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Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

Classic Potato Salad Recipe

Published: Jul 19, 2023 · Modified: Aug 18, 2024 by Chef Dennis Littley

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My Classic Potato Salad Recipe is the perfect side dish for picnics, backyard barbecues, or a family dinner night. This creamy potato salad goes with everything from hot dogs, to steaks and my easy recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles to your dinner table.

potato salad in a large glass bowl.


 

This is the perfect potato salad for just about any event your hosting. You won’t find any exotic, hard to find ingredients in my classic American Potato Salad, just simple wholesome ingredients.

Potato salad on a white plate.

There are two very important steps that you can’t miss if you want to make the best potato salad you ever had. The first step is making sure you add salt to the water you’re cooking the potatoes in. Otherwise they’ll be bland and you’ll never get them to taste good.

The other step is drizzling apple cider vinegar or white vinegar over the drained warm potatoes after you’ve drained them. Those two simple steps makes all the difference in the world.

If you love summertime salads make sure to check out my creamy  coleslaw recipe and Macaroni Salad.

Table of Contents:
  • Ingredients to make Classic Potato Salad
  • What potatoes are best for potato salad?
  • What can I use instead of mayonnaise to make potato salad?
  • How to make Potato Salad
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Best Potato Salad Recipe

Ingredients to make Classic Potato Salad

ingredients to make recipe.

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Classic Potato Salad. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Made with simple ingredients

  • Yukon Gold potatoes
  • mayonnaise (or miracle whip)
  • apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • yellow mustard (or Dijon mustard)
  • celery
  • green onions
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • celery salt

*I didn’t add chopped hard-boiled eggs to my recipe, but they make a delicious addition. You can also add chopped red onions, sweet onions, chopped dill pickles, chopped sweet pickles or pickle relish to the salad. It’s all about using ingredients you enjoy eating.

What potatoes are best for potato salad?

  • Yukon Golds is the variety I used, and are a favorite for making this classic recipe. They have a creamy texture and a slightly buttery flavor. They hold their shape well when boiled and are less likely to become mushy, making them ideal for potato salad.
  • Red potatoes is another excellent choice, they hold their shape after cooking and have a waxy texture and a slightly sweet taste. The skin is thin and smooth so that you can leave it on for added color and texture in your salad.
  • Fingerlings are also a great choice. They are small, elongated potatoes that come in various colors, including yellow, red, and purple. They have a firm texture and a nutty flavor. Not only will they make a more interesting-looking potato salad, they provide a unique taste and texture.

*Starchy potatoes like Idaho and Russet are not a good choice for potato salad.

What can I use instead of mayonnaise to make potato salad?

  • Greek yogurt is a healthy and tangy substitute for mayonnaise. It has a similar creamy texture and can be used as a 1:1 replacement in this recipe. Greek yogurt adds a slight tanginess to the dressing and provides a protein boost. You can use yogurt as a full replacement or to replace half of the mayonnaise.
  • Sour cream is another common substitute for mayonnaise. It has a creamy texture and a slightly tangy flavor. You can use sour cream as a 1:1 replacement for mayonnaise and can be used as a full replacement or half replacement.
  • Mashed avocado can be used as a flavorful and creamy alternative to mayonnaise. It adds a unique taste and a rich texture to the recipe. Use ripe avocados and mash them until smooth before mixing them with the potatoes.
  • A dressing made with Dijon mustard, vinegar, and oil can provide a tangy and zesty flavor to potato salad. Whisk together equal parts Dijon mustard and vinegar, and gradually add oil until it reaches the desired consistency.
  • If you enjoy the taste of pesto, it can be a flavorful substitute for mayonnaise. Toss the cooked potatoes with your favorite pesto sauce until they are well coated. The herbs, garlic, and olive oil in pesto will add a burst of flavor.

How to make Potato Salad

collage showing how to prep recipe.
  • Add the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper to a small bowl.
  • Whisk to combine the dressing ingredients.
  • Place potatoes in a large stockpot and add enough cold water to cover the potatoes by 1 inch of water.
  • Place the large pot of water on a burner set at high heat and let the mixture come to a boil. When the water begins to boil, add one teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes simmer.
  • Let them continue to cook for 5-8 minutes or until the potatoes pierce easily with a fork. Don’t let the potatoes overcook, or the potato salad will be mushy.
  • Thoroughly drain the potatoes in a colander, then return them to the pot and drizzle vinegar evenly over the warm potatoes.

*Adding vinegar to the warm fork tender potatoes is the secret to good potato salad.

collage showing how to make recipe.
  • Let the potatoes rest for 20-30 minutes or until well cooled. Then add them to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the diced celery and the diced green onions to the potato mixture.
  • Mix the celery and diced green onions with potatoes.
  • Gently fold the creamy dressing into the cooled potatoes.
finished potato salad in a glass bowl.

Taste the potato salad and reseason with salt and pepper as needed. Refrigerate the potato salad for at least 1 hour (overnight is best) before serving.

potato salad in a large glass bowl.

Sprinkle the top of the potato salad with sweet paprika and garnish with sliced green onion tops.

So when you’re planning your next summer cookout make sure to add my classic American potato salad to the menu. It’s the perfect side dish for hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs and just about anything you can think of.

Recipe FAQ’s

What are the best potatoes for potato salad?

Yukon Golds are the potatoes I used and are an American favorite for making potato salad. They have a creamy texture and a slightly buttery flavor. They hold their shape well when boiled and are less likely to become mushy, making them ideal for potato salad.
You can also use Red Bliss potatoes and use them peeled or unpeeled. Another good option are fingerling potatoes. They have great flavor and add a different look to potato salad.

How long can potato salad be left unrefrigerated.

Two hours is the maximum amount of time it can be left unrefrigerated, if you’re planning on saving the leftovers. Any longer than that, and you’ll need to discard any left over potato salad.
If its a warm day, that time can be cut in half or less, so make sure to monitor the temperature of the salad while its unrefrigerated.

Can I make the potato salad the day before?

You certainly can, and in fact it will taste even better the next day. Using my recipe I’ve kept leftover potato salad in the fridge for up to 5 days without any issues.

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potato salad in a large glass bowl.

Best Potato Salad Recipe

Chef Dennis Littley
My Classic Potato Salad Recipe is the perfect side dish for picnics, backyard barbecues, or a family dinner night. This creamy potato salad goes with everything from hot dogs, to steak and my easy recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles to your table.
5 from 43 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Resting Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 47 minutes mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 339 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes – or your favorite potato
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar – or white vinegar
  • 3 large celery stalks diced
  • 6 green onions diced
  • 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 ½ teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon salt more or less to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper more or less to taste
  • sweet paprika garnish – optional

Instructions
 

  • Place the diced potatoes in a large stockpot and add enough cold water so the potatoes are covered by 1 inch of water.
  • Place the stockpot on a burger set at medium-high heat and let the mixture come to a boil. When the water begins to boil add one teaspoon of table salt to the water.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes simmer. Let them continue to cook for 5-8 minutes or until the potatoes pierces easily with a fork.
    Don't let the potatoes overcook, or the potato salad will be mushy .
  • Thoroughly drain the potatoes in a colander, then return the potatoes to the pot and drizzle the vinegar even over the potatoes.
    Let the potatoes rest for 20-30 minutes or until well cooled.
  • Add the diced celery and the diced green onions to the potato mixture.
  • Add the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, celery seed, salt and pepper to a medium bowl.
  • Whisk to combine the ingredients.
  • Gently fold the mayonnaise mixture into the cooled potatoes.
  • Taste and reseason with salt and pepper as needed.
  • Refrigerate the potato salad for at least 1 hour (overnight is best) before serving.
  • Sprinkle the top of the potato salad with sweet paprika if you want to add a little color to the dish and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 3gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 406mgPotassium: 614mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 104IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 43 votes (34 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Loreto and Nicoletta says

    August 07, 2023 at 9:53 am

    5 stars
    Hi Dennis, I have to say potato salad is a weakness for me. That creamy texture, those hits of tang and green onion, and the play in texture with the celery. It is always a delicious treat for me, and what a versatile side dish. Great work, it was delicious! ❤️ 😍

    Reply
  2. Moop Brown says

    August 07, 2023 at 3:31 am

    5 stars
    Potato salad is such a classic dish, perfect for cook-outs, get-togethers, picnics and more. I always enjoy having it around this time of the year and your recipe was delicious!

    Reply
  3. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

    August 06, 2023 at 9:16 pm

    5 stars
    My hubby is a tater salad fanatic. I can’t make it to save my soup but THANKFULLY you have this! This so reminds me of what my Mom would make growing up.

    Dennis you definitely put the biggest smile on his face with this recipe! Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Carrie Robinson says

    August 06, 2023 at 8:18 pm

    5 stars
    Homemade potato salad has to be the best side dish! 🙂 It goes with just about everything- perfect for a BBQ or potluck. We loved your version.

    Reply
  5. Mady says

    August 04, 2023 at 4:33 pm

    5 stars
    We made this to go with hot dogs and burgers for 4th of July, and have made it twice since then! Classic recipe – can’t go wrong with it!

    Reply
  6. Lauren Michael Harris says

    August 04, 2023 at 8:09 am

    5 stars
    This is exactly how my mom made her potato salad except regular onion instead of green. Everyone always asked her to bring it to family dinners and parties. It’s SO good – I am now craving a batch and am definitely using the green onion (I never liked regular onions).

    Reply
  7. Enriqueta E Lemoine says

    August 01, 2023 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    Dear Chef, I haven’t made this salad yet, but I’m running to do grocery shopping, and your recipe is on my asap to-do list! It looks so yummy! I can’t wait to give it a try.

    Reply
  8. Sean says

    July 31, 2023 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    You can never go wrong with a good potato salad and this one was a huge hit with my friends last weekend.

    Reply
  9. Gloria says

    July 31, 2023 at 10:09 am

    5 stars
    Simple and delicious. You can never go wrong serving potato salad at any party. Your potato salad was hit.

    Reply

My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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