Best Ever Potato Salad!
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There’s nothing like a hot summer day and Potato Salad! This recipe is a basic recipe that you can build on and make your own. A creamy dressing, tender potatoes and chopped hard boiled eggs.
Fire up the grill and pair it with your favorite burgers, baked beans and more!
Who’s with me on the fact they love, love, love potato salad, but they are super picky about the texture and flavor? Well, this version is a delicious classic recipe with just the basics. You can add any of your favorite additions to customize it!
You don’t have to be intimidated to make this classic side dish. In fact, it’s easier than you think it is. And if you want an even easier way to make it, try our famous Instant Pot version. But before you know it, you’ll perfect this recipe with any of your customizations and have the best potato salad!
Why You’ll Love this Potato Salad
- It only takes about 30 minutes to make this easy potato salad. Great to whip up for any party, potluck, or evening dinner that needs a tasty side dish.
- You can easily make this dish ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until it is needed. Cold potato salad is much better than warm!
- This recipe is easily adaptable. People typically don’t like potato salad because it doesn’t fit their preference. But when you can add anything to it, you can make it how you like!
Ingredients for the Best Potato Salad
- Potatoes – The best potatoes are red potatoes or yellow potatoes. They tend to have better flavor and texture.
- Mayonnaise – Use a high quality for the best flavor. Cheap mayo can leave a funny aftertaste.
- Yellow mustard – The tang of yellow mustard gives that quintessential zing that is needed!
- Hard boiled eggs – I’ve got two great ways for you to make the best hard boiled eggs. You can make them in the Instant Pot and in the Crock Pot.
- White vinegar – It may sound a little weird to use white vinegar to balance out the flavors!
- Seasonings – This blend of seasonings flavors this cold salad so well.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Onion powder
How to Make Potato Salad
- Clean your potatoes well, then peel and dice them into chunks. Place the potatoes into a large stock pot and then cover with water.
- Bring the diced potatoes to a rapid boil, then turn down to medium heat and boil for 5-7 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Drain the cooked potatoes and then allow them to cool.
- In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder until well combined.
- Pour the condiment mixture over cooled potatoes and then peel and dice three hard boiled eggs. Add the eggs to the salad and gently mix until combined.
- Peel the last three hard boiled eggs and slice them to use as a garnish on top of the finished potato salad.
- Sprinkle with paprika and serve!
What to Serve with Potato Salad
It’s is a staple for any cook-out and barbecue you host. It’d be super tasty with crock pot BBQ chicken and air fryer BBQ chicken legs. But if you’re firing up the grill or smoker, make some burgers or brisket to go with homemade potato salad.
Smoked ribs and smoked chicken wings would make a great main dish too. And don’t forget, BBQ baked beans on the grill are a classic side dish to pair with cold potato salad!
How to Store Leftover Potato Salad
Place leftovers in a freezer safe zip top bag or an airtight container, and smush it out to one even layer.
FRIDGE: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The longer the salad sits, the more the texture will change.
FREEZER: Leftovers can be frozen as well. Store in a freezer bag or airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What can I add to homemade potato salad?
Like I previously mentioned, this is a classic, basic potato salad recipe. If you want to create different flavor profiles please feel free to add in the ingredients mentioned above to suite you taste buds. This is a great recipe to jump off from and make it your own!
Traditional potato salad usually uses mayonnaise, but you can use Miracle whip if you prefer! It will give it a slightly sweeter taste. Adding onion will also give your potato salad a different flavor.
If you want some more tang, add 1/2 cup of sweet pickle relish…dill relish is good too! Diced celery will add a lovely little crunch to this dish. You can also add some bacon for a savory crunch. To change things up a lot, roast your potatoes!
Pro Tips!
- Make sure to boil the potatoes until just tender. Over cooked potatoes will crumble and create a mush when you mix everything together.
- Planning to serve this potato salad at a party? Make it ahead of time and allow it to chill for the best flavors.
- Don’t dice your potatoes too small. Once inch chunks are the perfect size!
This perfect recipe is going to be a go-to for your cookouts and parties! Let us know what customizations you make, don’t be afraid to get creative!
More Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Broccoli Salad is another classic side dish that you absolutely need a tried and true recipe for!
- This Crab Pasta Salad is super easy to make and great to pair with tons of different dishes.
- Lettuce Frito Salad is crunchy, salty, and oh so good.
- Tuna Pasta Salad is a fun twist on the classic favorite tuna salad. A great dish for a potluck!
- Warm, tangy German Potato Salad that’s a perfect side dish for summer parties!
- Creamy Grape Salad is a classic Midwestern recipe that everyone loves for a side dish.
- Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe is a quick and easy chicken salad recipe is low-calorie, can be made ahead of time, and perfect on a sandwich or as an appetizer!
- Old fashioned classic Pea Salad is a favorite that is served cold and enjoyed all year long!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 5 pounds red potatoes
- 6 hard boiled eggs
- 2 cups Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise
- ¾ cup whipping cream
- 2 Tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup white vinegar
Instructions
- Peel and dice potatoes. Place in large stock pot and cover with water. Bring to rapid boil, turn down to medium heat and boil 5-7 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain potatoes and let cool.
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk whipping cream for 1 minute. Stir in Miracle Whip, mustard, sugar, salt, pepper and vinegar. Mix until combined.
- Pour mixture over cooled potatoes. Peel and dice three hard boiled eggs and add to potatoes. Mix until combined.
- Peel last three hard boiled eggs and slice and place on top of salad.
- Refrigerate until thoroughly cooled.
Tips
- Traditional potato salad usually uses Mayonnaise instead of Miracle Whip. The Miracle Whip will give it a slightly sweeter taste. You can totally substitute Mayonnaise for the Miracle Whip if you prefer that.
- If you’d like onion, add in 1/2 c. sweet onion finely diced.
- Another great addition if you like pickle relish is adding in 1/2 c. sweet pickle relish.
- Many people like to add in 1 Tbsp celery seeds or 1 tsp celery salt. You can even finely dice a few stalks of celery if you want that crunch!
- I’ve also seen fresh chopped dill added to create another flavor profile.
- Another option is to roast your potatoes like we do in this recipe.
- Or, you could add bacon and ranch to it like we do in this one!
- Make sure you boil your potatoes until just tender, over tender potatoes will crumble when you mix everything together.
- We prefer using Yukon Gold potatoes, but red potatoes will work too. Just make sure your potatoes are starchy!
- Make it ahead of time! Did you know it tastes better then next day after it’s been chilled because the flavors come together? Perfect for party planning!
Barbara Kamlah says
This is so close to my mother in laws potato salad recipe which my husband and his family all love. They complain bitterly if is tampered with in any way!!!
Julie Evink says
Family favorites cause a lot of cries of crisis if they are messed with!!!
Karen says
Your recipe is almost the same as the one I make. I add onion powder to mine, like the onion flavor, but not the raw onions. I don’t like all the additives that some put in. Don’t take the nasty remarks personally, some people are just nasty.
Julie Evink says
Thanks so much Karen 🙂 The onion powder is a great idea!
Susan says
Oh my! This is exactly the way my mother made hers…and by far, I have always thought it was the best! And yes, with Miracle Whip. As far as all of the negative comments go…this is food. Food is a personal thing…make yours the way you want. Take your negativity and put it to good use instead of bashing other people. My son, my 12 year old son, has been battling cancer for almost a year now, and God willing, he’s beating it. I am just saddened, and feel sorry for those that put so much energy into making others feel badly…try putting your energy to good use instead of tearing others down…I will pray for you:)
Susan says
Thank you for posting this recipe Julie – you rock!!
Julie Evink says
Awww thanks Susan 🙂
Julie Evink says
Oh Susan my heart breaks for you. Sending up good karma and prayers for your son! Ditto to everything you said in here. It’s just a recipe. Not life changing by any means!
dina says
sounds like a great creamy dressing!
Julie Evink says
Thanks Dina!
Mary says
Julie: I am an avid cook and baker, and recently subscribed to your blog. I want to tell you I am sorry for the berating you have received for something as innocuous as a potato salad recipe. You stated that the recipe could easily be adjusted to taste, and that you dislike pickles, diced onion, and diced celery. Potato salad preference is very personal, and differs from region to region; same as preference of mayo or Miracle Whip salad dressing. Certainly not something to get in a war of comments over, in my opinion.
Julie Evink says
Thanks Mary! Totally agree 🙂
Tammy says
TY Again so much!! Now it will be perfect all the time!!! No more adding this and that and throwing it out lol!!!
Angela says
What makes this a potato “salad”? It’s nothing but potatoes & eggs! A five year old could make this.
Danielle says
I’m pretty sure the only thing a five year old would be doing, is making a mean immature comment like that. 🙂 To each their own, why waste your time spewing hate?!? I think this salad looks great, thanks for sharing Julie!
Angela says
I’ve been cooking for 45 years (my little grasshopper)so I know what a good recipe is or isn’t! When you’ve been cookig as long as I have, then we’ll sit down & talk. Apparently, you’re a ‘rookie’ cook, and you still have a lot to learn about the flavors of a dish, and what to add into a dish in order to make it tasty. This potato salad is very bland, and NO grandmother whom I know would EVER make something like this, and attempt to pass it off as a Potato Salad. Also, “Miracle Whip” in this (so called) potato salad?! Really?…. are you kidding me? REAL “Hellman’s Mayo” would elimanate the need to add heavy cream into this concoction. Good luck with your cooking, as it seems that you’ll definately need it!
Julie Evink says
Angela, In the most respectful way I’m going to have to ask you to not say anything else unless you have something positive to say. When it comes to attacking my Grandmother and her recipe I draw the line. I’m not saying you are wrong, but I ask that you refrain from attacking me personally. My grandmother was an amazing cook/baker who probably had many years on you. If you want to leave snarky comments please go somewhere else. If you don’t like what you see here then move on to a different blog. These recipes are out here for people use if they’d like. I’m not telling people they HAVE to make something this way just because I did, so if you don’t agree go make it a different way. Each to their own. I believe in my “little grasshopper” years I’ve learned way more about respect than you have.
Erin says
Angela,
I’m sure you are a great and experienced cook. However, you leave the impression that you are still a “rookie” when it comes to manners and tact. Here’s some advice; If you don’t have anything nice or helpful to say, then DON’T say anything at all.
Kindly,
Erin
Tammy says
I am 56 and started cooking at 10, I love cooking and I am an awesome cook!! Potato salad was my downfall! I did use 2 cups of Hellmans first time because at the time that is what I had, I added celery, egg a little relish and a little sweet onion, and it was wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Thank you so much for the recipe!! As far as rude comments, uncalled for! Some people tend to take unhappiness in there life and try to hurt others!! You made my day, second time made exactly the way you make, just added the celery and relish a little onion, loved it both ways and posted it to all my friends in facebook!! TY so much:)
Julie Evink says
Oh Tammy you are to sweet! Thanks for the kind comments 🙂
Jodi Hall says
If you can’t say something nice, my almost 70 year mouth would say, don’t say anything at all !!! You spew nothing but hate, what a shame!!
Julie Evink says
🙂
Stephanie says
This looks delicious! I would love for you share it on my Tasty Tuesday recipe link up here! Everything gets pinned and I would love to have you!
Emily says
I found this recipe on Pinterest. I have been looking for a recipe that is like my Mother’s recipe. She passed away last year and at our last Christmas together she showed me how to make her potato salad–but she cooked from taste and I’m terrible at it! So, thank you. I can’t wait to try this and tweak it so I can finally have my Mom’s potato salad again. <3
Julie Evink says
I’m so sorry for your loss Emily! I hope this taste at least a little bit like hers!
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
You couldn’t have posted this salad at a better time, Julie. I am in the middle of planning our meals for Memorial Day weekend and this salad has to happen! So glad you deciphered Grandma’s recipe 🙂
Julie Evink says
Enjoy Kathi!
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
I DO love potato salad!! This one just says summer picnic to me!! I can’t wait to try it!! 🙂
Julie Evink says
Thanks Renee!
Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
Haha, I laughed when I saw this recipe because I only eat potato salad at family & friends gathering if I bring it (I mean, I’ve gotten sick one too many times!!!)
Old fashioned is always best! Love the egg sliced on top, too too clever and cute!
Julie Evink says
Yes! It is scary…. haha!
Michelle says
Yes. I’m one of those people who likes potato salad but it has to be just so. I’m always weary of trying potato salads at potlucks because you just never know 🙂
Most of the tie, I don’t like a lot of add-ins and prefer to keep it simple. I really like the way you’ve garnish this with some sliced egg. Different and clever! Thank you for sharing!
Julie Evink says
Thanks Michelle!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
As always, I adore anything with grandma in the title. Looks looks so incredible!!
Nana says
I agree it is all a matter of preference and I also think geographical areas have much to do with how a dish is perceived.
Nana says
Congratulations on your initial potato salad. I agree it is a matter of taste , but this one seems way too basic. I hope you will try adding some diced onion, diced celery, sweet pickles chopped or relish and some celery seeds. I think yuo will find it adds a lot of zing!
Julie Evink says
Those are all great additions if you’d like to add those! I personally don’t like them and that’s why I didn’t include them in my recipe 🙂
Wendy H says
PERFECT POTATO SALAD! The Miracle Whip and the Vinegar adds just the right zip to it. Absolutely love this. Thanks for sharing.
Chris says
This is the exact same recipe my family has been using for generations. The reason it works is that it is mild; that’s the whole point. If you want a zesty salad, feel free to add what you’d like. Many folks do not like onions, peppers, etc., and some older people can no longer tolerate those things. We like it just fine. Thanks, Julie.
Julie Evink says
Thanks Miss Chris! 😉
Angela says
I totally agree with you. No grandmother whom I know would ever make something like this, and try to pass it off as a potato salad.
Kathey Reed says
This is so plain,no way I would put this in front of my family and call it a potato salad,Fist miracle whip?? Yuk..mayo ,sour cream and maybe a little ranch,onions,olives,pickles,eggs,I like some green onions in there also,pimentos for some color..