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Southern Potato Salad Recipe

4.5 from 50 reviews

A classic Southern Potato Salad featuring tender boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing flavored with mustard, celery seed, and sweet pickles. Perfectly chilled for a refreshing and comforting side dish ideal for picnics, barbecues, or family meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Eggs

  • 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 6 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped sweet pickles

Dressing and Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Boil Potatoes: Place the cubed potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
  2. Drain and Chill: Drain the potatoes thoroughly and transfer them to a large bowl. Refrigerate the potatoes until fully chilled to ensure a refreshing potato salad texture.
  3. Combine Ingredients: To the chilled potatoes, add the chopped hard-boiled eggs, thinly sliced green onions, and chopped sweet pickles. Gently toss these ingredients together to distribute evenly without breaking up the potatoes or eggs.
  4. Mix Dressing: In the same bowl, stir in the prepared mustard, celery seed, and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper to taste, folding gently to coat all ingredients thoroughly with the creamy dressing while maintaining their shape.
  5. Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the potato salad for at least an hour before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and the salad to chill completely.
  6. Serve: Remove from the refrigerator, give a gentle stir to fluff, and serve cold as a classic Southern side dish.

Notes

  • Use a gentle folding technique when mixing to prevent the potatoes and eggs from becoming mushy.
  • Boil the potatoes with uniform cube sizes for even cooking.
  • Adjust mayonnaise quantity for desired creaminess.
  • For extra flavor, chill the salad overnight to let the ingredients meld.
  • Celery seed adds a distinctive aroma, so do not omit for authentic taste.

Keywords: Southern Potato Salad, classic potato salad, boiled potatoes, mayonnaise dressing, picnic side dish, barbecue salad