These include:

How To Make Ranch Potato Salad

This potato salad comes together easily.

Cook the bacon and make the dressing while the potatoes boil.

Starting potatoes in cold, salted water will help them cook evenly as the water rises to boiling.

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad in a bowl to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We think you’ll be convinced.

Can You Make Ranch Potato Salad Ahead?

Yes, it’s possible for you to make ranch potato salad before you plan to serve it.

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

In fact, we recommend it.

If dinner is more than 12 hours later, consider keeping the bacon separate from the potato salad.

Keep it in an airtight container, and give it a stir just before taking a scoop.

red potato halves in water in a pot

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Also, remember that foods left out at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.

Do not freeze ranch potato salad.

The dressing will separate from the potatoes, and you will have a mess on your hands after thawing.

ingredients for ranch dressing for ranch potato salad

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Cover pan, and bring to a boil over high.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are fork-tender, about 12 minutes.

Drain potatoes:

Transfer to a large heatproof bowl.

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad adding the salt to the saucepan with the potatoes

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Let cool 15 to 20 minutes.

Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside until ready to use.

Serve immediately, or cover and store in refrigerator up to 12 hours.

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad potatoes cooked until tender

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad draining the potatoes

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad cooked potatoes in a bowl

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad cooking the bacon

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad draining the bacon on paper towels

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad stirring together the dressing

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad adding the other ingredients to the bowl

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad stirred together to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox