My classic potato salad recipe is made with tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar and a special blend of seasonings. It’s the best best potato with egg ever!
My idea of pure bliss is a paper plate loaded with grill-fare and a heaping scoop of this classic potato salad! I love the creamy texture and the incredible flavor.
This easy potato salad recipe is just like the recipe that my mom used to make when I was a kid. It’s perfectly delicious in every way.
Classic Potato Salad Recipe
Potato Salad with Egg
The last potato salad that I had at a friend’s cookout was made without hard-boiled eggs.
I’ve found that I just really love the flavor and texture that the eggs add to potato salad recipes. In my opinion, eggs are a must! I also use them in my Amish potato salad.
Do you like your potato salad with egg? Inquiring minds (well, just mine) want to know. Let me know in the comments below! :)
The one ingredient that my mom’s classic potato salad recipe did not include is the celery seed.
I’ve found that I absolutely love the extra flavor that celery seed adds to the recipe and I never leave them out. Another recipe that I always add celery seed to is my perfect “>restaurant-style coleslaw. If you’re looking for a fast and easy coleslaw recipe, don’t miss it!
It’s spring here in Ohio, but it’s been far too cold to consider having a cookout. Just leave it to our crazy Ohio weather to mess with my grilling plans!
You can bet that the first warm day we get I’ll be firing up the grill, making some burgers and whipping up a big batch of this classic potato salad recipe for my family to enjoy.
I’m really in my happy place during the summer on those lazy Saturdays when I can relax in the backyard with my friends and family.
RELATED: Looking for another delicious summertime side dish? We also have the BEST sweet macaroni salad and a wonderful cold spaghetti salad!
My simple three bean salad recipe is also a great choice.
How to Make Classic Potato Salad
If you’re ready to fix a large bowl of this tasty potato salad, you’ll need to pick up a few ingredients including:
- 8 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cooked, peeled and diced
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1/4 cup onion, diced
- 5 hard-boiled eggs diced or sliced
- optional, paprika for garnish
To make your potato salad, just follow our simple instructions:
- Boil potatoes in salted water 15 to 20 minutes or until done. Cool to room temperature and peel.
- Dice the boiled potatoes and put into a bowl.
- In another bowl mix together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, celery seed, and pepper until well blended. Add the diced potatoes, celery and onions to the mixture and stir until everything is coated.
- Stir in the eggs.
- Sprinkle with paprika, optional.
- Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Stir before serving, and enjoy!
Best Potato Salad Tips
I always choose Yukon Gold potatoes when making my mom’s classic potato salad recipe. These are nice and creamy but they don’t fall apart when you cook the potatoes. The peels also come off easily after cooking which makes everything so much easier!
Add your potatoes to cold water before bringing to a boil, and don’t forget to salt your water!
This adds so much flavor to your potatoes. You might even want to add a little more salt than you think is necessary.
Friends, you’re going to thank me for sharing this delicious family recipe with you. I hope your family loves it as much as mine does!
I’d also like to challenge each of you to really soak up every moment of spring and summer this year. THESE are the good old days, and every single second that we can spend with our families are moments that we should treasure.
This yummy classic potato salad just makes those moments a little bit more delicious. :)
Looking for potato salad that’s a little more adventurous? Don’t miss my loaded potato salad! You might also love this creamy German cucumber salad.
Classic Potato Salad
This creamy classic potato salad is easy and delicious. Whip some up for your family cookout!
Ingredients
- 8 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cooked, peeled and diced
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1/4 cup onion, diced
- 5 hard-boiled eggs diced or sliced
- optional, paprika for garnish
Instructions
- Boil potatoes in salted water 15 to 20 minutes or until done. Cool to room temperature and peel.
- Dice potatoes and put into a bowl.
- In another bowl mix together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, celery seed, and pepper until well blended. Add the diced potatoes, celery and onions to the mixture and stir until everything is coated.
- Stir in the eggs.
- Sprinkle with paprika, optional.
- Refrigerate until chilled.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8Amount Per Serving: Calories: 357
132 Comments on “Classic Potato Salad”
I made this recipe for an impromptu bbq and it was a hit. I only made 2 small changes, I decreased the sugar by 1/2 because I don’t like a sweet potato salad and I decreased the black pepper by 1/2. It was delicious, a big hit in my house.
Eggs ,always , sugar never.
My opinion is eggs don’t belong in potato salad any more than potatos belong in egg salad.
Peel potatoes first! Lol
Crissy yes please make potato salad with eggs
No eggs in potato salad!
Yes eggs. I don’t bother peeling the potatoes. I just scrub them good and toss them in the water. It’s one of my favorite summer foods.
Same. Hard boiled eggs are a MUST! We make a very similar potato salad recipe but also add sliced black olives for some tang.
Of course there’s eggs. However, mom, this is potato salad, not egg salad, so your ratio of potato to egg is off. I grew up with miracle whip, so always use that, there’s no mayonnaise in our fridge or the pantry. Has to have pickles too, and no vinegar, just use pickle juice. Always red potatoes, they stay firm, not mushing like white potatoes do. I only use salt and pepper to season, mostly salt the potatoes as they’re cooking. If I don’t have celery, I use celery seed. Usually use a whole onion. For the most part, the recipe I follow, which is in the head and requires no measurements, is from my great grandma, then my grandma, then my mom. My sister makes hers a different way, that I would say was completely different. I made it for Christmas the last time my mom had Christmas. My uncle declared my mom had outdone herself…lol
I am with you C
rissy. This is pretty much the one I make except I use red potatoes as I find them very creamy. Also with another commenter we only use miracle whip in my family, no mayo. I always have 1 egg more than potatoes ie: 5 potatoes and 6 eggs.
Absolutely YES to eggs in potato salad. I put eggs in every deli-style salad, including potato, tuna, chicken, salmon, macaroni. I finely chop them so there are no huge chunks of egg white. Keep the hubby, though. I’m sure he has other great redeeming qualities!
Sorry, I’m with your husband. If I want eggs in my salad, I would make egg salad. Potato salad is all about the potatoes.
Actually, it is not the mayo that goes bad at a picnic..it is the potatoes. They are low acid. Yes, eggs all the way!
This sounds like my mothers recipe and she always put eggs in it and so do I. It wouldn’t be potato salad without the eggs. Looking at this picture of potato salad has made me hungry for it so I am going to have to make some. I love your recipes and thank you for sharing them.
You definitely have to have eggs in potato salad. My mother and grandmothers & great grandmother always put eggs in theirs So do i!
I think we share my Gram’s & my Mum’s recipes! They are so much a major part of all our family gatherings we have during the year. CoVid has altered our get togethers for over a year now. We all are chomplng at the bit to get back on track. Oh, you definitely win the hard boiled eggs in the potato salad contest. My Dear Gram always said “potato salad without eggs is naked without them!”
Potato Salad sounds very good, about like I make & a favorite dish of mine. I might put little more onion in as my family can’t get too much onion in any dish its used in. I’m new to your site but I’m excited for your recipes. Thanks.
This is pretty much how my grandma and mom and I have always made it !
Always use eggs lots of mustard and don’t forget the dill pickles.
Yes, my husband and I agree, absolutely eggs belong in potato salad.
Absolutely! Must have eggs in potato salad! Can’t wait to try your recipe. It made me hungry just reading the ingredients!
I wonder what brand of apple cider vinegar you use.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe!
I am 70 y\o and this is how my mother always made potato salad, and now I’m married 52years and still make my potato salad this way.
I only had boys and they make it this way at both of their homes. When it’s good why change it.
Thank You so much for sharing.
I always put eggs in my potato salad. Planning on trying your classic potato salad recipe. Thank you for posting
Thank you for this recipe. I made the Potato Salad about a week ago. I followed your directions, (I halved the recipe). My husband loved this recipe. I don’t like eggs or cold potatoes with mayonnaise so I never tried it. I will make it again for my husband through.
I must just be sensitive to vinegar but I thought the 2 TBSP was way too much. If you’re sensitive to vinegar I’d recommend starting with half. Besides that this turned out great!
This is the best potato salad i have ever made , I wouldn’t change a thing! thanks for sharing it Crissy!
About to make my recipe and browsing for tips and tricks. Lots of good stuff here. Will definitely add celery seed.
One thing I was taught is to put the diced onions and celery in a bowl and then add the hot peeled cubed potatoes on top of them to soften them a bit. I don’t want crunch in pot salad. Boiling w/o the skins loses some nutrients but will worry about that another day!
I usually use tarragon vinegar but will try apple cider vinegar this time.
This is my go to potato salad recipe. I love potato salad but was never able to get it right until I tried this recipe. I ever have celery seed on hand so I just add a pinch of celery salt. I also add a can of olives because my husband won’t eat it without them. My dad always asks me to make the potato salad for family functions. Thanks for an awesome recipe! I’m making some right now!
Your recipe is similar to my mother-in-law’s except while the potatoes are still warm, she added chopped green onions and marinated the potatoes and onions with a splash of Wishbone Italian Dressing. Then added finely chopped celery, eggs & grated carrots (optional) for color. Instead of mayo she like Miracle Whip Salad Dressing as it has more flavor; also a little sweet pickle juice and yes, celery seed; topped with a sprinkling of paprika.
This is the absolute best potato salad recipe i’ve ever made but I’m wondering if you can make this the day before?
We’re no egg in the salad however, we do like them on the side??. I was so happy to find this recipe using Yukon Gold Potatoes as that was all I had on hand, I’m in the process of making it right now & will let you know what the family thinks. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
I used your recipe to get my proportions right. But my mom always put sweet pickles and sweet pickle juice in hers. I guess your sugar and vinegar does the same thing. You’re right, it begs for hard boiled eggs and celery seed.
Pickle juice… brilliant! I’m going to have to try that!
Like you my Mom always made potato salad with egg. So of course that’s what I do…. love the eggs. I also use the celery seed. I have never used Apple cider vinegar in it so will try it this coming week as I’m making a potato salad for a potluck dinner at a friends. Thanks will let you know how I make out.
This recipe is almost identical to my Mom’s. Hard boiled eggs are a must!
Just like moms ?
Thank you
Made this yesterday and by far the best yet!! This is a keeper.
The base for this is so delicious, I’ve been using it as spread for sandwiches, veggie dip, salmon salad, pasta salads, whatever I can find! Thanks!
Make it pretty much like this but add olives. Potato salad isn’t potato salad without eggs???
I made this salad today for a family get together and everyone loved it. I was so happy because, it was the first time I made a potato salad for a group of people. This will be my go to recipe for potato salad from now on. Thank you.
Hi!
Could I use russet potatoes and boil with the skins on like you do with Yukon? I have never tried this as we always peel the potatoes before cubing them, then into a pot to boil. We are making a big batch next weekend for our daughters college graduation party ❤️ My Grandma when use chopped dill pickle instead of sweet relish and added pickle juice to the dressing.
Wow I love the recipe! And I love how you wrote the entire thing. I usually skip to recipe part but yours story was fun to read! Love from India
Also I’m going to skip eggs ;)
I enjoy a good potato salad, and yes, it has to have eggs!
Potato salad for me and my family includes eggs. My mom always put celery seed on n potato salad and cole slaw. Your recipe is definitely a keeper. ??
This potato salad looks delicious ?
I just made it, and it is DELICIOUS!!! I will be making this again and again … Thank you!
I don’t like the texture of fresh celery, but I do like the flavor, so I chop up the celery leaves and add them to my potato salad. I also add fresh chopped parsley if I have it and chopped green onion and dill pickles. Adding vinegar to the warm potatoes gives another level of flavor. I almost forgot, I also add about a tablespoon of horseradish. I also add sour cream in place of some of the mayo. Sorry this is not a review of your potato salad, which looks terrific. Just wanted to mention some of my oddball ingredients, which makes a pretty good potato salad. Oh, and absolutely eggs, although I have to put some eggless potato salad aside for my son. :)
I made this today and it is delicious ! I didn’t have vinegar and substituted dill pickle juice :)
Is it possible to make the day before?
Potato salad is actually even better the second (and subsequent) days 😁
It’s better when it’s chilled overnight. Still great warm though!
you can make it 2 days before…Or else, get everything ready the day before and mix it…Actually BETTER the day before…But for holidays and pressed for time I do ALL creamy salads ahead of time…
I have made potato salad for many many years. Something was always missing that made it not taste like my mother’s. Well I found out it was sugar and vinegar! This potato salad is exactly what I have been looking for. It’s fantastic! Thanks! I made it exactly as written served it with italian sausage sandwiches! Yum!
Delicious! Thank you for sharing…I doubled the recipe and it served 25. I reduced the apple cider vinegar to 1 Tb (heaping), added 1/4 cup sweet relish.
Taking another batch to Super Bowl party today…goes great with our Smoked BBQ ribs – YUM.
Do you mean that you used 1 heaping TB of vinegar and 1/4 cup of sweet relish for the doubled recipe? Or, do you mean you use those measurements for the original size recipe. Thanks so much! Can’t wait to try it out with relish!!
I don’t like to bite into boiled egg yolks in potato salad. I began putting the mayo (Hellman’s or it’s Southern twin, Best), mustard, and egg yolks in a food processor and whir ’til smooth. It comes out a sunny yellow and the taste of the egg is there without biting into a chunk of it. Dice the whites into the potatoes.
Amazing!!!! The addition of the Apple cider vinegar gives it a very nice twist. ?
Your recipe is exactly like the one I make. I agree with you about the eggs and my grandson tells me “it isn’t potato salad without the eggs”. He is 7. I’m from Canton and moved to Wisconsin in 1977 and everyone here loves my potato salad. I want to try some of your other recipes. Thanks for this one!
Thank you so much for this recipe! It’s just like my mother use to make and I never got her recipe! Am making it right now!
This potato salad is seriously the best I’ve ever tasted! I will make it this way from now on!!
I add miracle whip instead of mayo, also cut up bread and butter spear pickles. Boyfriend loves it!!
Loved it!! Huge hit with our family..
Thank you!
My daughter made it. Best potato salad ever!
I think it is the apple cider vinegar ☺. Thanks for sharing
This looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
NO! Eggs have no place in potato salad!
Haha! You and my hubby would get along, Debbie! :)
Everyone will more than likely hate me for stating that I will not touch potato salad with eggs in it but to clarify, I just abhor mayonnaise. Don’t even ask about Miracle Whip, abhor isn’t a strong enough word. Mayo skieves me, summer picnics, eating potato salad that’s outside for how long? A big nope.
Haha, Valerie, I totally get it. :) Certain foods just turn me off, too!
oh definitely eggs in potato salad, and pickle relish too, for us southerns ( or at least this one) I will have to try the celery seeds
I grew up eating potato salad with eggs in them. I have had them both ways and did like both versions.
I’m a Texas girl. What’s Potato salad without eggs ?
Absolutely on eggs! So delicious!
Eggs- YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :)
Hi Chrissy,,, I definitely agree , eggs are a must in potato salad,,, the rest of your recipe looks a lot like the one I grew up on too ,,,, except one ingredient,,, we have and always will use miracle whip ,,,, not mayonnaise ,,, as a matter of fact mayonnaise is not allowed in our house for any reason,, lol just sayin!!!!
You have some great recipes keep up the fantastic work,, thanks again !!!
Hi Connie, that’s funny! I guess Miracle Whip and Mayo have a debate all their own. :) I like both there so I’m sure I’d love your potato salad. Thanks for commenting!
I always use hard boiled eggs and green peas in mine.sometimes we eat it on toast as a sandwich filling as well as a side.
Oooh, peas is a great idea to add some color and snap!
You have to add eggs, or it’s just potatoes and mayonnaise-yuck
Haha, I agree! :)
I can’t say I’ve ever put eggs in my potato salad but I’m definitely going to give it a try :)
Hope you love it, Charlotte!
Oh, yes…eggs please. I love potato salad with eggs. Thanks!!
Hi Crissy sorry to say we over here in the UK dont put eggs in our potato salad so i am a with out girl but keep them great recipes coming thank you from blighty regards sue x
Thanks so much, sue!
I’m guessing you husband doesn’t like eggs in his potato salad, lol. I don’t either. But I do love to add celery seeds and paprika!! Instead of adding eggs to my potato salad I make deviled eggs! My family loves them and they don’t even think about them not being in the potato salad! Might make a good solution for you and your hubby! Loving your recip
es!
That’s a fabulous idea, Pam! Now I’m craving deviled eggs! :)
My recipe is almost the same with 2 exceptions
I sprinkle the apple cider vinegar on the potatoes and eggs and let sit about an hour. I use red onion and 1/4 C dill weed. Soooo good!
Eggs, eggs, eggs!
Judi, I’m taking notes, your potato salad sounds scrumptious!!!
My potato Salad has the following in it:
5# potatoes, 1/2 dozen eggs, radishes, celery, red, green and yellow bell peppers, 1# bacon fried, dill pickles, sweet pickles, Bread and Butter pickles onion and celery seed. I will use onion powder and celery seed in place of onions and celery and omit the bell peppers if making it for my husband because he cant eat onions, celery and bell peppers
RADISHES would be great, I love them and love that crunch. Thanks for commenting, Jackie!
Most definitely eggs belong!
My mom also puts egg in our potato salad. The difference is that we grate it with a fine grater, also add green peas and cheese. My mom also adds celery salt.
Grated eggs, wow, what a GREAT idea. haha! Going to try it!
Crissy,
This potato salad recipe is very similar to our family recipe except we do not use the mustard, celery, or celery seed. Our family recipe adds sliced gherkins instead. Yes, potato salad should have eggs.
Ooooh, Rita, the gherkins sounds tasty!
I am of the opinion that however your mom made it is the right way to do things. :) As long as you liked it when you were a kid, that is. But at our house, nope, no eggs in the potato salad. Eggs belong in tuna salad or egg salad, not in potato salad. But that’s just for our house. If your mom made it with eggs, then that is, of course, the right way to do it at your house. End of story.
I love this: If your mom made it with eggs, then that is, of course, the right way to do it at your house. End of story.
Unless of course, your mother in law made it with eggs and your mother didn’t, then my mom wins, right?
I don’t never put eggs in But what I do I put them on top in a circle as decoration then whoever wants eggs can take
Good idea, Vicki!
Good idea…BUT,”the whole purpose of the eggs mixed into the salad is that it”Gives the sauce “flavor…People don’t realize this fact…Also Doesn’t bother me to use 100 “mayo(only HELLMENS will do)But to “OMIT the sugar…To “still have that “slight pinch of sweetness(and to “Satisfy everyone…Here is “my recipe passed down over 100 years in our “Polish family”…Mix 2/3 Hellmand Mayo to 1/3rd Salad dressing…Add to that a “pinch of mustard, pinch of “creamy horseradish sauce, and smash of Apple cider vinegar/salt/pepper/onion and garlic powder…OH…I actually “toss my “potatoes with the apple cider vinegar and a “little canola oil to “coat, add all my dry seasoning”…THEN, mix in the mayo blend dressing…add eggs last, toss, and Then add sliced eggs on top to decorate with hint of pap ricks “for color…Oh, chop chives or green onion on top…Try this Chrissy…I guarantee you’ll love it!…My hubby wants “Russett or Idaho as they are a firmer potato……Mixing the “little bit of “canola oil in “both your mayo mixture AND tossing your potatoes in (with vinegar) makes the Potato salad “more creamy and keep potatoes from “absorbing to much of the dressing “overnight.(Who wants “dry potato salad? Gotta have the “pinch of “horseradish cream sauce(not as strong as “grated horseradish)
Sorry hubby…eggs belong in tater salad. plus mustard, olives, pickles, onions, mayo, spices.
Only thing I DON”T LIKE about potato salad is the EGGS. My mom made one much like yours, and I just didn’t care for the eggs. But I don’t like deviled eggs or hard boiled eggs, either. Scrambled and fried are okay. I would LOVE to find a good potato salad recipe that doesn’t call for eggs
My husband & I have the same disagreement. He is from the northeast and likes “deli” style potato salad which is basically potatoes & mayo, little else. I prefer mine with eggs, chopped sweet baby gerkins with juice plus the usual mayo, etc.
OHH YES INDEED….. love eggs in my potato salad !!
Gosh your picture is just wonderful…
Yes, yes! Absolutely! If it doesn’t have eggs, it just is missing the magic! My whole gang votes YES!
Love your recipes. Thank you.
Yes, hard boiled eggs are a must. I love potato salad!
I love eggs in my potato salad!!
Looks like you win this one Crissy! Lol. I don’t like hard-boiled eggs just to eat, but they have to be mashed up in a potato salad. Minus the mustard though.
Most definitely potato salad must have eggs. I do think the Apple replacing the celery is worth a try. Thanks for the idea, Jack. Or maybe in addition to the celery?
I always use hard boiled eggs in my potato salad…..and celery seed!!
I have never heard of potato salad without eggs! You are so right!!
I mom made the best potato salad I have ever eaten and it always included eggs. I have not broken the tradition and my potato salad has been labeled as the best at my church and in the community. I would not dream of not adding the eggs. Otherwise, it would only be potatoes and mayonnaise. Wow! Very boring!
Anyone know how far in advance you can dress this potato salad?
I love this recipe i can’t wait to try it. And i 100% believe that eggs belong in potato salad
Nooo, or it would be egg salad. Blech.
I have always made potato salad with eggs. I agree with you, I love the flavor it gives, plus I never put mustard in my potato salad.
My salad recipe to a T!!
Eggs all the way … oh ya, and celery seed too! My salad is always the most requested salad I make (right next to my Super Duper Green Salad) ?
Linda, you have good taste!! :)
I’ve always made potato salad WITH eggs…and do prefer it that way. And your pictures are making me hungry!
The only way to make potato salad is with hard boiled eggs. I think it tastes very bland without the eggs. I also like to use celery seed rather than celery in my salad.
EGGSACTLY!!
Eggs are a must!!!
Eggs- YES!!! We have Australian curry too! ?
Gotta have eggs in it!!!!!
Dear Crissy, I love your classic potato salad but I want to share with you a difference of how I make my potato salad. I am from the Netherlands. And celery over there is never used. Instead we use a tart apple, like Granny Smith. Cleaned and diced ! In your recipe one whole apple would be enough. The rest of your recipe is about the same. Lots of friends want my recipe. It is worth a try !
Interesting, I’ll have to try that, Jack!
Lifelong egg despised, but I do have celery seeds.
Other than the eggs, your recipe sounds really good, so I’ll put it on my “to try” list next time I go to the store.?
This looks delicious! Potato salad MUST have eggs!
You have the BEST pictures of your food. It makes me want to take a spoon or folk and reach right into the computer and have a yummy taste!!!!!
OH THAT POTATOE SALAD LOOKS REALLY GOOD GOT TO YRY IT SOON
I want recipe for potato salad