Delicious and Easy Potato Salad Recipe

If you’re looking for a side dish that will steal the show at any gathering, then look no further than my Classic Potato Salad Recipe. With its creamy texture, delicious flavors, and a touch of nostalgia, this recipe is sure to satisfy any crowd. Whether you’re hosting a family picnic, a potluck dinner, or even just serving it up as a hearty lunch option, this potato salad is always the perfect addition to your menu.

Picture this: You’re outdoors on a warm summer day with friends and family while the mouthwatering aroma of juicy burgers and hot dogs are grilling in the background. Now envision taking a bite of my Classic Potato Salad Recipe; the tangy mustard and vinegar flavor mixed with creamy mayonnaise coats tender potatoes in every mouthful as you savor the nostalgia of traditional potato salad. It’s a winning combination that brings everyone together.

With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, this recipe is quick to prepare yet packed with flavor. From hard-boiled eggs to red onions to celery stalks, each ingredient adds its own unique texture and flavor that complements one another perfectly. After all, there’s nothing quite like the taste of classic potato salad made from scratch.

So why settle for store-bought potato salad when you can make the best classic potato salad recipe right from scratch? This recipe is straightforward, easy-to-follow, and customizable to fit any preference. So go ahead and gather your ingredients – it’s time to get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Listen up, fellow food lovers! If you aren’t already a fan of classic potato salad, this recipe is about to change your mind. Here’s why you’ll love it:

First and foremost, the texture is everything. With creamy mayo coating chunks of tender potatoes, every bite is a winning combination of smooth and chunky. It’s satisfying without being too heavy, making it the perfect side dish for any BBQ, potluck, or picnic.

But let’s talk about the flavor. When you make this classic potato salad recipe, you’re not just throwing together some bland ingredients. No way. You’re using an array of spices like paprika, garlic powder and yellow mustard to create a savory base. And don’t forget the little bit of sugar that adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the tanginess from the cider vinegar.

Now let’s add some color to this party – I’m talking about crunchy onions and celery that add freshness and a tiny bit of bite to each spoonful. And if we’re feeling extra indulgent (and why wouldn’t we be?), let’s throw in some chopped hard-boiled eggs and crispy bacon pieces for fully loaded flavor.

So what are you waiting for? This classic potato salad recipe is not only easy to follow but will also leave everyone at your gathering wanting more!

Ingredient List

Here are the ingredients you need for this classic potato salad recipe:

Potatoes

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes or any waxy potato variety.
• Salt and pepper to season.

Dressing

• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Veggies and Seasonings

• ½ cup diced red onions or scallions.
• 3 diced celery ribs or chopped pickles.
• Optional: Diced sweet peppers, shredded carrots or sliced radishes.

Hard-boiled eggs

• At least 2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped or sliced.

Can’t wait to start preparing this creamy classic potato salad? Gather these ingredients from your kitchen after ticking the checkboxes on your grocery list.

The Recipe How-To

Prep Our Potatoes

• Preparing the potatoes is our first order of business! We want to make sure that our spuds are clean and free from dirt to prevent any unwanted grittiness in our potato salad.

• Wash 2 pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes (about 6 medium-size potatoes). No need to peel these buttery beauties! Just give them a good scrub under running water using a vegetable brush.

• Cut the potatoes into small, bite-sized cubes. We recommend cutting them into 1-inch pieces.

• Place the cubed potatoes into a large pot and fill it with enough water to cover the potatoes by at least an inch.

• Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt to the pot. Give everything a quick stir before placing it on high heat.

• Once the water comes to a boil, lower the heat to medium-high and let the potatoes cook for about 10-15 minutes or until they’re soft and tender when pierced with a fork.

• Once done, drain them from the hot water and rinse them with cold water. This stops them from cooking further and will also help cool them down quickly – which is what we want for our potato salad recipe.

Make Our Dressing

• While waiting for our potatoes to cook, we can start making our dressing. In a separate bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of mayonnaise with 1/3 cup of cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.

• Add 1 teaspoon each of salt, garlic powder, and paprika, as well as some freshly ground black pepper, according to your preference.

• Mix everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. Set aside momentarily while we prepare our other ingredients.

Chop Our Vegetables

• Finely chop ½ of a medium-sized red onion, dice 2 celery ribs, and chop two hard-boiled eggs. These vegetables will lend an extra layer of flavor and texture to our salad.

Mix Everything Together

• Now for the fun part – putting everything together! In a large bowl or casserole dish, add your cooled cooked potatoes, chopped vegetables, and dressing mixture.

• Using a spatula, mix everything together gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated in dressing.

• Cover with plastic wrap or foil and chill in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight. This time allows all of those delicious flavors to meld together perfectly.

Garnish And Serve

• When you’re ready to serve your homemade classic potato salad recipe, give it one last gentle stir before garnishing with crispy slices of bacon or snipped fresh herbs like chives or parsley, depending on your preference!

  • Enjoy alongside delicious BBQ chicken thighs or pulled pork sandwiches to have yourself one amazingly delicious feast

Substitutions and Variations

Listen, we all know that sometimes you just don’t have all the ingredients on hand. But fear not, my fellow home chefs! I have got you covered with some possible substitutions and variations for this classic potato salad recipe.

First things first, let’s talk potatoes. While Yukon Gold potatoes are my go-to for this recipe, you could also use Russet, white or even red potatoes. Just make sure to peel and dice them into approximately 1-inch pieces so they cook evenly.

For the dressing, you could swap out yellow mustard for Dijon mustard or even spicy brown mustard for an extra kick. If you’re not a fan of cider vinegar, try swapping it out for white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

In terms of the creamy element, mayonnaise is the way to go. However, if you want to mix things up a bit, try subbing in some sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangy twist. Just keep in mind that the resulting texture might be slightly different.

Looking to add some extra crunch? Try adding diced red onion or chopped celery to the mix. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, crisp up some bacon slices and crumble them on top for a smoky flavor.

And if you want to take this classic potato salad to the next level? Add some hard-boiled eggs or a dollop of sweet pickle relish for a traditional touch.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to potato salad, so don’t be afraid to get creative and make this recipe your own.

Serving and Pairing

Now that your classic potato salad is ready, it’s time to serve and pair it with some delicious choices. This salad can be an excellent side dish for almost any summer meal or outdoor BBQ party. Serve it alongside some grilled chicken, burgers, or hotdogs, and watch your guests’ eyes light up with joy.

You can also pair this dish with various seasonal vegetables, such as corn on the cob, green beans, or a fresh tomato and cucumber salad. The flavors of this classic potato salad complement well with other barbecue staples like ribs or steak too.

To add a little bit of crunchiness to your dish, consider serving some bread or crackers on the side. And if you want to go all out and create a full-blown party platter, include a cheese board served with sliced cured meats and olives.

If you prefer a lighter meal option, serve this potato salad as a starter or a light lunch. A fresh garden salad tossed with some vinaigrette pairs excellently and offers a refreshing contrast.

Whatever you choose to pair it with, this classic potato salad recipe will be an instant crowd-pleaser!

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

Listen up, folks. This potato salad is one of those picnic favourites that is easy to serve and enjoy, but when it comes to make-ahead and storing leftovers, there are a few things you should keep in mind. This recipe is perfect for those who want to get the most out of their leftovers and have some available for later.

If you’re planning an outdoor gathering or simply preparing ahead of time, making this classic potato salad a day before the event can greatly help reduce stress levels. You can make the dressing ahead and store it tightly covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to mix everything together.

Storing leftover potato salad can be tricky as potatoes have a tendency to absorb moisture and lose their texture. It’s essential to store your potato salad properly to ensure its quality stays intact. Make sure you transfer all left overs to an airtight container and refrigerate immediately. With proper storage, your potato salad will stay fresh for up to three days.

But what happens when you want to reheat it? This is where things get interesting. For best results, I recommend letting the potato salad come back to room temperature before reheating in small portions in the microwave or transferring it back into a bowl and heating over a stove with low heat while gently stirring every minute.

Remember that while reheating, mayonnaise can separate from the other ingredients if overcooked or overheated. When you need to add more dressing or flavour, don’t hesitate to mix together some mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper until you reach your desired taste.

That’s all folks! If you follow these tips for make-ahead, storing and reheating, you’ll be sure to have delicious classic potato salad taste as good as new. Enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Results

When it comes to making the best classic potato salad, there are some tips that can help you achieve perfect results every time. I’ve tested many variations and learned from my mistakes, and now I want to share my top tips with you.

Firstly, make sure to give the potatoes enough time to cook. You don’t want them to be undercooked or overcooked. The best way to check if your potatoes are done is to stick a fork in the center of the largest one. If it goes in easily, they’re ready to go. Secondly, cut your potatoes into small chunks so that they cook evenly. Cutting them too big can lead to raw centers, while cutting them too small can make them mushy.

One thing that you should never do when making potato salad is rinse the cooked potatoes. Rinsing can cause the potatoes to lose their starchy exterior and absorb too much water, which can result in a soggy salad. Instead, let your potatoes cool for about 10-15 minutes before combining them with other ingredients.

To add more flavor and crunch to your salad, consider adding chopped celery ribs and red onion. Celery not only adds texture but also a freshness that complements the creaminess of the mayonnaise dressing. And red onion provides a mild yet sweet bite that elevates the taste of traditional potato salad.

Additionally, don’t skimp on the seasoning. A sprinkle of kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika can really bring out the natural flavors of your ingredients. And if you like your potato salad tangy, try adding more cider vinegar or yellow mustard.

Lastly, when preparing this dish ahead of time or serving it at a party, keep it chilled until ready to serve—or else it will spoil easily in warm temperatures. And if you want an interesting twist on classic potato salad, use different types of potatoes such as red or white varieties for added color and texture.

By following these tips for perfect results, you’ll surely impress your guests with the best classic potato salad they’ve ever had!

FAQ

Before we conclude this article, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions related to classic potato salad recipe. These questions address the most common concerns and issues that usually arise during the preparation, serving, and storing of this yummy dish. So, let me answer them for you!

What is an old fashioned potato salad?

When it comes to making the perfect Old Fashioned Potato Salad, one of the key elements that sets it apart from the rest is the dressing. It’s important to use real mayonnaise and not skimp on the quality. A small amount of yellow mustard is necessary, but don’t overdo it! Combine the mayo and mustard with some sweet pickle relish and a dash of celery salt. Add in some regular salt and fresh ground pepper to really bring out the flavors. Trust me, this dressing will take your potato salad to the next level.

How does Paula Deen make potato salad?

For this recipe, we’ll need a bag of small red potatoes, weighing around 3 pounds, which should be quartered. Besides that, we’ll need some mayonnaise, sour cream, minced fresh dill, salt, ground black pepper, cooked and crumbled bacon, and some hard-cooked eggs that have been peeled and chopped.

How does Rachael Ray make potato salad?

Let’s start by preparing the potatoes. Grab some stock and add enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch. Boil the potatoes for about 12 to 15 minutes until they are tender. While the potatoes are cooking, mix the scallions, celery, vinegar, sugar, horseradish, and olive oil in a small bowl. These ingredients will give your salad a range of flavors and textures.

Once the potatoes are done, drain the excess water and let them cool for a bit. Then, cut them into bite-sized pieces and transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the mixture you prepared earlier over the potatoes and the vegetables. This will provide a tangy and refreshing dressing for your salad.

To give your salad some extra flavor, add some celery seed, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well so that the seasoning spreads evenly throughout the salad. This will ensure that every bite is packed with flavor. Your salad is now ready to be served, and I assure you, it’s going to be a crowd-pleaser!

Bottom Line

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In conclusion, this classic potato salad recipe is undoubtedly one of the best out there. The perfect blend of flavors and textures ensures that it will be a hit at any party or event. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also incredibly customizable with variations and substitutions that can suit anyone’s taste. From russet potatoes to Yukon gold potatoes, to adding in bacon slices or pickle relish, the possibilities are endless.

So why not give this recipe a try? You’ll love how simple and delicious it is, and your guests will be impressed with your culinary skills. With some of the best ingredients on the market such as mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, hard-boiled eggs and paprika, you can’t go wrong!

I hope that my tips, recommendations and instructions were helpful and that you’ll feel confident making this classic potato salad recipe for your next gathering. Trust me; everyone will be asking for seconds!

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