Classic Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

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There’s nothing like a picnic with some juicy burgers, savory baked beans, and a classic potato salad recipe. The combination of those three things together equal summer at our house! Looking for a healthy potato salad? Try this one!

Classic Potato Salad Recipe (1)

Classic Potato Salad Recipe

Easy Potato Salad is a staple at all of our family gatherings.

I’ve found over the years that there are many different types of potato salad, and each person seems to have their own liking. Whether it is mustard, mayo, full of veggies, no veggies…everyone needs a classic potato salad recipe for those summer gatherings!

How do you make traditional potato salad?

The traditional potato salad recipe I grew up with was not all that different than the classic potato salad recipe with mustard that my husband’s family grew up with. The recipe that I attached onto was this one called All-American Potato Salad from my hubby’s Great Aunt, and I found it in a family recipe book his aunt gave us for a wedding gift. (By the way…a family recipe book is a great idea for a wedding gift. I’ve loved having those family recipes right on hand!)

This recipe is fairly simple.

Potatoes, eggs, cucumber and dressing.

And because it is so simple, the kids even like it. 🙂

What potatoes are best for potato salad?

Red potatoes work the best for potato salad because they hold their shape well during the boiling process. Don’t have red potatoes? Use an all-purpose round white potatoes. Russet potatoes will soften a lot during cooking so although they tastes good, they won’t hold their shape as you mix the salad.

Do you cut the potatoes before boiling them to make potato salad?

This classic potato salad recipe without celery is my favorite because it is full of….Potatoes!! We wash our potatoes, peel them, then chop them into 1 inch cubes. Then we boil them. This has always been the easiest way for us!

Classic Potato Salad Recipe (2)

What goes in potato salad?

Many people will add celery, onion or even pickles to potato salad. Feel free to add whatever veggies you’d like! We stick with just potatoes, eggs and cucumber.

Watch us make this easy summer side dish!

Classic Potato Salad Recipe (3)

Classic Potato Salad Recipe (4)

Classic Potato Salad Recipe

4.44 from 16 votes

There's nothing like a picnic with some juicy burgers, savory baked beans, and a classic potato salad recipe. This recipe equals summer at our house!

Servings 12 servings

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds potatoes
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 1/2 cups salad dressing Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups diced cucumber

Instructions

  • Wash, peel and cut potatoes into bite-size pieces.

  • In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until the potatoes are tender (15-20 minutes depending on the size of the potato chunks.). Drain the potatoes and put them in a large bowl.

  • Put the eggs in another saucepan and add water to cover them. Bring the water to a boil, and then let the water and eggs boil gently for 5 minutes.

  • Drain the eggs and cover them with ice cold water. Allow the eggs to sit in the cold water while you mix up the dressing.

  • For the dressing, combine the sugar, salt, mustard, salad dressing, vinegar and pepper. Mix until completely combined. Set aside.

  • Once the eggs are cool enough to touch, drain the water. Peel the eggs and dice them, then add them to the potatoes.

  • Pour the dressing over top the eggs and potatoes and mix until the potatoes are covered.

  • After the salad is completely cooled, add the diced cucumber. If you add this while the potatoes are still warm, it will soften the cucumber.

  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Video

Notes

If you'd like a little more crunch to your potato salad, add some celery or onion!

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 748mg | Potassium: 862mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 22.2mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 6.7mg

Course Salad, Side, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Calories 223

Have you tried this recipe?

Share a review below or share on Instagram with the tag #tastesoflizzyt.

Classic Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients for a good potato salad? ›

Stir mayonnaise, pickles, hard-cooked eggs, red onion, celery, mustard, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Fold in cooled potatoes until well combined. For best flavor, chill potato salad in the refrigerator until chilled or overnight before serving.

How to make potato salad Martha Stewart? ›

Directions
  1. Put potatoes in a large pot of salted water; bring to a boil. Cook until just tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain; let cool.
  2. Stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and dill; season with salt and pepper. Peel potatoes; cut into 1-inch chunks. Fold into mayonnaise mixture.
Feb 25, 2021

Why does my potato salad taste bland? ›

Forgetting To Salt The Water

Just as you would with pasta, seasoning the water is the only way to flavor the potatoes themselves. The vegetable absorbs the water it's cooked in, so if you just boil them in unseasoned water, you'll end up with tasteless taters that no amount of mayo, herbs, or bacon bits can help.

Should I peel my potatoes for potato salad? ›

Is there any reason the skins cannot be left on a potato when making potato salad? A: There's no reason at all, so my advice is to leave the skins on. The skin on a potato adds a nice texture and flavor to the potato salad and it's also the healthiest part.

How to keep potatoes from falling apart when making potato salad? ›

The key is to allow the potatoes to dry and become cold before you make the salad. If you cut hot, boiled potatoes, they tend to crumble. If you wait until they had time to dry (may I suggest laying them out on a plate or casserole dish during this time) and cold, they cut nicer.

How to make a potato salad Jamie Oliver? ›

Method
  1. Gently boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and leave to cool slightly.
  2. Whisk the mustard with the vinegar and slowly add the olive oil. ...
  3. Slice the cooked potatoes in half and dress with the shallot and parsley vinaigrette.

What is potato salad dressing made of? ›

Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in large glass or plastic bowl. Add potatoes, celery and onion; toss. Stir in eggs. Sprinkle with paprika.

Is it better to make potato salad the night before? ›

Yes, potato salad gets even better if left to sit overnight in the fridge. The flavors combine and the potatoes absorb more of the seasoning/dressing, making for a more flavorful experience.

What herbs are in potato salad Ina Garten? ›

Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and pour enough dressing over them to moisten. (As the salad sits, you may need to add more dressing.) Add the onion, tarragon and parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend.

Do you have to wait for potatoes to cool before making potato salad? ›

Yes, if your potato salad is a cold salad, as most are, allow the cooked potatoes to cool to room temperature before adding the dressing and other ingredients.

What is in Walmart potato salad? ›

POTATOES, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, EGG YOLKS, VINEGAR, SALT), MUSTARD (WATER, VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, TURMERIC, PAPRIKA, GARLIC POWDER, SPICES, ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLOR], XANTHAN GUM, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR), DILL PICKLE CUBES (CUCUMBER VINEGAR, SALT, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, NATURAL ...

What is Japanese potato salad made of? ›

A classic side dish for homemade lunch boxes or bento picnics, a Japanese potato salad is made with boiled russet potatoes, vegetables, boiled eggs and, often, ham, all seasoned with rice vinegar and tangy Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise.

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