Potato Salad

By Maria Lichty

Published on May 25, 2022

View RecipePin Recipe4.9159

Potato Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves. It’s really not a party or potluck unless there is a big bowl of potato salad for everyone to share. It is a staple and this is the BEST potato salad recipe. It is going to be your GO TO from now on.

This potato salad is made with hearty potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, celery, pickles, green onion, and a creamy, rich, mayo-based dressing that gives the salad lots of flavor.

This nostalgic, comforting potato salad is the perfect side dish for all of your summer gatherings! Make a big bowl for your next BBQ, picnic, or pool party. I am sure it will go fast. Everyone will want a big scoop on their plate.

Key Ingredients

• Yukon Gold potatoes– washed, peeled, and cut in half. Cut the potatoes in equal size pieces so they cook evenly. Also, don’t cut them too small or they will cook too quickly and get mushy.
• Greek yogurt– I love using Greek yogurt for a boost of protein and I love the creamy texture.
• Mayonnaise– use your favorite brand. You can use light or full fat.
• Mustard– I use a mix of classic yellow mustard and whole grain mustard.
• Green onions– I love using green onions because they aren’t too strong, but add great flavor.
• Celery– finely chopped celery for a nice crunch!
• Dill pickles– finely chop the pickles for a salty, crunchy kick!
• Hard-boiled eggs– peeled and roughly chopped. The eggs make the salad super creamy!
• Dill– so fresh!
• Paprika– for color and a hint of sweetness!

The Best Potatoes to Use

For potato salad, we like to use Yukon gold potatoes because they have a thin skin and are less starchy than Russet potatoes. They are creamy, buttery, and hold their shape after cooking. They also absorb the dressing nicely. You can find Yukon gold potatoes at almost every grocery store.

Russet potatoes are very starchy and will give you a more mushy potato salad. Red potatoes (new potatoes) are too firm and hold their shape a little too well. So go for the gold and use Yukon gold potatoes to make the best potato salad!

Of course, if all you have is Russet potatoes, you can use them, but we do recommend Yukon gold:)

Cooking the Potatoes

• I peel the potatoes before cooking, but if you want a heartier texture to your potato salad, you can leave the skins on. It is personal preference.
• Place the potatoes in a pot of cold water where they’re fully submerged. Then bring the water to a boil and reduce the potatoes to a simmer to finish cooking.
• Cook the potatoes until they are just tender when pierced with a fork. You don’t want the potatoes to be crunchy and you don’t want them to fall apart. The time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes. Check early to be safe.
• Drain the potatoes. Once the potatoes are cool enough to touch, cut them into chunks, about 1/2-inch pieces.

How to Make Potato Salad

• Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and let them cool down while you make the dressing.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and mustards.
• Pour the mixture over the potatoes and gently stir with a rubber spatula until the potatoes are well coated.
• Add the onions, celery, pickles, eggs, dill, and paprika. Gently stir again. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
• Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Pro tip, potato salad is better the second day so you can make this salad in advance. The salad flavors get even better the longer it sits!

How to Store

Store potato salad in an airtight container or tightly covered bowl in the fridge for up to 5 days. Do not let potato salad sit at room temperature for more than two hours, or even less on a hot day.

You can technically freeze potato salad, but I don’t recommend it. The creamy dressing doesn’t freeze well and when the salad thaws the dressing is watery and the potatoes are a little soggy. Potato salad is best fresh!

Recipe Variations

• You can use Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise if that is what you prefer.
• If you don’t care for Greek yogurt, you can use all mayo or Miracle whip.
• Use diced red onion or sweet onions instead of green onion for a stronger onion flavor.
• Instead of chopped dill pickles, you can use sweet relish if you prefer sweet pickles.
• Add chopped, cooked bacon. My boys always love this addition!
• Stir in a small handful of capers.
• Add herbs. Fresh parsley, chives, thyme, and tarragon are all good options.

FAQ

More Side Dish Recipes

• Easy Pasta Salad
• Deviled Eggs
• Cobb Salad
• Cucumber Salad
• Caprese Pasta Salad
• Watermelon Feta Salad

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Salads

Potato Salad

This is the BEST classic potato salad recipe! It is great for parties, potlucks, picnics, and BBQ's!

4.91 from 10 votes

PrintSave RecipeReview

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, washed and peeled, cut in half
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise, use your favorite brand
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickles
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

 

• In a large pot, cover potatoes with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain potatoes and rinse with cold water. Once the potatoes are cool, cut them into chunks, about 1/2-inch pieces. Place potatoes in a large bowl.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and mustards. Pour the mixture over the potatoes and gently stir with a rubber spatula until the potatoes are well coated.
• Add the onions, celery, pickles, eggs, dill and paprika. Gently stir again. Season generously with salt and black pepper, to taste.
• Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes. Check early to be safe. You don’t want to over cook the potatoes. 

Store the potato salad, covered, in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 102mg, Sodium: 324mg, Potassium: 763mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 338IU, Vitamin C: 32mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 2mg

Keywords potato salad

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