Mom S Best Potato Salad Recipe

In our family, we can’t imagine a family barbecue, picnic, or game day buffet without this rich and creamy homemade potato salad as a side dish. Now, I know that everyone says their mom makes the best potato salad, but in this case, it’s true! Our mom really does make the best. From tender cooked potatoes to the tangy sweetness of a special potato salad dressing, to the crunch of sweet pickles, you’ll love this easy potato salad recipe. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to that store-bought stuff again.

Ingredients in this Creamy Potato Salad Recipe

There are lots of little ingredients in this potato salad, but trust me, each one makes it better and better! Don’t like one of the ingredients? Leave it out! Here’s what we use:

Potatoes – You can use any potatoes you like! White potatoes, Yukon gold or red, russet potatoes, etc. Anything goes! We use 5 medium-sized potatoes. Personally, Yukon Gold Potatoes are my favorite. Hard-boiled eggs – you’ll need eight total. Save two eggs to use for garnish on the salad. Mayonnaise – some people like the tang of Miracle Whip instead, and if that’s what you like, go ahead and use it instead of mayo. Sour cream – half a cup or so Yellow mustard -feel free to substitute Dijon mustard if you like that better. Sweet pickle relish – or diced sweet pickles. OR use 5 to 6 diced baby dill pickles, depending on your pickle preference. Dill weed – finely chopped. You can find it with the fresh herbs in your grocery store or use dried dill if you have that on hand. Celery -is also optional but adds a delicious crunch to each bite. Seasonings: Salt, pepper, a little sugar, and paprika

What Potatoes Are Best for Potato Salad?

The very best potato salad recipe begins and ends with what type of potatoes you use. We love waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold potatoes or red potatoes because they hold their shape as they cook and keep their firm texture in the salad while chopping and tossing with the dressing. However, if you don’t have any of those kinds on hand, you can use Russets. We’ve used them in this recipe many times and they work fine. They’re just a bit softer and flakier than red potatoes or Yukon Gold but taste just as delicious. If you love potatoes as much as we do, be sure to check out our other Potato Recipes!

Do it all in the Instant Pot!

Make things even easier on yourself and prepare your potatoes and eggs in the Instant Pot at the SAME TIME! It’s a huge time-saver and you dirty fewer dishes.

Simply put the potatoes (whole) in the Instant Pot and add the eggs. Just make sure the eggs don’t touch the sides. Add a cup of water and then cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, slow-release for 5 minutes, then quick-release. The egg yolks are perfectly cooked every time. No green ring around the egg yolk, which makes the extra slices nice for garnishing the top. Immediately put the eggs in an ice water bath for 5 minutes and allow the potatoes to cool to room temperature. Peel the skin off the potatoes (optional) and dice to use in the recipe.

Storing Suggestions

Potato salad lasts up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which makes it perfect for making ahead of time for BBQs, potlucks, and camping trips. I always make this ahead of time when there is a big event coming up. I can just fix it and refrigerate it and pull it out when it’s time to eat, making the day-of the event stress free!

Tips Reviews From Our Readers

“This is very similar to my potato salad recipe also! I love all your recipes and the fact that y’all are home cooks who like to cook simple straightforward recipes that don’t require fussy ingredients! Thanks and I look forward to all you post!” – Lynn“I always a little celery seed gives the celery taste without the crunch.” – Jan“Just for something different, I tried this recipe, mostly because of the sour cream. My husband and I loved it! So nice to find a good recipe with lots of flavors, not bland at all. The recipe I have used all my life is made with bacon and it is good but this one is going in my cookbook for a nice change from the same old one.Thanks!” – Kelli READ NEXT: 50+ Picnic Food Ideas

More BBQ Side Dishes

Looking for more sides to round out your next picnic or party buffet? In our opinion, the more sides the better. So try a few of our favorite recipes: