How to Make Potato Salad
Potato salad is a classic cold side dish for picnics, potlucks, cookouts, holidays, and family meals. Once you know how to cook the potatoes and mix a simple dressing, you can create many different versions with eggs, vegetables, herbs, cheese, bacon, or lighter yogurt-based dressings.
This page includes a basic potato and egg salad, creamy red potato salad, sweet potato salad, potato salad tips, and more ways to customize the recipe. Young cooks can help wash potatoes, measure dressing ingredients, peel cooled eggs, stir the salad, and add toppings with supervision.
Start with the Right Potato Salad
- New cook? Begin with the Basic Potato and Egg Salad.
- Want a lighter dressing? Try the Creamy Red Potato Salad.
- Looking for something different? Make the Sweet Potato Salad.
- Planning a picnic or potluck? Review the Make-Ahead and Food-Safety Tips.
Kids Cooking Activities Teaching Materials
Teaching kids to cook? Save time with ready-made lesson plans used by parents and teachers. Browse teaching materials →
This page may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
On This Page
Potato Salad Basics
Most potato salads include cooked potatoes, a creamy or vinaigrette-style dressing, seasonings, and optional mix-ins. The best results come from cooking the potatoes until tender but not mushy, draining them well, and allowing them to cool slightly before adding the dressing.
| Part of the Salad | Ideas to Try |
|---|---|
| Potatoes | Yukon Gold, red potatoes, russet potatoes, fingerling potatoes, or sweet potatoes |
| Creamy dressing | Mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a combination |
| Vinaigrette dressing | Olive oil, vinegar, mustard, herbs, salt, and pepper |
| Mix-ins | Eggs, celery, onion, pickles, green onions, bacon, cheese, peas, or fresh herbs |
| Seasonings | Mustard, paprika, dill, parsley, chives, garlic, salt, and pepper |
How to Cook Potatoes for Potato Salad
- Wash the potatoes and peel them if desired.
- Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with cold water.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes thoroughly and allow them to cool slightly before mixing the salad.
Avoid Mushy Potato Salad
Check the potatoes often near the end of cooking. They should be tender enough to pierce with a fork but still hold their shape when stirred with the dressing.
Easy Potato Salad Recipes
Try these three potato salad styles, including a classic creamy version, a lighter red potato salad, and a sweet-and-tangy sweet potato variation.
Basic Potato and Egg Salad
This classic potato salad combines tender potatoes and chopped hard-boiled eggs with a creamy, tangy mustard dressing. Serve it chilled with sandwiches, grilled foods, cookout meals, or other easy side dishes.
Approx. Prep Time: 20 minutes
Approx. Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Chill Time: Several hours
Approx. Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- Chopped onion, optional
- Chopped celery, optional
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, or a combination of both
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Paprika for garnish, optional
Directions
- Wash the potatoes and peel them if desired.
- Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces and cook them in simmering water until fork-tender but still firm enough to hold their shape.
- Drain the potatoes thoroughly and allow them to cool slightly.
- Place the cooked potatoes and chopped hard-boiled eggs in a large serving bowl.
- Add chopped onion or celery if desired.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, sugar, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the potato mixture and stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours before serving.
- Sprinkle the top with paprika, if desired.
Success Tips
- Cut the potatoes into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Do not overcook the potatoes or they may break apart when the dressing is added.
- Fold the dressing in gently rather than stirring vigorously.
- Taste the salad after chilling and add more salt, pepper, or mustard if needed.
Easy Variations
Try adding diced pickles, pickle relish, green onions, fresh dill, chopped parsley, or crumbled cooked bacon. Add only one or two extras at first so the basic potato-and-egg flavor still comes through.
Potato Salad Tips
Easy Add-Ins
- Chopped celery or onion
- Diced pickles or relish
- Crumbled cooked bacon
- Chopped hard-boiled eggs
- Shredded cheese
- Green onions, parsley, dill, or chives
- Paprika for garnish
Creamy Red Potato Salad
This simple red potato salad uses plain yogurt and sour cream instead of a traditional mayonnaise dressing. It is a mild, creamy side dish that can be customized with herbs and seasonings.
Approx. Prep Time: 15 minutes
Approx. Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Approx. Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds red potatoes
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Directions
- Scrub the red potatoes and cut them into evenly sized pieces.
- Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with cold water.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes thoroughly and allow them to cool slightly.
- Add the cooked potatoes and chopped hard-boiled eggs to a serving bowl.
- In a small bowl, stir together the plain yogurt and sour cream.
- Pour the dressing over the potato mixture.
- Fold gently until the potatoes and eggs are evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Customize This Potato Salad
This recipe has a very mild flavor. If you'd like, stir in chopped fresh dill, chives, green onions, celery, Dijon mustard, or a pinch of salt and pepper to suit your family's taste.
Use This Dressing on Other Potato Salads
The combination of plain yogurt and sour cream can replace part or all of the mayonnaise in other potato salad recipes. Begin with a small amount and add more until the salad reaches your preferred consistency.
Sweet Potato Salad
This colorful potato salad combines cooked sweet potatoes, sliced hard-boiled egg, and green onions with a simple sweet-and-tangy vinegar dressing. Serve it chilled as a different take on traditional potato salad.
Approx. Prep Time: 15 minutes
Approx. Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Approx. Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
- 3 sweet potatoes, diced and cooked
- 1 hard-boiled egg, sliced
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Dressing
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup vinegar of choice
Directions
- Wash and peel the sweet potatoes if desired.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized pieces.
- Cook the sweet potatoes in simmering water until tender but still firm enough to hold their shape.
- Drain thoroughly and allow the sweet potatoes to cool.
- Place the cooked sweet potatoes and chopped green onions in a serving bowl.
- Arrange the sliced hard-boiled egg over the salad.
- In a small bowl, stir the sugar and vinegar together until the sugar begins to dissolve.
- Drizzle the dressing evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
- Cover and chill before serving.
Keep the Sweet Potatoes Firm
Sweet potatoes can soften quickly. Check them frequently near the end of cooking and drain them as soon as they are fork-tender. Allow them to cool before assembling the salad so they are less likely to break apart.
Recipe Note
This vintage recipe uses a simple sweet-and-tangy dressing made with sugar and vinegar instead of a creamy mayonnaise dressing. Taste the dressing before adding it all to the salad and adjust the amount to suit your family's preference.
What to Serve with Potato Salad
Potato salad is a classic side dish for cookouts, picnics, and family dinners. Try serving it with one of these easy main dishes:
- Grilled Hamburgers for backyard barbecues and summer cookouts.
- Hot Dogs or Corn Dog Recipes for picnics, family gatherings, and kids' meals.
- Barbecue Chicken paired with fresh fruit and baked beans.
- Homemade Fried Chicken for a traditional picnic or Sunday dinner.
- Ham Sandwiches for easy lunches and packed picnics.
- Picnic Ideas & Recipes for complete outdoor meal planning.
- Easy Fruit Salad Recipes for a refreshing side that balances rich potato salad.
- Easy Side Dishes to complete your meal with simple vegetables, salads, and family favorites.
- Homemade Baked Beans for a classic barbecue and picnic side dish combination.
Southern Potato Salad Video
Watch this Southern-style potato salad demonstration for another way to prepare this classic side dish.
Make-Ahead, Storage and Picnic Safety
Keep Potato Salad Cold
- Refrigerate potato salad promptly after preparing it.
- Store it in a covered container.
- Use an insulated cooler with ice packs for picnics and cookouts.
- Keep potato salad at 40°F or below when transporting or serving it outdoors.
- Discard potato salad left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F.
Make-Ahead Tip
Potato salad is often best after chilling for several hours. Prepare it the day before, then stir it gently and add a little extra dressing or garnish before serving if needed.
Build Your Own Potato Salad Bar
A potato salad bar is a fun cooking activity for classrooms, cooking camps, family gatherings, and picnics. Start with cooked potatoes, then let everyone customize their own bowl by choosing a dressing, vegetables, mix-ins, and seasonings.
Teaching Tip
Let each child build a unique potato salad by choosing one dressing, two vegetables or mix-ins, and one seasoning. Compare the finished salads and talk about how small ingredient changes create completely different flavors.
More Side Dishes & Salad Recipes
If you enjoyed these potato salad recipes, try more easy salads, picnic foods, vegetables, and side dishes that pair well with grilled meats, sandwiches, and family meals.
Easy Salad Recipes
Browse fruit salads, pasta salads, vegetable salads, and family favorites for every season.
Easy Side Dishes
Discover quick side dishes with six ingredients or fewer that pair well with nearly any meal.
How to Cook Vegetables
Learn easy methods for steaming, roasting, boiling, sautéing, and serving vegetables.
Potato Recipes
Find baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, fries, soups, casseroles, and more potato favorites.
Picnic Ideas & Recipes
Plan complete picnic menus with sandwiches, salads, desserts, drinks, and outdoor meal ideas.
Cookout Favorites
Pair potato salad with grilled burgers, hot dogs, chicken, vegetables, and backyard barbecue meals.
Easy Fruit Salad Recipes
Fresh fruit salads make colorful side dishes for picnics, potlucks, and summer cookouts.
Macaroni Salad
Another classic picnic favorite with creamy dressing, vegetables, and easy variations.
Potato Salad FAQ
What potatoes are best for potato salad?
Red potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape well after cooking, while russet potatoes create a softer, creamier salad.
Should I peel the potatoes?
That depends on the type of potato and your preference. Thin-skinned red and Yukon Gold potatoes are often left unpeeled, while russet potatoes are commonly peeled.
How do I keep potato salad from becoming mushy?
Cook the potatoes only until they are fork-tender, drain them well, and stir gently when adding the dressing so the pieces stay intact.
Can I make potato salad ahead of time?
Yes. Potato salad is often even more flavorful after chilling for several hours or overnight, giving the dressing time to blend with the potatoes.
How long does potato salad last?
Store potato salad in a covered container at 40°F or below and use it within 3 to 4 days. Keep it chilled whenever it is served outdoors.
Can potato salad be frozen?
Freezing is not recommended for creamy potato salads because the dressing can separate and the potatoes may become watery after thawing.
What can I add to potato salad?
Popular additions include chopped eggs, celery, onions, dill pickles, relish, bacon, shredded cheese, peas, fresh herbs, paprika, and mustard.
What foods go well with potato salad?
Potato salad pairs well with hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, barbecue, sandwiches, fried chicken, picnic lunches, and many summer side dishes.
Share Your Potato Salad Recipe
Do you have a favorite potato salad recipe or family variation? Share your ingredients, tips, and serving ideas below.
Submit your favorite kids recipe
Do you have a favorite recipe your kids love to make? Or a recipe your kids ask you to make again and again? Share it with us!
More Salad Recipes
Easy Side Dishes
Picnic Ideas and Recipes
Related Salad Recipe Pages
Return to the Kids Recipe Index
Get Free Kids Recipe Cards + Cooking Printables
Join Kids Cooking Activities for fun recipes, cooking ideas, and printable resources for kids, families, and classrooms.
Follow Kids Cooking Activities too:
© Debbie Madson, Madson Web Publishing, LLC — All rights reserved.
The material on this site is for educational purposes only.
