Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad

Why You’ll Love It

This delicious jalapeno popper with cream cheese salad is a crowd-pleasing side dish that pairs beautifully with anything fresh from the grill or smoker.

• Real popper flavors: Jalapenos, bacon, and cheese give this unusual potato salad recipe its distinctive popper flavors.
• Creamier than regular potato salad: The cream cheese makes the dressing richer and thicker than standard mayo-based potato salad.
• Customization friendly: You can tweak the recipe however you like, making it less or more spicy or including your favorite add-ins.
• You can make it ahead: This jalapeno popper potato salad needs chilling time anyway, so you can whip it up and pop it in the fridge until it’s time to serve.

What are Jalapeno Poppers?

If you’ve never had a popper before, you’re missing out! Jalapeno poppers are a popular appetizer made by filling jalapeño peppers with a creamy cheese mixture, often adding bacon or shredded cheese. They can be baked, fried, air fried or grilled, and are known for that mix of mild heat from the peppers and rich, savory filling.

Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad Ingredients

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

• Baby Potatoes – The basis of this jalapeno popper with bacon salad, baby potatoes cook relatively fast and don’t fall apart after boiling. Their creamy texture makes them a great match with the creamy dressing.
• Jalapenos – Diced jalapeños add fresh heat and make the popper connection obvious right away. Remove the seeds if you prefer a milder taste. If preferred, you can use pickled jalapenos instead of fresh jalapenos.
• Cream Cheese – Softened cream cheese adds jalapeno popper character to the salad, also making the dressing tangier, thicker and richer stand the more common mayo-only version. I recommend using full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor.
• Mayonnaise – To loosen the cream cheese and help turn everything into a smooth, creamy dressing. I also recommend full-fat mayo for this recipe but you can use any kind you prefer.
• Sour Cream – This ingredient adds a lovely tang.
• Garlic Powder – To add a savory flavor to the dressing with a softer flavor and finer texture than fresh minced garlic.
• Cheddar Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese brings the rich, cheesy flavor you’d expect in a jalapeño popper-inspired dish. I like to use sharp cheddar cheese in mine.
• Bacon – Cooked, crumbled bacon adds salty, smoky flavor, as well as some crunch.
• Green Onions – These add some fresh onion flavor as well as a pop of color.

Substitutions and Variations

• Sour Cream Swap – You can use Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream.
• Cheese Switch – If you prefer Monterey Jack to cheddar cheese, feel free to use that in your potato and jalapeno popper salad.
• Extra Meaty – Top the salad with extra bacon before serving.
• Add More Tang – Some diced pickles make a tasty add-in to the recipe.

How to Make Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad (step-by-step directions)

STEP 1. Mix ingredients. Add cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, garlic powder, and pepper to a mixing bowl (Photo 1).

STEP 2. Add potatoes. Boil and drain your potatoes, then let them cool. Add them to the dressing mixture (Photo 2) and toss.

STEP 3. Chill. Chill your jalapeno popper potato salad before serving. (Photo 3).

Top Tips

• Soften the Cream Cheese: Room-temperature cream cheese mixes much more smoothly into the dressing.
• Potato Doneness: Cook the baby potatoes until fork-tender. Overcooking them will make them fall apart.
• Let the Potatoes Cool: If they’re too hot, the dressing can loosen and separate.
• Watch the Heat: Removing the seeds from the jalapenos keeps the flavor milder.
• Don’t Overmix: Toss gently so the potatoes stay in chunks instead of breaking apart.
• Chill before serving: The flavor will be better after the salad’s had time to sit. Give it at least an hour in the refrigerator.

How to Store

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and use within 3 to 4 days.
• Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing because the creamy dressing can separate and be grainy after thawing.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this jalapeno popper potato salad with BBQ favorites such as Cheeseburger Sliders in Hawaiian Rolls and Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings. More salads you could pair include this delicious Broccoli Salad and my Macaroni Tuna Salad. If you have some jalapenos left over, whip up Jalapeno Cucumber Lemonade – the ultimate cool-down drink!

Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad FAQs