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Best Classic Potato Salad Recipe

4.8 from 409 reviews

This Best Classic Potato Salad recipe delivers a creamy, tangy, and perfectly seasoned side dish featuring tender Yukon Gold potatoes, crisp red onions, dill pickles, and hard-boiled eggs, all brought together with a flavorful mayonnaise-based dressing accented by Dijon mustard and fresh lemon juice.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

  • 3 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1/2” pieces
  • Kosher salt (for boiling potatoes)

Salad Mix

  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickles
  • 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced chives
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Kosher salt (to season)

Instructions

  1. Cook the potatoes: In a large pot, place the cut Yukon Gold potatoes and cover them with water. Generously season the water with kosher salt. Bring to a boil and cook the potatoes until they are fork-tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly to handle.
  2. Prepare the dressing and combine: In a large bowl, combine the finely chopped red onion, mayonnaise, finely chopped dill pickles, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and paprika. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
  3. Assemble the salad: Gently fold the warm potatoes into the dressing mixture, adding the chopped hard-boiled eggs and thinly sliced chives. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Chill before serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the potato salad until well chilled, typically for at least 1 to 2 hours, before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

  • Yukon Gold potatoes are preferred for their creamy texture and ability to hold their shape after boiling.
  • Boiling the potatoes with salt seasons them from within, enhancing overall flavor.
  • For a smoother salad, you can peel the potatoes before boiling, but leaving the skin adds texture and nutrients.
  • Hard-boiled eggs add protein and richness; ensure they are fully cooled and chopped before mixing.
  • Refrigerate the salad for several hours or overnight for best flavor development.
  • Adjust mayonnaise quantity to your preferred creaminess level.

Keywords: classic potato salad, creamy potato salad, side dish, summer picnic salad, boiled potatoes, egg potato salad