The Best Classic Creamy Potato Salad Recipe That Wows Every Time

Summer picnics and backyard gatherings demand a classic creamy potato salad that instantly sparks conversation and comfort.

My grandmother’s secret recipe transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dish everyone craves.

Crisp potatoes mingle with tangy mayo and fresh herbs, creating a symphony of flavors.

Each bite tells a story of tradition and love passed down through generations.

Chopped celery and green onions add delightful crunch and unexpected brightness.

Perfectly seasoned and chilled, this salad becomes the star of any meal.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and make it your go-to summer side dish.

Classic Creamy Potato Salad: A Timeless Side

• Boost Family Enjoyment: Satisfy everyone's taste buds with this classic, crowd-pleasing potato salad that brings smiles around the dinner table.
• Master Simple Cooking: Learn an easy technique for creating a delicious side dish that requires minimal cooking skills and basic ingredients.
• Perfect Party Companion: Prepare a versatile recipe that shines at potlucks, barbecues, picnics, and summer gatherings, always impressing guests with its creamy texture.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adding personal touches like bacon bits, different herbs, or adjusting spice levels to match your family's preferences.

Ingredients for Classic Creamy Potato Salad

• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that form the hearty foundation of this classic salad.
• Eggs: Protein-rich additions that provide creamy texture and extra nutrition.

• Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard: Creamy condiments that create a smooth and tangy base for the salad dressing.
• White Vinegar: Adds a subtle acidic brightness to balance the rich ingredients.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Garlic Powder: Optional seasoning that brings a subtle aromatic depth to the dressing.

• Red Onion, Celery: Crisp vegetables that provide a fresh crunch and additional flavor complexity.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb used as a garnish to add a pop of color and fresh herbal note.

How to Mix Classic Creamy Potato Salad

Step 1: Boil Potatoes and Eggs

Place whole potatoes in a large pot of cold water. Bring to a rolling boil and cook until tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Drain and let cool completely. In a separate pot, submerge eggs in boiling water and cook for 9-10 minutes.

Immediately transfer to ice water, then peel and chop into small pieces.

Step 2: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• White vinegar
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Whisk ingredients until smooth and well blended.

Step 3: Mix Salad Components

• Cooled potato cubes
• Chopped eggs
• Diced red onion
• Chopped celery

Gently fold everything together, ensuring each ingredient gets coated with the creamy mixture.

Step 4: Chill and Develop Flavors

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour.

This allows the flavors to mingle and intensify.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top just before serving.

Enjoy this crowd-pleasing side dish cold or at room temperature.

Tips for Creamy and Flavorful Potato Salad

• Use cold water and start cooking from there to ensure even, tender potato cubes without falling apart.
• Select varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes that hold their shape and create a creamy, smooth texture.
• Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour to let ingredients marinate and develop richer, more complex taste.
• Add extra diced pickles or chopped bacon for additional texture and unexpected flavor bursts.
• Adjust mayonnaise amount gradually to prevent over-saturating the salad, keeping it light and balanced.

Unique Spins on Classic Creamy Potato Salad

• Vegan Potato Salad: Replace eggs and mayonnaise with silken tofu blended with olive oil, mustard, and apple cider vinegar for a plant-based version.
• Greek-Style Potato Salad: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh dill for a Mediterranean touch.
• Spicy Southwestern Potato Salad: Mix in diced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, cumin, and replace white vinegar with lime juice for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• German-Inspired Potato Salad: Use warm bacon drippings instead of mayonnaise, add crispy bacon bits, and incorporate white wine vinegar for an authentic German-style potato salad.

Dishes That Pair Well with Potato Salad

Select crisp, light-bodied white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complement the creamy potato salad’s richness without overpowering its delicate flavors.

Choose refreshing German-style wheat beers or light lagers that provide a clean, crisp contrast to the salad’s creamy texture and help cleanse the palate.

Grill classic barbecue meats like grilled chicken, pulled pork, or smoked brisket alongside the potato salad to create a balanced and satisfying summer meal combination.

Add tangy pickles, coleslaw, or corn on the cob to enhance the potato salad’s flavor profile and provide complementary textures and tastes.

Proper Storage of Classic Potato Salad

• Store potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Do not freeze this potato salad, as mayonnaise-based dressings separate and become watery when thawed, ruining the creamy texture.
• Serve cold directly from the refrigerator. Avoid microwaving, as it will make potatoes mushy and break down the creamy dressing.
• If the salad seems dry after storing, gently stir in a small amount of fresh mayonnaise to restore creaminess before serving.

FAQs

• Why do I need to use cold water when boiling potatoes?

Cold water helps the potatoes cook evenly from the inside out, preventing the outside from becoming mushy while the inside remains undercooked.

• Can I use other types of mustard instead of Dijon?

While Dijon provides a tangy flavor, you can substitute with yellow mustard or whole grain mustard, but the taste profile will slightly change.

• How finely should I chop the red onion and celery?

Dice them into small, uniform pieces about 1/4 inch in size to ensure even distribution and a consistent texture throughout the salad.

• Is it necessary to refrigerate the salad for an hour before serving?

Yes, chilling allows the flavors to blend and develop, making the potato salad taste more cohesive and delicious.

Classic Creamy Potato Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Summer potlucks find their perfect companion in this classic creamy potato salad, where crisp celery, tangy mustard, and creamy mayo dance together. Cool comfort awaits with each forkful of this nostalgic side dish that connects generations through simple, delicious ingredients.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery

Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of cold water and gently submerge diced potatoes, maintaining uniform cube sizes for even cooking.
2. Bring potato pot to a rolling boil and simmer for 10-12 minutes until potatoes yield easily when pierced with a fork, ensuring they remain firm and not mushy.
3. Drain potatoes thoroughly and spread on a flat surface to cool completely, preventing additional cooking.
4. Simultaneously, place eggs in a separate pot of boiling water and cook for 9-10 minutes to achieve perfectly hard-boiled consistency.
5. Immediately transfer eggs to cold water bath, allowing rapid cooling and easier shell removal.
6. Peel eggs carefully and chop into precise, bite-sized pieces.
7. Create creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, and seasonings in a spacious mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
8. Incorporate cooled potatoes, chopped eggs, finely diced red onion, and crisp celery into the dressing.
9. Fold ingredients gently to ensure even coating without breaking potato pieces.
10. Refrigerate salad for minimum 1 hour, allowing flavors to harmonize and develop depth.
11. Before serving, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for vibrant color and aromatic finish.

Notes

• Select waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for a creamier, firmer texture that holds shape better during mixing.
• Avoid overcooking potatoes by checking tenderness with a fork; slightly firm potatoes prevent mushy salad consistency.
• Salt the boiling water for potatoes to enhance flavor and season them from within during cooking process.
• Cool potatoes completely before mixing with dressing to prevent mayonnaise from breaking and becoming oily.
• For lighter version, substitute half mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
• Add crunch by including diced pickles or pickle relish for extra tangy flavor dimension.
• Make ahead and let salad sit overnight in refrigerator for deeper, more developed taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg