The Best Southern Potato Salad Recipe for Homestyle Comfort

Summer barbecues come alive with this classic southern potato salad that brings comfort and nostalgia to every gathering.

Creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor, the recipe promises a delightful side dish everyone craves.

Generations of cooks have perfected this traditional southern treasure.

Crisp celery, zesty mustard, and perfectly boiled potatoes create a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Eggs and mayo merge into a luscious dressing that coats each potato chunk with creamy goodness.

The secret lies in balancing the ingredients with precision and love.

Serve this crowd-pleasing dish at your next cookout and watch as smiles spread around the table.

Why Southern Potato Salad Stands Out

• Savor Southern Comfort: A classic potato salad that brings the warmth of home-style cooking right to your table, packed with creamy textures and bold flavors.
• Whip Up in a Snap: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potluck Star: Guaranteed to be the highlight of any gathering, from backyard barbecues to family reunions, this potato salad offers a taste everyone will love.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows for personal touches like adding extra herbs or adjusting seasoning to match your family's taste preferences.

What You Need for Southern Potato Salad

• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that form the hearty foundation of this classic Southern side dish.
• Eggs: Hard-boiled and chopped to add protein and creamy texture to the salad.

• Mayonnaise, Mustard, Relish: Tangy condiments that create a rich and flavorful dressing for the potato salad.
• Onion, Celery Seed: Aromatic ingredients that provide depth and traditional Southern flavor.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the potato salad.

Making a Southern Potato Salad, Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare Potatoes

Grab your potatoes and cut them into bite-sized cubes.

Drop them into a pot of bubbling, salty water.

Let them dance and cook until they’re soft but not mushy, which takes about 10-12 minutes.

Once done, drain the water and let the potatoes cool down completely.

Step 2: Create Creamy Dressing

• Creamy mayonnaise
• Tangy mustard
• Zesty pickle relish
• Finely chopped onions
• A sprinkle of celery seed
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Stir these ingredients until they become a smooth, harmonious mixture.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Tenderly fold the cooled potato cubes and chopped hard-boiled eggs into the creamy dressing.

Gently mix everything so each piece gets coated with the luscious sauce without breaking the potatoes.

Step 4: Chill and Enhance Flavors

Cover the potato salad and slide it into the refrigerator.

Let it rest and allow the flavors to mingle and intensify for at least one hour before serving.

This waiting time helps the salad develop a more profound, delicious taste.

Tips for Creamy Southern Potato Salad

• Cut potatoes into uniform cubes for even cooking and avoid overcooking by checking tenderness with a fork.
• Let potato salad rest in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight to allow ingredients to meld and enhance taste.
• Use Yukon Gold or red potatoes for a creamier, less starchy potato salad with better holding shape.
• Finely dice celery or green onions for extra texture and fresh, crisp elements in the dish.
• Adjust mayonnaise quantity based on personal preference, adding gradually to achieve desired consistency.

Southern Potato Salad Variations and Additions

• Low-Fat Southern Potato Salad: Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier, protein-rich version that cuts calories without sacrificing creamy texture.
• Vegan Potato Salad Alternative: Swap eggs and mayo with mashed avocado and vegan mayonnaise, using extra mustard and chopped pickles for tangy flavor.
• Herb-Infused Potato Salad: Add fresh dill, chives, and parsley to boost herbal notes and create a more garden-fresh profile with zesty undertones.
• Spicy Southern Potato Salad: Mix in diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce to give the classic recipe a fiery kick that awakens taste buds.

Serving Suggestions for Classic Southern Potato Salad

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Serve this classic potato salad in a beautiful ceramic bowl with a sprinkle of paprika on top for a pop of color and extra flavor.
• Backyard BBQ Buddy: Pair with grilled meats like hamburgers, hot dogs, or barbecue chicken for a traditional Southern-style side dish that everyone will love.
• Potluck Pro Move: Transport in a cooler with ice packs to keep chilled and fresh, making it an ideal contribution to summer gatherings and family reunions.
• Garnish Glamour: Top with finely chopped fresh chives or parsley just before serving to add a bright, fresh touch and elevate the presentation.

Keeping Southern Potato Salad Fresh

• Store potato salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep cold and covered to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Not recommended due to mayonnaise-based dressing, which separates and becomes watery when thawed. Texture and quality will significantly decline.
• If desired, warm gently in microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Consume immediately after reheating to preserve taste and texture.
• Best enjoyed cold straight from the refrigerator. Stir briefly before serving to redistribute ingredients and restore creamy consistency.

FAQs

• What makes Southern Potato Salad different from other potato salads?

Southern Potato Salad typically includes sweet pickle relish and has a creamy, tangy dressing that sets it apart from other regional styles.

• Can I make this potato salad ahead of time?

Yes, it’s actually better when prepared in advance. Letting it chill for a few hours allows the flavors to meld together and become more rich and delicious.

• Is this a traditional Southern side dish?

Absolutely! Southern Potato Salad is a classic cookout and potluck staple, especially popular at summer gatherings, barbecues, and family reunions across the Southern United States.

Southern Potato Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern potato salad delivers pure comfort with creamy, tangy goodness that captures summer potlucks and family gatherings. Crisp celery, hard-boiled eggs, and zesty mayo blend into a classic side dish you’ll crave at every backyard barbecue.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 large eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) yellow mustard
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) sweet pickle relish
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) celery seed
• Salt
• Black pepper

Garnish:

• Paprika

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Instructions

1. Submerge diced potatoes in generously salted water, simmering for 10-12 minutes until fork-tender. Carefully drain and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
2. Create a creamy dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, tangy mustard, zesty relish, finely minced onion, aromatic celery seed, and seasoning with salt and pepper until smooth and well-incorporated.
3. Delicately incorporate cooled potatoes and chopped hard-boiled eggs into the dressing, gently folding to ensure even coating without breaking potato pieces.
4. Transfer the potato salad to a sealed container and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and develop a rich, harmonious taste profile.
5. Before serving, give the salad a light stir to redistribute the dressing and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish perfect for summer gatherings or picnics.

Notes

• Perfectly boil potatoes by cutting them into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain hard.
• Add a splash of vinegar to the boiling water to help potatoes maintain their shape and prevent them from breaking apart during cooking.
• For a lighter version, substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and add a tangy protein boost.
• Enhance flavor by using sweet pickle relish instead of dill for a subtle sweetness that complements the creamy texture of the potato salad.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 319 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 348 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 113 mg