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Easy Make-Ahead Family Memorial Day Potato Bar for 8 Perfect Party Recipe

Memorial Day potato bar - featured image
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A simple, satisfying, and customizable potato bar perfect for Memorial Day or any gathering, designed to feed a crowd with make-ahead convenience and a variety of classic and creative toppings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 large Russet potatoes (about 6–7 ounces / 170-200g each), scrubbed and dried
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for coating)
  • Salt (kosher or sea salt, for sprinkling)
  • 1 cup sour cream (full fat preferred)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, optional for mixing with sour cream or alternative)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pickled jalapeños
  • 1/2 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained)
  • 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms (optional)
  • Fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Black pepper, freshly ground
  • Smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Scrub each potato under cold running water, then dry thoroughly. Pierce each potato a few times with a fork.
  3. Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt.
  4. Arrange the potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Bake for 50-60 minutes until skins are crisp and a fork slides in easily.
  5. While the potatoes bake, cook bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
  6. Chop green onions, sauté mushrooms if using, and dice sun-dried tomatoes. Combine sour cream and Greek yogurt if desired.
  7. Once potatoes are baked, let them cool slightly. Wrap individually in foil and store in the fridge if prepping ahead.
  8. On the day of the party, reheat potatoes at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes wrapped in foil until warm inside.
  9. Arrange all toppings in separate bowls with spoons for guests to build their own plates.

Notes

Bake potatoes the day before and reheat wrapped in foil at 350°F for 15-20 minutes to save time. Fluff potato insides with a fork before adding toppings for better texture. Use a mix of sour cream and Greek yogurt for a lighter topping. Keep extra napkins handy as potato bars can get messy. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute sour cream and cheese with plant-based alternatives and skip bacon or use plant-based proteins.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato bar, Memorial Day recipe, make-ahead, baked potatoes, party food, family recipe, customizable toppings

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/easy-make-ahead-family-memorial-day-potato-bar-for-8-perfect-party-recipe/