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Serving a classic homemade Potato Salad is simplicity at its finest. With a little creaminess, a smidge of crunch, a dash of tang, here’s how to get the perfect side dish right, every time.
I have known for some time that the secret to getting the traditional Potato Salad just right is all about a few added extra seasonings we add to the mayo (gherkins I’m looking at you!).
It’s time to share my findings…
Let’s face it, Potato Salad is as easy as it gets, but the small details are key to getting it just right. It makes our favourite homemade side anything but boring.
Why is this the best Potato Salad recipe?
⭐️ Simple, delicious and satisfying
⭐️ Perfect for all kinds of meals and occasions
⭐️ Deliciously, delicately flavoured
Sarah’s notes
Having a traditional Potato Salad recipe up your sleeve as a side to complement other main dishes is a MUST – at any time of year (from Christmas to summer BBQs to an everyday family dinner).
This one works every time because:
✅ We get a light creaminess from a combination of mayonnaise and yoghurt
✅ A nice crunch and flavour from chopped gherkins
✅ A slight tang and kick comes from the cider vinegar and Dijon mustard
Trust me, it just all works!
Potato Salad Ingredients
- Potatoes – I use salad potatoes for this recipe. You can use any potatoes here but using salad potatoes will help make sure they don’t break down too much when they’re cooking.
- Mayonnaise – Just 2 tablespoons of a good quality mayo. Don’t overdo it!
- Yoghurt – Go for a creamy Greek yoghurt here as it’s nice and thick.
- Cider vinegar – One tablespoon gives a little tang.
- Dijon mustard – Go easy with just half a teaspoon. It gives a nice flavour without being too much.
- Gherkins – Please don’t leave these out! They bring so much to the dish in terms of both flavour and texture.
- Chives – Chopping up a small bunch and sprinkling them over the top elevates the whole thing.
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – Season to taste.
How to make Potato Salad
1. Boil the potatoes in salted water as per the recipe below, then drain.
2. Mix the remaining ingredients together and stir in the potatoes before topping with a few extra chives.
Leftovers
In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days and is delicious when served cold.
In the freezer This dish isn’t suitable for freezing.
More easy side dish recipes…
Side Dishes
Classic Coleslaw
Side Dishes
Easy Beetroot Salad
Side Dishes
How to Cook Couscous
Side Dishes
Tzatziki {Easy Recipe!}
FAQs
This will depend on the kind of potatoes you’re using, and the key is to not overcook them or they will fall apart when they’re mixed. Only cook until a fork just goes through them.
If they break when you do this, then you’ve overdone it. I would say salad potatoes need no longer than 10-15 minutes depending on the size you cut them to..
Either! The beauty is you can make this side dish ahead of time and leave it to cool because it’s delicious cold. Equally, it’s nice served warm too though.
Cold leftovers can be enjoyed straight from the fridge for up to 3 days too.
There are so many to choose from! Obviously a lot of barbecue and buffet foods, but I also love this with Air Fryer Gammon and Coleslaw. Or it works alongside Homemade Chicken Nuggets for the whole family.
Or if you want a fully made-ahead of time dinner, you could make it with pre-cooked Tandoori Chicken or Sausages.
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Classic Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 750 g (1 lb 10 oz) Salad potatoes , Halved
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
- 1 tbsp Cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 60 g (2 oz) Gherkins, Chopped
- Small bunch of chives, Finely chopped
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, Season to taste
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 10-15 minutes until just tender, then drain.
- Mix the remaining ingredients together and stir in the potatoes before topping with a few extra chives.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. Nutritional values are per portion unless otherwise stated.
This post was originally published on August 22, 2025 and updated later to make improvements.
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. And you’re right – the gherkins do work 😉