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Classic Potato Salad Recipe

Classic Potato Salad Recipe


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4.6 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Potato salad perfection blends creamy textures with zesty flavors, creating a timeless summer side dish. Crisp vegetables, tangy dressing, and perfectly boiled potatoes combine in a crowd-pleasing classic you’ll crave at every backyard gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) potatoes
  • 6 hard boiled eggs
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 1 small red onion
  • 3 medium dill pickles

Sauce and Dressing Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.25 teaspoon pepper
  • 0.25 cup (4 tablespoons) chives

Instructions

  1. Submerge whole potatoes in salted water and simmer for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender, ensuring they maintain structural integrity without becoming mushy.
  2. Drain potatoes immediately and spread on a cooling rack, allowing steam to escape and preventing waterlogging, then cool to room temperature.
  3. Whisk mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and lemon juice in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a creamy, tangy base with balanced acidity.
  4. Season the dressing with paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, whisking until smoothly incorporated.
  5. Dice cooled potatoes into uniform bite-sized cubes, maintaining consistent texture throughout the salad.
  6. Finely mince red onion, chop dill pickles, slice celery, and roughly chop hard-boiled eggs into precise pieces.
  7. Gently fold prepared vegetables and eggs into the creamy dressing, ensuring delicate coating without breaking potato chunks.
  8. Sprinkle fresh chives across the surface for a vibrant garnish and subtle onion undertone.
  9. Refrigerate salad for minimum 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeper complexity before serving chilled.

Notes

  • Ensure potatoes are cooked until just tender to prevent mushiness, avoiding overcooking which leads to a watery texture.
  • Chill potatoes completely before mixing to help them absorb dressing without breaking apart and maintain firm structure.
  • For a lighter version, substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, reducing calories while maintaining creamy consistency.
  • Consider making this salad a day ahead, as flavors develop and intensify when allowed to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 290 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 470 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 2.5 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 155 mg