The Best Potato Salad Dressing
Mayonnaise: The creamy fattiness you get from mayonnaise is a hallmark of a good potato salad dressing. Use your favorite store-bought mayonnaise or make your own.
Yellow Mustard: This is no time to be pretentious with your mustard. Yes, a nice whole grain Dijon mustard will a more refined flavor. But the color and classic Americana taste that you want in potato salad is best found in a bottle of yellow mustard.
Relish: The pickley, tangy flavor of your favorite store-bought relish will add a really nice dimension to the dressing.
Seasonings: In this dressing we lean on some of the classicsgarlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. This is also when we are going to add the salt, which should stay mostly suspended in the dressing and penetrate into the potatoes too much.
Mix all of your dressing ingredients together in a small bowl, taste for salt, and then fold into your potatoes.
The Secret To The Best Cucumber Salad
The secret to this cucumber salad recipe is salting the cucumbers. The salt makes the cucumbers taste better and removes excess water, diluting the dressing.
You see, cucumbers are made mostly of water. So by salting them, we draw out excess water before tossing the cucumbers with the dressing. Weve done this in other recipes remember our mayonnaise-free coleslaw salad and this creamy cucumber salad made with Greek yogurt?
Salting the cucumbers makes the dressing tasty, not watered down. It also makes the cucumbers taste more like cucumbers. It intensifies their flavor. The salting process takes about 30 minutes and is well worth it.
Heres how we do it: Slice cucumbers into thin coins we use our mandoline slicer, but a knife works, too. Toss the cucumber coins with salt, then let them sit in a colander we set ours in the sink for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, rinse the cucumbers with cold water. Rinsing removes any excess salt so the salad wont be too salty. Finally, squeeze them dry by adding them to a clean dishcloth and squeezing.
When you have salted, rinsed, and squeezed cucumbers, its time to make the salad. The dressing is simple and made with vinegar, mustard, and a little sugar for balance.
To finish, add a handful of sliced red onion. Easy! You can enjoy the salad straight away, but it does get better after an hour in the fridge.
Putting The Salad Together
Everyone has an opinion on what makes for the best potato salad, but heres what we love adding to ours. You can, of course, add or remove an ingredient based on your tastes. Its also important to note that its okay if you dont have red potatoes on hand.
Use other waxy potatoes like yellow or Yukon potatoes, white or creamer potatoes, and fingerling potatoes. They are quick-cooking, and since they are already small, theres no need to chop them before cooking them. Russet or baking potatoes will work, but the salads texture will be less creamy.
In addition to the potatoes, we add the following ingredients to the salad. The full recipe is below this article.
- Finely diced celery for crunch
- Finely diced dill pickles for crunch and flavor
- Fresh parsley, dill, and chives
Other popular ingredients are hard-boiled eggs and onion. We add them to our creamy potato salad but leave them out for this red potato version. We love letting the herbs shine, so we hold back on the other ingredients.
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Southern Potato Salad Recipe
This Southern Potato Salad is the best creamy version made with simple ingredients. Tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, sweet relish and a dash of mustard come together perfectly in must-have recipe for any celebration or barbecue.
You know those recipes you call your mom for. This potato salad recipe is one of those recipes. I grew up on my grandmothers old-fashioned Potato Salad and she never had an exact recipe. She just tossed in the ingredients and did the taste test.
Thank goodness I finally learned that making this classic potato salad is much easier than I thought. I was so nervous the first time for some reason.
There are many versions of Potato Salads, but this is traditional southern potato salad I grew up on. To me, this is by har the best potato salad recipe around!
Its one of those family favorite easy side dishes that everyone looks forward to at so many holidays and family gatherings throughout the year. I mean is there anything better to have with burgers or hot dogs at a cookout than this great recipe!
How To Make The Best Classic Potato Salad
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Ive never met a potato salad that I didnt like. Use mayo or Greek yogurt, season it with dill or throw in some kalamata olives and sundried tomatoes theyre all good. And since no cookout, picnic, or backyard party is complete without a giant bowl of potato salad on the table, there are ample opportunities every summer to try them all.
Today, lets pare it down to the basics and talk about how to make an easy, classic, all-American potato salad. You can serve this one just as it is, or use the recipe as a jumping off point for the potato salad of your dreams.
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How To Make This Homemade Potato Salad
Step 1: Place the large eggs in a pot of water. When the water comes to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 minute.
Cook the potatoes with the skin on if you prefer.
Use dijon mustard if desired.
Add a dash of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar if you prefer a tangier flavor
Add a little celery seed and/ or garlic powder if desired.
How Long Does it Last in the Refrigerator?
If you happen to have any leftovers, they will keep just fine for about 4 days in the refrigerator. If your potato salad has been at room temperature longer than 2 hours , discard any leftovers since bacteria can grow if left out longer.
Can you serve potato salad warm?
You can serve potato salad warm or cold. I actually love it warmed. Just be sure to heat it up and not let it sit out to get warm.
How To Store & Serve Potato Salad
This style of potato salad is meant to be served cold. So if you are making the day-of, we recommend getting an early enough start to allow it chill out in the fridge for a few hours.
If properly stored in a resealable container, potato salad will last for up to 5 days in a refrigerator or cooler . So this is a perfect side dish to make before a weekend camping trip or BBQ and toss in your cooler.
To serve, sprinkle the top with a light dusting of paprika. Want to dropkick this potato salad to all the way to next Sunday? Top with crumbled bacon.
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How To Make It
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Gently boil whole/unpeeled Yukon Gold Potatoes until they can be easily pierced with a fork, 20-25 minutes.
- Drain and dice into bite-sized pieces. Toss with white vinegar and let cool.
- Combine with mayo, yellow mustard, relish, garlic salt, onions, and celery.
- Add in diced hard boiled eggs and mix gently. Season with salt/pepper if desired.
- Transfer to a clean serving bowl garnish with dill, paprika, and green onions.
Homemade Healthy Potato Salad Vs Old
Honestly, the main issue in traditional potato salad isnt the carb-o-licious potatoes, or even the fatcontent of the mayo. The root of the problem lies in the ultra-processed, inflammatory, store-bought mayonnaise, made with not-so clean ingredients.
The main ingredient in most traditional mayonnaisesoybean oilis one of the WORST inflammatory foods that we can eat. And, it sneaks into our diet all of the time in processed foods, condiments, sauces, dressings, etc. But, swap out that inflammatory mayo for a healthy substitute, and making healthy potato salad is easy.
Thats why I prefer to make my healthy potato salad with avocado oil mayo! Nowadays, you can find some great, cleaner mayonnaise options in some grocery stores or online. One of my favorites is Primal Kitchens Mayo made with avocado oil. Its clean, simple, and made with an anti-inflammatory oil.
But, its also pretty dang easy and cheap to make your own healthy mayonnaise at home! Check out my personal favorite homemade avocado oil mayo recipe, which you can have ready in just minutes. Its a clean, unprocessed, and totally Whole30 compliant mayonnaise option. And, I honestly think it tastes better than any store-bought variety!
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Homemade Potato Salad Recipe
Labor Day is just around the corner, and what better time for one last summer BBQ before we start settling into the routines of fall. This Classic Potato Salad is the perfect potluck dish to take to any summer BBQ.
Kevins parents live about 3 miles away from us and his sisters family lives about 15 minutes away. We often get to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and other occasions together.
It has been really fun for me to have this because none of my family lives in Colorado.
I really miss my sister living here. The 9 or so months that she was living here several years ago went by way too fast!
When we get together with Kevins family, there is always an abundance of food and so many different good things to eat because because we often do meals potluck-style with everyone contributing.
Everyone in Kevins family is a good cook and appreciates good food.
Save this Classic Potato Salad Recipe to Pinterest!
The Best Classic Potato Salad
Summer Potlucks and BBQs dont seem complete without a big bowl of this Classic Potato Salad. Creamy mayo, celery, onion, hard-boiled eggs, and of course plenty of potatoes make up this recipe. In our familys opinion, it is simply the best potato salad recipe!
Save this Classic Potato Salad Recipe to Pinterest!
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How To Make Potato Salad Without Mayo
If you want that creamy texture, but aren’t a mayo-lover or want a healthier option, Greek yogurt makes a great substitute. For lighter flavors that hold up in the heat, a vinaigrette will do the trick. And a mustard-based dressing gives the best of both worlds while giving a bit of creaminess and still avoiding dairy products that can’t be left out for too long.
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Tips For Making The Best Potato Salad
- Boil the potatoes the same day you are serving the salad. Boiled potatoes are not as nice the next day.
- To check that the potatoes are properly cooked you can pierce them with a knife. The knife should go through the potato smoothly.
- Do not cook the potatoes too much otherwise, they will mash when stirring the salad.
- Cut the potatoes in small squares about 1 in – 2.5 cm the have the perfect balance between potatoes and dressing. Too big and the potatoes will not be nicely seasoned.
- Let the potato salad rest for at least 1 hour so the potatoes have the time to absorb the flavours
- Instead of boiling the potatoes you can also steam them. I steam the potatoes in the pressure cooker or the microwave
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How To Keep Potato Salad From Getting Watery
There are a couple of reasons potato salad can become runny. Heres how to troubleshoot the problem.
A Famous Family Recipe
Sometimes, theres just nothing better than delicious meat with sides like Baked Beans and Coleslaw for a family BBQ!
Another BBQ Side Dish we LOVE is Potato Salad, and the recipe we love best is one my mom came up with years ago. Its creamy, delicious and easy to make.
What makes this potato salad recipe so special? We love how creamy and flavorful it is. The mixture of mayonnaise, a hint of yellow mustard, and the secret ingredient , make it so delicious.
We really think its the BEST Potato Salad, and its the perfect side dish recipe for any BBQ or summer gathering!
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How To Make Potato Salad With Vegan Mayonnaise
Method
Tip: You can store the vegan mayonnaise in the fridge, in an airtight container or jar, for up to a week.
Serves:
- 2 cobs sweet corn, grilled
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 small red onion, finely sliced
- ¼ cup Deli Originals European style baby cucumbers, sliced
- ½ cup dill sprigs
- Salt and ground black pepper
- ½ cup vegan mayonnaise
- ½ tsp Colway dijon mustard
- 1tsp Just Organic apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Brookdale maple syrup
- ¾ cup Pure Vita canola oil
Where Was Potato Salad Invented
Potato salad is generally recognized as originating in Germany. However, the potato originates in South America.
After Spanish explorers discovered the potato in South America, it was introduced to Europe by Spanish merchants. From there, potato salad spread in popularity throughout Europe and was likely brought to the United States when European and German settlers immigrated to the United States in the early 19th century.
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Classic Potato Salad Ingredients
The ingredients are BASIC. Ones that everyone has in their refrigerator already. If youd like to add dill feel free to do so! I use whatever I have on hand. Sometimes Ill sprinkle the salad with a bit of paprika for color, but its totally optional. And celery-everyone adds celery, but I dont care for it so I always leave it out. I wont judge you if you add a handful to your salad, but the main things youll need are as follows:
- 2 1/2 pounds of russet or Yukon gold potatoes
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 onion, diced
You can add as much dill as youd like, just remember that you dont need as much dried dill as fresh. A little goes a long way.
More Summer Side Dishes
Looking for more of my favorite summer side dish recipes to serve alongside The Best Classic Potato Salad Recipe? Check out these delicious recipes:
Zucchini Tomato Basil Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette is a light and refreshing summertime salad and perfect when your garden is exploding with tomatoes, basil, and zucchini in the later summer months.
What is a summer barbecue without baked beans? This recipe for Slow Cooker Baked Bean Trio with Bacon and Peppers is loaded with flavor thanks to three types of beans, bell peppers, poblano peppers, and bacon. A perfect, easy side dish for game day entertaining, too!
You can never go wrong with a caprese salad during the summer. For a different take, try this Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad to use summers abundant tomatoes and basil.
Now that you have our recipe for The Best Classic Potato Salad, youll need a great coleslaw recipe! Your typical BBQ Coleslaw gets a makeover with the addition of jalapeño for just a touch of heat for your tastebuds in this tasty recipe for Creamy Jalapeño BBQ Coleslaw.
This Cilantro Lime Broccoli Slaw is a tasty alternative to the traditional summer coleslaw recipe. Pre-packaged shredded broccoli, carrots, red cabbage are tossed with jalapeño, lime, red onion, and red bell pepper for a refreshing side salad.
What are your favorite summer side dishes?
Love this recipe for The Best Classic Potato Salad?
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How Do You Make Potato Salad Taste Better
- Up your potato salad game by roasting the potatoes instead of boiling them. I can already imagine how much more scrumptious itll be! The spuds will be crispy on the outside, adding a lovely textural variety to the salad.
- While youre at it, season the potatoes with cayenne, onion powder, or garlic salt right before roasting them. Nothing enhances flavor more than seasonings do.
- Want a sweeter salad? Use sweet potatoes instead. The texture and flavor will be a little different, but just as delicious especially for sweet tooths.
- Instead of just mayonnaise, use a combination of mayo and sour cream. This will create a wonderful balance of creaminess and tanginess.
- Cheese makes everything better, so go ahead and add whatever kind of cheese you have in the fridge. Cheddar, mozzarella, blue cheese, goat cheese anything works.
- Finish off your salad with a sprinkling of crushed potato chips. Thisll add a unique kind of crunch and saltiness you didnt think your potato salad needed.
- Lastly, how about some sriracha, chili flakes, or paprika for a bit of a kick?