Quick Grandmas Old Fashioned Potato Salad Recipe

This quick grandmas old fashioned potato salad recipe is pure nostalgia for me.

It’s the taste of summer cookouts, it’s the bowl that’s always empty first at a family gathering.

When picnic season comes around, potato salad is one of the most loved dishes there are. It’s creamy. It’s tangy. It also has just the right amount of crunch from the celery and pickles.

So many variations for potato salad are available, it seems every family has their own variation. Everyone thinks their grandmas version is the best, but this one really is special.

This one is one that I absolutely love. It’s the classic best grandmas old fashioned potato salad recipe I grew up with.

With a few basic ingredients, you too can make this wonderful dish. There’s no secret technique or weird ingredient, just honest, good food.

This is a delicious Old-Fashioned recipe, perfect for picnics and potlucks. It’s exactly what you want next to a juicy burger or some crispy fried chicken.

This is a delicious Old-Fashioned recipe, perfect for picnics and potlucks. It’s exactly what you want next to a juicy burger or some crispy fried chicken.

This is the perfect addition to buffets. made with potatoes, eggs and a few other ingredients that are already likely in your pantry or refrigerator. It’s a classic for a reason.

So give this recipe a try today, and you’ll be glad you did!

• A true classic: This tastes just like the potato salad you remember from childhood. No weird ingredients or surprises.

• Simple ingredients: You probably have potatoes. You probably also already have eggs and mayonnaise.

• Super flexible: It’s the perfect side dish for a casual weeknight. It’s also sturdy enough for a big potluck.

• Great for beginners: This is an easy grandmas old fashioned potato salad for beginners. The steps are straightforward.

• Make it ahead: Its honestly even better after the flavors chill together overnight in the fridge.

It’s a dependable and crowd-pleasing family friendly grandmas old fashioned potato salad that you’ll make over and over.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Ingredients:

• Idaho potatoes
• Onion
• Eggs
• Sweet pickle cubes
• Dill pickle cubes
• Celery stalk 
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Hellman’s Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Paprika for garnish

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

You’ll find some great homemade grandmas old fashioned potato salad ideas just by swapping a few things.

• Potatoes: I usually use Idaho potatoes (russets) for this recipe. They get soft, they absorb the dressing really well. If you like a firmer potato, you might wonder what type of Potato is best to use for potato salad. The key is that when you make potato salad, you want to use a waxy type of potato. Red potatoes, or Yukon Gold potatoes (my fave!). 
• Mayonnaise: I’m partial to Hellman’s for that classic flavor and creaminess. My grandma used to always say if she didn’t have Hellman’s, she wasn’t cooking potato salad that day. 
• Pickles: I use both sweet and dill pickles. Either one is good in this potato salad. The sweet pickles add that tang we all love. And the dill pickles cut through the richness.
• Mustard: Just plain yellow mustard is all you need, it gives the dressing a bit of color and zip.

People often ask: Can I make potato salad without using mayonnaise? You sure can. You could use a vinaigrette dressing or a sour cream-based dressing. I know a few people who use Greek yogurt to make the dressing. Using Greek yogurt is a good way to get a healthy grandmas old fashioned potato salad version.

What are some variations to potato salad? German potato salad has a warm Bacon dressing. There is also one that has more mustard in the recipe, and of course there is always one that has no mustard to the recipe. There is an Italian vinaigrette dressing for one, and a loaded baked potato salad.

How to make Old Fashioned Potato Salad:

This simple grandmas old fashioned potato salad meal comes together quickly.

Step 1: Slice your peeled potatoes into thin cuts. I like to cut them into uniform, bite-sized cubes, maybe about a 1/2-inch. This helps them to evenly cook.

Step 2: In a 5-quart pot, add potatoes and water. Make sure the water covers the potatoes by at least an inch. Don’t forget to salt your water.

Step 3: Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are just fork-tender. Don’t let them get mushy.

Step 4: Drain your potatoes and allow them to cool. You can spread them on a baking sheet to speed this up. Cooling them stops the cooking.

Step 5: In a medium mixing bowl, add your eggs and onion, and stir to combine. This just gets them ready..

Step 6: Grab another mixing bowl and add celery, pickles, mustard, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. This will be your dressing base.

Step 7: Mix all ingredients together. Stir it really well so the dressing is smooth and creamy, this is a good time to taste it for salt and pepper.

Step 8: Now, add the potatoes. Add the completely cooled potatoes right into the dressing bowl.

Step 9: Then, add the eggs and onion.

Step 10: Add in the mayonnaise and stir until blended. Gently fold everything together. Try to not break up the potatoes too much.

Step 11: Add in your sliced hard-boiled eggs on top and sprinkle paprika. You can also gently mix the eggs right in, but I like them on top for that classic look.

Tips for Success

• Don’t overcook the potatoes. You want them tender, not falling apart into mush.
• Let the potatoes cool completely before you mix them with the mayonnaise. Warm potatoes will make the dressing separate.
• Salt the potato cooking water. This flavors the potatoes from the inside out. It makes a big difference.
• Make it at least an hour ahead of time. The flavors need time to blend in the fridge, it’s always better the next day.

Storage & Reheating

How potato salad to be stored? And for how long? Potato salad should be in an airtight container and then placed into the refrigerator. Because this recipe has mayonnaise and eggs you have to keep it cold.

Don’t leave it sitting out at a picnic for more than two hours. If it’s a hot day, one hour is the maximum limit. Go any longer, and your guests may never eat your potato salad again (it can make them sick if it goes bad!). 

You can store potato salad in the fridge for 3 to 5 days when tightly covered. 

What about freezing it? Nope. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe. Mayonnaise-based salads don’t thaw well. The texture gets watery and just isn’t right.

Serving Suggestions

This is the ultimate side dish for any cookout or potluck. It’s perfect with BBQ ribs. It’s also great with fried chicken or a simple grilled burger.

You can also use this as part of a “salad bar” party. You can set out bowls of this potato salad alongside some pasta salad or macaroni salad. A big green salad would work well too. This is a fun idea for baby showers or bridal showers. You can add chicken salad to give everyone some protein. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I boil the potatoes in advance?

It is actually a very good idea to boil potatoes in advance. This gives the time to cool completely or to be chilled really well before using them in the potato salad.

How far in advance can I make potato salad?

You can make it up to two days in advance. I would suggest waiting to add in the mayonnaise until just before serving. This prevents the potatoes from becoming soggy.

Notes

This recipe is my adaptation of the one my grandma used to make for every single family event. She never measured her ingredients, of course. She just added a “little of this” and a “pinch of that.” Until it tasted just right. 

It took me years to finally pin her down and get her to write down the measurements. Luckily, she wrote down all her recipes for us eventually, and I’ve tweaked them over the years. This is as close as I’ve ever gotten to hers. It always makes me think of her backyard on hot summer days.

THANKS FOR PINING!

How is this to be stored, for how long?

Potato Salad should be in an airtight container and then placed into the refrigerator. You can store potato Salad for 3 to 5 days when tightly covered.

Can I boil the potatoes in advance?

It is actually a very good idea to boil potatoes in advance. This gives the time to cool completely or to be chilled really well before using them in the Potato Salad.

How far in advance can I make Potato Salad?

You can make it up to two days in advance. I would suggest waiting to add in the mayonnaise until just before serving. This prevents the potatoes from becoming soggy.

More Summer Side Dishes

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad … the BEST potato salad ever.

Bacon Ranch and Pea Salad – the perfect summery side dish. SO GOOOD!

Cucumber, Tomato, Avocado Salad – It is very easy to prepare and the family loves it!