This Classic Potato Salad recipe is made with Yukon Gold potatoes, hard boiled eggs, and a creamy dressing. It is a family favorite, and a must-have at any BBQ!

Want more side dishes? I love this Corn Salad, Cucumber Salad, Baked Beans, and Coconut Rice!

A bowl filled with homemade Potato Salad, ready to serve.

Why I love this recipe:

  • Classic – No funny stuff here, this easy potato salad recipe is the traditional one everyone loves, with the best sauce to coat the potatoes.
  • Fresh – Making this salad with fresh ingredients is absolutely worth it. You won’t buy one at the grocery store again!
  • Make-Ahead – Throw it together when you have time, and pull it out of the fridge and serve when you are ready!

Potato Salad Ingredients:

  • Yukon Gold Potatoes: these are my favorite kind for potato salad, but russet would also work.
  • Hard Boiled Eggs: we use the egg yolk to make the best creamy sauce to coat the potatoes.
  • Mayonnaise: good quality, like Hellman’s or Kewpie.
  • Buttermilk: a must for the amazing potato salad dressing. You can make your own buttermilk, if in a pinch.
  • Yellow Mustard (or Dijon)
  • Dill Pickles
  • Celery
  • Red Onion
  • Salt and Pepper

How to make Potato Salad:

Boil Potatoes: Place whole, unpeeled potatoes in a large pot of water. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain water from the pot, then cover with a lid to allow the potatoes to steam for 5-10 minutes. Peel potatoes, if desired, and cut them into 1 inch chunks.

A glass bowl with cooked potatoes cut into chunks for a classic potato salad recipe.

Make Potato Salad Dressing: Mix together egg yolks, mayonnaise, buttermilk, mustard, a splash of pickle juice, and salt and pepper, to taste.

Egg yolks, mayonnaise, buttermilk, mustard, pickle juice, and salt and pepper in a bowl for an easy potato salad dressing.

Combine: Pour dressing over the potatoes. Add chopped egg whites, celery, onion, and pickles. Stir well.

Two images showing potatoes coated in a homemade sauce, then red onions, chopped egg whites, celery, and pickles added.

Serve: Cover, and refrigerate for a few hours.

A close up image of a traditional Potato Salad recipe, ready to enjoy.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions:

To Make Ahead: This is the best potato salad recipe because you can make it up to 2-3 days ahead of time and it will taste great! Make it at least a few hours before and refrigerate.

To Store: Keep potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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Recipe

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Refrigerate 2 hours
Total 35 minutes
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Ingredients
 
 

For the salad

  • 3 pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes
  • 4 hard boiled eggs
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard (or half dijon)
  • 2 dill pickles , minced + splash of pickle juice)
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 ribs celery , chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion , chopped

Instructions
 

  • Boil and Chop Potatoes: Place the whole, unpeeled potatoes in a large pot of water. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain the water completely from the pot and then cover the pot with a lid to allow the potatoes to steam for 5-10 minutes. Peel potatoes, if desired, and cut them into ½ inch chunks.
  • Make Dressing: Separate egg yolks from the whites of the hard boiled eggs and place the yolks in a bowl. Mash the yolks with a fork and then stir in the mayonnaise, buttermilk, mustard, a splash of pickle juice, and salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Assemble: Pour the dressing over the warm potatoes. Chop the egg whites and add them to the potatoes along with the celery, onion, and pickles. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend.

Notes

Make Ahead Instructions: I love potato salad because you can make it up to 2-3 days ahead of time and it will taste great! Make it at least a few hours before and refrigerate.
Storage Instructions: Keep potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 6gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 326mgPotassium: 656mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 193IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg

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*I first shared this recipe in May 2013. Updated May 2019 and May 2023.

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Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I cooked it today for a 4th of July celebration. My 70+year old Neigbor was invited and he loved it saying that his mother used to make the same one. I was not born in the US and I didn’t know the taste of the real original potatoe salad. For me it was the best feedback. I really loved this recipe. Creamy dressing no vinegar mustard and sugar taste. I only substitute buttermilk for kefir. Truly a keeper!

  2. 5 stars
    This a really good recipe. Couldn’t find buttermilk so used half and half and some apple cider vinegar. It is now my go to potato salad.

  3. 5 stars
    made this, never made potato salad before and randomly landed on yours. hands down got the best reviews. people loved it. said it was the best potato salad they have ever eaten. super easy and quick to make. the only I added was a little bacon bits on top but that was it. I will be making this from now on if I ever need a summer salad to take to a party or cookout!!!

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