Potato salad is one of the most basic summer salads you can make. You should never go out and buy potato salad, I know your homemade version will be quite good, and this recipe is very easy to make.
Classic potato salad is one of the essential summertime salads. It’s not only good in the summer but also any time you feel like a good old fashioned potato salad. This homemade potato salad put together from scratch is easy to make and very good. There’s no need to go out and buy potato salad ever again.
When I was growing up during the summer, there wasn’t a side dish that I enjoyed more than old fashioned potato salad. My grandmother made the best potato salad in the whole world. I loved it when my grandparents would grill pork steaks and some burgers, and we would have them with homemade potato salad and coleslaw. My grandmother didn’t have a traditional potato salad recipe to pass down. She would just put in a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and it was wonderful.
For this recipe in my Learn to Cook series, I reached back into my old home economics textbook. This is a simple and easy potato salad recipe – boiled potatoes, celery, boiled eggs, pickles or pickle relish, chopped onion, and mayonnaise.
Table of Contents
What are the best potatoes to use for old fashioned potato salad?
I love russet potatoes for this salad. You can use other types, such as Yukon gold, but I like how a russet holds its shape. Other kinds of potatoes are softer after being cooked and don’t work out quite as well. I also suggest using white onions as they are better for recipes where the onion isn’t cooked – they aren’t as hot as yellow onions.
How long to boil potatoes for homemade potato salad?
Potatoes should be boiled whole on medium-high for about fifteen to twenty minutes. The cooking time depends on how small or large you like to cut your potatoes. They are done if a fork goes through the potatoes easily. If necessary, cook for an additional five minutes and test again.
How much potato salad per person?
When making potato salad as a side dish from scratch, plan on 1/2 pound of potatoes per person. So, if you expect to feed ten people, use five pounds of potatoes.
How long does potato salad last?
A lot depends on how long before your potato salad goes into your refrigerator. Read this for some advice. It is possible to store potato salad in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to five days. However, if you notice an off odor or appearance, discard it without tasting.
Unfortunately, potato salad doesn’t freeze well, especially if it’s covered in mayonnaise. Freezing mayonnaise causes it to separate, and when it defrosts, the flavor and texture will be off. Also, defrosted potatoes tend to be somewhat soggy, and they may look a bit gray and unappetizing.
What to do with leftover potato salad?
So you expected twenty people to your BBQ, and only fifteen showed up! Now what to do with that mound of uneaten potato salad? Share it with neighbors or try roasting it; just don’t bother freezing it.
- Here’s how to turn leftover potato salad into crispy roasted potatoes.
What else can go into potato salad?
You can mix other things into your salad to turn it into something more than just a traditional potato salad recipe. Some people like to put in some chopped apple, chopped bell peppers, or even frozen peas. You could add about a tablespoon of mustard to this homemade potato salad recipe, but I know some folks are very anti mustard when it comes to including it in a classic potato salad recipe.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need:
- Potatoes
- Celery
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Onion
- Pickle or pickle relish
- Salt
- Mayonnaise
Ingredient Notes
What are the best potatoes for potato salad? I love russet potatoes for this salad. You can use other types such as Yukon gold, but I like how this potato holds its shape. I think the other types are softer after they have cooked and they don’t work out quite the same.
I also suggest that you use white onion if you can. White onions aren’t as hot as yellow onions, so white onions tend to be better for recipes that the onion isn’t cooked.
You can add other things to potato salad. Some people like to put in chopped apple, chopped bell peppers, or even frozen peas.
You may also want to add about a tablespoon of mustard to this recipe if you desire. I know some folks are very anti mustard when it comes to potato salad.
How to Make Potato Salad
- Wash potatoes to remove any excess dirt.
- Place whole potatoes in a large pot with enough water to cover the potatoes.
- Bring to a boil and cook potatoes on medium-high for about 30 minutes or until they are done.
- Remove potatoes from the water and allow them to cool until they can be handled easily.
- Rub or peel the skin off of the potatoes.
- Cut potatoes into pieces and place them in a bowl.
- Add chopped egg, celery, onions, chopped pickles, and salt.
- Stir in mayonnaise.
- If desired, garnish with sliced egg and paprika.
Remember to store this salad in the refrigerator.
Love potato salad? Try these recipes!
Popular Potato Recipes
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Check out my easy potato side dish recipes and the best summer salad recipes here on CopyKat!
Homemade Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
- 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs (you may want to use an additional egg for garnish)
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 1/4 cup pickle chopped or pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Wash potatoes to remove any excess dirt. Boil potatoes (leave them whole) in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the potatoes with an additional inch of water.
- Cook potatoes on medium-high for about 30 minutes. Test potato doneness after 30 minutes by piercing them with a fork. If the fork goes through the potato easily, they are done. If the fork won’t go through easily cook for an additional five minutes and test again. When potatoes are done, allow them to cool until they can be handled easily. Rub off the skin.
- Dice potatoes and place them in a bowl. To the bowl add chopped egg, celery, onions, chopped pickles/relish. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, and mix in well. Stir in 1 cup of mayonnaise. If desired garnish with additional sliced egg and sprinkle some paprika over.
Lena
I want to share my mom’s potato salad secret. After the potatoes are drained, pour a little Italian or Caesar dressing over them and let them sit for an hour in the fridge and cool. The potatoes marinate and are filled with flavor!
Cedars
Finally someone knows Southern potato salad!
Shelly
I wanted to share a potato salad tip my grandma taught us. After your potatoes are drained, put them in a bowl with the chopped onions. Cover with plastic wrap and allow the potatoes to cool. The onions sweat a bit, and the steam infuses the potatoes with the onion flavor. Takes a little longer, but adds a lot to the final product.
Stephanie
That is brilliant!
Granny
Quick easy potato salad
I did use red potatoes and cut before cooking otherwise no changes
fantasy01
I have enjoyed watching your “learn to cook” videos. However, I have a question. It concerns cooking rice. Some recipes say to rinse other don’t even mention it. So which is it. To rinse or not to rinse that is the question.