With Bacon, Cheddar, and Sour Cream
Loaded Buttered Potatoes
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Large Spoon or Spatula
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Yukon Gold or New Potatoes Cubed
- 6 Tbsp Butter
- 1 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 6 Slices Bacon, Cooked and Crumbled (Roughly 2-3 Ounces of Bacon Bits)
- 3 Green Onions Or Chives Sliced
- 1/4-1/2 C Sour Cream
- 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced (Optional)
- Kosher Salt For Water
- Black Pepper To Taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and season heavily with kosher salt. Use about 1 Tbsp salt per quart of water.
- Add the cubed potatoes and boil until fork tender but not falling apart, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes well.
- Return the potatoes to the hot pot and let them steam dry for 1-2 minutes.
- Add butter, (optional) garlic, and salt and black pepper (I use about 1/2 tsp of each and check for more at the end).
- Gently fold the potatoes until glossy and coated in the butter mixture.
- Cut the heat and fold in most of the cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions.
- Lightly swirl in the sour cream. Do not fully mix. Allow small pockets of sour cream.
- Taste for seasoning and top with the remaining cheese, bacon, and green onions. Enjoy!
Notes
Yukon Gold potatoes create the creamiest texture.
Keep some texture in the potatoes for the best loaded potato feel.
Great with steak, smoked meats, burgers, or holiday meals.
Leftovers reheat well with a splash of milk or butter.
Loaded Buttered Potatoes: Southern Comfort in a Bowl
If you grew up anywhere around the South, you’ve probably seen some version of buttered potatoes sitting on the dinner table. They usually show up beside fried chicken, smoked meat, pork chops, or at big holiday gatherings where every dish competes for attention. These Loaded Buttered Potatoes take that classic Southern side dish and push it all the way over the top.
They’re buttery, cheesy, creamy, packed with bacon, and loaded with flavor in every bite.
This recipe keeps the soul of traditional Southern buttered potatoes while adding all the best loaded potato toppings. You still get those soft, buttery potato chunks people grew up eating, but now they’re mixed with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, green onions, and cool swirls of sour cream.
Honestly, this might be the side dish people remember most.
The Secret to Rich, Buttery Potatoes
The biggest thing that separates good buttered potatoes from bland ones is the steam dry step.
After boiling, the potatoes go right back into the hot pot for a minute or two. That extra heat pulls off excess moisture and helps the butter soak deep into the potatoes instead of sliding around the bottom of the pot.
It sounds simple, but it changes the entire dish.
Once the butter melts in with the (optional) garlic and black pepper, the potatoes turn glossy, rich, and incredibly flavorful. Yukon Gold potatoes work especially well because they naturally have a creamy texture without turning mushy. But I’ll admit, new potatoes are my favorite in this dish.
Make sure you don’t overmix this dish. Buttered potatoes should still have texture. You want soft chunks, melted cheese pockets, crispy bacon bits, and little ribbons of sour cream throughout the bowl. Not mashed potatoes.
Leaving the potatoes in chunks allows the toppings to shine through.
Why These Loaded Potatoes Work So Well
Every ingredient pulls its weight here.
The cheddar melts into the hot potatoes and adds sharp, savory flavor. The bacon brings crunch and saltiness. Green onions cut through the richness and keep everything balanced. Then the sour cream ties it all together with a cool, creamy finish.
You can also customize these pretty easily depending on the crowd.
Add ranch seasoning for extra savory flavor. Stir in cream cheese if you want them even richer. Smoked paprika adds warmth and color, while jalapeños or hot sauce bring heat.
These potatoes fit almost any comfort food dinner. They’re incredible beside grilled steak, smoked brisket, barbecue chicken, meatloaf, or burgers. They also belong on every holiday table right beside the mac and cheese and casserole dishes.
And if you’re feeding a crowd, this recipe disappears fast.
The Best Way to Serve Loaded Buttered Potatoes
Serve these hot with extra bacon, cheese, and green onions scattered over the top. That final layer makes the dish look just as good as it tastes.
If you want the ultimate Southern comfort food plate, pair them with smoked meats, cornbread, green beans, or fried chicken. They’re perfect for any meal you could have a baked potato with.
And definitely keep this recipe around for potlucks and cookouts.
People always come back for seconds.
I wrote and edited this post with help from ChatGPT, based on my own tested recipe and original photography.