Traditional Potato Salad with Hard Boiled Eggs and Sweet Relish
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Traditional Potato Salad is a staple recipe that comes in handy for all types of events. It’s often used as as side dish for barbecues or menus based on more Southern flavors. This potato salad recipe has only a few ingredients. These include mayo, hard boiled eggs, and sweet relish. Simplicity at its finest!
What is potato salad?
Potato salad is a dish made from boiled potatoes, typically mixed with ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, herbs and seasonings. There are typically two types of potato salad, American and German. American potato salad is made with mayonnaise and German potato salad is made with a vinegar dressing. Potato salad can be served cold or at room temperature. It’s a popular side dish for barbecues, picnics and potlucks. I took the American approach to this Traditional Potato Salad with Hard Boiled Eggs and Sweet Relish. The result is a hearty potato salad that’s fresh, creamy and comforting!
Traditional Potato Salad ingredients
- Red potatoes – Red potatoes have a firm yet tender texture. This is why they hold up so well in potato salad recipes. They’re also slightly sweet and earthy in flavor, complementing the other ingredients. I love the color of red potatoes. Their thin skin adds color and a subtle bite to the overall dish.
- Hard boiled eggs – I love hard boiled eggs in potato salads. They add a creamy texture and mild savory flavor that complements the richness of the mayonnaise. They also add that beautiful golden yellow color.
- Sweet relish – My favorite ingredient in this potato salad! The sweet relish adds a pop of tangy sweetness that cuts through the richness of the eggs and mayonnaise. It helps balance the flavor profile of the entire dish.
- Mayonnaise – Mayo helps bind all the ingredients together. It offers a richness to the potato salad that we all love!
- Salt & pepper – A little salt and pepper seasons the dish while also enhancing the other flavors.
- Paprika – Paprika offers a touch of color as well as a slightly smoky undertone to the recipe.
- Fresh parsley – Parsley finishes the salad keeping it fresh and vibrant.
How to make traditional potato salad
Variations
Potato salad is very versatile. It doesn’t have to be served with just Southern inspired meals. There are tons of delicious variations. Let’s take a look at a few other potato salad combinations!
- German – Red potatoes, bacon, vinegar, Dijon mustard, onion, fresh parsley, salt and pepper.
- French – Fingerling potatoes, Dijon mustard, olive oil, white wine vinegar, shallots, fresh tarragon, chives, salt and pepper
- Loaded Baked Potato Salad – Red or yellow potatoes, sour cream, mayo, cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, salt and pepper.
- Mediterranean – Baby yellow potatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, olives, cherry tomatoes, feta, and oregano.
- Spicy Chipotle – Red potatoes, mayonnaise, adobo sauce, chipotle peppers, lime juice, cilantro and green onions.
- Avocado Potato Salad – Red potatoes, mashed avocado, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, salt and pepper.
- Dill and Cucumber – Gold potatoes, Greek yogurt, fresh dill, diced cucumber, red onion, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Tips for success
- Prepare all of your ingredients ahead of time – this helps prevent mistakes and makes clean up easier. Make
- Make sure potatoes and eggs are completely cooled before adding to the sauce.
- Dice potatoes the same size so they cook evenly. Make sure to use a large enough pot so the potatoes have room to cook.
- Check the potatoes after 20 minutes of boiling to prevent over cooking.
- Don’t be afraid to season well! Add salt and pepper as needed!
Frequently asked questions
- Is potato salad gluten free? Yes! Although, check the other ingredients in the recipe, but generally potato salad is gluten free.
- How long does potato salad last? It will last 3-4 days refrigerated.
- Can I make potato salad ahead of time? Yes! In fact, making it ahead of time will allow the flavors to marinate together.
- What type of potatoes should I use for potato salad? Yukon gold, red potatoes and fingerling potatoes are best for potato salads because they hold their shape after cooking.
Conclusion
Traditional Potato Salad is a hearty side dish that can complement an array of meals. This traditional version goes well with barbecue style food including, Baked Brisket, Pulled Pork Sliders, Cheeseburgers, Ribs, Wings and more. It’s a simple, straight-forward recipe that I’m sure you’re going to love!
Simple Potato Salad made with Sweet Relish
A simple potato salad recipe comprised of red potatoes, mayo, sweet relish and hard boiled eggs. This recipe is perfect for barbecues!
Ingredients
- 5 lbs red potaotes, peeled and diced evenly into 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons salt (for water)
- 4 hard-boiled egg, diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2-3/4 cup sweet relish
- 1 -2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon back pepper (may need more)
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt (may need more)
- Paprika
Instructions
- 1.) Add diced potatoes to a large pot, add 2 teaspoons of salt and enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 20-30 minutes until tender. Check after 20 minutes for doneness to prevent over cooking. Mine took about 25. Drain and let cool.
- 2.) While potatoes are cooking, cook hard boiled eggs. I bring my eggs to room tempeature (you can place them in a bowl of warm water to bring them to room temp) before adding them to boiling water for 10 minutes. Place in an ice bath to cool down before peeling and dicing.
- 3.) Add mayonnaise, sweet relish, parsley, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to a large bowl and stir. Add the cooled potatoes and eggs and gently fold them into the mayonnaise. Taste for additional salt and pepper. Garnish with a good sprinkle of parsley and paprika if desired.
Notes
Potato salad will last up to 3 days refrigerated in an airtight container.
Can be made in advance for meal planning.
Recipe slightly adapted from Trisha Yearwood.
