18 Best Potato Salad Recipe Ideas

When summer gatherings or cozy family dinners call for a classic side dish, few options satisfy quite like potato salad. Whether it’s dressed with creamy mayonnaise, lightened up with olive oil and herbs, or infused with bold, tangy spices, these tubers show off their versatility in countless delicious ways.

From old-fashioned favorites reminiscent of picnics past, to global-inspired twists that bring zesty flavors to your table, these 18 recipes highlight the humble potato’s capacity to shine in a chilled, comforting salad.

Prepare to explore fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, smoky meats, and inventive dressings that will keep this staple side tasting anything but ordinary.

1. Classic American Potato Salad

A timeless Classic American Potato Salad is the must-have accompaniment to any cookout or potluck, featuring tender potatoes, mayo, and a hint of tang from mustard.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~25 minutes
• Servings: 4–6

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs potatoes (Yukon gold or russet), peeled and cubed
2. 1/2 cup mayonnaise
3. 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
4. 1/4 cup chopped celery
5. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender (10–12 minutes). Drain and cool slightly.
2. In a bowl, whisk mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper; fold in celery.
3. Stir warm potatoes into the dressing. Chill or serve at room temperature.

2. German Potato Salad (Warm)

German Potato Salad is tangy and often served warm. It leans on bacon, vinegar, and a bit of sweetness to balance each hearty bite.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~30 minutes
• Servings: 4–5

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs red potatoes, unpeeled and sliced
2. 4 slices bacon, diced
3. 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
4. 2 tablespoons sugar (or honey)
5. 1/4 cup chopped onion (optional)
6. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil sliced potatoes until tender; drain.
2. Cook bacon until crisp; remove from pan. Use drippings to sauté onions (optional).
3. Whisk vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper into drippings; simmer 1–2 minutes.
4. Gently combine potatoes, bacon, and warm dressing. Serve immediately.

3. Herbed Olive Oil Potato Salad

Lighten up by skipping mayo in Herbed Olive Oil Potato Salad, letting fresh herbs, quality olive oil, and tangy vinegar shine through.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~20 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs baby potatoes, halved
2. 3 tablespoons olive oil
3. 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
4. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, or basil)
5. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil baby potatoes ~10–12 minutes until tender; drain and cool slightly.
2. Whisk olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and herbs in a bowl.
3. Fold in potatoes; chill or serve at room temperature.

4. Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Bring robust flavor to your gathering with Bacon Ranch Potato Salad, pairing smoky bacon pieces and a tangy ranch-style dressing.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~25 minutes
• Servings: 4–5

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
2. 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3. 1/2 cup ranch dressing (light if preferred)
4. 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
5. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender; drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine ranch dressing, salt, pepper, and optional onions.
3. Stir in potatoes and bacon. Chill or enjoy right away.

5. Dijon Dill Potato Salad

Zesty and aromatic, Dijon Dill Potato Salad blends tangy mustard with fresh dill for a bright, punchy experience.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~20 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs small potatoes, cut into halves
2. 3 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
3. 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
4. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
5. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes ~10–12 minutes until just tender; drain and cool slightly.
2. Whisk mayo/yogurt, Dijon, salt, pepper, and dill in a bowl.
3. Fold potatoes into dressing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

6. Creamy Avocado Potato Salad

Swap out some mayonnaise for creamy avocado in this Creamy Avocado Potato Salad, adding healthy fats and a subtle twist on the classic.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~15–20 minutes
• Servings: 2–3

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb potatoes, cubed
2. 1 ripe avocado, mashed
3. 2 tablespoons lime juice
4. Salt, pepper, and cilantro (optional)

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender; drain.
2. In a bowl, mash avocado with lime juice, salt, pepper, and optional cilantro.
3. Stir in warm potatoes gently. Serve soon to avoid browning.

7. Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Mimic your favorite loaded baked potato with Loaded Baked Potato Salad, featuring bacon, cheddar, and a dollop of sour cream (or Greek yogurt).

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~25 minutes
• Servings: 4–5

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs russet potatoes, cubed
2. 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3. 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4. 1/3 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
5. Salt, pepper, optional chives

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes until tender; drain.
2. Combine bacon, cheese, sour cream, and seasonings in a bowl.
3. Fold in potatoes. Top with optional chives before serving.

8. Warm Garlic & Herb Potato Salad

Serve this Warm Garlic & Herb Potato Salad straight off the stove, tossing boiled potatoes with a fragrant garlic butter or olive oil mixture.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~20 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb baby potatoes
2. 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
4. 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or dill
5. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil or steam potatoes until tender.
2. Meanwhile, sauté minced garlic in butter/oil ~1 minute.
3. Toss hot potatoes with garlic mixture, herbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve immediately.

9. Honey Mustard Potato Salad

Sweet meets tang in Honey Mustard Potato Salad, balancing the sharpness of mustard with a gentle honey sweetness—ideal for any picnic spread.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~20 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
2. 2 tablespoons honey
3. 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
4. 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
5. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes; drain and cool slightly.
2. Whisk honey, mustard, mayo, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in potatoes, tossing gently.
4. Chill briefly or serve at room temperature.

10. Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad

For a bold southwestern twist, Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad merges charred corn, cotija cheese, chili powder, and creamy dressing with tender potatoes.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~25 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs potatoes, cubed
2. 1 cup corn kernels (charred or grilled)
3. 1/4 cup cotija cheese (or feta)
4. 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
5. 1 tablespoon lime juice
6. Chili powder, salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes ~10–12 minutes; drain.
2. In a bowl, stir mayo, lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Fold potatoes and corn into dressing; top with cotija cheese.
4. Serve chilled or lightly warmed.

11. Vinegar & Herb Potato Salad

Opt for a lighter dressing with Vinegar & Herb Potato Salad, skipping creamy ingredients in favor of tangy vinegar, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of oil.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~20 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb new potatoes, halved
2. 2 tablespoons olive oil
3. 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
4. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives)
5. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes; drain.
2. In a large bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in warm potatoes. Let rest ~10 minutes before serving to absorb flavors.

12. Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Marry two picnic classics—deviled eggs and potato salad—with Deviled Egg Potato Salad, highlighting tangy mustard and a dusting of paprika.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~25 minutes
• Servings: 4–5

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
2. 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
3. 1/2 cup mayonnaise
4. 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
5. Paprika, salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes until tender; drain, cool slightly.
2. In a bowl, stir mayo, mustard, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of paprika.
3. Mix in potatoes and eggs. Top with extra paprika for garnish.

13. Crispy Roasted Potato Salad

Prefer crunchy textures? Crispy Roasted Potato Salad bakes potatoes to golden perfection, then tosses them in a light dressing for a unique spin.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~30–35 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs baby potatoes, halved
2. 2 tablespoons olive oil
3. Salt, pepper, garlic powder (optional)
4. 2 tablespoons vinegar (apple cider or red wine)
5. 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)

Recipe Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss potatoes with oil, salt, pepper, optional garlic powder.
2. Roast ~20–25 minutes until crisp.
3. In a bowl, whisk vinegar and optional mustard; stir roasted potatoes into the dressing.
4. Serve warm or at room temperature.

14. Dill Pickle Potato Salad

Crunchy dill pickles and fresh dill combine to liven up this Dill Pickle Potato Salad, offering a refreshing tang in each bite.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~20 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs red potatoes, cubed
2. 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
3. 1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
4. 1 tablespoon pickle juice (optional)
5. 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional)
6. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes; drain and cool.
2. In a bowl, mix mayo, pickles, pickle juice if using, dill, salt, and pepper.
3. Fold potatoes into dressing. Serve chilled.

15. Healthier Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

For comfort in every forkful, Bacon Ranch Potato Salad merges smoky bacon with creamy ranch dressing and hearty potatoes.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~25 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
2. 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3. 1/2 cup ranch dressing (light or homemade)
4. 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
5. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes until tender; drain.
2. In a bowl, combine ranch, salt, pepper, bacon, optional onions.
3. Mix in potatoes gently. Chill if desired.

16. Sweet Potato Salad with Chiles and Lime

Add sweetness and a subtle kick with Sweet Potato Salad, blending earthy sweet potatoes, mild chiles, and a bright lime dressing.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~25 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2. 1 jalapeño or mild chile, seeded and minced
3. 1 tablespoon lime juice
4. 2 tablespoons olive oil
5. Salt, pepper, cilantro to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil or roast sweet potatoes until fork-tender; let cool slightly.
2. Whisk lime juice, oil, salt, pepper, and cilantro (optional). Stir in minced chile.
3. Toss sweet potatoes in dressing. Serve warm or cooled.

17. Warm Mustard Potato Salad with Bacon

Another hearty variation, Warm Mustard Potato Salad with Bacon uses a tangy mustard dressing that lightly coats the potatoes and smoky bacon crumbles.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~25 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs baby potatoes, halved
2. 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3. 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
4. 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
5. 1 tablespoon olive oil
6. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes ~10–12 minutes; drain.
2. In a pan, whisk mustard, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper over low heat.
3. Stir in warm potatoes and bacon until well combined. Serve promptly.

18. Pesto Potato Salad

Refresh your next potato salad with bright, herby pesto in this Pesto Potato Salad, opting for minimal ingredients that let basil shine.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: ~20 minutes
• Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1. 2 lbs baby potatoes, halved
2. 1/2 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
3. 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
4. Salt, pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil potatoes until tender; drain.
2. Toss potatoes with pesto (and optional lemon juice).
3. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or chilled.