The Perfect Southern Potato Salad Recipe for Any Gathering

Southern potato salad brings summer picnics and backyard gatherings to life with its creamy, tangy goodness.

Crisp vegetables and soft potatoes create a delightful contrast in every bite.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic side dish through love and tradition.

Mayo, mustard, and a secret blend of seasonings give the recipe its signature southern charm.

Cool, smooth potatoes absorb the rich dressing, making each spoonful irresistibly delicious.

Cookouts and potlucks feel incomplete without this comforting classic on the table.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and become the hero of your next community gathering.

Why Southern Potato Salad Stands Out

• Craft Comfort Classics: Southern potato salad brings nostalgic family gathering flavors that remind you of grandma's special recipe, making everyone feel warm and connected.
• Master Quick Preparation: This dish requires minimal cooking skills, allowing beginners and experienced cooks to create a delicious side dish without complicated techniques or expensive ingredients.
• Versatile Party Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, picnics, and summer celebrations, this potato salad complements grilled meats and provides a crowd-pleasing option that suits diverse taste preferences.
• Customize with Ease: Cooks can personalize the recipe by adjusting seasonings, adding extra ingredients like bacon bits or fresh herbs, or modifying the dressing to match individual flavor profiles.

What You’ll Need For Southern Potato Salad

• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that form the hearty base of this classic Southern side dish.
• Eggs: Protein-rich ingredient that adds richness and texture to the potato salad.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy binding agent that provides a smooth and tangy flavor to the salad.

• Celery, Red Onion: Crisp vegetables that offer a fresh crunch and sharp flavor to the dish.
• Pickle Relish: Adds a sweet and tangy element that enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard, Salt, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Paprika: Spices and condiments that create a balanced and flavorful dressing for the potato salad.

Steps To Make Southern Potato Salad Easily

Step 1: Boil Potatoes to Perfection

Place potatoes in a large pot of water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook until you can easily pierce them with a fork, which typically takes about 15 minutes. The potatoes should be tender but not falling apart.

Step 2: Cool Down the Spuds

Carefully drain the potatoes in a colander, letting them cool completely to room temperature. This helps the potatoes maintain their shape and absorb the dressing better.

Step 3: Chop and Prepare Veggie Companions

• Chop hard-boiled eggs into bite-sized pieces
• Dice celery for a crisp crunch
• Mince red onion for a sharp flavor
• Add pickle relish for a tangy twist

Combine all these ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Blend until smooth and well-combined.

Step 5: Marry the Ingredients

Pour the creamy dressing over the potato mixture. Gently fold everything together, ensuring each potato and veggie gets a loving coat of the dressing.

Step 6: Chill and Let Flavors Dance

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour. This resting time allows all the flavors to mingle and get to know each other, creating a more delicious potato salad.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Pull out the chilled potato salad and serve cold. Watch as your guests dive into this classic Southern side dish with pure delight.

Southern Potato Salad Cooking Tips That Help

• Nail Perfect Potato Texture: Boil potatoes just until fork-tender, avoiding overcooking to prevent mushy, falling-apart pieces that ruin the salad's classic texture.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving, allowing ingredients to blend and develop a more robust, harmonious taste.
• Master the Dressing Balance: Whisk mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings thoroughly to create a creamy, well-integrated dressing that coats every ingredient evenly.
• Customize Crunch Factor: Finely dice celery and red onion for optimal texture, ensuring each bite provides a satisfying crisp contrast to soft potatoes.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Always serve cold straight from the refrigerator to maintain the salad's refreshing quality and food safety standards.

Fresh Takes On Southern Potato Salad

• Vegan Potato Salad: Replace eggs with diced tofu, use vegan mayonnaise, and add extra herbs like chives for flavor.
• Herb-Infused Potato Salad: Mix in fresh dill, parsley, and chives for a bright, aromatic version of the classic recipe.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Salad: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets, keeping the same dressing and mix-in ingredients for a lighter alternative.
• Spicy Southwest Potato Salad: Add diced jalapeños, cilantro, and swap Dijon mustard with chipotle sauce for a zesty kick.

Good Foods To Serve With Southern Potato Salad

• Pair with Grilled Proteins: Complement the creamy potato salad with smoky grilled chicken, juicy barbecue ribs, or tender pulled pork for a classic Southern-style meal that balances rich flavors.
• Crisp Wine Companion: Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the salad's creaminess, providing a refreshing and light counterpoint to the hearty dish.
• Beer Harmony: Choose a cold American lager or wheat beer that offers a crisp, clean taste to refresh the palate and match the salad's tangy and creamy profile.
• Picnic Perfect Side: Serve alongside fried chicken, sliders, or hamburgers to create a quintessential summer gathering spread that celebrates traditional Southern comfort food.

Save And Store Southern Potato Salad The Right Way

• Transfer potato salad to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid, ensuring no air exposure. Keep chilled for 3-4 days maximum.
• Avoid freezing this salad as mayonnaise-based dressings separate and become watery when thawed, compromising texture and taste.
• Consume cold directly from refrigerator for best flavor. If desired, let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften ingredients.
• Gently stir the salad before serving to redistribute dressing and revive its creamy consistency. Add a small splash of fresh mayonnaise if mixture seems dry.

Southern Potato Salad Questions You Might Ask

• Are boiled potatoes the only option for this recipe?

You can use different potato varieties like Yukon gold or red potatoes. They work great and offer slightly different textures and flavors.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, Southern potato salad tastes even better when prepared a day in advance. The flavors blend and become more intense when chilled overnight in the refrigerator.

• Is it necessary to use Dijon mustard?

While Dijon mustard adds a tangy flavor, you can substitute with yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard based on your preference. Each type will bring a unique taste to the salad.

Southern Potato Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Southern Potato Salad brings classic comfort to picnic tables with a perfect blend of tangy mayo, crisp celery, and hard-boiled eggs. Southern cooks know this side dish delights guests and delivers nostalgic flavors you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) Yukon gold potatoes
• 3 large hard-boiled eggs
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) mayonnaise

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 celery ribs
• ½ red onion
• ¼ cup (59 milliliters) pickle relish

Seasonings and Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• ¾ teaspoon (3.75 grams) salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) pepper
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) paprika

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Instructions

1. Submerge whole potatoes in a pot of cold water and bring to a rolling boil, cooking until a fork easily pierces through, approximately 15-18 minutes.
2. Carefully drain potatoes in a colander and let them cool completely at room temperature, about 20-25 minutes.
3. Cube the cooled potatoes into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent texture throughout the salad.
4. Chop hard-boiled eggs, crisp celery, sharp red onion, and tangy pickle relish into fine, consistent pieces.
5. Create a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise with zesty lemon juice, robust Dijon mustard, aromatic garlic powder, salt, cracked black pepper, and a sprinkle of smoky paprika.
6. Gently fold the chopped vegetables and eggs into the potatoes, ensuring even distribution without mashing the ingredients.
7. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the potato mixture, carefully folding to coat all components without breaking the potato chunks.
8. Seal the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop a rich, harmonious taste.
9. Before serving, give the salad a light stir and garnish with an extra dash of paprika for visual appeal and added flavor.

Notes

• Boil potatoes just until fork-tender to prevent mushy texture and maintain their structural integrity.
• Allow potatoes to cool completely before mixing to prevent dressing from breaking down and ensure even coating.
• Consider using waxy potato varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for better texture and holding shape.
• Adjust mayonnaise quantity based on desired creaminess, adding gradually to control consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg