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Old Fashioned Potato Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 44 reviews
  • Author: Diane
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes plus chilling time
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Description

This Old Fashioned Potato Salad Recipe is a classic American side dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings. Made with tender potatoes, creamy mayonnaise dressing, tangy mustard, and a touch of apple cider vinegar, it’s a flavorful and satisfying salad enhanced by crunchy celery, diced onions, and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Garnished with paprika and fresh parsley, this traditional potato salad is easy to prepare ahead and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.


Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

  • 3 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks)

Dressing

  • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Mix-ins and Garnish

  • 1/2 cup celery (diced)
  • 1/2 cup onion (diced)
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
  • Paprika for garnish
  • Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)


Instructions

  1. Cook the Potatoes: Place the peeled and chunked potatoes in a large pot, cover them with cold water, and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat and cook the potatoes for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are fork-tender but not falling apart. Once done, drain the potatoes well and let them cool slightly.
  2. Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Add the slightly cooled potatoes, diced celery, diced onion, and chopped hard-boiled eggs into the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together to coat the potatoes evenly without mashing them.
  4. Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the potato salad for at least 2 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the salad to thicken to a perfect creamy texture.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle the potato salad with a dash of paprika for color and a little fresh parsley if desired. Serve chilled for the best taste and texture.

Notes

  • For added flavor, mix in sweet pickle relish or chopped dill pickles before chilling.
  • Prepare the salad a day ahead to allow flavors to develop fully.
  • Adjust the creaminess by adding extra mayonnaise to your preference.