The Creamiest Classic Potato Salad Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Whipping up a classic potato salad brings pure comfort to summer gatherings and backyard barbecues.

Crisp potatoes mingle with creamy dressing in a timeless combination that sparks joy.

Every forkful carries memories of picnics and shared moments around the table.

Fresh herbs and tangy notes create a delightful balance in this crowd-pleasing dish.

Soft chunks of potato absorb the rich, zesty dressing perfectly.

Simple ingredients come together with surprising depth and character.

Summer feels complete when you serve this beloved side that always draws smiles and second helpings.

Classic Potato Salad That’s Creamy And Reliable

• Quick and Easy Prep: Whip up this classic potato salad in just 30 minutes, with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps that even beginner cooks can master.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: A versatile dish that works perfectly for summer barbecues, picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings, guaranteed to satisfy everyone from kids to grandparents.
• Customizable Flavor Profile: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients like adding bacon bits, using different herbs, or adjusting mustard levels to match personal taste preferences.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare this salad a day in advance, allowing flavors to develop and saving precious time during meal preparation for busy home cooks.

The Classic Combo In Potato Salad

• Yukon Gold Potatoes: Creamy and waxy potatoes perfect for potato salad, hold shape well when boiled.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps season potatoes during cooking.

• Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard: Creamy base that provides rich, tangy flavor and helps bind ingredients.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and prevents potatoes from browning.

• Red Onion, Celery: Provide crisp texture and fresh, sharp flavor to the salad.
• Dill Pickles, Chives: Add zesty, herbal notes and extra crunch.
• Hard-Boiled Eggs: Adds protein and creamy texture to the salad.
• Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Seasoning that brings depth and enhances overall taste profile.

Classic Potato Salad Steps

Step 1: Boil Potato Cubes

Toss potato chunks into a spacious pot and fill with chilly water.

Sprinkle in a pinch of salt to enhance the water’s flavor profile.

Let the potatoes swim and become tender through a gentle cooking process.

Step 2: Cook and Cool Potatoes

Crank up the heat until water bubbles vigorously.

Lower the temperature and let potatoes simmer softly.

Watch for that perfect tender texture – about 10-15 minutes.

Drain the water completely and allow potatoes to cool down naturally.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Creamy mayonnaise
• Tangy Dijon mustard
• Zesty lemon juice
• Warm paprika

Stir these ingredients until they create a smooth, harmonious mixture.

Step 4: Combine Salad Components

• Cooled potato cubes
• Crisp red onion
• Crunchy dill pickles
• Fresh chives
• Crisp celery
• Chopped hard-boiled eggs

Step 5: Gently Fold Ingredients

Tenderly mix all components, ensuring each morsel gets coated with the creamy dressing.

Avoid mashing the ingredients – we want texture!

Step 6: Season and Enhance

Sprinkle salt and pepper to elevate the flavors.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7: Chill and Develop Flavors

Tuck the potato salad into the refrigerator for at least an hour.

This resting time allows all the flavors to mingle and become best friends.

Classic Potato Salad – Simple Tips

• Avoid overcooking by checking potato tenderness with a fork; aim for a firm yet easily pierced texture.
• Cool potatoes completely before mixing to prevent mayonnaise from becoming runny and maintain salad's creamy consistency.
• Experiment with adding crispy bacon bits, fresh dill, or replacing some mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a tangier profile.
• Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure each bite has a consistent crunch and mix ingredients gently to prevent breaking down potato pieces.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance to allow flavors to develop and intensify, making it even more delicious when served.

Store Classic Potato Salad The Right Way

• Store the potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• This salad is typically served cold, so avoid microwaving. If you prefer a slightly warm version, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.
• Not recommended, as mayonnaise-based salads tend to separate and lose their creamy texture when frozen and thawed.
• Discard the potato salad if it develops an off smell, strange color, or shows signs of spoilage, typically after 4-5 days in the refrigerator.

Enjoy With Classic Potato Salad

• Savor Complementary Flavors: Pair this classic potato salad with grilled meats like juicy hamburgers or succulent BBQ chicken for a perfect summer meal combination.
• Elevate Wine Experience: Choose a crisp, chilled white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy, tangy notes of the potato salad.
• Refreshing Beer Match: Select a light, refreshing beer like a German pilsner or wheat beer to balance the rich, creamy texture of the dish and cleanse the palate.
• Picnic-Perfect Side Companion: Serve alongside pulled pork sandwiches or grilled bratwurst to create a delightful outdoor dining experience that highlights the potato salad's versatility.

Easy White Pizza Ideas

• Vegan Potato Salad: Replace mayonnaise with vegan mayo, omit eggs, and add extra chopped vegetables like bell peppers or roasted corn for protein and flavor.
• Greek-Inspired Potato Salad: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt, add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh oregano for a Mediterranean touch.
• Herb-Loaded Potato Salad: Increase fresh herb variety by adding chopped parsley, basil, and tarragon instead of just chives, creating a more vibrant and aromatic dish.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute potatoes with roasted cauliflower florets, maintaining the same dressing and mix-in ingredients for a lighter, keto-friendly version.

FAQs

• What type of potatoes work best for this potato salad?

Red potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape well when boiled and have a creamy texture that absorbs the dressing perfectly.

• Can I make this potato salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this potato salad a day in advance. In fact, letting it sit in the refrigerator helps the flavors develop and become more intense, making it even more delicious.

• How do I prevent my potatoes from becoming mushy?

Cut potatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes and start them in cold water. Avoid overcooking by testing with a fork – they should be tender but still firm. Drain immediately once they’re cooked to stop the cooking process.

• Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?

You can substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and add a tangy flavor while maintaining a creamy texture.

Classic Potato Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Summertime sings with this classic potato salad, bringing creamy comfort to picnic tables across America. Crisp potatoes, tangy mayo, and fresh herbs combine for a crowd-pleasing side dish you’ll crave at every backyard gathering.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 3 medium dill pickles, chopped

Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 0.25 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) chives, chopped

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Instructions

1. Submerge diced potatoes in a generously sized pot filled with chilled water, incorporating a pinch of salt to enhance the preliminary boiling process.
2. Escalate heat until water reaches a vigorous bubbling state, then modulate temperature to a gentle simmer, allowing potatoes to tenderize approximately 10-15 minutes until easily pierced with a fork.
3. Carefully evacuate cooking liquid and permit potatoes to cool completely at ambient temperature.
4. Craft a creamy dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, zesty Dijon mustard, bright lemon juice, and a sprinkle of paprika in a spacious mixing vessel.
5. Introduce cooled potatoes into the dressing along with finely chopped red onion, crisp dill pickles, delicate chives, crunchy celery, and crumbled hard-boiled eggs.
6. Tenderly fold ingredients using a soft spatula, ensuring each component is uniformly coated without fragmenting the potato pieces.
7. Calibrate seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper according to personal preference.
8. Transfer potato salad to a sealed container and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify before serving chilled.

Notes

• Ensure potatoes are cut uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the salad.
• Rinse potatoes in cold water after boiling to stop the cooking process and prevent mushiness.
• For a lighter version, substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and add tangy flavor.
• Make this dish ahead of time, as the flavors intensify when chilled for several hours or overnight.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg