Southern Potato Salad is super creamy with a blend of mayonnaise and mustard, hard-boiled eggs, sweet onion, sweet pickle relish, and celery. It is a potluck must and the only recipe for potato salad you need.
The majority of time when I order potato salad at a restaurant, I am disappointed. So I wanted to create a homemade potato salad recipe that is truly delicious and tastes just like grandma made. And this one is phenomenal.
What Is Southern-Style Potato Salad?
There’s nothing like a bowl of good old-fashioned southern Potato Salad. A go to potato salad recipe is something everyone needs to have on hand. Everyone has their own way of making Southern-Style Potato Salad, but they are usually very creamy, heavy on the mayo, with a little mustard. They also typically contain hard-boiled egg, pickle relish (typically sweet), and paprika sprinkled on top.
Another great southern-style potato salad to try is this Southern Mustard Potato Salad.
What Are The Best Potatoes To Use?
I most like to use Russet Potatoes. They get kind of crumbly and I love the creamy texture of a potato salad made with russets. Yukon Gold or red potatoes can be used instead but the texture will be different.
I start my Potato Salad with regular russet potatoes. I cut any large ones in half so that they cook faster and I don’t bother peeling them until they’re done cooking. Then it’s really easy to scrape the skin off with a knife.
Creamy Dressing
For the dressing, I start with lots of mayonnaise, preferably Duke’s mayonnaise. Hellmann’s mayonnaise also works well. Plus a good amount of yellow mustard. It really perks up the flavor. I also add a splash of apple cider vinegar which helps accentuate the flavors. Don’t skip this part.
Lots of hard-boiled eggs, some celery for crunch, sweet onions, sweet pickle relish, a little onion powder, and a few teaspoons of sugar. I like to finish it off by sprinkling some paprika on top.
Wrap it in some plastic wrap and let it chill at least a few hours. Then you’re ready to grill some burgers or bbq chicken to go with this yummy recipe.
Recipe Tips
- When cooking the potatoes, start with cold, salted water. They will cook more evenly.
- Be sure to drain the potatoes really well before adding them to the other ingredients.
How Far In Advance Can It Be Made?
Potato salad is a recipe that is best made in advance. The flavor gets better with time. I recommend making it at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours in advance.
Storage
Will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days.
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Pin ItWhat To Serve Potato Salad With?
- Oven-Barbecued Beef Brisket
- Simply The Best Hamburgers
- Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Pimento Cheese
- Grilled London Broil
- Southern Fried Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Buffalo Drumsticks
Watch the short video below to see how to make Southern Potato Salad.
Southern Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 3 pounds medium russet potatoes
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
- 4 hard boiled eggs, 3 chopped and 1 sliced
- paprika
Instructions
- Cut each potato in half. Place in a large pot and cover with 1 inch of water. Add 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a simmer. Simmer until fork tender all the way through, about 20 minutes. Drain well. Let cool and then peel and discard the skins.
- Place potatoes in a large bowl. Run a knife through them until they are cut into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, and onion powder. Pour over potatoes and mix in well.
- Add relish, celery, onion, and the chopped eggs. Mix in.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with sliced egg and sprinkle with paprika. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Potato Salad Recipes
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This was my first time making potato salad and I wanted a recipe like the one my mom made. This turned out amazing! Thanks for the great recipe!
This was perfect potato salad. My family said it was delicious. Coming from a group of picky southerners, that says alot. I’ve added this recipe to my collection of family favorites!!
I like using sweet pickle instead of relish. And no onions. But this looks very similar to my mom’s. Love tater salad…..
Delicious
Potatoe salad like I remember from childhood.
I had more compliments on this recipe and it was the first time I had made it. I’m used to making potato salad with no pickles in it.
Needed generous on salt and pepper, good over all, I would also add scallions.
Truly the best potato salad recipe so far. I added a little dill weed as topping along with the paprika.
This recipe is the best potato salad I’ve ever had! The dressing is so tasty and tangy – it really makes for a delicious potato salad! My new favourite recipe – making it for my family who have requested it. It’s a keeper!
This is the best potato salad!!! I only use this recipe now and I always get raves along with requests to make more!!! Thank you!!!
Tasty recipe. I did add salt and pepper. Very good