Southern Potato Salad Recipe

145 Comments

4.85 from 32 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Southern Potato Salad recipe is a delicious side perfect for casual suppers and cookouts! Potato salad is an easy make ahead favorite!

This potato salad recipe is a simple, classic side dish that’s so easy to make. It is a favorite year round – from summer cookouts to potlucks to a southern Sunday meal. Potato Salad goes so well with everything from hamburgers and grilled chicken to other side dishes like fried okra and baked beans.

Potato salad in glass bowl // addapinch.com

When I was a girl I loved being the taste tester when Mama made her potato salad. What a lucky job it was because her Southern Potato Salad is the best! She was asked to make it for every cookout or family reunion because everyone loved it. And my family requested it for so many suppers and family gatherings too. So I got to test it a lot.

Southern Potato Salad Recipe

This potato salad recipe has been in my family for so many years. My great grandmother made it by this recipe and passed it down through the generations. Mama taught my sister and me how to make it and it’s always been our go-to recipe.

Best Potatoes for Southern Potato Salad

You need to use starchy potatoes that get a little bit soft when you cook them. I prefer Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, but I most often use Russets. A waxy potato won’t do for this southern favorite, so get one that will get somewhat soft.

How to Make Potato Salad

To make this recipe you will need these ingredients.

Southern Potato Salad Ingredients

  • Potatoes (Russets preferably)
  • Eggs
  • Onion
  • Dill Pickles
  • Yellow Mustard
  • Mayonnaise (not the sweet dressing type)
  • Salt

Cook potatoes. Start by scrubbing and peeling 3 pounds of potatoes. Cube them, add to cold water and boil until tender enough to pierce with a fork, but not until they are mushy. Drain well once they are done.

Boil eggs. At the same time, hard boil 6 eggs and then peel them once they’re done. Chop the eggs in preparation for the salad.

Dice onion and pickles. While the potatoes are boiling, dice your onion and dill pickles.

Combine. Stir together the drained potatoes, chopped eggs, diced onion, diced pickles and salt with the mayonnaise and mustard until creamy. Add more mustard, mayo and even pickles to taste.

Taste test. Make sure your tasting spoons are lined up and at the ready. You will want to have them for your own taste tests!

Once you’ve completed your potato salad, you can either serve right away or refrigerate to serve later.

Potato salad ingredients of chopped cooked potatoes and diced hardboiled eggs ready to combine, in stainless pot. // addapinch.com

Make Ahead Favorite

My family’s Southern Potato Salad recipe is one that is delicious made the day of serving, but is a great make-ahead dish as well. Just keep it tightly covered and refrigerated until ready to serve. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Perfect for Cookouts, Picnics and Suppers

You’ll find this dish served at most family get-togethers in my family – from holidays like Easter alongside my Cola-Glazed Ham to reunions to cookouts to Sunday suppers! It’s a great potluck dish anytime, too. Potato salad is delicious with chicken, beef, and pork and is a dish that everyone in my family loves!

Adding yellow mustard to Potato salad ingredients of potatoes, diced eggs, chopped pickles, and mayonnaise in a large stainless pot. // addapinch.com

More Delicious Side Dishes and Salads

Here are a few more scrumptious sides for summer cookouts, potlucks and family suppers to try! Many are make ahead too!

Coleslaw

Cucumber Tomato Salad

Southern Macaroni Salad

Easy Tortellini Pasta Salad

Southern Baked Beans

Here’s my family’s Potato Salad recipe. It’s a special favorite!

Southern Potato Salad Recipe

4.85 from 32 votes
Southern Potato Salad – Potato salad is a classic recipe perfect for every possible summer celebration! Made with potatoes, pickles, onions, and eggs, this potato salad is an all-time favorite!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled, cubed and boiled until tender
  • 6 boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 medium dill pickles, diced
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup yellow mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions 

  • Combine all ingredients together and mix until well-combined and creamy. Add more mayonnaise and mustard depending on tastes.

Notes

Make-Ahead:
Store potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.ย 

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 531mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 13.8mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 4.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Southern Potato Salad Recipe - Southern Potato Salad is a classic recipe perfect for Sunday suppers, summertime lunches, picnics, reunions, and every possible celebration! This potato salad recipe is a family favorite! // addapinch.com

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

4.85 from 32 votes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Review




145 Comments

  1. Matt Robinson says:

    I was looking for a new potato salad recipe, so I’m so glad I saw this! And I love the story, great memories!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thank you so much Matt! I hope you enjoy the potato salad! It’s been a favorite in my family for a long time. Some of my fondest memories have been made in the kitchen with my family! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Sugar says:

    I change it by using 1/2 salad dressing & 1/2 mayo and Sweet relish instead of dill… but my oh my, nothing like southern potato salad to start the summer picnic season

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I agree with you, Sugar! Love this Southern Potato Salad to kick off picnic season! Glad you enjoyed it! xo

    2. MARY WILLIS says:

      DO YOU USE 1/2 CUP OF SWEET RELISH ALSO?

  3. Pam says:

    Sounds like my mom’s recipe except she used sweet pickles instead of dill. Wonder what it would taste like with this? Might have to try it.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      We’ve made it this way for years – my Mama and Grandmother made it by this recipe. It’s delicious and I hope you enjoy it, Pam! Thanks!

  4. Robyn says:

    A southern potato salad recipe like my mom’s is something I’ve looked for forever! My husband and I love it and both our moms had their recipes in their heads and they have passed now. Didn’t want to experiment so this is the closest recipe I’ve come across! Can’t wait to try it for this Memorial Day! Thank you!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      This is a favorite in our family and I hope you enjoy it too, Robyn! It will be perfect to enjoy for your summer get togethers! xo

  5. Sherry says:

    I do exact same thing, potatoes, onions, pickles, mayo, mustard, eggs, salt pepper, and i add some powdered hidden valley ranch dressing, and sprinkle paprika and dill on top.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thanks so much, Sherry! Isn’t potato salad delicious?! xo

  6. Dawnette Allen says:

    5 stars
    Sometimes I substitute sandwich spread for the mayo. I do this with deviled eggs also. The family loves it.

  7. Kylee says:

    My grandmother is Ukrainian and she also loads he potato salad with eggs. It really does make us!!! I like to thin my mayo out with a bit of buttermilk. I like your idea of adding mustard!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I hope you enjoy the addition of the mustard to yours! The buttermilk sounds like a great addition!

  8. Cindi says:

    5 stars
    Same recipe as mine. BUT I put mayo, mustard, and pickle juice in a container & mix until smooth then add it to the rest of the salad. Makes it so everything doesn’t break down my mixing it.

  9. Pat Surley says:

    It is almost.my recipe, except that I add celery and some chopped stuffed olives. My husband and I once owned a deli and we sold tons of potato salad. Love your recipes.

  10. Ellean Williamson says:

    L am the one that is requested to make potato salad for church dinners. To my salad, I always add diced green bell pepper along with the onion and sweet pickle relish but I don’t do the mustard. I garnish my dish with paprika and sometimes olives. My dish always stands out because of the green pepper.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Your potato salad sounds like it’s a hit with all your church friends, Ellean! I always find it interesting to hear how potato salad recipes differ – and I enjoy all kinds! Thanks so much!