This Classic Potato Salad only has a handful of ingredients but packs loads of flavor. The dressing recipe alone is worth saving. You will want it on everything. This potato salad recipe will become a hit for barbecue and picnic season!
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Classic Potato Salad Recipe
Potato salad has been a family favorite for generations. It’s easy to make with humble and inexpensive ingredients. It’s also versatile, delicious, and beautiful to look at with just the right amount of dressing.
This potato salad is the most requested side dish for barbecues and potlucks.
Helpful Reader Review
“I made a double batch with 4 pounds of potatoes and it was really good. I like dill and the dill weed with dill pickles was perfect. I ended up adding a little extra mayonnaise but not much a tbsp or 2? Everyone at the potluck really liked it. Cooking the potatoes whole with the skin on was a great tip because they didn’t fall apart.” – Janine ★★★★★
What Ingredients are in Potato Salad?
As the name suggests, potato is the main ingredient but we also need a few more things to compliment the potatoes and make this salad exciting.
- potatoes
- hard boiled eggs
- green onions
- dill pickles
- fresh or frozen dill
- mayonnaise-based dressing
What Type of Potatoes are Best for Potato Salad?
Have you ever seen a potato salad that looks like a sad mush? That usually happens from using the wrong kind of potatoes. Ideal spuds for your salad will be of waxy variety that cook up creamy, yet firm. They tend to hold their shape and give pleasant texture to your salad. The potato varieties you are looking for are:
- Red Bliss
- New Potatoes
- Yukon Gold
- Fingerling
- Carola
Potatoes to Avoid in Potato Salad
Idaho Russet. Save them for your mashed potatoes. They are too starchy for a salad but perfect for a creamy mash.
What Dressing is Best for Classic Potato Salad?
Usually a mayonnaise is used to dress a potato salad and while I continue with the tradition, I also add a dash of white wine vinegar, a bit of Dijon mustard and plenty of fresh black pepper.
Potatoes need a little bit of heat from the mustard and a touch of acidity of vinegar to bring them to life.
Tips for Making the Best Potato Salad
- Choose waxy potatoes and boil them unpeeled until tender but firm
- Cut all ingredients in equal dice to allow even flavor distribution
- Use plenty of fresh herbs like dill, parsley or chives for extra flavor and freshness
- Introduce contrasting flavors and textures. (eg. Crunchy dill pickles vs. creamy potatoes)
- Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour before serving for flavors to meld
- Salt your potato salad after adding the dressing to avoid over-salting
- Sprinkle the salad with a handful of fresh dill or microgreens before serving for visual appeal and more texture
Can I Make Potato Salad Ahead?
I prefer to cook potatoes and eggs the day before, then assemble the following day. Once the potato salad is fully assembled, it will keep in a fridge up to 24 hours without compromising the flavor.
More Picnic and BBQ Sides:
Enjoy these crowd pleasing BBQ side dishes. Do you have a favorite side dish you bring to barbecues? Let me know in comments!
Classic Potato Salad
A classic potato salad flavoured with dill pickles, green onions, fragrant fresh dill and a zesty mayonnaise based dressing.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Time in Refrigerator: 1 hour
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people
For the potato salad dressing
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In a small bowl combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp water and black pepper, whisk until combined and set aside.
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Cook unpeeled potatoes until tender but still firm, drain and air dry in single layer. Cook the eggs and cool until safe to touch. Then peel the potatoes and the eggs.
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Dice the potatoes, eggs and pickles in a uniform dice. In a large bowl combine the diced potatoes, eggs, dill pickles, sliced green onions and chopped dill. Add the salad dressing and combine everything with a flexible spatula taking care not to mash the ingredients. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
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Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of fresh dill and/or 1 Tbsp microgreens immediately before serving.
270kcal Calories20g Carbs9g Protein18g Fat
Nutrition Facts
Classic Potato Salad
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
