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If you are looking for the BEST potato salad recipe, this is it!!! Our 5-star potato salad recipe was handed down from our mom, and the one we always make.
What makes this potato salad recipe so special? We love how creamy and flavorful it is. The mixture of mayonnaise, a hint of yellow mustard, and the secret ingredient (pickle juice) makes it so delicious.
This favorite is very simple to throw together. It does take time to boil the eggs and potatoes, but they are easy steps that require little work. Once you have those cooked, the rest is easy!
We really think it’s the BEST potato salad, and the perfect side dish recipe for any BBQ or summer gathering!
Macaroni Salad and Pistachio Salad are also BBQ and potluck favorites!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- A popular summer side. It’s party perfect – cool, creamy, and perfectly delicious.
- BBQ perfect. Sometimes, there’s just nothing better than delicious meat (like Pulled pork or Steak) with sides like Baked Beans and Coleslaw, and potato salad for a family BBQ!
- A family favorite. This recipe has been handed down and is used by generations. It’s a tried and true favorite!
Best Potato Salad Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions
- 10-12 potatoes, or one 5-pound bag, washed – For potatoes that will hold their shape, use Yukon Gold. For a softer potato, use Russet potatoes.
- 6-7 eggs – Make sure the eggs don’t have any chips or cracks. See our post on How to Boil Eggs.
- 1 (2.25-ounce) can black olives, diced
- 3-4 baby dill pickles, diced
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard – We use regular yellow mustard, but Dijon mustard works too.
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- optional additions – paprika, chopped celery, bacon bits, red onions, Dijon mustard, green onions, chives
How to Make Potato Salad Recipe
- POTATOES. Boil whole potatoes for 40-45 minutes until fork tender, drain, and let cool.
- EGGS. While potatoes are cooking, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Gently lower eggs into the water using a strainer ladle. Turn the heat down and simmer for 15 minutes. Once done, transfer eggs to an ice bath for 5 minutes, then peel and set aside.
- ASSEMBLE. Let potatoes cool, then peel off skins and cube potatoes into ¾-inch pieces. It is okay if they are soft or fall apart. Place the potato chunks in a large bowl.
- Cube eggs and add to the bowl.
- Add olives, diced pickles, and pickle juice and mix.
- Add mayonnaise (more or less depending on personal preference), mustard, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
- Stir in any other desired mix-ins and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- We like to make Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs. The eggs can also be boiled in the same pot as the potatoes; see the FAQ’s for steps.
- For potatoes that will hold their shape, use Yukon Gold potatoes. For a softer potato, use Russet potatoes, which is what we use.
- While the salad can be served right away, letting it chill in the fridge will help the flavors meld together.
- Don’t leave potato salad at room temperature for more than 2 hours or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
Homemade Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 10-12 potatoes, or one 5-pound bag, washed
- 6-7 eggs
- 1 (2.25-ounce) can black olives, diced
- 3-4 baby dill pickles, diced
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- salt and pepper, to taste
Optional
- paprika, chopped celery, bacon bits, Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Boil potatoes for 40–45 minutes or until tender (a fork should easily pierce a potato).
- While potatoes are cooking, fill a medium pot with enough water to cover eggs and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Gently lower eggs into the water using a strainer ladle. Turn the heat down and simmer for 15 minutes. Once done, transfer eggs to an ice bath for 5 minutes, then peel and set aside.
- Let potatoes cool, then peel off skins and cube potatoes into ¾-inch pieces. It is okay if they are soft or fall apart. Place in a large bowl.
- Cube eggs and add to a bowl.
- Add olives, diced pickles, and pickle juice and mix.
- Add mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper and mix well (add more or less mayonnaise depending on what you like).
- Stir in any other desired mix-ins and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- We like to make Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs. The eggs can also be boiled in the same pot as the potatoes; see the FAQ’s for steps.
- For potatoes that will hold their shape, use Yukon Gold potatoes. For a softer potato, use Russet potatoes, which is what I use.
- While the salad can be served right away, letting it chill in the fridge will help all the flavors meld together.
- Don’t leave potato salad at room temperature for more than 2 hours or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Place the potatoes on the bottom of the pot. Make sure the eggs do not have any cracks and place them on top of the potatoes. Add water until they are both completely covered by 1-2 inches.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat. Let the eggs cook for another 6-7 minutes before removing them from the water. Continue to boil the potatoes for another 35 minutes or until tender.
We like to make this ahead of time, cover it, and let it refrigerate for 18–24 hours.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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This recipe was originally published June 2017.
I just made BB Back Ribs & Your Potato Salad yesterday. They both came out great! My eggs floated in the cooking pan fat side up, like they had a air bubble in them. They didn’t peel easily either. And they all had the look of an air bubble on their fat ends. They were a little hard to cut w/ my egg slicer. Does that mean they were old?? I live alone & U say this Tater Salad lasts for 5 days. How does it freeze?
It yielded 48 oz of salad & thats prob’ly a lot to consume in 5 days. So I’m sure I will attempt to freeze half to save it for later. I followed all your instruction to the letter & appreciate the clue of using an ice bath. It tastes great too!!
I usually make a recipe very similar to this except that it adds celery and scallions and no olives, so I’m sure this will be quite to my tastes. It’s currently sitting in the fridge for tomorrow, but I wanted to comment on the potatoes and eggs.
Halving the recipe, I used two large russets and four eggs. I followed the instructions of boiling them together. Took the eggs out at six minutes, then let the potatoes go for another 35 minutes. I had to let the potatoes sit in the hot water for about 15 minutes afterwards because something came up. Lo and behold, the potatoes were PERFECT. Just the right softness without being mushy or falling apart when cubed.
Then, much to my surprise, the eggs were absolutely perfect. I don’t think I ever boiled such beautiful eggs in my life. When I saw your picture of eggs above, I thought, “Yeah, right. My eggs are never going to look like that.” But they did! I am very proud of my eggs. Thank you!
sounds good
Very good recipe! I added 2 celery stalks, extra pickles juice, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. I didn’t like the sweetness very much so I’ll use russet potatoes instead of gold potatoes. Made it with poblano beef dip sandwiches when my parents came to visit and they liked the potato salad more than the sandwich. Hahah
My 40th wedding anniversary is March 17. I want to make a easy romantic dinner for him.
would you send me one please.
Oh congratulations! Here are some recipes we like for Valentine’s day… some are fancier and romantic. https://lilluna.com/valentines-dinner-ideas/ Off the top of my head, our Steak Marinade is easy and so tasty! Or our Fettuccine Alfredo is a great choice. https://lilluna.com/steak-marinade-recipe/ https://lilluna.com/easy-fettuccine-alfredo/
Hi enjoyed this potato salad I threw in scallions and cubed cheese.
Sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing!
Loved salad as written, or you can tweak and make it your own.
I am enjoying this site!
Thank you!! So happy to have you here. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Potato salad is a favorite in our home. Pretty much everyone loves it. It’s also the best side dish.
This is just like my grandma would make it. Add diced celery and small cubes of white cheddar cheese and you’ll be surprised how well it works with all the other flavors. I also add diced red onion.
Thanks for sharing what you did. Sounds delicious!!
Tried this, it was horrible. Black olives in potato salad. Maybe if you put enough hot sauce on it l it it might be edible.
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!
Thank you for such a delicious potato salad. I have never understood SWEET potato salad! This is delicious!! I did cut down the Mayo a bit and used sour cream yum!! This is how potato salad is supposed to taste….not like a sweet desert.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the salad. It’s the only potato salad recipe I enjoy! 🙂
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make potato salad recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Have you ever tried cutting up an apple and putting in the potato salad. It gives it a little different flavor and crunch. A friend of mine makes it that way, although she won’t give me her recipe.
I can’t say that I have ever tried that before. Sounds very exciting!! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, I always make this with no pickles or pickle juice. Add red onions celery optional. Also I found that the red potatoes make a better potato salad. No mustard either. Just mayo. This is the way I was raised to make it. Sometimes my great aunt would add canned shrimp to it. Especially if it was for a special occasion.
Just thought I would throw this out for a different twist.
Thank you for the recipe shares. Pinned the Cole slaw recipe.
Thanks for sharing! Your version sound tasty too. 🙂
Your recipe calls for pickle juice but doesn’t say when to add it. I assume with the Mayo and mustard?
My mother-in-law’s potato salad is divine and mine never measures up. She told me one time that pickle juice was her secret ingredient. I’m going to give your recipe a try and hope it is similar to what my MIL does. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, pickle juice is the secret recipe here! It makes the potato salad so yummy. And yes, you would add it when you add the mayo and mustard. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
like YOU’RE RECIPES
Awe, thank you so much!
Do you use sweet pickle juice or the dill pickle juice? You did not stAte what kind specIfically. Thank you.
I just use dill pickle juice, but I bet the other would work great, too!
We made this potato salad this week! We loved it! So easy and so delicious.
My grandmother was raised in Hawaii. She makes this potato salad but instead of mustard and pickles, she puts in a can of grated spam. I couldn’t believe that someone actually knew how to make my Grammie’s potato salad!
There’s an option! Thanks for letting me know!
Thanks for including seRving size. I have a Hard time Figuring out POTATO:person ratioS. This will be super helpful in making your recipe. Love the idea of adding pickles & pickle juice! Can’t wait to try it.
You are welcome! I am glad it was helpful! Thank you for letting me know!
This Potato Salad Recipe is a keeper! Definitely will be using it a lot this summer!
The perfect Summer recipe!
This looks good!
Thank you!! It tastes super good, too 😉
this potato salad is the perfect side dish for any meal! my family loves it!
I made the recipe but used sweet gherkins instead of dill pickle. I added chopped dill, celery and parsley. I topped it with paprika and chopped cooked bacon. I thought it lacked tang but it’s always better after it sits awhile and so I wait.
Oh. I always use red potatoes for more flavor.
Best potato salad hands down! It’s the only one I’ve ever used. Don’t even bother trying other recipes.
Hands down greatest potato salad recipe out there! My husbands family always brings the store bought kind to our family gatherings :/ I think I’ll be volunteering from now own, to bring the potato salad! Really great recipe!
I made this for a bbq & everyone loved it! My hubby especially loved it! He is requesting it again this week!
I don’t like pickles so I left them out. I did use the pickle juice though and this recipe was a hit with the family. Perfect addition to our BBQ dinner!
I may have doubled the amount of pickles, and used larger ones (I love pickles!) – this recipe was so delicious and super easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
Glad to share 🙂 I am glad you liked it!!
This Potatoe salad looks delicious..One question do you diced the olives or leave them in circles..Thank-you
I like to add sliced olives, but really they can be chopped or sliced or even whole, if you like. It is just a preference 🙂
Thank-you so much..????????
ENJOY!!
I made this recipe and loved it. So simple to make. My family likes it too, even the ones who don’t like mayo based and vinegar based foods. This recipe is a keeper. I will make it again!!!
I am so glad it’s a keeper!!! It’s our favorite to use. Thank you for letting me know!
This is very similar to the way I make it! I use green olives and olive juice in mine! And everyone here loves it’s! I love potatoe salad! And yours looks wonderful might have to whip up a batch this weekend!
That sounds great! I’ll have to try that! Let me know what you think, if you give this a try 🙂 Thanks!
Potato salads are delicious if it’s made healthy…
Store bought mayonnaise uses high refined and processed vegetable oils like sunflower or canola oil. Instead,try making your own mayonnaise using extra virgin oil and cage-free organic egg yolks.
We should all stay away from processed foods and eat healthy!!????
Raquel
Thanks so much!
patato salad is very testy. This recepie making in my home.
I hope you liked it!! Thanks for stopping by!
Gong to try this next week. My sister uses sweet pickles in her salad. Have you ever made with sweet
instead of dill?
Made this potato salad this week. Substituted sweet pickles and juice for the dill. It was outstanding. Everybody loved it.
Glad that it was a hit!! We love dill so we’ve yet to try it with the sweet pickles. 😉
This is amazing! So different from what I have made in the past and so much better. My husband ate a couple servings before it even made it to the table. Yum!!
Oh, I LOVE hearing that! Sounds like your hubby and mine would get along just great – my husband is OBSESSED with this recipe!!
How many does this recipe serve?
We usually can get 10-15 servings from this, but I’ve never actually counted. :/
YUM!!! Pinned! I’d love for you to share this at my Saturday Dishes Link Party this weekend! It’s a themed link up & this week’s theme is Memorial Day & Grilling! Feel free to share other posts that fit the theme as well if you have them! (: http://lifeisfantasmic.blogspot.com/
Yum this potato looks so good! I will have to try it! Thanks for sharing!
Let me know if you do – would love to know what you think. Have a great weekend. 🙂
I love potato salad, this looks yummy.
Let me know if you ever try the recipe. It’s super easy and my favorite potato salad ever. 🙂
Are the times listed to boil the potatoes right? 40-45 minutes? That seems a bit excessive. Must’ve been a typo, right?
Because there a lot of potatoes, that is right. It takes a while for them to get soft:) Hope you give this recipe a try..it’s our absolute favorite!
Looks Amazing!
I love potato salad and will be making some for Easter Sunday. I never thought to put pickle juice into instead of using pickles! I love that idea and will have to try it out this weekend!
Are you sure Lorin and I aren’t related? I swear we love the same exact things. Maybe our moms just cooked the same way! Potato salad is my favorite and the recipe my Mom (and I) make is like this. YUM!!
This looks good! Perfect for summer BBQ’s!
It is perfect for BBQ and is easier to make than you think. 😉