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    Home » Recipes » Salad » Potato Salad Recipe

    Potato Salad Recipe

    Published: Jun 3, 2022 · Modified: Apr 5, 2023 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Here’s a Potato Salad Recipe to make on repeat! It’s the classic summer salad that everyone loves and it goes well with almost anything.

    potato salad in a white bowl.

    If you think about the quintessential summer picnic or backyard barbecue, it always includes a fabulous bowl of homemade potato salad! This recipe is easy to make and you can even give it your own spin.

    Here’s Everything You Need To Make Potato Salad

    • Ingredients Needed
    • How To Make Potato Salad
    • Potato Salad Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
    • Want more salad recipes? Try these next:
    ingredients for a potato salad recipe

    Ingredients Needed

    The essential ingredients in potato salad vary from region to region and family to family. Here’s how we make potato salad, but remember that you can easily add more ingredients or swap things out to make it exactly how you want it.

    • Potatoes: For this recipe, we use Yukon gold potatoes because they are a good all-purpose choice that is not too waxy and not too starchy. You can use other potatoes, but your results will vary depending on which ones you choose.
    • Hard-Boiled Eggs: You’ll need five hard-boiled eggs (find our guide for boiling eggs here) for this salad. Four of them will go in the salad, and the fifth one will go on the top.
    • Celery: The celery adds a bit of crunch as well as flavor.
    • Pickles: We like our potato salad with dill pickles, but another popular choice is sweet pickles or sweet relish. So go with what you like!
    • Onions: The green onions add flavor as well as color to the salad. You can also choose to use diced red or white onions instead.
    • Mayonnaise: The main ingredient in the dressing is mayonnaise. We used the original, full-fat version and it makes the salad so creamy and delicious. You can substitute light mayonnaise or salad dressing but keep in mind that substitutions will alter the way the salad turns out.
    • Sour Cream: The sour cream adds a bit of tanginess and makes the dressing more creamy.
    • Mustard: We used one tablespoon of prepared mustard, but you can add more or less depending on your family’s preferences.
    • Vinegar: The vinegar adds to the flavor and helps thin the dressing. We choose apple cider vinegar, but you can use white vinegar or even dill pickle juice if you prefer.
    • Sugar: We added a little bit of sugar to help cut the tartness.
    • Seasonings: The only seasonings we added were salt, pepper, and paprika.
    sliced hard boiled eggs on a bowl of potato salad

    How To Make Potato Salad

    Although this potato salad recipe is easy to make, it does take a bit of time since the potatoes have to be boiled, and the salad needs to chill before serving. So be sure to give yourself enough time to prepare it.

    • Cook Potatoes: After peeling and dicing the potatoes, put them in a large pot and bring the water to a boil. Turn the water to low and simmer the potatoes until tender.
    • Prepare Dressing: Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
    • Combined Salad: Put the cooked potatoes, chopped eggs, chopped celery, sliced green onions, and diced dill pickles in a bowl. Add the dressing and stir until everything is coated. Top the salad with a sliced hard-boiled egg and sprinkle it with paprika.
    spoonful of potato salad.

    Potato Salad Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you make potato salad taste better?

    People often have strong options on how potato salad should taste. By making it yourself, you get to control the flavors. If you like it sweeter, use sweet pickle relish or add more sugar. Or if you love mustard, make it a mustard potato salad by adding more mustard. Allow the salad to chill in the fridge while the flavors come together, then taste it and add more seasonings, onions, mustard, or mayo if it needs it.

    What’s the recipe for potato salad?

    Potato salad is a combination of cooked potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, celery, pickles, onions, and dressing. You can make it your own by adding more or less of your favorite ingredients.

    How do you make lighter potato salad?

    You can use light mayonnaise and light sour cream or greek yogurt in the dressing. And you can use less dressing and thin the dressing with a little milk so that it goes further. Other options include adding more eggs to increase the protein and adding more veggies such as radishes or tomatoes.

    top down view of a bowl of potato salad.

    Want more salad recipes? Try these next:

    Cool, creamy, classic Macaroni Salad is a summer staple! Prepare it ahead of time and serve it at a picnic or backyard barbecue.

    This homemade Coleslaw recipe is better than store-bought! Prepare it ahead of time to serve with chicken, burgers, or pulled pork.

    A Tomato Cucumber Salad with fresh summer vegetables is always a hit at barbecues and picnics. This quick, easy side dish can be prepared ahead of time.

    This yummy Broccoli Salad recipe features fresh broccoli, onions, bacon, and craisins in a creamy dressing. Everyone will beg for the recipe!

    potato salad in a white bowl.

    Potato Salad Recipe

    Here's a Potato Salad Recipe to make on repeat! It's the classic summer salad that everyone loves and it goes well with almost anything.
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    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Chill Time: 2 hours hours
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
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    Equipment

    Egg Slicer

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups peeled and cubed Yukon gold potatoes about 2 ½ lbs
    • 5 hard boiled eggs
    • ½ cup chopped celery
    • ⅓ cup chopped dill pickles
    • ⅓ cup sliced green onions
    • ¾ cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon paprika for garnish

    Instructions

    • Place the potato pieces in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring the water to a boil. Then, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until tender. Drain and place in a large bowl.
      a pitcher pouring water into a pot of potatoes
    • Slice the one hard-boiled egg and set it aside.
      hands using an egg slicer to slice an egg
    • Chop the remaining four of the hard-boiled eggs and place them in a bowl with the cooked potatoes. Add the chopped celery, chopped dill pickles, and sliced green onions.
      eggs, potatoes, peppers, and onions in a mixing bowl
    • In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, vinegar, salt, sugar, and black pepper.
      hands using a whisk to stir dressing ingredients
    • Add the dressing to the ingredients in the bowl and stir to coat.
      salad ingredients in a glass bowl
    • Top with the sliced hard-boiled egg and sprinkle with paprika. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
      a completed potato salad in a bowl

    Video

    Notes

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/2 cup | Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 367mg | Potassium: 562mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

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    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 12+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

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    Tonia Larson and Brian LarsonHi, We are Brian and Tonia Larson! We hope you enjoy our family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and tasty desserts!
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