Potato Salad is a classic recipe for good reason, this creamy salad is easy to make ahead of time making it the perfect potluck dish!
This creamy old-fashioned potato salad uses very simple ingredients to make bright flavors. Lots of creamy mayonnaise, a hint of mustard and sweet pickles (or relish).
The Best Potatoes for Potato Salad
Depending on where you live, versions of potato salad can vary based on preference and location (from a German potato salad recipe to deviled egg potato salad).
The best potatoes for potato salad are either Russet or Yukon gold because they stay firmer longer after they’ve been boiled (red potatoes work too). If using thin-skinned potatoes, you can leave a few of the skins on to save the step of peeling.
How to Make Southern Potato Salad
This simple southern-style potato salad is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Boil the potatoes in salted water (per the recipe below). Do not overcook them otherwise they will get mushy when you are stirring in the other ingredients.
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
- Combine all ingredients together (here’s where you can add the optional bacon)!
Taste and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
How Long Can It Be Made in Advance?
Southern potato salad can be made up to a day in advance as long as it is kept covered and refrigerated. It actually tastes better the longer the ingredients have to blend together!
How Long Does It Last?
Potato salad will keep about a week in the refrigerator as long as it’s covered. Make sure it stays cold!
To refresh, simply give it a stir and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper and maybe an extra spoonful of mustard!
More Great Potato Recipes
Below are some of our favorite side dish recipes any time of year!
- German Potato Salad – great as a main or side dish!
- Sweet Potato Potato Salad – crunchy, savory & so delicious!
- Creamy Dill Potato Salad – delicious twist on a classic
- Hot Potato Salad – tangy, sweet honey mustard dressing
- Bacon Cheddar Potato Salad – serve warm or cold!
- Ranch Potato Salad – the best potluck dish!
Did you enjoy this Potato Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet potatoes or Yukon gold or red potatoes
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- ¼ cup diced sweet pickles or sweet relish
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 5 hard boiled eggs peeled and diced
- 4 green onions thinly sliced
- 2 ribs celery finely diced
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover with cold water. Set over high heat and cook just until fork tender. Be careful to keep an eye on the potatoes because if they overcook they will get mushy.
- When the potatoes are soft, drain them in a strainer and let them cool while you prepare the other salad ingredients.
- In a large mixing bowl add mayonnaise, yellow mustard, chopped pickles, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder. Whisk to combine.
- Add the potatoes to the mixing bowl along with the diced hard-boiled eggs, green onions, and celery. Stir gently to combine.
- Taste and season with the desired amount of kosher salt and black pepper.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Side Dish
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I have been unable to find southern style potato salad since moving to Kansas. This recipe was perfect and reminded me of home.
So happy to hear you love this salad! What a sweet memory Missy!
Can you substitute white vinegar for the Apple cider vinegar ? I ran out of Apple cider vinegar.
It should work just fine.
I love your recipes yummy
Love your recipes
I made this with the gold potatoes. they did not cook well. I would recommend the russet potatoes. And I will omit the sugar, vinegar, garlic powder and sweet pickle. Just mayo, celery, onion, salt pepper and paprika and little bit of boiled egg for my taste.
No celery in potato salad…yuck
You can definitely leave out the celery if you prefer Mariah.
Comparing this to mine, great except for the mustard. Can’t abide mustard in potato salad.
First time making potato salad and I loved it.
Just made this today, this is a solid recipe, really tasty potato salad. This is going to be one of my go-to recipes.
I love to do different recipes. I’m getting tired of the same old ALLL the time.
Check out our All Recipes section for some great inspiration Liala!
Made this salad today and it was wonderful!!
The Southern Potato Salad is basically the same as what my mother-in-law used to make and it was the best potato salad I ever ate! However, she taught me that you always add the sugar to the mayonnaise and mix well, then add the vinegar, otherwise the vinegar could curdle the mayonnaise. So that is always what I do now because once I didn’t do that and the mayonnaise did curdle. Your instructions did not include this important step.
How much sugar??
This recipe uses 2 teaspoons sugar.
When you say mayonnaise, are you referring to actual mayo or miracle whip? I know some call miracle whip mayonnaise so I just want to get it correct.
Thanks :)
I’ve successfully used both in this recipe.
Add a can of tuna
Finally I can make potatoe salad without my potatoes being a bowl of mush thanx for the great tips and recipe!
Cook the potatoes in their skins for any type of potato salad. let them cool enough to handle, then peel and cube them. Vastly improves both the flavor and texture.
I love potato salad Any Which Way going to try a recipe for a special occasion this weekend wish me luck
Good luck Trish!
This recipe is delish!!! My husband had been craving potato salad and store bought was not cutting it. I found this recipe and we are in love! I don’t even like potato salad that much but this is awesome! I added some shredded cheddar and bacon! We are saving this recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Great additions Harris Fam! That sounds delicious.
For the first ever, I was able to make potato salad, and not becoming mashed potatoes.
The bacon is a nice addition.
Yay! That is great Candance!
I was looking for the dressing for it but , could not locate the dressing. Will you send it to me?
Hi Patricia, the dressing ingredients are listed in the recipe. In step 3 it will walk you through how to prepare the dressing.
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Need recipes
Hi Jim, you can check out all our recipes here for some great inspiration.
Those 5 stars are for you, Holly. Love your recipes. Use them and pass them on to my brother and friends.
Thank you so much Di! So happy you’ve found some recipes to enjoy.
What did You sprinkle on the top of the Potato Salad?
A sprinkle of paprika for color.
Thanks