Sweet & Tangy Apple Butter BBQ Potato Salad: The Ultimate Picnic & Potluck Side Dish
Prepare to delight your taste buds with a side dish that promises to be the undisputed star of your next outdoor gathering. This irresistible Apple Butter BBQ Potato Salad is a vibrant celebration of flavors – a masterful blend of sweet and tangy notes, beautifully complemented by crispy bacon, fresh corn kernels, and the subtle bite of scallions. It’s not just a side; it’s an experience, guaranteed to have everyone asking for the recipe.
The Irresistible Allure of Picnic Food
There’s an undeniable magic to picnic food, isn’t there? What is it about dining al fresco that captivates us so deeply? Is it the smoky aroma of the grill, charring iconic hot dogs and juicy hamburgers to perfection? Or perhaps the anticipation of biting into fresh, sweet corn, roasted until tender and later slathered generously in melted butter? For many, it’s the succulent BBQ ribs, smoked to perfection, practically falling off the bone with every savory bite. Yet, for others, the true joy lies in the sheer abundance and variety of side dishes that stretch as far as the eye can see, ranging from classic potato and macaroni salads to creamy coleslaw and hearty baked beans.
Just thinking about it probably has your mouth watering already! When I envision the perfect picnic spread, my mind immediately gravitates to two essential categories: the star protein and, of course, the indispensable side dishes. While my heart often yearns for perfectly smoked BBQ ribs – a treat I don’t indulge in very often, making it all the more special – my side dish choice always presents a delightful dilemma between classic potato salad and creamy macaroni salad.
Elevating the Classic: A Quest for Unique Potato Salad
Lately, I’ve found myself intensely craving a really good potato salad. It’s a dish with an incredible spectrum of variations: from the rich, mayonnaise-based versions to the tangy, mustard-based Amish Potato Salad, the robust German style, and even the intriguing San Francisco style (which, I confess, I hadn’t even heard of until a clever reader brought it to my attention!). With such a diverse culinary landscape, the question becomes: how can I truly make my potato salad stand out from the crowd?
The answer, as it turns out, is wonderfully simple and utterly delicious: by crafting this Apple Butter BBQ Potato Salad. It’s a fresh take on a beloved classic, offering a harmonious balance of sweet and tangy flavors, elevated by the delightful additions of crispy bacon, tender corn, and fresh, zesty scallions. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a conversation starter, a flavor journey that promises to complete your meal in the most spectacular way.
The Perfect Harmony: Potatoes and BBQ Sauce
The pairing of potatoes and BBQ sauce is, for me, a timeless and comforting classic. It’s a combination that has graced our family table countless times. When we prepare ribs at home, they’re almost invariably accompanied by a generous serving of creamy mashed potatoes. And instead of traditional gravy, we often find ourselves drizzling extra homemade honey BBQ sauce over the top. What could possibly be a better vehicle for soaking up all that incredible, smoky, sweet, and tangy sauce than fluffy mashed potatoes? It’s a match made in culinary heaven.
This potato salad embodies that very same concept, transforming it into a vibrant, textural delight. The tender red potatoes act like sponges, eagerly absorbing every drop of the delectable Apple Butter BBQ sauce. But the party doesn’t stop there. Each bite is a medley of textures and flavors, with the smoky crunch of bacon, the sweet pop of corn, and the subtle, fresh oniony note of scallions dancing together in perfect harmony. It’s a side dish that offers both comfort and excitement, a truly satisfying addition to any meal.
The Secret Ingredient: Apple Butter
My secret weapon for elevating this BBQ sauce to new heights of deliciousness is the addition of apple butter. This seemingly humble ingredient lends a unique, deep, and natural sweetness that differentiates it from any other BBQ sauce you’ve tasted. While apple butter is most commonly recognized as a delightful spread for toast or a key ingredient in autumnal baked goods, I wanted to showcase its versatility and rich flavor profile in a decidedly savory context. Here, apple butter truly gets a chance to shine, transforming into the hero of a magnificent side dish.
The beauty of apple butter is its concentrated apple flavor and naturally thick texture, which adds body and a nuanced sweetness to the sauce without being overly sugary. You have the flexibility to either pick up a jar from your local grocery store or, for an even more rewarding experience, try making your own homemade crockpot apple butter. Whichever route you choose, its distinctive taste is what makes this potato salad truly special.
The very essence of BBQ sauce often conjures images of hearty meat and potatoes. And while the only meat in this particular recipe is the savory bacon, the spirit of that classic combination remains robustly present. The apple butter-infused BBQ sauce imbues the potatoes with a comforting, familiar, yet exciting new flavor that evokes those quintessential meat-and-potato meals.
Beyond the Picnic Basket: Enjoy Year-Round
While I’ve been enthusiastically highlighting this recipe for its prowess as a picnic showstopper, please don’t limit its enjoyment to just warm weather and outdoor gatherings! This incredible potato salad is absolutely perfect for serving all year round. Think about how often a comforting “meat and potatoes” dinner makes an appearance on your table. Many of my married friends frequently tell me it’s the only meal their husbands will consistently devour!
Instead of simply serving a plain side of red potatoes, why not elevate your weeknight dinner with a generous helping of this incredible Apple Butter BBQ Potato Salad? It’s essentially a vibrant celebration of tender red potatoes generously coated in a uniquely flavored, sweet, and tangy BBQ sauce, with the added joy of bacon, corn, and scallions. And really, who could ever say no to that? It’s a delightful upgrade that transforms an ordinary meal into something truly memorable and satisfying, proving that great food knows no season.
For even more innovative ways to incorporate this delicious ingredient into your cooking, be sure to check out my comprehensive guide on what to do with apple butter. You might be surprised at the versatility of this pantry staple!
Apple Butter BBQ Potato Salad
4 servings
30 minutes
20 minutes
50 minutes
Sweet and tangy Apple Butter BBQ Potato Salad tossed with bacon, corn, and scallion will be the winning side dish at your next picnic.
Ingredients
BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 1/4 cup ketchup (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Potato Salad
- 1 pound red potatoes, cubed (roughly 8 small potatoes)
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon (roughly 5-6 slices)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion (green part only)
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted water, add the potatoes. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook for 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are soft (but not mushy). Drain and cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a large saucepan, whisk together the apple butter, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (add the extra 1/2 teaspoon if desired), paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to simmering, cover with a lid, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally*.
- Toss the still-warm potatoes with the sauce. Let sit for 20 minutes.
- Stir the bacon, green onion, and corn into the potato salad. Chill in the refrigerator at least an hour or until cold before serving.
Notes
*The sauce can be made ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
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Want More Picnic-Perfect Recipes?
If you’re looking to round out your picnic spread or simply explore more delightful side dishes, here are some fantastic ideas:
Italian Potato Salad
Amish Macaroni Salad
Herbed Cream Cheese Grilled Bell Pepper Boats
Beef Stir Fry Kabobs
Maple BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Disclosure: I was compensated by Musselman’s for this recipe. As always, thank you for reading and supporting brands I work with, which allows me to bring you more recipes. All opinions, text, and photographs are my own.