Potato Salad
My ultimate creamy potato salad is summer in a bowl — tender potatoes, crunchy celery, tangy dressing, and a little pop of onion. Perfect for BBQs, picnics, or just a cozy snack straight from the mixing bowl. Totally customizable and always a crowd-pleaser!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 250 kcal
For the potatoes:
- 2 pounds of Yukon Gold or red potatoes I love Yukon for creaminess, red for fun color — mix it up if you want
- 1 teaspoon salt for boiling
For the dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise don’t skimp, babe
- ¼ cup sour cream optional, but it makes it dreamy
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard adds that perfect tang
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar trust me, it’s the magic
- 1 teaspoon sugar just a lil’ to balance the tang
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the mix-ins:
- 2 celery stalks finely chopped (for crunch — don’t skip!)
- ½ small red onion finely diced (adds zing)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs chopped (optional but so cute)
- Fresh parsley or chives chopped (for the green pop)
Boil those beauties
Start by cutting the potatoes into bite-sized chunks. Try to keep them roughly the same size so they cook evenly — we don’t want some mushy, some hard, okay? Toss them in a pot of salted water, bring to a boil, and let them cook for about 12–15 minutes until tender. You want them fork-tender but not falling apart. Drain them and let them cool just a tad — hot potatoes + mayo = sad salad, trust me.
Make the dressing like a boss
In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Whisk it all together until silky smooth. And yes, you can taste it here — a little tweak here and there, and boom, it’s perfect.
Chop, chop, chop!
While the potatoes are cooling, dice your celery, onions, and eggs. This is the fun part — everything colorful and fresh. I like to leave the parsley for last, just before serving, so it stays vibrant.
Mix it all up, queen
Gently fold the slightly cooled potatoes into the dressing. Add your celery, onions, and eggs. Toss it all together carefully — you want everything coated, but still a little potato texture intact. Taste it and adjust salt, pepper, or a squeeze more vinegar if you’re feeling sassy.
Chill out (literally)
This step is key: cover the salad and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. I know, I know, it’s tempting to dive right in, but chilling lets the flavors meld. And babe, it tastes so much better when the flavors have married each other.
Finish with flair
Before serving, sprinkle the top with fresh parsley or chives, maybe a tiny dash of paprika if you’re feeling fancy. Look at that gorgeous bowl — colorful, creamy, and full of summer energy.
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Best potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes work beautifully — keep them bite-sized and tender.
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Chill it: Letting it rest in the fridge for at least an hour intensifies the flavor.
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Customize freely: Add bacon, pickles, roasted garlic, or fresh herbs — make it your vibe.
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Make-ahead friendly: Prepare a day in advance — flavors improve overnight.
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Vegan version: Swap mayo for vegan mayo, skip eggs, and use tofu scramble or roasted veggies for color.
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Avoid watery salad: Cool potatoes slightly before adding dressing to prevent sogginess.