The Best Ever Potato Salad has a special ingredient that makes it the best! Potatoes, celery, onion, eggs and an amazing creamy dressing! Everyone will want this recipe!
THE BEST EVER POTATO SALAD
The Best Ever Potato Salad will have everyone begging for the recipe! Every single time I bring this to a cookout, folks want to know who made it and they all come over to me wanting the recipe. The dressing is everything!
TIPS FOR MAKING THE PERFECT POTATO SALAD
- First, you gotta make a good hard boiled egg! Place eggs in the bottom of a saucepan; add enough cool water to cover eggs. Bring to a boil; cover, remove saucepan from heat, and let stand 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, drain the water then fill the saucepan with cold water and ice. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Tap each egg firmly on the counter until cracks form all over the shell. Peel under cold running water. Slice eggs in half lengthwise, and carefully remove yolks. Check out my PERFECT DEVILED EGGS recipe for step-by-step photos.
- Don't overcook the potatoes. They should just be fork tender - not falling apart.
- As this cools the potatoes will continue to soak up the dressing. So, if you notice your salad is just a little dry when you are ready to serve, add a little more milk or chicken stock and some mayonnaise and it will restore the creaminess of your potato salad.
- Want a "mayo-less" potato salad? Be sure to check out my recipe for GERMAN POTATO SALAD.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- Yukon gold potatoes
- mayonnaise
- white vinegar
- yellow mustard
- chicken stock or milk
- salt
- pepper
- celery
- onion
- hard boiled eggs
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST EVER POTATO SALAD:
Peel and dice potatoes into cubes. Place potatoes into a large pot of water. Boil for about 20 minutes (or until fork tender). Take care not to overcook your potatoes – you don’t want them overly mushy.
Mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, chicken stock and salt and pepper in a large bowl.
Add potatoes, celery, onion and stir gently.
Stir in eggs.
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours to blend flavors and chill.
Cook’s Note: Potatoes love to soak up all the mayonnaise, so if you noticed your salad is just a little dry when you are ready to serve, add a little more milk or chicken stock and mayonnaise and it will restore the creaminess of your potato salad.
WANT MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS ONE? CHECK THESE OUT!
THE BEST SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
HAM & CHEESE POTATO SALAD
FRENCH POTATO SALAD (NO MAYO)
CLASSIC EGG SALAD
PERFECT HAM SALAD
TUNA MACARONI SALAD
CREAMED POTATO SALAD
THE BEST EVER POTATO SALAD
Ingredients
- 2 pounds yukon gold potatoes (about 6 medium)
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 3-4 tablespoons chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 4 hard boiled eggs, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Peel and dice potatoes into cubes. Place potatoes into a large pot of water.
- Boil for about 20 minutes (or until fork tender.) Take care not to overcook your potatoes – you don’t want them overly mushy.
- Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, chicken stock and salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Add potatoes, celery, onion and stir gently.
- Stir in chopped eggs.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours to blend flavors and chill.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published February 2011
Updated and republished May 2021
Is it okay if I use green bell pepper instead of celery and keep everything else the same? Thanx for your response
You could but it will, of course, really change the overall flavor. If you love bell pepper then you would probably enjoy it but we greatly prefer the celery.
My husband & I like potato salad I usually don't put in eggs.
I can't use chicken broth because my son-in-law is allergic to anything "poultry". Could beef broth or vegetable broth be substituted?
You could certainly use vegetable broth
This is a really great recipe. Most everyone in my family is on a low salt diet so... I eliminated the salt first, there’s usually enough in the broth anyway. And for a little different tang I used 3 tablespoons of mostly drained capers after cutting the vinegar. Everyone loved it!
Haven't made potato salad in a while, but with country-style pork ribs and turnip greens, how could I go wrong? This is a delicious recipe Brandie, and the only substitution I made was to use 3 Idaho baking potatoes and only 1 cup of mayonnaise. (Due to the Covid-19 quarantine, I had to use what I have on hand.) This salad is simple, yet elegant in its simplicity. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much Karen!
Brandi,
Have you published a cookbook? If so how could I buy one?
I have been meaning to come back and comment on this one-of-a-kind potato salad. The times I have made, I have received sooooo many compliments. Everybody says its the best and can't believe I made it. Definitely a keeper!!!!
Simple to make and so classic that everyone will love it! Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you so very much Stacey!!
This is the one!!! 5+ stars 🙂
Yay! Thank you Karen!
With the exception of the chicken stock, this is my basic recipe which was handed down to me by my mother over 40 years ago. She was from the eastern shore of MD. Absolutely the best ever. I’ve experimented with rice wine vinegar which works too. I always use 5 lbs of potatoes and a dozen eggs because it’s just that delicious. I’ll have to try adding the chicken stock but as I tell my wife when she tries to tweak her pound cake recipe, “you can’t improve perfection!”
Hi! I was a little concerned about adding the chicken stock, but did anyway, and it just gives a bit more dimension and flavor to it! I’m really glad I just went with it! Have a great day!
This is truly the best Potato Salad I've had. Even my adult daughter, who made a face when I said I was making potato salad, loved it. She took home my leftovers. I did omit the celery and onion for her. Super creamy delicious. I added this recipe, with credits from the countrycook.net to my cookbook. Thank you!
Hi Mary! This was so wonderful to read! It really is so great to hear. Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment!!
the hardest part is waiting for the 4 hours to chill and blend. It really is the best ever and the only one i make.
Ha! Right?! Love hearing that though, Kim. Thank you so much!!
Brandie, I found your recipe a couple years ago. This is the ONLY potato salad my husband will eat. It is so delicious!
Woo hoo!! Thank you SO much Samantha!! I thought it was time to re-share it. It really is one of my favorites!!
Once you make this tater salad you will no longer have to search for a other. This is the BEST EVER. Love it????
Thank you, thank you Cindy!! This means so much. I appreciate the love on it!
Hi Brandie, I was just on pintrest looking at potato salads. My all time favorite is mayo, mustard, eggs, celery and onion. Never thot about chx broth. You know what i do use is dill pickle juice. Perfect replacement for vinegar, No? Try it next time. What do people do with all that juice anyway? lol Teri.
Exactly right, Teri: sub dill pickle juice for the white vinegar and you really improve the recipe....and, I cut back on the mayo a bit for 2 lbs of potatos. Also, I prefer to use red potatos...
I use pickle juice in my potato salad too and also dice up dill pickles and add those along with diced radishes. Otherwise, this recipe is just about exactly how I have always made mine. Pealing and dicing potatoes before you boil them would sure save some time. I usually scrub and boil mine hole, then peal and dice once they are cool enough to touch. Will have to try this next time.
Thank you for taking us along on your journey to becoming the fantastic photographer that you are!
Thank you for reading it Tara!
I made this potato salad yesterday, with only two differences: 1) I am not a fan of eggs, so they were omitted, and 2) I am a fan of dill relish in my potato salad so I added a couple of tablespoonsful. It really is the best ever potato salad!
Brandy, I’m excited to try this recipe, but just wondering with the hard boiled eggs, do you take out the yolk and mix it with your mayonnaise, or what exactly do I do with that part? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Made it for my mom's birthday. It was absolutely delicious!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Looks great! Can't wait to try it. So, where is the cheesecake recipe?
Linda, I am glad you asked! I just added it on there for ya! Here is the link too: https://www.thecountrycook.net/easy-and-creamy-cheesecake/
I don't know if this is still active but I LOVE this potato salad and I keep getting compliments on it. I change it up a little, I add pickle juice and dill, minor things but I'm told by hubs and his family, "this is as good as grandma use to make." Score! Except. Now I'm always asked to bring it. Haha.
Love that!
What a great idea adding pickle juice!
I was hesitant about this recipe. I loved the recipe where you had the potatoes soak in the mustard mixture. However, change is what life is all about so I went forward with it. I am soooooo glad I did. This is amazing. One of our new must haves in this house. Thank you.
Im wondering if the potatoes should be cooled before mixing in the rest of the ingredients.
Agatha, they don't need to be. You can let them cool slightly in the colander but they don't have to be totally cooled. Hope that helps!
Great story ! But I can't help wondering ,
What was the cheesecake recipe !! Lol.
Hello, I'm a black woman and I've never, ever heard of chicken broth in potato salad. It's a must that I make this asap. Thank you for this one of a kind recipe.
@ Ginny...I don't think this recipe is a black/white recipe! ha! I'm white and I've never heard of chicken broth in potato salad, either...yes, I'm going to make it, too.
I’ve made this potato salad a million times and every time it turns out amazing! I get requests for the recipe and/or to bring it to most bbqs and parties. Always a hit. Thanks!!
Yay!! Absolutely love hearing that!!
After wanting to make this for so long I finally did for our Father's Day cookout. It was fantastic, Brandie! The only qualification is that I think it tasted better the day I made it. Not that it wasn't wonderful the next day, it really was and everyone gobbled it up but I let it sit in the fridge overnight and completely forgot to restore the creaminess with the extra liquid. But I did have to taste it right after I made it. It was still warm and oh so good! I am making this again! Thanks Brandie!
So awesome Aileen!! Always love when you come back to comment!
I realize I'm a little late to the party. I have the exact same cookbook. We love so many recipes from this book. Especially the meatballs, meatloaf, pancakes, waffles - I can go on and on!!!
It reached my expectations and my fiancé was like "Wow we did it!!" Can't wait to try it once again..Thank you for this fab recipe ????
Wonderful! Love hearing that - thank you!
Can you use apple cider vinegar
This was SO good! I came home with an empty bowl!
Everyone asked for the recipe - so good!
I made this salad today because I was looking for a basic recipe since I didn't want to run to the store and knew I would have everything for something basic. This turned out great! And btw, that cookbook was my first cookbook too! I used that all the time when I first started cooking because it had so much info! If you're a first time cook that's definitely the book to get.
This sounds so yummy! I am wanting to make this this weekend, but I have a quick question. About how many people would you say this will serve?
Made this and loved it.
Hi! I have made so many of your recipes and some of them are my favorites! I actually just made one this AM. Anyway, I HAD to comment because I actually HAVE that cookbook! My grandmother gave it to me when I was 19. I wanted to tell you that if you have not made the Pancake recipe, you have to try it. It is the best recipe I have come across.
Anonymous - oh no! You could use a sweet onion next time (like Vidalia) or you could use shallots which are a milder onion flavor. Hope that helps! 🙂
I love your story! What kind of onion do you recommend? I made this using less onions than recommended in the recipe, and by the next day it tasted completely like onions 🙁
Brandie, I pinned this the last time I saw it. It sounds so much like my Mom's. She didn't use the broth and she added sweet pickle cubes and some of the juice.
I know that cookbook and the message she hand wrote to you is something you will always cherish!!
I enjoy your stories and your recipes!!
I love your story!
Potato Salad is one of my all-time favorites!
I love this potato salad! It is my most favorite EVER! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Made the potato salad Sunday. Love, love, love it! My husband is a picky eater and his mom always brings potato salad to our summer get-togethers. He said his mom's feelings are going to be hurt because he won't eat any other potato salad but this one!
Brandie,
I just made the potato salad, it was really good and so easy, my family loved it. I need to make it again to get more for myself this time. As for the eggs... I bought them already hard boiled and peeled... I know its kinda lazy but its faster.
thanks for the egg boiling tip
This potato salad recipe is the same as my mom's/grandma's, and it's perfect. Not too mustard-y, not too bland, just ... perfect! Now about that cheesecake recipe ... ? 😉
Exactly! I know some folks see the eggs and mustard and wonder if it is good but I tell them that I promise it all blends well. Not too strong mustard or eggs. Thank you for taking the time to comment! 🙂
I have that same Betty Crocker cookbook. It is the best cookbook I own--everything you need know about how to cook, from boiling an egg to making homemade gravy. Great gift for a bridal shower or a bachelor. I really enjoy your blog. Your recipes are fantastic. Thank you for sharing them.
I will keep it forever even though it is falling apart! 🙂 ANd I love to give it as a gift to younger folks who are just moving out on their own.
Yay!! I am so happy you had success this one! Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out for you! I am so happy you loved it as much as we do. I hope you find lots more recipes on here that you love!
This recipe is awesome!I could've eaten all myself! 😉
This one is definitely going in my "keep" file.
Thanks!
Just found your website...absolutely LOVE it
I made this patatoe salad yesterday for my bday party and let me just tell you my guest loved it to the point were my bowl was left licked clean lol very creamy I added crushed bacon gave it a more zing to it ty so much for this recipe
OH my another great hit..girl you got it goin on, everything we've tried from you has been great!! I have been looking & looking for my moms old potato salad recipe that was given to her mother & so on & so forth, but unfortunately with a passing of family members things go "missing" 🙁 Sooo for the most part from what I could remember from helping her so much when I was younger I knew some but couldn't remember exact measurements & so on. One thing I have never heard of was using chicken broth/stock in potato salad but O-M-G this is that "secret" ingredient that you wonder what it is that makes it taste soo great. Of course as we all do I put my own twist on this--i'm not a big celery person so instead of celery I used relish & for this "sauce" it was a little too much but thankfully I had made a WHOLE bunch of potatoes so it worked out well adding a little bit more potatoes, onions, relish, & eggs. Though it's not my moms it's a nice "my" modern twist of hers....thank you Brandie sooooo much
Teresa - I love hearing that! Such special memories!
My Mom gave me my Grandma's Betty Crocker cookbook when I left home back in 1980. It was dated 1956. I treasure that book and seldom bring it out these days. It hangs on my dining room wall in A special rack that also holds a rolling pin. I will hand it down whwn my sons marry.
Love the potato salad recipe. It is pure southern style, although I do love Miracle Whip in it too.
I also boil my eggs the way you do. They turn out perfect every single time. Creamy and no green!
Love your blog. Keep up the good work!
Looks wonderful! Oh those memories of our young married days can bring some good laughs huh? I have those too. Thanks for sharing yours...and your treasured cookbook. Great post Gal! Enjoy a wonderful weekend...I've already linked some favorites to Weekend Potluck. Thanks for all you do to make my life brighter! XO
Potato salad is one of our all time family favorites! I've made some with only vinegar and some with only mustard, but never the two combined. Sounds like a yummy idea!
Newly following from the Wednesday hop. I'd love to have you stop by and say hello!
Mrs B
I love trying new recipes and need a good potato salad recipe for the summer - this one looks like a winner. Hubby isn't fond of mustard - how do you think it'll taste without the mustard??
Tina - thanks for the comment! The mustard is not a strong flavor in it at all. It really is more in the background. Also, you could try dijon instead of yellow which has a milder mustard flavor.
I like this site^-^
I've been looking for a potato salad recipe and this one is super yummy! I actually think it is the best one I have ever made!
I'm a mayo person,husband a Miracle Whip guy,so I use a combination of both A better flavour,I think.
Your potato salad looks heavenly! I bet the chicken stock adds a ton of flavor!
YUM, I love me some good Potato Salad!
I love this potato salad! My advice to others making it - don't change a thing! It's perfection!
Heh, I know what I'm bringing to easter dinner
yum!
kisses
heather
This looks wonderful! I have been having a blast looking through all of your tasty recipes! My mom got me a cookbook the first Christmas I was married and boy has it been a lifesaver sometimes! 🙂
I'm off to the kitchen to make some potato salad now. 🙂
I just love hearing about your early years and your family...really good stuff. The Potato dish looks so delicious, we just love dishes like this.
This potato salad looks delicious and makes me think of summer barbecues. 🙂
I'm a little behind on my reads lately, but I just had to comment on this before I hit the cheesecake post. This story sure brings back memories of my first years in marriage. My mom bought me a similar cookbook that I still like to cook out of. Only now, I'm more free to add and take away ingredients and feel completely confidant. Thanks for sharing this story Brandie:)
Just wanted to tell you that I made this and loved it!
what a precious gift! and a great recipe!
Aw, so sweet. My first cookbook was Better Homes and Gardens, back in university. That thing was so beat up and dog-eared by the time I was done with it! Great potato salad!
How very cool is this story! I still have the first cookbook my mom gave me, though mine's Better Homes and Gardens. The one with the 3-ring binder.
I LOVE this potato salad. It is so very creamy and delicious.
I love potato salad and this just makes me crave summer!!! Can't wait to make it and btw that cook book looks very similar to my mama's!!
I loved this story and the potato salad looks wonderful. All your pictures look great, too. Some wonderful recipes here!
What a great story! Betty never lets you down!
Cute story! Most of my cookbooks pages look like that too : )
Great story. First cookbooks always have such great memories baked into them!
Moms are often so inspired. That is a great looking potato salad. I can see why it is still your favorite.
Mothers are truly the sweetest 🙂
One of my first cookbook was a betty crocker one too amd i still use it...hehe.
Your salad looks delicious with all that potato goodness...drool!
What would we do without our mothers? Sweet story! You're killing me with all this delicious summer food, though, first the baked beans, now this delicious potato salad. I may have to break down and have a picnic in front of the fire place!
I love potato salad! This recipe is delicious!!
Such a great memory attached to that book! It looks very well-loved over the years. The potato salad looks delish, perfect for upcoming spring!
This was perfect - thank you!
This potato salad looks great. How sweet of your mom to send you the cookbook 🙂 My mom gave me a binder of family recipes that she made especially for my one year at christmas and it is so special 🙂 Also, thanks for the tip on not twisting the biscuit cutter. Have a nice day!
Katie
I so enjoyed hearing about your newlywed days (in a new country on top of that!) and the sweet gift that your mom shared with you. Moms do know best! Thank you for sharing your words and this recipe! And thank you for your sweet thoughts on my blog. I appreciate you!
Wonderful, wonderful recipe! I love it!
What a unique recipe using chicken broth. I love seeing new ways to create classics.
What wonderful memories you have of learning to cook! And this potato salad is totally amazing. I made it exactly to your recipe and wouldn't change a thing!
Moms are the best and we truly begin to appreciate them when we ourselfs become one! What a wonderful post and potato salad looks yummy and sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing 🙂
...and now I am totally craving THIS potato salad! Looks fabulous 🙂 I am definately bookmarking this!!
Brandie-I loved reading your story, it was so heartwarming to hear about your life. Aren't moms the greatest?
This is my very favorite potato salad, that I also make. Can't go wrong with Betty Crocker.
Your potato salad looks so yummy, and fluffy. Such a classic recipe!
Thanks for sharing your sweet story and recipe!
Awww, what a neat story. And, I know from reading your blog regularly that you've turned into an excellent cook!! We'll be trying this potato salad soon.
What a great post Brandie, Moms and Grandmas are always the best. They'll always make us see the light an the the shoulder to cry on.
The potato salad looks delicious. Looking forward to the cheesecake recipe too 🙂
Hope you'll have a wonderful Monday
Brandie,
That first cookbook of yours is just so precious. It's extra special with your Mum's gorgeous comment in it, too! I bet you know them all from memory by now 😉 That was so young to cope with such a huge change. You're amazing!
Wow, that's great! We recently moved back from living in Peru for a long time [so I also recommend the same thing - love it!] and it was extremely difficult for a non-resident without various other approvals to get any sort of job! What a blessing you had special friends help take care of you in your hugely new experience!
Great story! I, too, have many dishes I treasure from my first Betty Crocker -- only mine was not a big book like yours. It was a "Dinner for Two." (Just as well-used, though!)
@ Rosemary...That's the cookbook I started out with many, many years ago! Mine is very well-used, too. I found myself looking up a recipe in it just recently! (I'm down to one, now...just myself.)
I love your memories of the cookbook and moving to England! I would have been totally freaked out moving that far away!
Hehe, well that is shorter than I would have guessed for myself to get used to it! What job did you find there? I imagine it might have been difficult finding one without England residency? I don't know...
What a sweet memory! Moms are such a blessing. How long did it take you to get used to driving on the "wrong" side? 🙂
Brandie, this sounds and looks great! I would have never thought of adding chicken broth. Mom's always DO know what to get!
This potato salad sounds like the kind that my Mom used to make except for the chicken broth. Very sweet of your Mom to give you the cookbook. Whenever there was a get together I would always have her bring her potato salad, because I didn't like to peel potatoes. I was young then.
Awwww, that brought a tear to my eye when reading about your Mom and her gift to you. And what an amazing experience to live overseas, newly married. Your potato salad sure looks good!
You have such a sweet mom(not that it's any surprise!). This looks like the classic potato salad that I love...now I'm getting antsy for summer so I can make some to go with some grilled burgers. YUM!
What a sweet memory..love your writing! And potato salad looks so tasty...one of my favorites! Yummy photo too!
Sydney - I definitely think Peru would be far more of a culture shock! What an experience that must have been for you! I just think it is amazing that you took the initiative to do something like that. I would love to hear more about your travels!
That potato salad would go well with a barbecue sandwich. If I close my eyes, its summertime.
I worked in banking. I had a really great job with some pretty fantastic people. They helped me learn so much. And I'm fortunate that we are all still friends after all these years! I highly recommend traveling overseas (if you haven't done so already). It is so much fun to be young and travel. Opens you up to some wonderful experiences!
Sydney - it took me a good 2 months to get completely comfortable. I cannot even tell you how many times I would go to work early in the morning (half awake) and accidentally start off on the right side of the road and then quickly have to get back over to the left side. It is so second nature! Thank the Lord I never got in an accident!