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Classic American Potato Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 77 reviews
  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes plus 1 hour chilling
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Classic American Potato Salad is a creamy and tangy side dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, or family dinners. Featuring tender red potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and a flavorful dressing made from mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and dill pickle relish, it’s a beloved comfort food that’s easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd.


Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 pounds red potatoes
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped (optional)

Protein

  • 3 large hard-boiled eggs

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 3 tablespoons dill pickle relish
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish

  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Fresh dill, for garnish (optional)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Potatoes: Wash and chop the red potatoes into bite-sized chunks to ensure even cooking.
  2. Cook Potatoes: Place the chopped potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender. Drain the potatoes well and let them cool to avoid wilting the other ingredients.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, dill pickle relish, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and evenly blended.
  4. Chop Vegetables and Eggs: Finely chop the green onions, celery (if using), and hard-boiled eggs. Add these to a large mixing bowl with the cooled potatoes.
  5. Combine Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the potato mixture and gently fold everything together until each piece is coated with dressing.
  6. Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle the salad with paprika for a pop of color and garnish with fresh dill or additional green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Use red potatoes for their creamy texture and hold shape well after boiling.
  • Hard-boil eggs by placing them in boiling water for 10-12 minutes, then cool in ice water for easier peeling.
  • Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
  • For a lighter version, substitute part of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
  • Celery is optional but adds a nice crunch to the salad.
  • Chilling the salad is crucial for the best flavor and texture.