This SOUTHERN POTATO SALAD is creamy, delicious with a perfect ratio of sweet relish, celery, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and Creole seasoning for a little kick. A classic Southern potato dish with a few simple ingredients that is a must-have for potlucks or family dinners!
There’s nothing like a bowl of this extra creamy and delicious Southern-style potato salad.
It has been a family favorite ever since my friend shared her grand mother’s potato salad recipe. I guess there’s no way I’d look for anything else when I have here the best potato salad EVER!
I’ve tasted a bunch of them during Sunday potlucks, and boy I’m not exaggerating when I say that this recipe is the bomb! It has the perfect blend of savory, sweet, tangy flavors with an added extra heat to top it all off. And did I say that it has a short list of ingredients?
Well, let me show you why my family and I are totally obsessed with this potato dish.
What is Southern Potato Salad?
This classic potato salad is a quintessential dish in the South which always makes an appearance on church potlucks, family cookouts, picnics, and even game days. It goes perfectly well with any grilled meat and sandwiches. What makes this salad here special is that it’s chock full of flavor using simple ingredients.
The most common ingredients found in this simple salad are usually potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, celery, sweet relish, mustard, and mayo. Just imagine all of that (and a couple of other seasonings) in a bowl, ready to sweep you and your guests off of your feet.
What are the Best Potatoes for Potato Salad?
I totally understand how not all ingredients are easily accessible these days. But when you can, use either Russet or Yukon potatoes for this recipe as they are pleasantly soft yet firm enough without being mushy. When using thin-skinned potatoes (if that’s what you have on hand), you can leave the skin on for added texture and a rustic look.
Potato Salad Ingredients
One bite is all you need to convince even the pickiest eater in the room to grab a scoopful of this easy salad. What is surprising though, is that it uses pantry-friendly ingredients. Here’s what you need to make this recipe.
- Russet (or Yukon gold) potatoes
- Hard-boiled eggs (see my How To Boil Eggs HERE for some tips and variations)
- Diced green onions
- Celery
- Sweet relish
- Garlic
- Dijon mustard (or 1 part yellow mustard + 1 part Dijon)
- Mayonnaise
- Creole seasoning (Homemade HERE or smoked paprika if that’s what you have)
- Salt and pepper
All you have to do is just mix the wet ingredients first along with the seasonings, then add it to the potato mixture. Mix and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
How Long To Boil Potatoes for Potato Salad?
For this potato dish, I peeled and cut the potatoes in chunks before covering it with water in a saucepan. I’d say boil the potatoes for about 10 minutes. Or boil them until they’re fork-tender – still hold their shape without getting mushy.
Can You Make It In Advance?
Yes, of course. This Southern Potato Salad is notoriously known as a great make-ahead side dish. In fact, they taste even better when made a day in advance. Just make sure it’s covered well and stored in the fridge. And then get ready to rake in all the compliments during family gatherings and potlucks.
More Potato Recipes
Can’t get enough of anything potatoes? I know just what to do with all those potatoes sitting in your pantry.
How To Make Southern Potato Salad
Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks, then add potatoes into a medium saucepan. Water should cover the potatoes at least an inch. Salt potatoes and cook until tender and soft -about 10 minutes. Drain water and let it cool. Once cool, add to a large bowl together with potatoes, chopped eggs, green onion, and celery.
In a medium bowl, mix together the sweet relish, garlic, mustard, mayonnaise, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the mayonnaise mixture together with the potato mixture. Thoroughly mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired, or as needed to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Watch How To Make It
Southern Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 4 hard-boiled eggs
- ¼ cup diced green onion
- ½ cup celery , chopped
- ¼ cup sweet relish
- 1 tablespoon garlic , minced
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- ½ cup homemade mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks, then add potatoes into a medium saucepan. Water should cover the potatoes at least an inch. Salt potatoes and cook until tender and soft -about 10 minutes. Drain water and let it cool.
- Once cool, add to a large bowl together with potatoes, chopped eggs, green onion, and celery.
- In medium bowl, mix together the sweet relish, garlic, mustard, mayonnaise, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add the mayonnaise mixture together with the potato mixture. Thoroughly mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired, or as needed to taste.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Kim says
Hands down best potato salad recipe I have ever made! My friend makes a potato salad that everyone loves, she says it’s an old Irish recipe from her mom. I decided to make yours because I never was able to get the exact recipe, and yours seemed close to what she might put in her potatoes salad. Well, let me tell you, my husband loves it and says it’s better and he only ate her potato salad! He has been eating for 3 days! I have tried a few of your recipes and none have ever disappointed my family., they were all delish! Thank you and keep the great recipes coming!
ImmaculateBites says
Wow, your husband has been eating this for 3 days?! High-five to you on nailing this recipe :)! I am so glad it was a hit with your family, Kim. Thanks for letting me know :)!
Zoe says
What other seasoning can I use to repalce the creole, and mustard (I dont have that) and the sweet relish
Its covid season and I am stuck
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Zoe.
I completely understand your predicament. Creole seasoning is a spice mix made up of onion powder, garlic powder, dried herbs, and others. See the full recipe herehttps://www.africanbites.com/creole-seasoning/
If you have these ingredients, you can make your very own homemade creole seasoning. If not, you can just add a pinch of whichever ingredients you have on hand to this recipe, adjust to taste and you will be fine.
You can leave out the mustard and just substitute with more mayonnaise.
If you do not have sweet relish, you could dice up pickles if you have any, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of sugar and let it sit for about 15 minutes before you add to your potato salad. You could still leave it out completely. Your potato salad will still taste good :).
Amy Goodrich says
WOW! This is “right out the gate” delicious and then as it ages…SO dayum GOOD! My husband is a man of few words and even fewer compliments. His first bite he said “WOW” and promptly spooned more on his plate. It is very popular with my adult son and his friends. No store bought can even come close. It is the perfect combination. Your Creole seasoning puts the subtle UMPH in it that you don’t find with most recipes.
If you haven’t put together Imma’s Creole seasoning as part of your spice cabinet, you ARE missing out. I still can’t believe that such a simple combination of spices can add so much depth. Imma, you’re a goddess!
This is the second time I have made it and the first time I made it exactly as written and it was outstanding. The second time I added a 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 1 tbsp of kosher salt to the potato water to boil them in. I cut the potatoes slightly larger than a dice and it seemed to add a nice independent flavor to the potato which was complimented by the other flavors. I’m incredulous that I can make a potato salad that doesn’t taste bland and boring!
I’m not wild about potatoes (like most people are), so when I love a potato dish, it’s generally a keeper!
I have loved your recipes for years and I have yet to have one that didn’t go into a regular rotation. THIS recipe is delicious. THIS recipe is in my “make for a gathering”dish rotation! Kudos all around!
ImmaculateBites says
Aww… Amy!!! This review right here just warmed my heart :)!! I am so glad this recipe was a hit with you. You are right, creole seasoning is my secret ingredient!
Thank you for the tips with the size of the potatoes, the vinegar and the kosher salt. I would try that today. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. xoxo
Linda Ross says
This sounds fantastic, I make potato salad occasionally and it’s always a hit or miss for me. I will try to make it this weekend.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Linda! I can’t wait for you to try it. I am sure you will love it :).
Wendy says
Wow! Que rico. Hago siempre la ensalada de patatas alemana, pero ésta se vé tan rica con todos esos condimentos que tendré que hacerla. Gracias por compartir Imma. Cuídate mucho
The 'Staunch says
This blog is great! i still cannot believe that a Nigerian owns such a wonderful food blog on the internet. Congratulations ma’am
ImmaculateBites says
Hi. I am Cameroonian :). Thanks for stopping by!
Nora Azzi says
I have always wanted to make potato salad but never knew how to make it “just right.” This recipe should be really good, especially with the addition of garlic. I had never heard of that, but I bet it’s delicious! Gonna try this recipe the next time we have hamburgers and hot dogs!
imma africanbites says
Adding garlic sure adds a nice layer of flavor in this. Looking forward for you to try this. Enjoy!
Pam says
I have my own potato salad recipe that I’ve made for many years, but this looks so yummy I must try it. I’ll have to wait until this whole pandemic is over and we have company, because my family doesn’t eat potato salad and I’ll eat the whole thing! I can’t wait to try it.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Pam! I can’t wait for you to try this out too. I am sure you will love it. Do let me know how it works out for you :)!