Southern Potato Salad

This scrumptious Southern Potato Salad recipe is picnic ready. It’s dressed with a flavorful mayonnaise-mustard combination and finished with a light sprinkle of paprika on top.

What are the Best Potatoes to Use for Making Potato Salad?

That really depends upon the desired end result. You can use russet, Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes for this recipe. All three have varying starch content and keep in mind that golden and red potatoes won’t take quite as long to cook. So in light of that and the variety you choose to use, adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Ingredients to Make Southern Potato Salad Recipe

Potato salad makes its appearance in many forms depending on the preference of the cook. This classic Southern potato salad recipe pays homage to how I was taught to make it as a little girl. Occasionally, my family made other styles of for picnics, cookouts, barbecues and backyard parties but this kind was, and still is, the most common. Vinegar dressed German potato salad, Deli style potato salad with bacon or fully loaded baked potato salad all have their place on the summer side dish menu from time to time. That said, if your goal is classic, this recipe is the one to make. Ingredients to make Southern Potato Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

• Potatoes – Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes.
• Whole Eggs – Five large hard boiled eggs peeled and chopped, reserve one for garnishing the top.
• Pickles – Sweet pickle relish or chopped sweet pickles. You can use chopped dill pickles, if preferred.
• Vegetables – One rib of finely diced celery, red onion and green onions for flavor.
• Dressing – Real mayonnaise, yellow mustard and apple cider vinegar.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar adds a hint of sweetness.
• Seasonings – Salt, freshly ground black pepper, granulated garlic or garlic powder, celery seeds and dried dill.
• Garnish – Smoked paprika for sprinkling the top.

How to Make the Best Southern Potato Salad Recipe

• Boil Potatoes – Cook cubed potatoes in salted water over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes or just until fork tender. Do not overcook. Drain well.
• Make the Dressing – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, celery seed and dill until fully blended. Add pickle relish, celery, red onion and green onions.
• Combine – To the bowl add potatoes and hard-boiled egg. Gently toss until potatoes are evenly coated.
• Refrigerator – Cover and chill for 4 hours. Stir well before serving.
• Garnish – Garnish with egg wedges and sprinkle the top with paprika.
• Serve – Potato salad can also be served while warm with burgers, sandwiches, fried chicken or barbecue.

Tips for Making Creamy Potato Salad

• What Kitchen Tools are Needed to Make Potato Salad? You’ll need a sharp paring knife and a potato peeler to remove the skins, a large deep pot to cook the potatoes and a smaller pot to boil the eggs. You’ll need a large bowl for mixing, measuring cups and spoons a whisk and a large silicone spatula or spoon to gently mix the cooked potatoes with the dressing.
• Dice Potatoes Evenly: When cutting the potatoes, make a special effort to keep the cubed potatoes similar in size for even cooking. You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the peel intact, depending on your personal preference.
• Use a Large Pot: I highly recommend cooking the potatoes in a large pot and it can also serve as a mixing bowl.
• Is Potato Salad Sweet? That varies from recipe to recipe. This Southern style potato salad includes sweet relish which gives it a sweeter flavor.
• Is Egg an Ingredient Used in Southern Potato Salad? Typically egg is used, but not always. Hard boiled eggs are included in this recipe.
• Don’t Overcook the Potatoes: How long do I cook the potatoes? One of the biggest mistakes you can make with potato salad is overcooking the potatoes. Start with cold water covering the potatoes completely. Watch the time, and be careful not to cook them too long to prevent them from having a mushy texture. For this recipe, 8-10 minutes or until fork tender.
• How to Test Potatoes for Doneness: The potatoes should be fork tender, but not soft. So gently prick the centers with the tip of a knife or the tines of a fork to check for doneness.
• Drain the Potatoes Well: Another common mistake is, not draining the cooked potatoes thoroughly. Drain cooked potatoes in a colander and let them sit for a few minutes while you whisk together the ingredients for the dressing.
• Serving Suggestions: This best potato salad can be served warm, at room temperature or chilled.

Recipe Variations

• Eggs: You have the flexibility to use more, or less, than four chopped hard-boiled eggs to this potato salad.
• Onion: You can use a sweet Vidalia onion, yellow onion or a white onion in place of red onion.
• Mustard Substitutions: You could adapt the potato salad dressing using Dijon mustard or whole grain mustard. Plain yellow mustard is classic.
• Mayonnaise: My favorite mayo to use is Duke’s mayonnaise. It’s not sweet and won’t add to the sweetness level. You can of course, use your favorite brand. Light or full fat mayonnaise will work.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: It’s perfectly fine to make potato salad the day before you plan on serving it. You can store Southern Potato Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Can I Freeze Potato Salad? I don’t recommend freezing or the potatoes can break down causing the dressing to separate.

More Easy Salad Recipes to Make

• Warm weather barbecues and backyard soirees are made for homemade side dishes like Homestyle Macaroni Salad
• This vibrant Cornbread Salad is a stunning addition to the table.
• Grilled Corn Avocado Salad
• Colorful Seven Layer Salad.
• Mediterranean Penne Pasta Salad is filled with ham and asparagus.
• We also love a Tomato Cracker Salad and fresh Cherry Tomato Onion Cucumber Salad.
• You might also like to try this recipe for Bell Pepper Salad from Know Your Produce.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixing Bowls
• Knife and Chopping Board
• Measuring Set
• Colander