Baby potato & bacon salad recipe

Is it truly a salad if it’s 70% potato, 20% bacon, and only a whisper of greenery? Honestly, who cares. This is my kinda salad — filthy, indulgent, and the kind that makes lettuce-based ones look a bit sad. Think less “health food aisle” and more Christina Aguilera circa 2002 Dirty era — saucy, creamy, a little bit chaotic, and undeniably iconic. Have I just made salads sexy? Quite possibly.

This baby potato & bacon salad is basically the definition of comfort food masquerading as something virtuous. We’re talking warm baby potatoes coated in a creamy, tangy dressing, crispy shards of salty bacon running through, and just enough cucumber, rocket, and spring onion to make you feel like you’re being sensible. It’s rich, it’s beige, it’s saucy — and it’s 100% the salad that’ll disappear first at the BBQ.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Why is she waxing lyrical about a potato salad like it’s an Adele ballad?” But honestly, if you turn up to someone’s garden party with this bowl of carby goodness, you instantly become the hero of the day. The kind of dish people ask you for the recipe for, or low-key hover around until it’s time for seconds. It’s that good.

And the best part? It’s ridiculously easy. Boil some potatoes, fry some bacon, whisk up a creamy dressing, mix it all together, done. Minimal faff, maximum payoff. You can serve it warm (sexy), cold (still sexy), or even make it the day before so you can roll up to your mate’s BBQ smug and stress-free.

When to make this potato & bacon salad

  • BBQs & picnics → it’s sturdy, travel-friendly, and actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge.

  • Midweek dinners → chuck it next to grilled chicken, sausages, or even just a fried egg and call it a meal.

  • Leftover heaven → got some lurking in the fridge? Pair it with a leafy salad or stuff it into a wrap for a cheeky lunch upgrade.

  • Festive buffets → Christmas, Easter, random Tuesdays… it’s a dish for all seasons.

Why it works

It’s the holy trinity of salad greatness: salty (hello, bacon), creamy (thank you, mayo and dressing), and fresh (rocket and cucumber coming in clutch). Plus, baby potatoes are elite — they hold their shape, soak up flavour, and are the perfect bite size. Basically, they’re salad gold.

Also, let’s not ignore the bacon factor. Bacon improves literally everything. If someone tries to argue otherwise, they’re lying.

Summery salads

If a dry salad if legit your worst nightmare, try out these saucy numbers instead:

For more meal inspo, you can find more of my recipes here.

 

Baby potato & bacon salad

By Poppy Cooks

https://www.poppycooks.com/recipes/baby-potato-bacon-salad/

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Ingredients

Metric Imperial

    Metric

  • 500g baby potatoes
  • 1/2 pack of streak smoked bacon
  • 1 bag of rocket
  • 1/2 a cucumber, peeled into ribbons
  • 2 spring onions, chopped
  • Small handful of chopped parsley
  • 1 heaped tbsp of mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of a lemon
  • 50g crumbly Lancashire cheese

    • Imperial

  • 1.1lbs baby potatoes
  • 1/2 pack of streak smoked bacon
  • 1 bag of rocket
  • 1/2 a cucumber, peeled into ribbons
  • 2 spring onions, chopped
  • Small handful of chopped parsley
  • 1 heaped tbsp of mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of a lemon
  • 1 3/4oz crumbly Lancashire cheese

Instructions

  1. In a pan of cold salted water add your spuds and boil for around 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Once cooked drain and leave to cool.
  2. Pre heat the oven to 170°C fan.
  3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread out the bacon, roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy.
  4. Mix all the dressing ingredients (mayo, mustard, olive oil and lemon) together until smooth.
  5. When the potatoes have cooled, cut any that are too big in halves or quarters so that they are all the same size.
  6. Mix the potatoes with the dressing and half of the spring onions and parsley.
  7. On a large plate add a layer of rocket and cucumber, the rest of the spring onions and parsley and then top with the potato mixture.
  8. Lastly, crumble over the crispy bacon and cheese. This salad is ideal for when you’re having a barbee!

Find this recipe online at https://www.poppycooks.com/recipes/baby-potato-bacon-salad/

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2 Comments

  1. Steve on August 6, 2025 at 11:53 am

    How many grams are there in half a packet of streaky bacon?
    Asking for a friend, thanks.

    Reply
    • Holly - team poppycooks on September 9, 2025 at 2:53 pm

      You’re probably looking at around 125g.

      Reply

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