Grandma’s Simple Southern Potato Salad

Simple Southern potato salad tastes just like Grandma’s and is a can’t miss summer side dish. No backyard barbecue would be complete without this irresistible combination of perfectly cooked potatoes in a creamy dressing.

Around these parts, potato salad is a staple dish.

Check any backyard barbecue, picnic basket, or even supper table, and you’re almost guaranteed to find a dish of Southern potato salad.

There’s a potato salad for every taste and occasion from loaded baked potato salad to dill pickle potato salad.

But sometimes you just want a classic version.

And that’s exactly what this Southern potato salad is.

Its simplicity and creamy mayonnaise based dressing are synonymous with down home Southern style cooking.

Ingredients

To make this you’ll need:

• Potatoes– Russet potatoes. Scrub them and peel them.
• Mayonnaise– Real, full fat mayo and not mayonnaise style dressing or Miracle Whip.
• Vinegar– Distilled 
• Mustard– Good old fashioned yellow mustard
• Broth– Chicken broth
• Spices– Celery salt and pepper

How to Make

Making simple Southern potato salad is a breeze!

Just add the potatoes to a large pot and add enough water to the pot to cover the potatoes.

Put the pot on the stove over high heat, and boil the potatoes until they are fork tender, about 10 to 20 minutes.

Transfer the cooked to a colander and run under cold water.

When the potatoes are cool, slice the potatoes into thin 1/4 inch coins.

Put the potato slices into a large mixing bowl.

Then, whisk together the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl until the dressing is smooth.

Pour the dressing onto the potatoes and gently toss the salad until the potatoes are evenly coated. The potatoes will break up some as you stir, and this is what you want.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve the potato salad as is, or cover and refrigerate to chill before serving.

Enjoy!

Storing Leftovers

This potato salad will safely keep 4-5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Just be aware that because the dressing has both mayo and vinegar in the dressing, there’s a chance it may separate when stored.

If this happens, just give the potato salad a quick toss prior to serving again.

Which potatoes are the best for potato salad?

This is an unpopular potato salad opinion but I swear by russet potatoes because:

• Russet potatoes are cheap 
• They are a good jack of all trades
• I’ve generally always got them on hand

However, russet potatoes take a bit of finesse compared to other potatoes, and can go from fork tender to overcooked easily if you are not paying careful attention.

For a more fool proof option, or one specifically with potato salad in mind, you’ll want a waxy potato variety like:

• yukon gold
• red potatoes
• new potatoes
• fingerling potatoes

Tips and Tricks

• You do not have to peel the potatoes. We peel them purely for looks. The skin is actually full of healthy nutrients.
• DO NOT try subbing Miracle Whip for the mayonnaise in this recipe. The two cannot be used interchangeably, and I won’t be held responsible for the results if you do.
• I know a lot of people like to add things to their potato salad. We don’t, but if you like more texture freshly diced onions, thinly sliced celery, and roughly chopped hard boiled eggs all make tasty additions.
• My mother and grandmother swear by adding fresh, thinly sliced peeled cucumbers to this salad. If you’re a fan of cucumbers, I highly recommend trying it yourself.
• To really put this over the top, serve it topped with freshly cracked black pepper or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

Other Potato Salad Recipes

Simple Southern potato salad is a classic creamy potato salad that makes a good side dish for any occasion.

Make it and enjoy!

Looking for other potato salad recipes and variations?

Try these:

• Buffalo Potato Salad
• Smoked Potato Salad
• Tzatziki Potato Salad
• Nonna’s Italian Potato Salad
• Warm Bacon Potato Salad

If you’ve tried this SOUTHERN POTATO SALAD, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!