Easy Southern Potato Salad Recipe

There's nothing quite like the rich, creamy, and slightly tangy aroma of Southern Potato Salad filling your kitchen. This beloved classic pairs tender potatoes with a perfectly seasoned dressing, making it a must-have at every barbecue, picnic, and family gathering.

I first fell in love with this recipe at a summer family reunion, where my aunt brought a big, heaping bowl that disappeared within minutes. Ever since, it's been a go-to comfort dish that never fails to bring smiles around the table. It's quick, simple, and truly a Southern staple everyone needs to have in their recipe box.

Today, I'm excited to share my foolproof, family-approved method with you. Let's dive in!

Why You'll Love This Easy Southern Potato Salad

Get ready to meet your new favorite side dish. This Easy Southern Potato Salad has everything you love about Southern comfort food.

First, it's incredibly easy to make. With just a few basic steps and common ingredients, you can whip up a big batch in no time, making it perfect for last-minute get-togethers.

Second, it's delightfully budget-friendly. You don't need anything fancy here — just potatoes, a few pantry staples, and some fresh veggies. Feeding a crowd has never been so easy on the wallet.

Third, it's customizable to your tastes. Like it a little sweeter? Add a touch more relish. Prefer it creamier? Just stir in extra mayo. You can make it your own without losing the classic Southern flavor.

Finally, it's the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Young, old, picky, or adventurous eaters alike — everyone loves a scoop (or two) of this potato salad. It's practically guaranteed to vanish from the table.

If you haven't fallen in love already, just wait until you taste it.

Ingredients Notes

The heart of any good Southern Potato Salad lies in its straightforward but perfectly balanced ingredients.

Potatoes are obviously the star. I recommend Yukon Golds for their buttery flavor and creamy texture. They hold their shape well after boiling yet still soak up all the dressing beautifully.

Mayonnaise is the base of the dressing, giving it that signature rich, creamy consistency. Duke's mayonnaise is the classic choice down South, but use whatever high-quality brand you prefer.

Yellow mustard adds just the right pop of tanginess and that familiar, sunny color. It balances the richness of the mayo and lifts the whole salad with a little zing.

Sweet pickle relish brings a touch of sweetness and an extra layer of flavor complexity. It’s the secret weapon that takes this potato salad from good to unforgettable.

Hard-boiled eggs add richness, texture, and that nostalgic Southern flair. Be sure to chop them roughly — you want noticeable pieces throughout the salad.

You'll also want a large pot for boiling, a sharp knife for chopping, and a big mixing bowl to pull everything together.

How To Make This Easy Southern Potato Salad

Making this Southern Potato Salad is as easy as a summer breeze. Here's how it all comes together.

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. While you're waiting, peel and chop your potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes. Once the water's ready, add the potatoes and cook until they're fork-tender but not falling apart — about 10-12 minutes.

While the potatoes are cooking, prepare your hard-boiled eggs. Place them in a small pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cover for 12 minutes. Once done, peel and chop them into bite-sized pieces.

Drain the potatoes well and spread them out on a baking sheet to cool slightly. This keeps them from getting too mushy while mixing.

In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, sweet pickle relish, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of paprika. This creates your deliciously creamy dressing.

Gently fold the cooled potatoes, chopped eggs, and some finely diced celery and onion into the dressing. Be careful not to overmix; you want everything well coated but still chunky and textured.

Finally, cover the bowl and chill the salad for at least 2 hours before serving. This lets the flavors meld together perfectly.

From start to finish, expect about 30 minutes of hands-on work and a couple of hours to chill. Trust me, the wait is worth it.

Storage Options

If you have leftovers (lucky you!), this potato salad stores beautifully. Simply spoon it into an airtight container and refrigerate.

It will stay fresh for 3-4 days, though you'll likely find it disappears well before then. Give it a quick stir before serving if it looks a little separated.

For best quality, I don't recommend freezing this dish, as the potatoes and dressing can become watery and lose their texture.

When reheating (if you must), let the salad sit out at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes instead of microwaving, which can alter the texture.

Variations and Substitutions

The beauty of Southern Potato Salad is how easily you can tweak it to suit your preferences.

If you're not a fan of sweet relish, try using dill pickle relish instead for a more tangy, savory flavor.

Prefer it a little lighter? Substitute half of the mayo with Greek yogurt or sour cream to cut down on richness without sacrificing creaminess.

Add-ins are totally welcome, too. Crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, or even shredded cheddar cheese can take this salad to the next level.

Not a fan of mustard? Reduce the amount or swap it for a splash of vinegar for a different kind of tang.

Don't be afraid to experiment a little! This is one of those forgiving recipes that just loves a personal touch.

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