Traeger Smoked Potato Salad
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Traeger Smoked Potato Salad features baby potatoes infused with a hint of smoke from a Traeger pellet grill. This delicious potato salad recipe is perfect for BBQ cookouts, tailgates, and family picnics!
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What Is Smoked Potato Salad?
Smoked Potato Salad is a step up from the traditional dish you've made for picnics and potlucks over the years. It's cooked on a Traeger pellet grill which infuses a layer of smoky flavor that tastes amazing!
The combination of baby potatoes mixed with creamy dressing makes it the perfect pairing with main dishes like beef tenderloin, beer can chicken and pulled pork barbecue. It's really tasty with these delicious Traeger Lamb Chops!
I promise you'll fall in love with this recipe and discover it's some of the best potato salad you've ever tasted!
Why You’ll Love It
- Easy Recipe: this dish comes together quickly. Simply sit back and relax while the smoker does all the work.
- Perfect Pairing: goes well with just about anything, which makes it one of the best side dishes for all types of meals.
- Fan Favorite: always a star at backyard barbecues, this version will be everyone's new favorite.
- Unique Flavor: the smoky flavor tastes unlike any potato salad you’ve ever tried.
- Make Ahead: cook the potatoes ahead of time and mix the dressing together when you're ready to serve.
Equipment You'll Need
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- sheet pan or disposable aluminum pan
- cast iron skillet (optional)
- large mixing bowl
- potato masher or dough blender
- Traeger wood pellet grill (or electric smoker of your choice)
Ingredients
This smoked potato salad recipe gets its flavor from a variety of spices and ingredients. Serve it warm or cold which makes it an extremely versatile dish!
See the printable recipe card for quantities and instructions.
- baby yellow potatoes - Yukon gold potatoes work well, or use another type (like red potatoes) and cut them into chunks.
- olive oil - extra virgin olive oil helps the seasonings adhere to the spuds.
- steak seasoning - usually contains a large amount of black pepper and garlic.
- burger seasoning - contains smoked paprika that adds even more taste to this dish.
- onion powder - adds a hint of onion flavor.
- mayonnaise - use Duke's mayo since it doesn't contain sugar.
- sour cream - can use full fat or light sour cream if desired. Greek yogurt is a healthy option.
- mustard - yellow mustard works well, but dijon mustard is also a great addition.
- green onions - onions give this salad a robust flavor that makes a big difference.
How to Make Smoked Potato Salad
- Wash potatoes and dry with a paper towel. Slice in half and spread in a single layer on a sheet pan or in a disposable aluminum pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings.
- Place potatoes in the Traeger smoker at 225 degrees F for 2 hours, or until they can be pierced easily with a fork.
- Once spuds are tender, smash them with a potato masher or dough blender. You can also use a food processor or stand mixer.
- In a separate bowl or cast iron skillet, add mayonnaise, sour cream, green onions, onion powder and mustard. Add spuds and mix well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- If desired, place skillet on the grill grates to warm up. Serve warm, or refrigerate potato salad for at least 4 hours until chilled.
This is a great recipe to serve with grilled chicken legs, smoked meatloaf, roasted chicken thighs and barbecue ribs!
What If I Don't Have a Smoker?
If you don't have a pellet smoker, you can use a charcoal grill or gas grill instead. Simply add a smoker box (ad) with a small handful of wood chips inside your unit to add smoke flavor.
Variations and Add-Ins
On its own, smoked potato salad is already a solid dish that’s sure to surpass your expectations. But, if you’re looking for another twist, give these ideas a try...
- Spice it up: Like things spicy? Go heavy on the black pepper, chili powder, hot sauce, jalapeños, or cayenne pepper.
- Throw in more flavor: Make the flavor pop with some yellow or pickled red onions. Add lemon juice or red wine vinegar for extra tang.
- Add boiled eggs: Smash in some hard boiled-eggs for a protein-packed punch!
- Chop up some fresh herbs: Add fresh dill, thyme or rosemary to the mix.
- Sprinkle in pickles: Chopped sweet pickles, dill pickles, or dill pickle relish goes great with this recipe and adds some Southern flair. Try Fire and Ice pickles for a real kick!
- Add bacon and cheese: Adding cooked bacon and shredded cheddar cheese takes this dish to another dimension!
Top Tips
- Pat potatoes dry with paper towels to make sure your olive oil and spices stick.
- Use a potato masher, food processor, or stand mixer to break up the spuds with less effort.
- Short on time? Bake these spuds in advance and serve the next day, saving time at your next cookout.
- Using larger potatoes? Cut them in thirds or smaller pieces so they cook faster and are easily mashable.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Just be sure to store them in an airtight container in the fridge before using them the next day. Cooking spuds the day before can save crucial time before your party or event.
It's not required, but soaking potatoes in salt water can enhance the flavor and remove some starch. Excess starch can make potatoes a bit mushy when they’re fully cooked, but I've never had that problem.
For the most smoke flavor, use mesquite, cherry or hickory hardwood pellets. Their intense smoky flavor adds an extra punch.
Storage and Freezing
Smoked potato salad keeps well in the fridge for up to three days – just make sure it’s packed in an airtight container. When in doubt, it's best to throw it out, so don't keep it longer than recommended.
Since mayonnaise can curdle after thawing, this dish doesn't freeze well. Also, frozen potatoes tend to get mushy and separate, so freezing is not the best way to go.
What to Serve with Smoked Potato Salad
Smoking potatoes on a pellet grill is an easy way to wake up everyone's taste buds. Adding smoke to this recipe makes it pair well with other roasted meats like Traeger Smoked Pork Chops. Or, try these other great ideas:
- Beer Can Chicken: While the smoker’s fired up, make this amazing chicken recipe at the same time the potatoes are cooking.
- Smoked Chuck Roast: Prefer beef to chicken? This tender and juicy chuck roast is certain to hit the spot.
- Fried Chicken Tenders: What's potato salad without fried chicken?
- Smoked Baked Beans: Bacon gives this dish the meaty kick you’ve been craving.
- Pork Tenderloin: Spuds and pork are just made for one another.
- Corned Beef and Cabbage: The perfect meat-and-potatoes meal!
- Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe: A good old standby that never disappoints!
Recipe Card
Traeger Smoked Potato Salad
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- cast iron skillet (optional)
Ingredients
- 4.5 pounds yellow baby potatoes
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon burger seasoning
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1.5 cups mayonnaise
- 2 cups sour cream
- 6 green onions (diced)
- ¼ cup yellow mustard
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Wash potatoes and dry with a paper towel. Slice in half and spread on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings. Rub potatoes well with both hands.4.5 pounds yellow baby potatoes, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon burger seasoning, 1 teaspoon steak seasoning, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Place potatoes in a 225 degree F. smoker. Cook for 2 hours until they're tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Once potatoes are tender, smash them with a potato masher or dough blender. You can also use a food processor or stand mixer.
- In a separate bowl or cast iron skillet, add mayonnaise, sour cream, green onions and mustard. Add smashed potatoes and mix well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.1.5 cups mayonnaise, 2 cups sour cream, 6 green onions, ¼ cup yellow mustard, salt and pepper
- If desired, place skillet on the grill grates to warm up the potato salad. Serve warm, or refrigerate potato salad for at least 4 hours until chilled.
Notes
-
- This recipe can be served either warm or cold.
- Pat potatoes dry with paper towels to make sure your olive oil and spices stick.
- Use a potato masher, food processor, or stand mixer to break up the spuds with less effort.
- Short on time? Bake these spuds in advance and serve the next day, saving time at your next cookout.
- Using larger potatoes? Cut them in thirds or smaller pieces so they cook faster and are easily mashable.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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These potatoes are great. Never had anything else like em. Can't wait to smoke them again.
That's great news, Mike. I love the crispy edges on these potatoes!
Yumminess
I had no idea you could smoke potato salad. This reminds me of a German-style potato salad recipe which I have always loved. Can't wait to try!