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Our Homemade Potato Salad is a quick and easy version of this classic side dish that is sure to please at any barbecue, summer cook-out, or potluck.

Close up on a white bowl filled with Classic Homemade Potato Salad sitting on a white table.

I don’t know two people who make potato salad the same way.  It’s like spaghetti.  Everyone has a different recipe that has probably been passed down from their mother.   That’s definitely the case for me, I love my mom’s potato salad and macaroni salad.  After I moved out of the house, for my birthday every year, my mom would make me potato or macaroni salad as an extra birthday present.  As I write this, it seems kind of odd, but it was usually one of my favorite presents.  Okay, that sounds odd too.  Oh well …  Over the years, I have attempted to duplicate my mom’s potato salad recipe.  I think I have finally gotten close.  I know my mom used to add sweet pickles to her potato salad but stopped when my stepfather said he didn’t like them.   So now I don’t add them either.  The best thing about this recipe is that you can add more or less of the ingredients depending on your taste.

Ingredients you will need

All the ingredients you will need to make Classic Potato Salad including potatoes, hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar and red onions.

How to Cook the Potatoes

Collage image showing how to cook the potatoes.

Step 1: First, cut the potatoes into smaller pieces.  (You can go ahead and leave the skin on, it will easily peel off after the potatoes are cooked.)
Step 2: Place the potatoes in a large pan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil potatoes until thoroughly cooked. You will know when they are done when you can stick a fork in them with no resistance. It should take about 25 minutes.
Step 3: Drain the potatoes and then place them briefly in ice-cold water to stop them from cooking. Drain the potatoes again. Let them cool completely.  
Step 4: Once cooled, you should be able to remove the skin.  Then cut the cooked potatoes into small bite-sized chunks.

How to Make Potato Salad Dressing

Collage image showing how to make the dressing.

Step 5: To make the Potato Salad dressing, combine the Apple Cider Vinegar (it’s important to have apple cider, not regular vinegar), mayonnaise and mustard.
Step 6: Salt and Pepper the dressing to taste.  This part takes a little finesse to get the perfect blend of vinegar and mustard for the dressing.  I rarely ever add more mayonnaise but sometimes I will add another dash of apple cider vinegar or another dollop of mustard.

How to Assemble/Serve

Collage image showing the steps required to assembling the salad.

Step 7: Place the potato pieces in a salad bowl.
Step 8: Dice one-half of a large red onion and two hard-boiled eggs and add to the salad bowl. (If you are a sweet pickle fan, add them now.)
Step 9: Pour the dressing into the salad bowl.
Step 10: Fold the dressing into the potatoes.

Closeup on a clear bowl filled with Potato Salad that as been sprinkled with Paprika.

Step 11: Potato Salad is best served cold so try to refrigerate it a couple of hours before you serve it. You can have it out for a couple of hours at your picnic or barbecue but you need to be careful in high temperatures because of the mayonnaise in the dressing. Serve with a dash of paprika – so yummy.

Expert Tips and FAQ’s

What kind of potatoes should I use?

We use Russet Potatoes.

What kind of vinegar should I use?

We think that Apple Cider Vinegar is a must-have flavor in potato salad. You can’t really leave this one out.

How long will Potato Salad last in the refrigerator?

If you store it in an air-tight container, it will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Clear salad bowl filled with Classic Homemade Potato Salad sitting on a blue and white striped kitchen towel.

Other Salad Recipes you will love

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Classic Homemade Potato SaladPrint

Classic Homemade Potato Salad

Yield 8 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Our Homemade Potato Salad is a quick and easy version of this classic side dish that is sure to please at any barbecue, summer cook-out, or potluck.

Ingredients

  • 6 Potatoes (cut into similar sized pieces)
  • 2 large Eggs (Hard Boiled)
  • 1/2 Red Onion (diced)
  • 1/3 cup Sweet Pickle Relish (OPTIONAL)
  • 2 cups Mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Paprika

Instructions

  1. Dice potatoes and then boil potatoes until tender (about 25 minutes).
  2. Drain potatoes.
  3. Put potatoes in an ice bath to stop them from cooking.
  4. Drain potatoes.
  5. Once cooled, you should be able to easily peel the potato pieces.
  6. Add potatoes to a salad bowl.
  7. Add chopped onion and chopped hard-boiled eggs to cubed potatoes.
  8. Make dressing by mixing Mayonnaise, Mustard and Apple Cider Vinegar in a separate bowl.  Salt and Pepper dressing to taste. Taste. Add more mustard or vinegar if needed.
  9. Add dressing to potato mixture and mix until covered with dressing.
  10. Serve Potato Salad with a dash of paprika.

Did you Make this Recipe? Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @twosisterscrafting on Instagram so we can see it!

© Two Sisters Crafting
Cuisine: American / Category: Salads