Hot Potato-Celery Salad
A warm, creamy potato and celery salad infused with smoky bacon and tangy relish, perfect for casual gatherings and comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook bacon until crispy, then remove from pan and break into pieces.
- In the bacon drippings, cook minced onion until tender.
- Blend in the condensed cream of celery soup, milk, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and bacon bits.
- Heat the mixture thoroughly.
- Pour the sauce over hot, cooked, cubed potatoes.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using thick-cut bacon and cooking it slowly to render more fat. If you prefer a lighter version, turkey bacon works well as a substitute. You can also swap out the cream of celery soup for cream of mushroom for a different twist. To enhance the dish, try adding some chopped celery for crunch or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
Serving Suggestions
This Hot Potato-Celery Salad makes a comforting side dish for grilled meats or a delightful addition to a potluck. It pairs beautifully with American recipes like BBQ ribs or roasted chicken. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a light green salad or some crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the salad in a microwave-safe dish and heat it in 30-second intervals until warmed through. For best texture, avoid overheating, as the potatoes can become mushy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hot Potato-Celery Salad contains roughly 290 calories, with 5g protein, 47g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is a good source of protein (11% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 942mg per serving (41% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and cook the potatoes in advance. Just store them separately in the refrigerator and combine them just before serving to ensure the potatoes remain firm and the dish is served hot.
What can I substitute for the condensed cream of celery soup?
If you don't have cream of celery soup on hand, you can use cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup as alternatives. You can also make a homemade version using a roux with broth, milk, and seasonings to mimic the flavor.
Is this salad suitable for a vegetarian diet?
This recipe contains bacon, which makes it unsuitable for vegetarians. However, you can easily omit the bacon and replace it with sautéed mushrooms or smoked paprika to add a savory flavor without using meat.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).