The Best Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

Potato Salad is a summertime staple for good reason!

This delicious Potato Salad recipe has tender potatoes, a handful of add-ins, and eggs, all tossed in a quick creamy & tangy dressing!

Potato salad tastes even better when made ahead of time, making it the perfect dish anytime!

Potluck Perfect Potato Salad

• Much like pasta salad, potato salad is an inexpensive and filling side dish.
• Every family has their own favorite add-ins, so feel free to personalize it with your favorite ingredient.
• Prepare this dish in advance, making it ideal for potlucks or picnics.
• My potato salad recipe offers the perfect combination of crunch, tanginess, and creaminess.

Ingredients for Potato Salad

Potatoes for potato salad

• Red potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes are our top pick for potato salad. They have thinner skins and hold their shape well.
• Russet potatoes have a grainy texture and tend to fall apart, but they do work if it’s all you have. Peel the potatoes if using russets or baking potatoes.
• Fingerling potatoes, baby potatoes, or new potatoes don’t require peeling and hold their shape well. They don’t absorb dressing as well so lightly smash if using baby potatoes.

Add-Ins

• Boiled eggs are a classic addition, but feel free to skip them if desired.
• Add crunch with radishes and celery.
• Customize with your favorites: chopped dill pickles or sweet pickles, cheddar cheese, or crumbled bacon.
• Add flavor and freshness with herbs like dill, parsley, or chives.

Potato Salad Dressing

The dressing brings all the flavors together in a potato salad.

• Classic dressing: Ingredients like cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, and sweet pickle relish create a balanced and flavorful dressing.
• Mayonnaise substitutions: Substitute mayonnaise with Miracle Whip for a tangier flavor, or lighten up the dressing with half mayonnaise and half Greek yogurt.

Variations

• Add sweet or dill pickles instead of sweet relish.
• Replace the cider vinegar with red wine vinegar or dill pickle juice.
• Stir in fresh herbs like parsley, chives, basil, tarragon, or thyme.

How to Make Potato Salad

1. Boil potatoes & cool: Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water until fork tender. Drain well and cool completely.
2. Prepare add-ins: While the potatoes boil, chop the other ingredients (per the recipe below).
3. Mix dressing: Mix the dressing in the bottom of a large bowl (one less dish to wash!) and stir in the cooked and cooled ingredients.
4. Chill: Refrigerate before serving to allow flavors to blend. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Tips for Perfect Potato Salad

• Cook the potatoes until fork tender. Avoid overcooking to prevent them from getting mushy.
• Thin-skinned potatoes can be left unpeeled or easily peeled after boiling.
• Ensure the potatoes are cooled before adding the dressing.
• Dress the salad generously as the potatoes absorb some of the dressing.
• Allow the potato salad to chill in the refrigerator before serving to let the flavors blend.

Storing Leftovers

Fridge: Store leftover potato salad in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days.

Freezer: Unfortunately, potato salad does not freeze well. The raw veggies that give it such a delightful crunch will get mushy, and the mayonnaise will separate when it thaws.

Did your family love this Classic Potato Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!