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First things first, let's get those potatoes ready for our Steakhouse Potato Salad. Peel your Yukon Golds and cut them into roughly 1-inch cubes. Try to keep them uniform in size so they cook evenly – this is where I always mess up if I'm rushing! Place them in a large pot, cover with cold water by about an inch, and add a generous tablespoon of salt. Seriously, salt the water! It seasons the potatoes from the inside out. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until fork-tender, about 10-15 minutes. You want them cooked through but not mushy. Drain them well and let them cool off a bit in the colander. This step is crucial for a non-watery creamy potato salad.
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While your potatoes are cooling, finely dice your red onion. Now, for the trick I learned the hard way: place the diced onion in a small bowl and cover with cold water for about 5-10 minutes. This really helps to mellow out that sharp raw onion bite, making it much more pleasant in the finished Steakhouse Potato Salad. Drain them really well afterwards, pressing out any excess water. Trust me, this little step makes all the difference in achieving that balanced flavor profile.
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Cook your bacon until it's perfectly crispy. I usually do this in a skillet over medium heat, but sometimes I bake it on a sheet pan for less mess – honestly, it depends on my mood (and how much coffee I've had!). Once crispy, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess fat. Once it's cool enough to handle, crumble it into delicious, savory bits. This bacon is a non-negotiable for a truly loaded potato salad!
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In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Taste it! This is where you adjust the seasonings to your liking. Do you want more tang? Add a splash more vinegar. Need more zing? A bit more Dijon. I always go a little heavy on the pepper because I just love that kick in my creamy potato salad. Make sure it's super smooth and well combined; you don't want any lumps.
05 -
Once your potatoes are cool (but still a little warm is okay!), gently add them to the bowl with the dressing. Add the drained red onion, diced celery, crumbled bacon, and most of the fresh chives and parsley (save a little for garnish). Now, here’s the key: be gentle! Use a spatula to fold everything together. You want to coat the potatoes without mashing them. This is where kitchen chaos can happen if you're not careful – I’ve definitely turned a potato salad into a lumpy mess before!
06 -
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate your Steakhouse Potato Salad for at least 2 hours, but honestly, overnight is even better. This chilling time allows all those incredible flavors to meld and deepen, making for a much more delicious and cohesive dish. Before serving, give it a gentle stir, taste again for any final seasoning adjustments, and sprinkle with the reserved fresh chives and parsley. It should look creamy, vibrant, and utterly irresistible – just like a proper steakhouse side!