Here’s my homemade potato salad recipe that’s perfect for summer barbecues and family picnics. I use russet potatoes with fresh ingredients and classic pantry staples to make this tasty side dish.
Table of Contents
Grilled burgers and main course items are not complete without a side of creamy potato salad. To maximize the taste of the spuds, I boil them first then marinate them in vinegar. It’s a simple step that seasons them throughout, not just on the surface.
Russet potatoes yield a flaky and creamy texture, which makes them an ideal base for the recipe. A mix of hard-boiled eggs, crunchy vegetables, and simple, bold pantry seasonings elevate the flavor. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to make. Plus, you can prepare it in advance to save time on the day of serving.
Potato selection
Russet potatoes are the root vegetables of choice because they have a mealy texture due to the higher starch level. When they cook, you can sense a more crumbly and flaky texture that adds to the potato salad’s creaminess, just like mashed potatoes.
For a heartier and denser consistency, use waxy potatoes, like Yukon golds with a more buttery taste, or red potatoes. They have a higher sugar level, allowing them to hold their shape better when mixed, but will be less creamy.
Recipe Resources
Ingredient Guides
A Guide to Popular Types of Potatoes
Pantry Items
Types of Vinegar and Uses
Cooking 101
How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs: Two Ways
Spud preparation and cooking
Learning how to make potato salad is easy, but the cooking step is critical to the final texture. Peel and cut the potatoes into large pieces, ¾-inch dice. This size retains nice chunks when stirred and later eating. Cook the potatoes in salted, cold water. Bring water to a boil, and reduce to a simmer.
This process allows the flavor of the salt to be absorbed and gives an evenly cooked texture. However, don’t overcook! They should be fork-tender but still hold together when pierced, so they don’t fall apart entirely when mixed. I like to check every few minutes. It takes about 15 minutes to cook the potatoes.
Vinegar enhances the flavor
When the potatoes are warm, they are better at absorbing flavor. Toss in two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar right after cooking, stir and allow to sit for 20 minutes. The vinegar infuses into each piece, giving some acidity to the mild potatoes and balances the rich dressing’s creaminess. If desired, you can substitute apple cider vinegar for a milder taste.
Classic mix-ins
The classic ingredients for potato salad are hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, yellow mustard (or Dijon mustard), dill pickle relish, chopped red onion, and celery. I usually skip the miracle whip and make homemade mayonnaise. I also use salt, pepper, and onion powder for seasoning. These elements create a balance of creaminess, tangy, and crunchy textures.
cook drain add vinegar toss
Customize the recipe
Feel free to sprinkle in some whole celery seeds or a few teaspoons of pickle juice. I also like sweet pickle relish or honey for a sweeter flavor. For a Hawaiian-inspired potato salad, add in chopped ham, pineapple, and Fuji apples.
I use this recipe as a base to make a healthier version with yogurt, or sour cream works well too. Don’t be afraid to play around to find your favorite combination!
Make it ahead of time
You can prepare and store this dish in an airtight container placed in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Otherwise, you can freeze portions in a resealable plastic bag for up to 1 month. To do so, spread in a thin layer and remove all of the air, then seal. Defrost in the refrigerator a day before using. I like to chop some fresh onions and parsley to garnish on the top right before serving.
Serve this with
The benefit of starting with cold water
Start the potatoes in cold water, then gradually increase the temperature for even cooking. This process prevents the outsides from cooking too fast. If not done correctly, the spuds can break down too much, which might be okay for mashed potatoes, but not when you want to retain chunks for the salad.
All-American Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, for cooking potatoes
- 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup celery, ⅛-inch dice
- ¼ cup dill pickle relish, or sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons red onions, ⅛-inch dice
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley
- 1 ½ teaspoons yellow mustard, or Dijon
- ¾ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 hard boiled eggs, diced into ¼-inch cubes
Instructions
- Peel the skin off the potatoes and cut them into ¾-inch cubes. Immediately place them in a large saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover them by 1-inch.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once it starts to bubble, add 1 tablespoon salt and stir to dissolve. Reduce to a simmer over medium heat, adjusting as needed. Stir occasionally and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender but not falling apart, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander and transfer them back to the warm pot. Add the vinegar and use a rubber spatula to combine. Let it sit and marinate for 20 minutes. The potatoes will still be warm.
- In a large bowl, gently stir together the potatoes, mayonnaise, celery, relish, onion, parsley, mustard, ¾ teaspoon salt, black pepper, onion powder, and chopped eggs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour before serving. Garnish with more parsley, celery, and onion if desired.
Recipe Video
Equipment
Notes
- Recipe Yield: About 5 cups
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: Store in a resealable plastic bag for up to 1 month. Press into a flat layer, remove all of the air, and seal. Defrost in the refrigerator a day before serving.
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Kristinia Hutchinson says
Can i omit the celery its not a fan fav in my family
Jessica Gavin says
Yes, you can omit the celery.
Thaddaeus M. Poe says
I’ve been searching for the best potato salad recipe. This beats the pants off anything in food network and epicurious.
Thank you.
Jessica Gavin says
Wow, thank you, Thaddaeus! That’s a huge compliment.
Judy says
Hi Jessica,
We had family over last night and grilled steaks and I made this potato salad for the third time. All the ingredients are spot on. It tastes like my moms only better due to the crunch of celery and red onion. Also the onion powder.
Thank you
Judy
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you for making the recipe, Judy! You are so sweet to share the potato salad with family, what a great pairing with steak!
V says
Anyone make this without the egg? My son hates eggs (!) and I’m wondering if flavor would still be good.
Tish says
Yes we have! It still taste great. In my opinion, the eggs just add a little substance.
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks for sharing your experience, Tish!
Judi says
I just made this for my husband’s Birthday barbecue tomorrow. It is so delicious! I’m hoping it will be even better tomorrow!
Jessica Gavin says
I’m excited for your family to try the recipe! Happy birthday to your husband!
Carly says
Have you tried using seasoned rice vinegar? Its one of my favorites, but am curious if anyone has tried it in this recipe.
Jessica Gavin says
Seasoned rice vinegar would work too, it will just add a sweeter taste.
Ann says
Hello, I have made this recipe once already and it was a great success. I am going to make it again today and I am wondering if I can use pickle juice instead of vinegar on the potatoes. Thank you for creating this new family favorite!
Jessica Gavin says
Yes, you can use pickle juice instead of vinegar. Let me know how it tastes!
Patti says
WOW, Jessica! This was hands down the BEST potato salad that I’ve ever made! I followed the recipe to the “T” with the only exception was adding tiny cubes of sharp cheddar cheese (because cheese makes everything better in my book)! Again, fantastic recipe!
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you, Patty! Adding cheddar cheese to the potato salad sounds yummy!
Wendy says
I am using organic russet potatoes. Is it ok to leave skin on the potatoes…I think it might increase nutritional value?
Jessica Gavin says
Yes, you can leave the skin on the potatoes if you like the texture and want extra fiber.