Homemade Classic Potato Salad
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Classic potato salad is the quintessential summer side dish. This homemade potato salad combines yellow potatoes, mayonnaise, pickles, hard boiled eggs, and a touch of mustard for the perfect flavorful vegetable salad.
Classic potato salad is a staple at just about every summer event from backyard BBQs to potluck picnics. Use this recipe for homemade potato salad and you’re guaranteed to serve up a winner at any event you serve it.
Potato salad can take many forms but nothing beats the classic style that features perfectly cooked potatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, and hardboiled eggs. Some will argue that celery is a must but the version I grew up with uses onions instead so that is what you’ll find in this recipe.
Classic Potato Salad Ingredients
- Yellow Potatoes – Buttery, waxy potatoes work best for a potato salad recipe. You can use red potatoes as well with good results.
- Mayo – I am partial to Duke’s mayonnaise but choose your favorite.
- Mustard – Classic yellow mustard is what you need for this recipe.
- Celery Seed
- Pickles – There is a lively debate in my family over what type of pickles to use. I’m firmly team dill pickle but the classic version uses bread and butter.
- Pickle Juice – Use the juice from whatever pickle type you choose.
- Red Onion
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Green Onions
- Crumbled Cooked Bacon (optional)
How to Make Classic Potato Salad
The full list of ingredients, including measurements, and the step by step instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below. Here is a quick overview of how to take this recipe from this page to your table.
While your potatoes and eggs cook, make the dressing. You’ll combine the dressing ingredients in a large bowl and then whisk to combine.
(apparently I was struggling with basic numbers when I made these and skipped 4!)
Once the potatoes and eggs are done, combine them with onions in a large bowl. Add the prepared dressing and stir gently to combine. Transfer to the refrigerator.
Once the potato salad is cool, I like to top it with chopped green onions and crumbled bacon just before serving. This is completely options but adds some extra crunch and flavor.
More Great Summer Salad Recipes
If you love this classic potato salad recipe, be sure to check out some of these other great side dish recipes that are perfect for summer.
- Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
- Creamy Macaroni Salad
- Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
Homemade Classic Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 Medium Yellow Potatoes
- ½ Red Onion thinly sliced
- 3 Hard Boiled Eggs chopped
- Green Onions optional for topping
- Crumbled Cooked Bacon optional for topping
Dressing
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 1/4 teaspoons Mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Celery Seed
- 1 cup Bread and Butter Pickles minced
- 2 tablespoons Pickle Juice
Instructions
- Add cleaned potatoes to a large pot of salted water. Bring water to boil and then reduce heat to simmer. Cook potatoes at a simmer for 10-15 minutes or until fork tender.8 Medium Yellow Potatoes
- Drain the potatoes and return to the pan. Cover and let potatoes steam off heat for another 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cut into cubes. (Optional: peel potatoes before cutting.)
Prepare the Dressing
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, minced pickles, pickle juice, and celery seed. Whisk to combine.1 cup Mayonnaise, 2 1/4 teaspoons Mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoons Celery Seed, 1 cup Bread and Butter Pickles, 2 tablespoons Pickle Juice
Make the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed potatoes, sliced red onion, hard boiled eggs, and the dressing. Stir gently to combine.½ Red Onion, 3 Hard Boiled Eggs
- Transfer to salad to the refrigerator and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Top with chopped green onions and crumbled bacon before serving, if desired.Green Onions, Crumbled Cooked Bacon
Nutrition
