Best 6 The Best American Potato Salad Recipes

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**Potato salad**, a timeless American classic, is a vibrant and versatile dish that showcases the humble potato in all its glory. This beloved side dish is a staple at picnics, potlucks, and backyard barbecues, gracing tables with its creamy, tangy, and satisfying flavors. Made with tender boiled potatoes, a creamy and flavorful dressing, and a variety of add-ins like crisp celery, crunchy onion, and tangy pickles, potato salad is a true crowd-pleaser. This article presents a collection of the best American potato salad recipes, each with its unique twist on this classic dish. From the classic mayonnaise-based dressing to lighter, healthier options, and even a few unexpected flavor combinations, these recipes offer a delightful array of choices for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients, grab your mixing bowl, and let's embark on a culinary journey to discover the best American potato salad recipes.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CLASSIC AMERICAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD



Classic American-Style Potato Salad image

Most potato salads look and taste better when made with low-starch red boiling potatoes. For Classic American-Style Potato Salad, you can use any size of this variety, but the small new potatoes cook 10 to 15 minutes faster than the larger ones. Choose potatoes that are all roughly the same size, if possible, so they cook in the same time.

Provided by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson

Categories     Salad     Potato Salad Recipes     Dairy-Free Potato Salad Recipes

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 pounds red boiling potatoes, scrubbed
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 hard-cooked eggs
1 small celery stalk
¼ cup chopped sweet pickle (not relish)
3 scallions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard

Steps:

  • Place potatoes in a pot with water to cover. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer, stirring to ensure even cooking, until a thin-bladed paring knife or a metal skewer inserted into a potato can be removed with no resistance, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water and drain again. Cool slightly.
  • Cut warm potatoes into 3/4-inch dice with a serrated knife. Layer them in a bowl, seasoning with vinegar, salt and pepper as you go. Cut eggs, celery and pickle in 1/4-inch dice and thinly slice scallions. Add to potatoes, along with parsley. Stir in mayonnaise and mustard until everything is combined. Chill, covered, before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291.4 calories, Carbohydrate 28.8 g, Cholesterol 99.5 mg, Fat 17.3 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 6.5 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 549.9 mg, Sugar 3.5 g

ALL-AMERICAN POTATO SALAD



All-American Potato Salad image

Our recipe is a variation on classic American-style potato salad. Warm potatoes are sprinkled with vinegar, dressed in mayonnaise, and mixed with hard-boiled eggs, celery, cornichons, and scallions.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 pounds russet potatoes (about 8 potatoes)
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 large eggs
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 stalks celery, cut into 1/4-inch dice (3/4 cup)
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1/2 cup)
1 medium onion, finely diced (1/2 cup)
10 cornichons, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1/4 cup)
3 scallions, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon paprika

Steps:

  • Place potatoes in a large pot with enough water to cover by several inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, add 1 tablespoon salt, and lower to a gentle boil. Cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 25 minutes. Drain into a colander. Using paper towels or gloves to protect your hands, peel potatoes, and cut into 1-inch dice while still hot. Drizzle with vinegar; set aside.
  • Place eggs in a small pan with enough water to cover by 1 inch, and place over medium-high heat. When water comes to a boil, turn off heat, cover, and let stand for 13 minutes. Drain, and place in a bowl with cold water to cover. When cold, peel eggs. Chop 2 into 1/4-inch dice. Slice the third egg into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, and set aside for garnish.
  • Combine diced eggs, mayonnaise, celery seed, mustard, 2 teaspoons salt, and black pepper in a large bowl, and whisk to combine. Add reserved potatoes to mayonnaise mixture. Add celery, red pepper, onion, cornichons, scallions, and chopped parsley. Stir to combine. Chill for 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with paprika and reserved hard-boiled egg rounds.

BEST CLASSIC POTATO SALAD



Best Classic Potato Salad image

Creamy, tangy, and crunchy, with a hint of spice and sweetness from pickles, this reminds me of my grandmother's potato salad served every Easter or any time we had barbecue. She always dotted it with olives for a finishing touch and a perfect briny addition. This is the best classic version of good old-fashioned, Southern-style potato salad. Not too mayonaissey with just the right amount of tang! Serve with grilled or smoked meats as the perfect side dish.

Provided by NicoleMcmom

Time 2h40m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled
4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, or to taste
4 large eggs
1 cup mayonnaise
⅓ cup sour cream
3 tablespoons yellow mustard
5 stalks green onions, sliced (white and green parts)
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
½ cup chopped spicy sweet dill pickles (such as Wickles™), plus 2 teaspoons pickle juice
¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground paprika
¼ cup sliced green olives with pimientos

Steps:

  • Cut potatoes into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Place in a large pot and add water to cover by 2 inches. Add 3 teaspoons salt and eggs; bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 9 minutes. Remove eggs to an ice bath. Drain potatoes when fork-tender; they may need another minute or so.
  • Peel and chop eggs and set aside.
  • Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, onions, celery, dill, pickles, juice and pepper in a large bowl; stir to combine. Stir in potatoes and eggs until well blended, mashing potatoes very slightly. Check for seasoning and add up to 1 teaspoon salt if desired.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with paprika, and garnish with olives. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 329.9 calories, Carbohydrate 36.5 g, Cholesterol 71.8 mg, Fat 18.3 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 6.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 947 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

AMERICAN POTATO SALAD



American Potato Salad image

Just a good old fashioned, down home potato salad recipe that brings back memories of picnics in the park and family gatherings. Wonderful as it is or make it your own by adding additional ingredients of your choice.

Provided by JOSLYN

Categories     Salad     Potato Salad Recipes     Red Potato Salad Recipes

Time 3h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 9

5 pounds red potatoes
6 eggs
2 cups mayonnaise
1 onion, diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender but still firm. Drain, cool and cut into cubes.
  • Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
  • In a large bowl, combine chopped potatoes and eggs. Mix together mayonnaise, chopped onion, green onion, green pepper, and celery. Season with salt and pepper, then mix well. Cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 328.8 calories, Carbohydrate 41.4 g, Cholesterol 103.2 mg, Fat 15.9 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 7.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 721.4 mg, Sugar 5.3 g

OLD FASHIONED POTATO SALAD



Old Fashioned Potato Salad image

This is potato salad the old-fashioned way, with eggs, celery and relish. It's really good to serve with chili.

Provided by jewellkay

Categories     Salad     Potato Salad Recipes     Dairy-Free Potato Salad Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

5 potatoes
3 eggs
1 cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup sweet pickle relish
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon celery salt
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup mayonnaise

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool, peel and chop.
  • Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
  • In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, relish, garlic salt, celery salt, mustard, pepper and mayonnaise. Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.4 calories, Carbohydrate 30.5 g, Cholesterol 72.4 mg, Fat 7.6 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 5.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 334.7 mg, Sugar 6.4 g

JULIA'S AMERICAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD



Julia's American-Style Potato Salad image

Provided by Julia Child

Categories     Salad     Egg     Onion     Potato     Side     Fourth of July     Picnic     Kid-Friendly     Backyard BBQ     Lunch     Mayonnaise     Vinegar     Bacon     Family Reunion     Lettuce     Sugar Conscious     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Small Plates

Yield About 6 cups, serving 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 pounds large Yukon Gold potatoes, or other waxy, boiling potatoes
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/3 cup chicken stock or potato-cooking water
2/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
3 or 4 slices crisply cooked bacon, chopped or crumbled
2 to 3 tablespoons finely chopped pickle, sweet or dill
2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and sliced thin
3 tablespoons or so finely chopped fresh chives or scallions, including a bit of their tender green
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
1 cup or so mayonnaise, homemade if possible
Sour cream (optional)
For garnishing
Crisp whole red-leaf or other lettuce leaves
Canned red pimiento, diced; sliced hard-boiled eggs; tomato quarters; parsley sprigs (optional)

Steps:

  • Peel the potatoes and slice each one lengthwise in half, or in quarters if very large; then cut crosswise into half-round or quarter-round slices, about 1/2 inch thick.
  • Put the slices in a saucepan with water just to cover and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt per quart of water. Heat to a simmer, and cook the potatoes for 5 to 6 minutes, or until just cooked through. It is essential that they be just cooked through. Bite into a slice or two to be very sure. Immediately remove from the heat and drain the potatoes into a colander, but save a cup of the cooking liquid for dressing the potatoes. Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Stir the cider vinegar with ⅓ cup of the potato water or chicken stock and drizzle this over the potato pieces, turning them gently to distribute it evenly. Let sit 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
  • Add the prepared onion, celery, bacon, pickle, hard-boiled eggs, and chives, and season carefully to taste. Top with ⅔ cup of mayonnaise (or a mix of mayonnaise and a bit of sour cream) and, with a large rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until well blended. Taste the salad and add more salt, pepper, or mayonnaise as needed.
  • Cover the salad and set aside in the refrigerator for at least an hour or so before serving. If it is refrigerated longer, let it come back to room temperature before serving. Taste and adjust the seasoning again.
  • To serve, line a bowl or a platter with red-leaf lettuce or other greens, and mound the salad on top. Decorate at the last moment, if you wish, with any or all of the optional garnishes.

Tips:

  • Use the right potatoes: Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes are best for potato salad, as they hold their shape well when cooked.
  • Cook the potatoes correctly: Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender but not mushy. Drain them immediately and let them cool slightly before cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
  • Make a flavorful dressing: The dressing is what really makes potato salad special. Use a combination of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and herbs to create a flavorful and tangy dressing. Be sure to taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
  • Add your favorite mix-ins: Potato salad is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Add your favorite mix-ins like chopped celery, onion, pickles, hard-boiled eggs, or bacon.
  • Chill before serving: Potato salad is best served cold. Chill it in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Conclusion:

Potato salad is a classic American side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make, versatile, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you like it simple or loaded with mix-ins, there is a potato salad recipe out there for everyone. So next time you are looking for a delicious and easy side dish, give one of these potato salad recipes a try.

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