20 Unique Potato Salad Recipes to Wow Your Guests
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If there’s one dish that everyone gravitates to at a party it’s the bowl of potato salad. If you’re tired of the same-old recipe, try one of these unique potato salad recipes at your next gathering.
Just because a dish is a crowd-pleaser doesn’t mean it has to be boring. It’s time to shake things up and give this classic side dish a glow up. And it’s easy to do by making just a few creative changes.
Today I’m sharing unique potato salad recipes to level up your side dish game. I’ve also included tips for picking the best potatoes, helpful hacks for making the perfect potato salad and ingredient options you can use to jazz up your favorite recipe.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard gathering or want to surprise the family with something new, I’ve got you covered. And if you’re looking for a classic potato salad recipe, be sure to try my go-to country style potato salad recipe.
Types of Potato Salad
The majority of potato salad recipes are made with either a mayonnaise-style dressing or a vinegar-based dressing. Classic American potato salads feature a mayo base than can be jazzed up with mustard and other mix-ins like the ones I shared below.
Another popular option is an oil and vinegar-based salad dressing like you’ll find in German, Mediterranean and French style salads. The light vinaigrette is a nice change from heavier dressings and are great for warm weather gatherings.
The Best Potatoes for Potato Salad
As the star of the salad it’s important to pick the right spud. You want a potato that can stand up to boiling water and keep it’s shape. And you want them to stay firm even after adding the dressing (no one likes mushy potato salad!).
Look for potatoes that have smooth, firm skins and stay away from ones that are bruised or have sprouts.
These are some of our favorites to use in homemade potato salad recipes:
- Yukon Golds – creamy with a rich buttery taste
- Red potatoes – are firm and waxy and add a pop of color
- Fingerlings – have a mild flavor and add a rustic look to salads.
- New potatoes – with thin skins and delicate flavor, they’re a great choice for lighter salads.
- Russet potatoes – I use these in a pinch, but it’s important to not overcook them or they’ll get mushy
Popular Potato Salad Mix-Ins
Whether you’re looking to jazz up your potato salad or trying to use up ingredients you have on hand, these are some of our favorite “extras”.
- Pickles are always a good choice. You can use either dill or sweet pickles depending on the flavor profile.
- Chopped fresh veggies – celery, red onion, and shredded carrots are popular choices. Or for a milder flavor use green onions.
- Crispy bacon, because everything is better with bacon, right?! You can cook and chop it ahead of time but hold off on adding it to the salad until just before serving to keep the bacon crisp.
- Eggs – I make Instant Pot boiled eggs to save time. They’re also super easy to peel when you cook them this way.
- Add cheese for richness. Cheddar, feta and blue cheese are popular choices.
- Roasted red peppers add color and a smoky, sweet flavor.
- If you’re making a creamy dressing, try adding Dijon mustard or yellow mustard for a flavor boost.
Potato Salad Shortcuts
If you’re short on time try these quick fixes to cut down on prep time.
- Smaller pieces of potato will cook faster than larger pieces.
- If you’re using thin skinned baby potatoes, you can skip peeling them.
- Use the microwave for faster cooking – it works great for smaller potatoes or use a microwave potato bag to quickly cook whole potatoes.
- Hit up the salad bar for chopped veggies – look for celery, raw onion, shredded carrots and hard-boiled eggs.
- Use jarred sweet pickle relish in place of the chopped pickles.
Tips for Making the Best Potato Salad
No matter what recipe you’re using, these hacks will help ensure the best possible results.
- Make sure the pieces of potato are cut in a uniform size and thickness for even cooking.
- Start cooking the potatoes in cold water.
- To avoid a mushy salad, don’t overcook the spuds – you want them just fork-tender.
- If you’re making a mayo-based salad, make sure the potatoes are completely cooled before adding the dressing.
- For salads with a vinegar dressing, toss the vinegar or dressing with warm potatoes to help them absorb more flavor.
How to Store Leftover Potato Salad
Most potato salads are better the second day but you need to make sure they’re stored properly. Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you notice the dressing is separating, give the salad a gentle stir before serving.
Can you make potato salad without mayonnaise?
Absolutely! Greek yogurt and sour cream are popular swaps for mayo in creamy salads, or try pesto for a unique twist. If you like vinegar-based dressings with oil, look for German-style potato salad recipes.
Can I make potato salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can! The boiled potatoes can be cooked up to a day in advance. Add a splash of vinegar to prevent browning and place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, separate from the dressing and other ingredients.
Most dressings can be made 1-2 days ahead of time. Store them in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and add to the potatoes a couple hours before serving.
Traditional potato salad is always a crowd favorite at backyard gatherings, summer bbq, potlucks and tailgate parties. But don’t be afraid to try something outside the box. Next time you need to bring a side dish surprise guests with one of these unique potato salad recipes and watch it disapper.
Unique Potato Salad Recipes You’ll Want to Make Again and Again
