Classic Southern Potato Salad — Creamy, Tangy & Comforting

🎉 Introduction

Classic Southern Potato Salad is a beloved, nostalgic side dish that brings warmth, comfort, and familiarity to any table. It’s creamy, slightly tangy, perfectly seasoned, and filled with simple ingredients that come together in the most delicious way. Every bite delivers soft potatoes, crisp celery, smooth eggs, and the unmistakable Southern-style dressing of mayonnaise, mustard, and sweet pickle relish.

This recipe is ideal for picnics, family gatherings, BBQ dinners, holiday spreads, or Sunday meals. It’s satisfying, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. Once you make this version, you’ll understand why Southern potato salad has been cherished for generations — it feels like home in a bowl.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large pot
• Knife and cutting board
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium bowl (for the dressing)
• Spoon for stirring
• Colander
• Measuring cups and spoons

🛒 Ingredients

Base Ingredients

• 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely diced
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 spring onions, sliced (for garnish or mixing in)

Dressing

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons pickle relish
• 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika (plus extra for garnish)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Cook the Potatoes

• Peel and cube the potatoes into even pieces.
• Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water.
• Add a pinch of salt.
• Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 10–14 minutes, or until fork-tender (not mushy!).
• Drain and let cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the Eggs

• Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs.
• Set aside a few slices or pieces if you’d like to use them for garnish.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

• In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, yellow mustard, pickle relish, white vinegar, salt, pepper, and paprika.
• Stir until creamy and smooth.
• Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference.

Step 4: Combine Everything

• In a large mixing bowl, add the warm potatoes.
• Gently fold in the chopped eggs, celery, onion, and dressing.
• Stir carefully so the potatoes stay in soft chunks, not mashed.
• Sprinkle sliced spring onions over the top.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

• For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (longer tastes even better).
• Just before serving, lightly sprinkle paprika on top for that classic Southern finishing touch.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Chill Time: 1 hour (recommended)
• Total Time: ~1 hour 25 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Do not freeze — mayonnaise breaks down in the freezer.
• Serve chilled or slightly cool; potato salad is not meant to be reheated.

🥄 Variations

• Tangier Flavor:
  Add an extra splash of vinegar or more pickle relish.
• Smoother Texture:
  Mash a few potatoes slightly while mixing.
• More Crunch:
  Add extra celery or chopped bell pepper.
• Mustard-Forward Style:
  Increase mustard to 2–3 tablespoons for a more pronounced tang.
• Egg Lover’s Version:
  Add 1–2 extra hard-boiled eggs.
• No Onion Option:
  Replace onion with only spring onions for milder flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What potatoes work best?
   Yukon gold or russet work beautifully — Yukon gold holds shape better.
2. Should the potatoes cool before mixing?
   Slightly warm potatoes absorb flavor better, so don’t wait too long.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Yes — flavor improves after chilling.
4. Can I use sweet pickle relish instead of dill?
   Sweet relish is traditional in Southern potato salad.
5. Can I use Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise?
   Yes — it will create a sweeter, tangier dressing.
6. Why did my potato salad get mushy?
   Overcooking potatoes. Cook until just fork-tender.
7. Can I add bacon?
   Yes — use cooked beef bacon or turkey bacon if desired.
8. What if it’s too thick?
   Add a tablespoon of milk or more vinegar to loosen it.
9. Is onion required?
   No — spring onions alone can replace it.
10. Can this be served warm?
    Traditionally it’s served chilled or room temperature.

🏁 Conclusion

This Classic Southern Potato Salad is creamy, tangy, flavorful, and comforting — exactly the way potato salad should be. The blend of tender potatoes, smooth mayo dressing, crisp vegetables, and subtle spice makes it a timeless favorite.

It’s easy, familiar, and always a crowd-pleaser. Bring it to gatherings and watch it disappear fast — because everyone loves real Southern flavor.

Adam

Classic Southern Potato Salad — Creamy, Tangy & Comforting

Classic Southern Potato Salad is a beloved, nostalgic side dish that brings warmth, comfort, and familiarity to any table. It’s creamy, slightly tangy, perfectly seasoned, and filled with simple ingredients that come together in the most delicious way. Every bite delivers soft potatoes, crisp celery, smooth eggs, and the unmistakable Southern-style dressing of mayonnaise, mustard, and sweet pickle relish. This recipe is ideal for picnics, family gatherings, BBQ dinners, holiday spreads, or Sunday meals. It’s satisfying, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. Once you make this version, you’ll understand why Southern potato salad has been cherished for generations — it feels like home in a bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

chill time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Base Ingredients

• 6 medium potatoes peeled and cubed
• 4 hard-boiled eggs chopped
• 1 celery stalk finely diced
• 1 onion finely diced
• 2 spring onions sliced (for garnish or mixing in)

Dressing

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons pickle relish
• 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika plus extra for garnish

Equipment

• Large pot
• Knife and cutting board
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium bowl (for the dressing)
• Spoon for stirring
• Colander
• Measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

Step 1: Cook the Potatoes

1. Peel and cube the potatoes into even pieces.
2. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water.
3. Add a pinch of salt.
4. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 10–14 minutes, or until fork-tender (not mushy!).
5. Drain and let cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the Eggs

1. Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs.
2. Set aside a few slices or pieces if you’d like to use them for garnish.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

1. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, yellow mustard, pickle relish, white vinegar, salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Stir until creamy and smooth.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference.

Step 4: Combine Everything

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the warm potatoes.
2. Gently fold in the chopped eggs, celery, onion, and dressing.
3. Stir carefully so the potatoes stay in soft chunks, not mashed.
4. Sprinkle sliced spring onions over the top.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

1. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (longer tastes even better).
2. Just before serving, lightly sprinkle paprika on top for that classic Southern finishing touch.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Do not freeze — mayonnaise breaks down in the freezer.

Serve chilled or slightly cool; potato salad is not meant to be reheated.

🥄 Variations

Tangier Flavor:
Add an extra splash of vinegar or more pickle relish.

Smoother Texture:
Mash a few potatoes slightly while mixing.

More Crunch:
Add extra celery or chopped bell pepper.

Mustard-Forward Style:
Increase mustard to 2–3 tablespoons for a more pronounced tang.

Egg Lover’s Version:
Add 1–2 extra hard-boiled eggs.

No Onion Option:
Replace onion with only spring onions for milder flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

What potatoes work best?
Yukon gold or russet work beautifully — Yukon gold holds shape better.

Should the potatoes cool before mixing?
Slightly warm potatoes absorb flavor better, so don’t wait too long.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — flavor improves after chilling.

Can I use sweet pickle relish instead of dill?
Sweet relish is traditional in Southern potato salad.

Can I use Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise?
Yes — it will create a sweeter, tangier dressing.

Why did my potato salad get mushy?
Overcooking potatoes. Cook until just fork-tender.

Can I add bacon?
Yes — use cooked beef bacon or turkey bacon if desired.

What if it’s too thick?
Add a tablespoon of milk or more vinegar to loosen it.

Is onion required?
No — spring onions alone can replace it.

Can this be served warm?
Traditionally it’s served chilled or room temperature.

🏁 Conclusion

This Classic Southern Potato Salad is creamy, tangy, flavorful, and comforting — exactly the way potato salad should be. The blend of tender potatoes, smooth mayo dressing, crisp vegetables, and subtle spice makes it a timeless favorite.

It’s easy, familiar, and always a crowd-pleaser. Bring it to gatherings and watch it disappear fast — because everyone loves real Southern flavor.