A classic and easy Potato Salad Recipe that’s perfect for any party or potluck. Make sure that you save this one for Memorial Day and July 4th!
I’ve gotten a few requests recently for more savory recipes, and with some big outdoor holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, etc.) right around the corner, what could be better than a classic Potato Salad recipe!?
Today’s potato salad recipe ranks up there with other picnic favorites like Macaroni Salad and Deviled Eggs. It’s a simple staple recipe that’s easy to make and that everyone is going to want the recipe for.
My version is dressed up with a sprinkle of sugar and sweet pickle juice, a dash of smoked paprika, and the option to add plenty of bacon. It’s creamy and flavorful and if you make it once, be prepared to be asked to bring it to parties for the rest of your life.
A Word About Bacon!
The best potato salad is potato salad with bacon! I love this addition because it enhances the flavor of the salad and just adds a little something extra. That being said, if you don’t eat bacon you can leave this out without making any other alterations to the recipe.
You can buy pre-cooked, pre-crumbled bacon from the store and use it in this recipe (I often do when I’m trying to save time) and that will work fine. Do make sure that you buy “real” bacon (it should say it on the label) and not “artificially flavored” bits. If you choose to cook your own, you’ll need about 5-6 strips and make sure to cook until nice and crispy so it doesn’t become soggy in your potato salad.
Should Potatoes Cool Before Making Potato Salad?
I always recommend allowing your potatoes to cool completely before making potato salad. We are using a mayonnaise-based dressing for this potato salad recipe, and if you add that to potatoes that are too hot, you could end up with an oily coating over your potatoes rather than a creamy dressing.
What is the Best Potato for Potato Salad?
The potatoes that you choose to use can make all the difference in the end result! For this potato salad recipe, I strongly recommend using a waxy potato like Gold or Fingerling potatoes. Red potatoes are another great choice. This type of potato will stay firm after cooking and hold its shape without falling apart. As a bonus, these potatoes have a thin skin and don’t need to be peeled (though you can if you’d like to!).
Starchy potatoes (like Russet or Idaho potatoes) generally are not recommended when making potato salad. However, my mom always uses Russet potatoes to make potato salad (it’s just what she keeps in her pantry, so she uses them).
Personally, I don’t think that Russet potatoes are necessarily a bad choice, but keep in mind that they are much starchier and will soak up the dressing in a way that the waxier varieties above will not. They also have a thicker skin that can be tough and chewy in a potato salad, and if you opt to use this variety I recommend peeling before boiling. I’ve found potato salad made with starchy potatoes to be softer and creamier, while waxy potatoes yield a salad that requires a bit more chewing, so choose your preference!
Enjoy!
Other Recipes You Might Like:
Be sure to check out my Potato Salad Video at the bottom of the recipe! If you enjoy watching, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel where I’ve already uploaded over 100 recipe videos that you can watch for free!
Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces¹ (910g)
- 3 hard-boiled eggs diced
- ½ cup finely chopped red onion (60g)
- ½ cup diced sweet pickles (75g)
- 1-2 stalks celery diced
- ½ cup crumbled bacon² (may be omitted) (60g)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (220g)
- 1 Tablespoon sweet pickle juice³
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain and allow potatoes to cool completely.
- Once potatoes have cooled, combine cooked potatoes, eggs, onion, sweet pickles, celery, and bacon in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Prepare dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, sweet pickle juice, sugar, mustard, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until well-combined.
- Pour dressing over ingredients in large bowl and toss until all ingredients are well coated by dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Diana
I made the potato salad minus the bacon. I used miracle whip light and fat free greek yogurt in equal amounts and every body loved it including my daughter who hates potato salad
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! We’re so glad it was a hit Diana 😊
Pat
So good, love it. I also loved the macaroni salad. Yummy !
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you liked both recipes, Pat! Thanks so much for your review 🙂
Christy
So I’ve been on the search for a potato salad recipe. I wanted to find something that would be THE go to recipe for me. Last week, I made 3 different recipes all on the same day (don’t recommend it 🙂 ) and this one was the taste test winner! It was the first to “disappear”. I didn’t have any bacon on hand so I can imagine that the bacon would make it even better! Thanks again for another amazing recipe.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you liked it, Christy! And yes, definitely try it with the bacon next time 😊 Thanks so much for your review and five star rating!
Lyn
We all loved this potato salad. The only things I did differently was to omit the sugar from the dressing and I did not add the optional bacon. I think the paprika is essential and should definitely never be left out.
My daughter’s boyfriend said when he arrived – “I don’t like potato salad”. He then said he’d take a taste when my daughter was trying it. He then proceeded to have a bowl of it before we even sat down for dinner. I think this the 2nd time you’ve converted him. So good job and thank you for a excellent recipe.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Lyn! 🙂
Josh S.
This potato salad is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Josh! I am happy that you enjoyed the potato salad. 🙂
Michael Betts
Absolutely amazing! Only difference is I added an 1/8th tsp of celery seed. That’s a personal preference. Definitely we make this again. In fact, it’s going to pair the schnitzel I’m making tonight.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Michael! I am glad that you enjoyed the Potato Salad. 🙂
Gloria Higgins
This looks so good. I definitely will try it………
Sam
I hope you love it, Gloria! 🙂
Donna
♥️♥️♥️ This potato salad recipe!
I adore Sugar Spun website & the potato soup is officially my go to!! It is a must try for all potato soup lovers!
Sugar Spun keep on putting out amazing recipes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sam
Your comment just made my day, Donna! So glad you enjoyed the potato salad AND the potato soup! Thank you so much for commenting!! <3
Leslie Rogers
I’ve been using bacon in my potato salad for years and it takes the flavor over the top. Love this recipe. I hadn’t tried sweet pickles in it before, but it’s very good.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Leslie! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Linda Pierson
Best potato salad I’ve ever made. Can’t stop eating it. My MIL always made a potato salad that was divine. Sadly I never obtained her recipe. This comes so close! The pickles and the pickle juice made this an over the top potato salad recipe.
Sam
I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks for letting me know what a success the recipe was for you, I appreciate it 🙂
Dee
I have not tried this recipe but I would like to.Only thing that turns me off about it is the sweet pickles and sweet pickle juice.I despise sweet pickles. For my potato salad I use dill pickle relish and dill pickle juice instead and love the flavor!
Sam
You can certainly use dill pickles here. Enjoy! 🙂
Dusty
Pretty good in my opinion but not the best I’ve tried. I love trying new recipes as cooking/baking is a passion of mine. But, I’m always looking for my family to give me rave reviews or thumbs up for something new that I have tried. This way I know that they liked it!!! If I do, then I will definitely be sure to make it again. If not, then it will probably be forgotten about and not a recipe that I will keep. I didn’t receive any comments when I made this (neither good or bad). Overall, I thought the recipe was good and would recommend to others to try.
Sam
Thank you Dusty! 🙂
Annie
I see in your picture celery that has been sliced. I do not see any celery that has been diced. 🙂
In the foreground of the picture is a strip of bright green something. What is that?
Sam
I make it both ways and either is perfectly fine. The green you see is celery leaves. 🙂
Lorraine King Foley
By far the very best potato salad. Thanks Sam.
Sam
Thank you so much, Lorraine! 🙂
Pete
Wow this potato salad is awesome! I was looking for something to go with lunch and this recipe came up just in time. EXCELLENT!
Sam
Thank you so much, Pete! I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂