Memorial Day weekend is synonymous with grilling and eating al fresco for me. I can’t think of anything better to kick off the summer season than this Tri Color Chipotle Bacon Potato Salad. When thinking of my weekend menus there is not even a question they will all be served outside, Mother Nature permitting.
In a seasonal locale such as Colorado, outdoor dining spaces become reawakened this long weekend from being mothballed for the winter. They really do feel like an additional room in the house begging to be cleaned up and enjoyed through the mid to late fall.
There are foods that really must be eaten outdoors and potato salad is one of them. I’ve always liked the standard potato salad but as an adult find myself growing tired of anything rote. I’m a Gemini. I get bored easily and crave color, texture and vibrant flavors in my food.
I love exploring and discovering new things in life and with my food it is no different. My kids are the ones with the yellow watermelon or purple cauliflower in their school lunches. When I came upon a small bag of three colored local potatoes I was immediately enchanted and my mind was off to the races on what to do with them.
I came up with this potato salad recipe which also suits another of my personal proclivities: I like options. This recipe can be tweaked in several directions to change it up whenever you make it or to adapt it to your personal taste. I love the smoky flavor and spiciness of chipotle chilies. There are few things I could imagine that would not be enhanced by them.
Also bacon. Need I say more? This potato salad offers a deep earthy spice smacking of the Southwest providing more of a star player at the barbecue or picnic rather than the more standard, expected side dish.
Tri Color Chipotle Bacon Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (about 6-7 cups) multi colored New Potatoes; cooked, cooled to room temperature and cut into bite sized pieces
- 4 slices of Applewood Smoked Bacon , cooked but still supple (not well done and crumbling), chopped
- 1 cup Celery , finely chopped
- ½ cup Mayonnaise with Olive Oil (I used Spectrum brand, organic)
- 2-3 teaspoons Chipotle en Adobo (sauce only), to taste
- Smoked Salt and Pepper to season
- Fresh Dill to garnish
Instructions
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Gently stir together the potatoes and celery being careful not to break potatoes apart.
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Mix mayonnaise with olive oil, chipotle sauce, smoked salt and pepper together. Toss the potatoes with the dressing. Sprinkle in bacon and stir to combine. Serve at room temperature
Recipe Notes
NOTE: Though this salad offers the best flavor at room temperature the salad should not be left out without refrigeration especially in hotter temperatures.
Diane says
Can liquid smoke be used instead of smoked salt?
Toni Dash says
Hi Diane. Candidly I have not worked much with Liquid Smoke. It would add the slight smoked flavor the salt would. I would start with a very small amount, mix it in, taste it and add more if you feel you’d like it. As with the smoked salt, it’s a powerful flavoring and could quickly overtake the dish!
Baker Street says
What a great idea to use purple potatoes! The salad looks so vibrant! And bacon just makes it perfect! 🙂
Abby says
OH I am in love with this potato salad! And I'm with you…life needs spontaneity and options : )
Peggy G. says
I love that purple potatoes made their way into this, as well! The chipotle bacon dressing sounds like a great change-up to the normal potato salad =)
Pola M says
Great colors! And I bet amazing taste too!
Lizzy says
What a gorgeous potato salad, Toni! And just in time for Memorial Day weekend 🙂
lindsay | rosemarried says
Great minds think alike! I just posted a potato salad recipe as well. 🙂 But you can never (ever) have too many good potato salad recipes. This looks GORGEOUS (I'm such a sucker for purple potatoes). Love it! Happy (almost) memorial day weekend!
Holly says
Looks excellent! I love the potato combination!
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Holly. It is really good. I'm actually have a serving for breakfast just now (shhhh)!
Lea Ann says
Well Toni, you knew I'd be clamoring over this one! It's on my Memorial Day weekend menu. Love that plate.
Boulder Locavore says
Yes I would imagine you would like the flavor combo! It's so easy to spice it up or down as well to suit your taste or that of your guests. Hope you'll both love it and have a great long weekend Lea Ann!
Cooking with Michele says
YUM! BTW, I adore that plate – is it old and distressed, or new and just made to look that way?
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Michele! The plate is a one-of-a-kind artist ceramic piece I picked up in Taos. It's new but you are right it does look rustic. Hope you'll have a lovely long weekend. Have been enjoying your travels!
Elisabeth says
A perfect combination of the tri-color potatoes, the chipotle, and the yummy bacon. Potatoes and bacon are alway a great combination…any way you make them. Superb recipe, and photos, Toni!
xo
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you Elisabeth and I agree on the potato-chipotle-bacon combo being a winner. I love this salad because it is not overwhelming with chipotle; just enough to jazz it up a bit. I hope you'll have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend Elisabeth. It must be hot in Florida now?
Smitten ByFood says
The multi color potatoes looks beautiful. I don't think I can find so many variety of potatoes under one grocery shop in Malaysia.
Boulder Locavore says
I know you have lovely things in your grocery stores that we cannot get in the U.S. too! I do feel the varieties of potatoes has really grown in the U.S. over the past years. It has only been in the past few years that I've noticed so many different colors. Perhaps they will be showing up near you too soon!