Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad

Football season is finally here and that means Tailgate Tailgate Tailgate!  This past weekend we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, so I volunteered to bring potato salad.  In the past I've made Dill Potato Salad and Blue Cheese Potato Salad, but this time I wanted something a little different to share with our football friends.  Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad is a great twist on the traditional potato salad.  Though it features both fresh and pickled jalapenos, the combination of the other ingredients work really well together and help tone down the spiciness.  I probably should not share this little secret but our friend Scott makes THE BEST jalapeno poppers.  He brings them to tailgate, but does not put them out on the table potluck style.  He hides them.  You have to be in the inner circle to get a jalapeno popper, they are THAT GOOD. So in homage to Scott and his famous tailgate treat, I created a potato salad inspired by everybody's favorite tailgate food: the jalapeno popper!

Move over traditional potato salad...

Check out the bacon and jalapenos.
All the flavors of a jalapeno popper!

Garnish with thinly sliced fresh jalapeno.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad


3 pounds red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into quarters or bite-sized pieces
1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/4-1/2 cup minced pickled jalapeno peppers
4 green onions, sliced
2 cups grated Colby-Jack cheese
8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
2 fresh jalapenos, thinly sliced

Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork tender, approximately 10-15 minutes.  Drain and set aside until they are just warm.  Meanwhile prep the other ingredients.  In a large bowl combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Stir in the warm potatoes, then add the pickled jalapenos, green onions, bacon and shredded cheese.  Check for seasonings and adjust if necessary.  Garnish with fresh jalapeno slices.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Prep Time:  Approximately 30 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 15 minutes