The Ultimate Creamy Vegan Potato Salad with Smoky Coconut Bacon
This generously loaded Vegan Potato Salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a culinary experience! Prepare to fall in love with its rich creaminess, delightful textures, and the utterly irresistible crunch of homemade coconut bacon. Perfect for any gathering, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Get ready for a new favorite! From your very first bite, you’ll be absolutely smitten with this incredible Vegan Potato Salad. It masterfully blends a symphony of flavors and textures, creating one of the most satisfying and versatile plant-based side dishes you’ll ever encounter. This isn’t just a potato salad; it’s a celebration of vibrant ingredients coming together in perfect harmony.
While potato salad often evokes images of sunny summer potlucks and backyard barbecues, this particular recipe transcends seasonal boundaries. Its hearty, comforting profile makes it equally fitting for year-round enjoyment. In fact, we’re confident that this creamy, flavor-packed potato salad will earn a revered spot on your holiday table, perhaps even replacing traditional mashed potatoes as a new staple. Its unique character offers a refreshing twist that guests will adore. Consider embracing this delicious departure from tradition, or better yet, make it your exciting new culinary legacy!
What makes this dish truly extraordinary? Imagine tender, perfectly cooked potatoes enrobed in a luscious, tangy dressing made with Dijon mustard, subtly spicy diced red onion, and a blend of aromatic spices, including a hint of smoky paprika. But the real game-changer, the exquisite finishing touch, is the homemade coconut bacon. We’ll dive into the details of this magical topping shortly, but trust us, it elevates this potato salad from simply delicious to truly unforgettable.
So go ahead, start planning to incorporate this extraordinary vegan potato salad into your upcoming holiday menus or weekend get-togethers. Prepare yourself for an abundance of compliments and requests for the recipe! It’s more than just food; it’s an experience that will leave everyone craving more.
Why You’ll Adore This Vegan Potato Salad Recipe
Having a stellar potato salad recipe in your culinary arsenal is incredibly valuable. This particular vegan version stands out for its exceptional versatility and surprising ease of preparation. It effortlessly complements almost any meal, from casual weeknight dinners to elaborate holiday feasts, and requires only about 20 minutes of active prep time. But there’s even more to love!
Here are several compelling reasons why this recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite:
- Effortlessly Simple to Prepare: Don’t be intimidated by the impressive flavors; making this potato salad is surprisingly straightforward. The primary step involves boiling the potatoes until tender, then simply combining them with the remaining dressing ingredients. The homemade coconut bacon is equally simple – just mix, spread, and bake. It’s a recipe designed for success, even for novice cooks.
- A Versatile Crowd-Pleaser for Any Occasion: While traditional potato salad is a summer BBQ staple, this robust vegan version is truly perfect for all seasons and events. We frequently feature it during holiday celebrations like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it shines just as brightly at casual summer cookouts, family reunions, or as an exciting side for everyday weeknight meals. Its universal appeal makes it a go-to dish.
- The Irresistible Magic of Coconut Bacon: Prepare for a flavor revelation! If you haven’t yet experienced the wonder of coconut bacon, you are in for an absolute treat. These crispy, savory, and perfectly seasoned vegan bacon bits introduce a fantastic textural contrast and an incredible depth of flavor that elevates the entire potato salad. The smoky, salty, and slightly sweet notes of the coconut bacon add a gourmet touch, transforming a simple side into a showstopper. Once you try this homemade bacon, you’ll find yourself making it again and again for various dishes!
- Remarkably Flavorful and Satisfying: This isn’t your average bland potato salad. Each component is chosen for its ability to contribute to a complex, satisfying flavor profile. From the zesty Dijon to the smoky paprika and the rich vegan mayonnaise, every ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a truly delicious and well-balanced dish that will leave you feeling completely content.
Essential Ingredients for Your Plant-Based Potato Salad
Ready to gather your ingredients and create this culinary masterpiece? Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need for both the creamy vegan potato salad and the delectable coconut bacon:
For the Creamy Potato Salad Base
- Potatoes: The foundation of any great potato salad! You can opt for either red or yellow (Yukon Gold) potatoes. Both varieties hold their shape well after cooking and offer a lovely creamy texture. Red potatoes lend a slightly firmer bite, while yellow potatoes become wonderfully tender and buttery.
- Red Onion: We highly recommend red onion for this salad. Its mild spiciness and vibrant color not only add a pleasant zing but also enhance the visual appeal of the dish. For a less pungent flavor, you can briefly soak the diced onion in cold water before adding it.
- Dijon Mustard: This is a crucial ingredient that provides a delightful tangy kick and a subtle depth of flavor to the dressing. It helps to cut through the richness of the potatoes and mayo, creating a perfectly balanced taste.
- Organic Relish: Adding organic relish introduces a wonderful savory, sweet, and slightly tart element. It contributes to the classic potato salad flavor profile and adds a textural component with its finely chopped vegetables.
- Spices & Seasoning: A carefully selected blend of paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and ground black pepper brings warmth, earthiness, and a touch of smoky sweetness to the potatoes. These seasonings are key to building layers of flavor.
- Vegan Mayonnaise: This is what gives our potato salad its signature creamy texture and rich mouthfeel. We suggest starting with a moderate amount (1/4 cup) and then adjusting to your preference. If you like your potato salad extra creamy and indulgent, feel free to add more until it reaches your desired consistency.
For the Smoky Coconut Bacon Topping
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: These form the base of our ingenious “bacon bits.” When baked with the right seasonings, they transform into remarkably crispy, chewy, and savory morsels that mimic the texture of traditional bacon. Ensure they are unsweetened to avoid an overly sweet result.
- Liquid Aminos: This ingredient is essential for achieving the perfect savory, umami, and salty profile that is characteristic of bacon. It acts as a healthier, gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
- Liquid Smoke: A few drops of liquid smoke are all you need to infuse the coconut flakes with that quintessential smoky flavor, without any actual smoke. It’s the secret weapon for an authentic bacon taste.
- Maple Syrup: A touch of maple syrup adds a lovely balance of sweetness, complementing the salty and smoky notes. It also helps with the caramelization process during baking, contributing to a richer color and crispier texture.
- Smoked Paprika: Beyond providing a beautiful reddish hue, smoked paprika intensifies the smoky flavor profile of the coconut bacon. It adds a delicious depth and warmth that sets this topping apart and truly makes it shine.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Vegan Potato Salad
As previously mentioned, preparing this vegan potato salad is incredibly straightforward. The process begins with simply boiling the potatoes, allowing them to cool, and then folding in the fresh onions, creamy condiments, and aromatic spices. That’s essentially the foundation of this delightful side dish! It’s truly that simple to create a flavorful base.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each step, ensuring you achieve perfect results every time:
Creating the Potato Salad Base
Cook the Potatoes to Perfection: Begin by filling a large pot with well-salted water. Bring the water to a gentle boil or a low simmer. Carefully add your cubed potatoes to the simmering water. Cook them for approximately 8 to 12 minutes, or until they are tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork but still firm and not mushy. Overcooking can lead to a mashed potato consistency, which we want to avoid for potato salad. Once cooked, thoroughly drain the potatoes and rinse them briefly with cool water to stop the cooking process. Transfer the cooled potatoes to a large mixing bowl.
Combine and Season the Ingredients: Once your cooked potatoes have cooled down to room temperature, add the diced red onion, Dijon mustard, organic relish, paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, ground black pepper, and vegan mayonnaise to the bowl. Using a spatula or large spoon, gently fold all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and the potatoes are evenly coated in the creamy dressing. Take a moment to taste the salad and adjust any seasonings – perhaps a little more salt, pepper, or a dash more mustard – to match your personal preference. The cooling of the potatoes before adding the dressing is key to preventing the mayo from breaking and ensuring a smooth, creamy texture.
Crafting the Delicious Coconut Bacon
Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cleanup.
Season the Coconut Flakes: In a large mixing bowl, place the unsweetened coconut flakes. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the liquid aminos, liquid smoke, maple syrup, and smoked paprika until well combined. Pour this flavorful liquid mixture evenly over the coconut flakes. Using your hands or a spatula, gently toss the coconut flakes until every single flake is thoroughly coated with the seasoning mixture. Ensure even distribution for consistent flavor and crispiness.
Bake to Perfection and Assemble: Spread the coated coconut flakes in a single, even layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for exactly 12 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly due to their delicate nature. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the coconut bacon to cool completely on the sheet. As it cools, it will become delightfully crisp. Once fully cooled, sprinkle the crunchy coconut bacon over your vegan potato salad just before serving. You can either use it as a generous topping, mix it into the salad for texture throughout, or do both for an extra delicious experience. Serve immediately and savor every bite!
Expert Tips for the Best Vegan Potato Salad
This vegan potato salad is a symphony of flavors – sweet, savory, tangy, smoky, and perfectly spiced. To ensure your cooking process is as smooth and successful as possible, consider these helpful tips:
- Achieving Perfectly Cooked Potatoes: The key to great potato salad is potatoes that are tender but not mushy. Boil them until they yield easily when pierced with a fork, but still retain their shape. If you cook them for too long, they will absorb too much water and turn into mashed potatoes once mixed. Timing is everything here!
- Pre-Slice Potatoes for Faster Cooking: To significantly reduce cooking time and maintain the integrity of your potato pieces, always slice or cube your potatoes *before* boiling them. This ensures they cook more evenly and quickly, and you avoid the mess and potential squashing that can happen when trying to cut hot, cooked potatoes.
- Creative Add-Ins and Variations: This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! If you’re feeling adventurous and want to customize your potato salad, don’t hesitate to incorporate more add-ins. Consider finely chopped celery for an extra crunch, sweet corn for a pop of sweetness, diced bell peppers for color and freshness, fresh dill or chives for an herbaceous lift, or even some finely chopped pickles for an extra tangy zing. The possibilities are endless!
- Tailor to Your Taste: The beauty of homemade dishes lies in the ability to adjust them to your exact preferences. After mixing, always taste your potato salad. You might find it needs a touch more paprika for smokiness, an extra pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavors, or perhaps a bit more Dijon for an added tang. Similarly, the amount of vegan mayonnaise can be adjusted based on how creamy you prefer your salad. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it truly your own!
- Cool Potatoes Completely: Before adding the dressing, ensure your potatoes are completely cool. Warm potatoes can cause the mayonnaise to separate or become oily, affecting the overall texture and appearance of your salad. Cooling also allows the potatoes to firm up slightly, preventing them from breaking apart during mixing.
Delicious Pairings for Your Vegan Potato Salad
Now that you’ve prepared a batch of this perfectly seasoned, creamy vegan potato salad, the next question is: what delectable dishes should you serve it with? Its versatility means it pairs beautifully with a wide array of meals. Here are some of our top recommendations:
- Alongside a Hearty Vegan Meatloaf: For a truly satisfying and complete vegan Thanksgiving or holiday meal, pair this potato salad with a savory vegan meatloaf. The rich flavors of the meatloaf perfectly complement the creamy, tangy potato salad. Round out your holiday plate with other classics like cornbread stuffing and a bright, zesty cranberry orange sauce.
- With Juicy Plant-Based Burgers: This potato salad is the quintessential side dish for any burger night! Serve it alongside flavorful quinoa veggie burgers for an ultimate summer meal. The cool, creamy salad provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, savory burger.
- A Perfect Companion for Sandwiches: Elevate any sandwich by serving it with a generous scoop of this potato salad. It adds substance and flavor that goes beyond simple chips. It’s an especially fantastic match for a robust and flavorful sandwich like a vegan BLT sandwich, creating a classic deli-style experience.
- Complemented by Grilled Corn: If you’re looking for another vibrant side dish to accompany your potatoes, you can’t go wrong with grilled corn. Try this sensational grilled Mexican street corn; its smoky, zesty flavors will create a dynamic and unforgettable meal alongside the creamy potato salad.
- As Part of a Picnic or Potluck Spread: This potato salad is designed to travel well and impress a crowd. Pack it up for your next picnic, family gathering, or potluck. It’s hearty enough to be a standalone dish, yet complements other picnic staples beautifully.
Storing Your Vegan Potato Salad for Freshness
Should you be lucky enough to have any leftover vegan potato salad, proper storage will ensure it remains delicious for future enjoyment. Transfer your potato salad into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will maintain its optimal freshness and taste for approximately 2-3 days. Leftovers make a fantastic light lunch or a quick side dish. For a more substantial meal, consider adding extra fresh veggies like cucumbers or tomatoes to make it even more filling and nutritious.
Freezing Vegan Potato Salad: What to Expect
While fresh is always best, you can indeed freeze this homemade vegan potato salad. Be aware that freezing and thawing might slightly alter the texture of the potatoes, making them a little softer, and the creamy dressing may thin out a bit. However, it will still be enjoyable! To freeze, place the potato salad in a tightly-sealed freezer bag, ensuring to remove as much air as possible, or an airtight freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for 1-2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and you might need to give it a good stir and potentially add a little fresh vegan mayo or a squeeze of lemon juice to revive its creaminess and flavor.
We hope you truly enjoy making and sharing this incredible Vegan Potato Salad, friends! If you create this delicious dish, please share your culinary masterpiece by snapping a photo and tagging #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We would also be absolutely delighted if you could leave a comment below and give the recipe a well-deserved rating. Your feedback means the world to us! Thanks so much for being a part of our kitchen community!
Loaded Vegan Potato Salad with Coconut Bacon
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Ingredients
Loaded Vegan Potato Salad
- 2 lbs potatoes, cubed
- ½ medium red onion, 74g
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons organic relish
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ to ½ cup vegan mayonnaise
Coconut Bacon
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes – I use this brand
- 2 tablespoons liquid aminos
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, for colour
Instructions
Loaded Vegan Potato Salad
- Bring a pot of well salted water to a low boil or a gentle simmer. Add in the potatoes and cook for about 8 to 12 minutes, until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork but not too soft (else you’ll end up with mashed potatoes). Drain and rinse the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl.
- Once the potatoes have cooled, add all the other ingredients to it. Gently fold to combine. Taste and adjust any ingredients best on your preferred taste.
Coconut Bacon
- Preheat your oven to 350 ° F/175 ° C . Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large bowl place the coconut flakes.
- Mix together the liquid aminos, liquid smoke, maple syrup and paprika and pour over the coconut flakes. Toss gently to combine until all the coconut flakes are coated. Spread out evenly onto the baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Putting it all together
- Add the coconut bacon to the potato salad right before serving, either on top, to the filling, or both. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- How to Know When the Potatoes are Done: Boil the potatoes until they’re tender when pierced with a fork, but not too soft (if you cook them for too long, you’ll end up with mashed potatoes).
- Slice Your Potatoes Before Boiling: They cook faster this way, and you also don’t have to worry about smushing them while trying to slice them later.
- Can I Do More Add-Ins? Sure! If you feel like your potato salad needs something like chopped celery or corn, go for it!
- Adjust the Spices/Ingredients to Your Preferences: You might decide the salad needs a touch more paprika, a dash more of salt, etc. You can also add vegan mayo, or use less to start with, depending on how creamy you like your potato salad to be. Feel free to experiment!
- Storage: Keep your leftover vegan potato salad in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 2-3 days.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
More Festive Plant-Based Sides to Explore
If you’re looking for more delicious vegan options to complement your holiday feast or any special occasion, here are some other fantastic plant-based side dishes that are sure to impress:
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Pecan Topping: A healthier, yet equally indulgent take on a classic holiday dish, featuring a crunchy, sweet topping.
- Creamy Vegan Mashed Potatoes: If you still crave that traditional mashed potato comfort, this dairy-free version is incredibly rich, smooth, and flavorful.
- Rich and Savory Vegan Gravy: The perfect accompaniment to almost any savory dish, this vegan gravy is deeply flavored and incredibly satisfying, ideal for pouring over mashed potatoes or meatloaf.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze: A simple yet elegant side that offers a delightful balance of earthy and tangy flavors, adding a vibrant green to your plate.