Summer potlucks and backyard barbecues find their perfect companion in this classic best ever potato salad recipe that sparks joy with every creamy bite.
Cold, tangy, and irresistibly delicious, this dish brings nostalgic memories of sunshine-filled gatherings.
Each carefully selected ingredient promises a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.
Crisp celery adds a delightful crunch while fresh herbs infuse subtle brightness.
The secret lies in perfectly cooked potatoes and a rich, velvety dressing that ties everything together.
Generations have treasured this beloved recipe, passing it down through shared meals and cherished moments.
Grab your apron and get ready to become the star of your next summer celebration.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 265 kcal
Servings: 7
Ingredients That Make the Best Ever Potato Salad
For Potato Base:
Potatoes: Creamy, starchy stars of the salad that provide a hearty foundation with soft, tender texture when cooked perfectly.
Eggs: Rich protein source that adds luxurious creaminess and delightful texture to the potato salad.
For Crisp and Crunch:
Celery: Brings refreshing, crisp snap and light green color that provides a delightful textural contrast.
Red Onion: Adds sharp, zesty bite and vibrant color to elevate the overall flavor profile.
For Creamy Dressing:
Mayonnaise: Silky smooth base that binds ingredients together with rich, tangy creaminess.
Sweet Pickle Relish: Introduces delightful sweet-tangy burst of flavor with delicate pickle crunch.
Vinegar: Brightens the entire dish with subtle acidic punch.
Mustard: Delivers gentle warmth and complex depth to the dressing.
Celery Seed: Introduces subtle herbal undertones with gentle aromatic essence.
Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that enhance and balance all flavor notes.
Tools You’ll Want for the Best Ever Potato Salad
Large pot: Perfect for boiling potatoes evenly and gently.
Colander: Essential for draining potatoes quickly and thoroughly.
Small bowl: Ideal for mixing dressing ingredients smoothly.
Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining potatoes and other ingredients.
Whisk: Great for blending dressing components into a creamy consistency.
Cutting board: Necessary for chopping vegetables and eggs.
Sharp knife: Required for precise vegetable and egg chopping.
Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add salt, spices, and other seasonings.
Measuring cups: Ensures correct proportions of dressing ingredients.
Fork: Useful for testing potato tenderness during boiling.
Putting Together the Best Ever Potato Salad
Potato Bath Start by nestling chopped potatoes in a spacious pot, submerging them in cool water that rises generously above the spuds. Let the water bubble and dance on high heat.
Salt Splash Once boiling, sprinkle in salt and let the potatoes simmer until they're tender enough to yield gently to a fork's touch. Drain them thoroughly.
Cooling Moment Allow the potatoes to relax and cool down, taking a peaceful breather for about 20 minutes.
Dressing Magic In a small bowl, whisk together creamy mayonnaise, tangy pickle relish, zippy vinegar, bold mustard, aromatic celery seed, and a whisper of salt and pepper until smooth and silky.
Potato Party Gently fold the cooled potatoes into the luscious dressing. Introduce crisp celery, sharp red onion, and protein-packed eggs. Toss everything with a light hand to ensure each morsel gets a loving coating.
Chill Time Slide the bowl into the refrigerator, letting the flavors mingle and get acquainted. The salad becomes more delectable as it rests, with tastes deepening and melding together overnight.
Ways to Remix Your Best Ever Potato Salad
Transform this classic dish with these creative tips and variations.
Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a zesty kick that adds exciting heat to the traditional recipe.
Experiment with crispy bacon bits, chopped fresh herbs like dill or chives, or crumbled blue cheese to elevate the flavor profile and surprise your taste buds.
Swap traditional mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or light sour cream for a lighter, tangier version that cuts down on calories without sacrificing creamy texture.
Explore international variations by adding ingredients like Dijon mustard, capers, chopped cornichons, or a splash of white wine vinegar to give the potato salad a sophisticated European-inspired touch.
Serving Your Best Ever Potato Salad at Parties
Picnic Perfect Pairing: Serve alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, or barbecue chicken for a classic summer meal that everyone will love.
Fresh Garnish Boost: Sprinkle chopped fresh chives or parsley on top just before serving to add a pop of color and extra flavor.
Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: Transfer to a beautiful serving dish and garnish with a light dusting of paprika for an elegant touch that makes the potato salad look as good as it tastes.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the day before your event, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify overnight, making your prep work easier and the taste even more delicious.
Potato Salad Storage Tips to Keep It Creamy
Refrigerate Carefully: Store potato salad in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
Consume Quickly: Enjoy within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture, checking for any signs of spoilage like unusual smell or color changes before serving.
Prevent Bacterial Growth: Keep potato salad chilled at or below 40°F (4°C) during storage and avoid leaving at room temperature for more than 2 hours to ensure food safety.
Revive Leftovers Smartly: If the salad seems dry after refrigeration, gently stir in a small amount of additional mayonnaise to restore creamy consistency and refresh the flavors.
Creamy potato salad emerges as a classic summer side dish loved by picnic-goers. Fresh herbs and tangy dressing combine to create a delightful companion for grilled meats and outdoor gatherings you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
4 potatoes
4 hard-boiled eggs
0.75 cup (180 ml) mayonnaise
0.25 cup (60 ml) sweet pickle relish
2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
1 tsp celery seed
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Potato Preparation: Submerge chopped potatoes in cool water, covering by 2 inches, then bring to a vigorous boil with a pinch of salt, cooking for 6-9 minutes until fork-tender but not crumbling.
Cooling Process: Drain potatoes in a colander, gently shake off excess moisture, and allow to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes.
Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, celery seed, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth and fully integrated.
Ingredient Fusion: Transfer cooled potatoes to a large serving bowl, gently fold in prepared dressing to ensure even coating, then incorporate finely chopped celery, diced red onion, and sliced hard-boiled eggs with a delicate tossing motion.
Flavor Refinement: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance overall flavor profile.
Chilling and Marinating: Seal potato salad and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, allowing ingredients to harmonize, with optimal taste developing if left overnight in the refrigerator.
Notes
Prevent Mushy Potatoes: Boil potatoes just until fork-tender to maintain their shape and prevent a soggy texture.
Cooling Is Crucial: Let potatoes cool completely before mixing with dressing to prevent breaking and maintain potato integrity.
Flavor Fusion Time: Refrigerate for at least an hour, preferably overnight, to allow ingredients to blend and enhance taste.
Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients softly to avoid mashing potatoes, keeping the salad’s texture light and appetizing.
Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.
Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.
Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.
Mia Reynolds
Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist
Expertise
Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners
Education
New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont
Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont
Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.
Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.