Creamy Potato Saladrn

a close-up shot of Creamy Potato Salad in a bowl

This creamy potato salad is a flavorful side dish loaded with potatoes, eggs, and plenty of flavor.

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Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Servings

Table of Contents

Creamy Potato Salad Ingredients
Potato Salad Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Recipe for Potato Salad
How To Serve This Easy Potato Salad Recipe
Simple Potato Salad Recipe Storage Tips
The Very Best Potato Salad Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
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A creamy potato salad is a classic side dish that is perfect for summer barbecues and potlucks. This easy-to-make salad is made with potatoes, mayonnaise, and various herbs and spices, giving it a savory flavor that will sure be a hit!

Creamy Potato Salad Ingredients

Creamy Potato Salad raw ingredients that are labeled

Creamy dill potato salad is a savory dish that’s sure to please any crowd. The potatoes are cooked until tender. Then, the mayonnaise adds a creamy texture that ties all the flavors together.

With herbs and spices like onion, dill, and Dijon mustard, this salad has an unmistakable subtle flavor that makes it truly unique.

To make this classic salad, you’ll need:

6 red potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 cup of mayonnaise
½ cup of sour cream
⅓ cup of diced onion
⅓ cup of dill pickle relish
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon of milk
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of black pepper
½ teaspoon of granulated garlic powder
½ teaspoon of dill weed

Potato Salad Substitutions And Additions

This easy recipe is sure to earn you five star reviews. Plus, there are many adjustments you can make based on personal preference. Here are some suggestions:

MAYONNAISE: You can substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. You could also use Miracle Whip if you prefer.

SOUR CREAM: Consider using plain yogurt instead of sour cream. It adds a tangy flavor and keeps the salad light and refreshing.

MUSTARD: While Dijon mustard adds a nice zing, you can switch it up with whole-grain mustard for some texture or use honey mustard for a slightly sweeter taste.

PICKLES: If you don’t have dill pickle relish on hand, you can try sweet relish to bring a different level of sweetness to the dish. You could also chop a few larger pieces of dill pickles or sweet pickles into the salad if you’d like.

ONION: Red onion will work well in this recipe, but if you prefer something milder, you can opt for shallots or green onions, also known as scallions.

CELERY: Chop up some celery stalks to give extra crunch to your potato salad.

BACON: Add some crispy oven-baked bacon to the top of your salad before serving.

Fresh Herbs to Add in Potato Salad

Here are some herbs that you can add to potato salad:

Chives: These have a mild oniony flavor that adds a pleasant freshness to potato salad.
Dill: Dill’s flavor is a bit stronger than chives, with a grassy, anise-like quality. It pairs especially well with creamy or mayonnaise-based dressings.
Fresh parsley: Flat-leaf parsley is the most common type used in potato salad. It has a bright, slightly peppery flavor that adds a pop of color and freshness.
Tarragon: Tarragon has a unique licorice-like flavor that can elevate potato salad. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for something a little different.
Marjoram: This herb has a warm, oregano-like flavor that can add complexity to potato salad.

Dried Herbs to Add in Potato Salad

A little celery seed, often alongside other seasonings like mustard, paprika, and black pepper can elevate the flavor profiles in your homemade salad. You can adjust the amount to your preference, but a half teaspoon to a teaspoon is a common starting point for a medium-sized potato salad.

You can also try using a combination of these herbs for even more flavor. For example, chives and parsley are a classic pairing, or you could try dill and tarragon for a more herbal flavor.

What Kind of Potatoes to Use in a Creamy Potato Salad Recipe?

Waxy potatoes: These are generally considered the best for classic potato salad because they retain their shape well when cooked, even if sliced beforehand. They also have a smooth texture and thin skins that don’t necessarily need peeling. Popular choices include red potatoes, fingerling potatoes, and new potatoes.
All-purpose potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes are a good middle-ground option. They have more starch than waxy potatoes but will still hold their shape somewhat in potato salad. They also have a creamy texture and mild flavor that works well with many dressings.
Starchy potatoes: Russet potatoes, known for their high starch content, are generally not recommended for potato salad because they tend to fall apart when cooked and can make the salad mushy.

How To Make This Recipe for Potato Salad

Just a handful of easy steps and simple ingredients are needed to make this creamy salad.

After boiling the potatoes and making the hard-boiled eggs, combine them with the dressing ingredients and chill the salad until you are ready to serve it.

Follow our step-by-step instructions below to make this tasty side dish.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

If possible, make the potato salad a day before you plan on serving it. This will allow the flavors to have time to blend together.

STEP ONE: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat fill with cold water. Then, bring the potatoes to a boil and cook until tender but still firm, around 13 minutes.

Drain the cooked potatoes and place them in a large bowl; add the chopped cooked eggs.

PRO TIP:

Make sure you do not overcook the potatoes, or they will become mushy and not hold up. Also, make sure not to undercook the potatoes, or they will be hard when you bite. Just boil until the fork slips into the potatoes but doesn’t tear all the way through.

STEP TWO: Combine the following dressing ingredients in a bowl: mayonnaise, sour cream, onion, relish, mustard, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dill weed; mix well.

mayonnaise, sour cream, onion, relish, mustard, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dill weed combined and mixed in a bowl

STEP THREE: Pour dressing over the potatoes and eggs. Gently mix to combine well. Store in the refrigerator. Best eaten if left to cool in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

PRO TIP:

If the potato salad becomes dry after storing it in the refrigerator, you can add some milk to make it creamier. Start with a tablespoon at a time, stir, and then repeat if necessary to the desired consistency.

salad dressing poured the potatoes and eggs in a bowl

How To Serve This Easy Potato Salad Recipe

Creamy potato salad pairs well with a variety of different dishes. Common pairings include grilled chicken, pork chops, Instant Pot pulled pork, and our tomato-cucumber salad.

For an even heartier meal, serve the potato salad over a bed of greens such as spinach or kale.

Additionally, you can top the potato salad with crispy bacon for some added crunch and flavor.

Our creamy mashed potatoes and crockpot potato soup are two more delicious potato recipes that we love.

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Simple Potato Salad Recipe Storage Tips

Whether you want to plan ahead or have some leftovers to savor later, we’ve got you covered with some simple tips.

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare this creamy potato salad ahead of time to save yourself some effort on the day you plan to serve it.

After you’ve combined all the ingredients and let it chill in the fridge to let the flavors mingle, transfer it to an airtight container.

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving. Just remember to give it a good stir before serving to ensure everything is well mixed.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers of this great potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

IN THE FREEZER: We do not recommend freezing this potato salad as the potatoes will become mushy, and the dressing will be watery once thawed.

The Very Best Potato Salad Recipe

There are several reasons why people love creamy potato salad:

Taste and Texture:

Creamy indulgence: The creamy dressing, typically mayonnaise-based, offers a rich and satisfying mouthfeel that complements the soft potatoes. It adds a layer of fat that makes the overall flavor more decadent.
Balanced flavors: The creaminess helps to balance out the saltiness of the potatoes and other ingredients, creating a harmonious taste profile.
Comfort food: The combination of simple, familiar ingredients and the creamy texture creates a sense of comfort and nostalgia for many people. For many, it’s a familiar dish associated with happy gatherings and celebrations.

Versatility:

Base for customization: Creamy potato salad acts as a blank canvas for adding various ingredients like vegetables, meats, and herbs. This allows people to personalize it to their preferences and dietary needs.
Side dish versatility: It pairs well with a wide range of main courses, from grilled meats and burgers to barbecue fare and even seafood.

So, the love for creamy potato salad stems from a combination of its taste, texture, versatility, and cultural significance. It’s a dish that can be enjoyed by many and adapted to individual preferences.

Loaded with classic flavors, this creamy potato salad features tender potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs, all smothered in a creamy dressing. Potato salad is such a great side dish and always a welcome addition to any potluck or barbecue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this classic potato salad recipe?

Since this creamy potato salad is made with mayonnaise, we do not recommend freezing it. The mayo will separate and will not taste very good once thawed.

Can I make this potato salad ahead of time?

It is actually better to make this delicious potato salad ahead of time to allow the flavors to mingle.

How do I store potato salad?

This simple recipe should be kept in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. Make sure you don’t leave it at room temperature for too long.

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