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Southern Potato Salad Recipe

4.4 from 107 reviews

This Southern Potato Salad is a classic, creamy side dish perfect for any barbecue or family gathering. Made with tender russet potatoes, tangy mustard, sweet pickle relish, crunchy celery, and hard-boiled eggs, it’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that captures the heart of Southern comfort food. The salad is chilled for several hours to let the flavors meld beautifully, making it an ideal make-ahead dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

  • 3 pounds medium russet potatoes

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Add-ins

  • ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • ½ sweet onion, chopped
  • 4 hard boiled eggs (3 chopped, 1 sliced for garnish)

Seasoning

  • 2 teaspoons salt (for boiling potatoes)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Paprika for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare Potatoes: Cut each russet potato in half and place them in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the potatoes by about an inch.
  2. Cook Potatoes: Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water and bring it to a simmer. Let the potatoes simmer for 20 minutes or until they are fork-tender throughout. Drain the water completely.
  3. Cool and Peel: Allow the potatoes to cool slightly to handle safely, then peel off the skins and discard them.
  4. Cut Potatoes: Transfer the peeled potatoes to a large bowl. Using a sharp knife, cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Make Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and onion powder until smooth.
  6. Combine Salad: Pour the dressing over the potato pieces and gently mix to coat evenly. Add sweet pickle relish, chopped celery, chopped sweet onion, and the chopped hard-boiled eggs. Mix again thoroughly.
  7. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as desired.
  8. Garnish and Chill: Top the salad with the sliced hard-boiled egg halves and sprinkle with paprika for color and flavor. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

  • For best results, prepare the potato salad a few hours ahead or even the day before serving for enhanced flavor.
  • Russet potatoes work well for a fluffy texture, but Yukon Gold potatoes can be used for a creamier consistency.
  • If you prefer, substitute yellow mustard with Dijon mustard for a slightly tangier kick.
  • Be gentle when mixing to avoid mashing the potatoes too much; you want bite-sized chunks.
  • This potato salad tastes great served chilled and is a perfect side for grilled meats, picnics, and potlucks.

Keywords: Southern potato salad, classic potato salad, creamy potato salad, picnic side dish, barbecue sides, mayonnaise potato salad