Jalapeño Popper Potato Salad

• Summer Picnic Star: Serve this zesty potato salad as the centerpiece of your outdoor gathering, guaranteed to impress friends and family with its bold, spicy flavors.
• Backyard Barbecue Companion: Pair this jalapeño popper potato salad alongside grilled meats like burgers, chicken, or steak for a delicious and complementary side dish that adds a kick of excitement.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Bring this vibrant potato salad to your next sports watching party or potluck, where its creamy texture and spicy notes will have everyone coming back for seconds.
• Protein-Packed Lunch Boost: Transform this potato salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken or shredded rotisserie meat, creating a satisfying and flavorful lunch option that's both filling and exciting.

Chilling & Storage Tips for Potato Salad

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the jalapeño popper potato salad in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dish up to 2 days in advance, which allows the flavors to intensify and develop a more complex taste profile.
• Temperature Safety Zone: Keep the potato salad chilled below 40°F (4°C) when serving at outdoor gatherings or picnics to prevent bacterial growth and ensure food safety.
• Leftover Transformation Tip: Refresh day-old potato salad by gently stirring and adding a small splash of additional dressing to restore moisture and revive the creamy texture.

Smoky Jalapeño Popper Potato Salad

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 35min
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy jalapeño popper potato salad blends classic comfort with spicy excitement. Crisp bacon, sharp cheddar, and zesty peppers create an irresistible side dish you’ll crave at summer gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup (240 ml) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 3 jalapeños, seeded and diced
• ½ cup (120 ml) green onions, sliced
• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Submerge cubed potatoes in generously salted boiling water, cooking until fork-tender for 12-14 minutes.
2. Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and seasonings into a smooth, integrated mixture, then fold in crumbled turkey bacon.
3. Salad Assembly: Gently combine cooled potato cubes with the creamy dressing, ensuring complete coating and even distribution of shredded cheddar cheese and diced jalapeños.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle thinly sliced green onions across the surface, providing a crisp, sharp accent to the creamy base.
5. Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 60 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then give a final gentle stir before presenting the dish.

Notes

• Potato Perfection: Boil potatoes just until fork-tender to prevent mushiness, ensuring a delightful texture that holds its shape.
• Heat Management: Remove jalapeño seeds for a milder kick, or keep them for an extra spicy twist that suits your heat tolerance.
• Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour to allow ingredients to blend, creating a more complex and harmonious taste profile.
• Bacon Brilliance: Crisp turkey bacon adds a smoky crunch that elevates the classic potato salad to a new level of deliciousness.

• Prep Time: 20min
• Cook Time: 15min
• Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg