Should I peel potatoes before boiling for potato salad?

Larger potatoes should be cubed to ensure they cook evenly ( peeled first if desired ). Smaller potatoes tend to have thin skins and can be boiled whole, no peeling required.

Which type of potato is best for potato salad?

To keep your salad from falling apart into mush, it's important to use the best potatoes for potato salad. Skip the russet potatoes and use a waxy variety instead, like Yukon gold, red potatoes or fingerlings .

Is it better to boil potatoes whole or cut up for potato salad?

Waxy potatoes can be cooked whole or cut, with or without the skin. Starchy potatoes should be cooked whole with the skin on, then peeled and cut after they're cooked. Select medium Russet potatoes, not large ones, to ensure the skin doesn't split while cooking.

How long should potatoes boil?

In general small or cubed potatoes will take about 10 to 15 minutes to boil, while larger, whole potatoes will take between 20 to 25 minutes. To check potatoes for doneness, insert a knife into one.

Should you add salt to water when boiling potatoes for potato salad?

Dense potatoes don't absorb seasonings easily, so you'll need to salt the water liberally so that the water the potatoes do drink up also carries in seasoning . And because potatoes are so timid in flavor, they need that salt to bring them out of their shells. Pour some salt in, then keep going.

How to keep potatoes from falling apart when making potato salad?

Pull the potatoes out of the water as soon as they're tender. This will keep them from overcooking and falling apart. And toss them right away, while they're still hot, with a mixture of vinegar and more salt.

How to make potato salad martha stewart?

Directions Put potatoes in a large pot of salted water; bring to a boil. Cook until just tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain; let cool. Stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and dill; season with salt and pepper. Peel potatoes; cut into 1-inch chunks. Fold into mayonnaise mixture. Feb 25, 2021

How can you tell if potato salad is good?

Visual clues are the most obvious sign that potato salad has gone bad . Mold, or if the salad has become slimy, are both indicators that it's time to toss it out. Off smells are another telltale sign that potato salad is past its prime.

Why does my potato salad get watery?

Potatoes can retain moisture . To prevent this, drain the potatoes very well in a colander or pot. Allow all the steam to escape the potatoes before mixing them with the dressing and other ingredients. Steaming the potatoes instead of boiling them is a good way to ensure that excess moisture isn't trapped inside.

What is in Walmart potato salad?

POTATOES, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, EGG YOLKS, VINEGAR, SALT), MUSTARD (WATER, VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, TURMERIC, PAPRIKA, GARLIC POWDER, SPICES, ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLOR], XANTHAN GUM, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR), DILL PICKLE CUBES (CUCUMBER VINEGAR, SALT, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, NATURAL ...

Why does my potato salad taste bland?

If it's a potato salad, be sure to let the potatoes cool (the starch cells close up) before adding any dressing or salad mixture . Warm potatoes will soak up the liquids. Taste an hour after mixing and see if the spices need tweaking. Mashed potatoes do the same thing if you add in the garlic or cheddar cheese too soon.

Easy Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

Published: Feb 11, 2019 · Modified: Jun 5, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This classic potato salad recipe is perfect all year round. You can add any extras that you like and the homemade potato salad dressing is the best!

When I was at university and I had to take a salad to a BBQ, I would always take potato salad. I was soooo fancy back then - cook some spuds, chop them up and throw in a jar of potato salad dressing. Genius!

I'm happy to say things have changed a little bit since then. Not only are we making our own mayonnaise we are turning that into an epic homemade potato salad dressing that is being added to potatoes, bacon, peas and whatever else you like adding to your potato salad.

Click here to Pin this to your salads and sides recipe board to save it for later.

The great thing about potato salad as a side dish is that it can be made in advance! In fact, I think it is one of those rare salads that actually tastes better if it's been left in the fridge for at least a few hours, if not overnight.

No need to be in a mad panic right before you leave, or fussing with taking dressings in jars and making sure that they get stirred through at the exact right moment before the lettuce wilts - this is a strong salad that will stand up to transportation and not being treated like a baby. Perfect!

The dressing is super simple - homemade mayonnaise if you feel like it, otherwise use your favourite store bought one, add apple cider vinegar, dijon and wholegrain mustard and salt & pepper and shake together. So easy!

Like I said before, I like adding peas and bacon to my potato salad - personally, I also love adding corn or gherkins, but Josh doesn't like either of those, so I often put some in small containers and serve alongside the salad - that way I can add them but Josh doesn't have to go through picking them out of his salad!

I know some people who also add egg to their potato salad and it most definitely would be welcome here!

Make this next time you need to take a salad to a potluck or if you are just having sausages on the BBQ for a lazy summer dinner!

Other great salad ideas to try:

Greek Pasta Salad
Roast Veggie Salad
Summer Pasta Salad
Super Green Summer Salad with Quinoa
Tabbouleh Salad

Made this recipe? Tag me on Instagram @thekiwicountrygirl and hashtag it #thekiwicountrygirl.

Easy Potato Salad Recipe

This classic potato salad recipe is perfect all year round. You can add any extras that you like and the homemade potato salad dressing is the best!

5 from 23 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 people

Author: Laura

Ingredients

▢ 800 grams cold potatoes (cut into cubes)
▢ ⅓ cup cooked bacon or ham
▢ ⅓ cup peas (can be frozen)
▢ 1 Tablespoon fresh chives (finely chopped)

Potato Salad Dressing

▢ ½ cup mayonnaise (bought or try homemade)
▢ 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
▢ 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
▢ 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
▢ Salt & pepper
▢ 1 Tablespoon honey (optional, but is nice for a touch of sweetness)

Instructions

Add potatoes, bacon or ham, peas and chives (plus any other add-ins) to a large mixing bowl.
Add all potato salad dressing ingredients to a small jar, tightly screw on the lid and shake together. Pour over the potatoes and mix together well.
Serve immediately or cover and store in the fridge for a few hours before serving. Salad will keep in the fridge for a few days.

Notes

I also like adding corn or gherkins to my potato salad but as not everyone like them, I tend to serve them on the side - that way anyone who wants, can add them to their salad as they eat!

Nutrition

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag @thekiwicountrygirl or tag #thekiwicountrygirl!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Kathleen says
January 24, 2024 at 3:35 pm
Had to make this in a hurry and if was so good. The dressing is fantastic and will be using it on some other salads too.
It was easy to make and the honey really made a big difference. I tasted the dressing before adding honey to see if it really was necessary. It was.
Reply
K J says
January 21, 2024 at 5:55 pm
We all love this
Reply
Eileen Robertson says
December 17, 2023 at 10:44 am
See Also
Irish Bacon and Cabbage Recipe - A Spicy Perspective

Delicious - I used white wine vinegar instead as had run out of apple cider.
Reply
Josh says
September 16, 2023 at 12:46 pm

Stunning, was great with a few chopped up gerkins and corn as you said. Used an aoili instead of mayo. The honey topped it off. Was an absolute hit.
Reply
lachlan says
October 27, 2022 at 9:02 am

good Recipe
Reply
David Bruce says
October 17, 2021 at 7:37 pm

Brilliant...I add in more veges and it goes a long way so it can last two for about 3 meals. Take it away camping and you have your ready contribution to five plus a day from one container.
Reply
Kerry says
September 13, 2021 at 3:57 pm

Delicious, didn't have any bacon so omitted but so tasty anyway. Definitely a favourite in our house.
Reply
Lesley says
September 05, 2021 at 4:40 pm

This is the perfect potato salad recipe! My kids love it so much that it has become a much-requested family favourite. What I really like about it is that if I don't have a particular ingredient, it is not a disaster (apart from potatoes, lol). Sometimes I swap the mayonnaise with Aioli for extra deliciousness. Thank you so much Laura.
Reply
Diane Brown says
March 04, 2021 at 12:09 pm

This is absolutely delicious. The dressing is perfect... highly recommend
Reply
Jaden says
December 24, 2020 at 10:33 am

I made a triple batch as part of a Christmas dinner - hands down the best potato salad I've ever made. My variation included peas and charred corn, but i left the pickles as an optional extra in a separate bowl. I used a half half mixture of yoghurt and mayo instead of just mayo as i generally prefer yoghurt and the dressing was divine. Everyone loved it, definitely bookmarking for future. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Reply
Chokolait says
December 11, 2020 at 5:39 pm

This is my go to recipe for potato salad. It really is the best.
Reply
Holly Connolly says
December 10, 2020 at 8:55 pm

So so soooo good. The whole family loved it!
Thank you for this recipe!
Reply
Alex says
November 28, 2020 at 10:28 am

Awesome! Delicious I added egg too
Reply
Wendy Inkster says
October 23, 2020 at 3:57 pm

My daughter is soooo fussy but even she said yummm....nicest no fuss dressing Ive tasted.
Reply