Mom’s Classic Potato Salad with Eggs has been a family fave for over 30 years! Made with Russet potatoes, hard boiled eggs, and a creamy mayo dressing, this side is a must at any summer BBQ!
For as long as I can remember, my mom’s classic version has been the most requested side dish at summer get-togethers. It doesn’t matter if it’s a work potluck, family cookout, or simple picnic, mom’s potato salad is always a hit. I honestly thought everyone had a mom that made this potato salad. I was about twenty when I realized that wasn’t the case…
My mom’s secret ingredient: almost an entire jar of Hellman’s Mayonnaise. And love – obviously. But also, so much mayonnaise. While the classic mayo based potato salad with mustard is delicious, we eat this potato salad several times throughout the summer, and I use a different br I don’t feel bad about eating it.
What kind of potatoes to use
For this classic potato salad recipe, I say the starchier, the better. I would recommend Russet Potatoes or Yukon Gold. A starchier potato will soak up more of the mayonnaise based dressing. I love red potatoes, but they’re a waxier potato, and have more of a creamy texture. We want a starchy potato to hold up for this recipe.
Should this potato salad be made in advance
Yes! So much yes. Whenever we have rushed this potato salad in the past, it hasn’t turned out as amazing as it should. I mean, look it’s still delicious AF, but there really is something special about letting this potato salad chill out in the refrigerator for a while before serving. Be patient, my friend. It will be worth the wait!
If you Google, “classic potato salad” you’ll find so.many.recipes and you know what? They’re not all the same. My version of classic and what I grew eating, is different than the classic potato salads you may remember. Some classic potato salad recipes call for Dijon mustard, or fresh herbs. Some call for a different vinegar, or different type of potato.
How to Make Mom’s Classic Potato Salad:
- Start with the potatoes. Boil Russets or Yukon until fork tender. No need to peel beforehand. You’ll peel after with a butter knife.
- Add hard-boiled eggs. I’ll be honest and tell you that as much as I love eggs, hard boiled egg garnishes are very outdated. I think of Mad Men everytime. But they are a must in this classic potato salad recipe. And sometimes, you just don’t mess with a classic.
- Add celery. For crunch, bby.
- Make the dressing: mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar and turmeric. Easy Peasy.
Truth? My mom’s classic potato salad dressing had a little bit of sugar. Mine does not. I cannot tell a difference. My mom will tell you she can absolutely taste the difference. I’m going to leave this part up to you, friend. If you’re on a whole30, obvi sugar is a no.
other summer sides to make:
- classic creamy coleslaw
- strawberry spring mix salad with goat cheese
- caprese pesto pasta salad
- classic deviled eggs in the instant pot
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. russet potatoes - quartered
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 4 hard boiled eggs, diced
- 1 hard boiled egg, sliced - for garnish, optional
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise - homemade or store bought
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- paprika, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes on stove top until tender. Allow potatoes to cool. Peel skins with a butter knife, quarter and add to a large mixing bowl. Add 4 hard boiled eggs (diced), and celery.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine mayo, vinegar, mustard and turmeric. Whisk well. Add dressing to potato bowl. Toss to combine. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor!
- Before serving, garnish with one sliced hard boiled egg and paprika.
items used to make this recipe
Nutrition
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My mom also makes the best potato salad in the world, and it is VERY similar to yours! In fact, I think every single ingredient might be the same (well, she doesn’t use homemade mayo). But seriously, this type of classic potato salad is the best there is. My mom puts some extra slices of hard-boiled eggs on top, too. Even more decadence 🙂
I love it when there’s egg in potato salad! This potato salad looks awesome!
Can never go wrong with Mom’s potato salad…this looks wonderful!
My thoughts exactly 🙂
This is SO similar to my mom’s potato salad, and it sounds delicious! I may have to make this soon!
Mmm that looks so good!
Thanks, Leeann!
Nicole, are we secretly related and never knew? Because this looks just like *my* mom’s potato salad! LOL YUMMY
Haha, maybe? 😉 Can never go wrong with eggs, right?!
Gotta love a good homemade potato salad. This is such a summer food staple!
You can never go wrong, right?!
Ha, my mom puts hard boiled eggs and tons of mayo in her potato salad, too, but none of us ever became fans of raw onion, so she leaves that out.
My sister is pregnant and normally loves onions…but she can’t handle them right now. So sad for her but happy for me! 🙂
That looks so good! One of my favorite BBQ sides!
So so good!
This reminds me so much of the potato salad I grew up with. It’s still my favorite!
Even though I make my own mayo versus a jar of store-bought, I feel like you can never go wrong with the a classic, right?
Your potato salad looks so good I need to make some real soon!
Thanks, Cindy!
Love this recipe for a cookout… what wonderful food memories!
The memories are what I think make it my fave 😉
I love egg mayonnaise AND potato salad so this combination that includes both those dishes in one is right up my street!
I absolutely LOVE potato salad. I’ll definitely be using this recipe
I bet the homemade mayo for this is amazing! I can’t wait to try making it myself.
It took me several attempts, but the homemade mayo is great!
It’s been WAY too long since I’ve made potato salad…and your recipe looks spot on!
Thanks, Liz!
Mom DOES know best! Great looking spuds!
Hehe, she really does
Mom was definitely on to something delicious when she came up with this potato salad! I love the tang and crunchiness that onions offer and think it’s great that you give celery as an alternative.
I sometimes add just a tad of onion, but I fake it with celery most of the time 🙂
You know, I’ve never tried a potato salad with eggs in it before! I can only imagine it would be awesome, since I absolutely love eggs in all forms!
It is sort of like a realllly good egg salad…with potatoes, haha. Obviously, I enjoy it 🙂
Your Mom’s potato salad looks amazing! I would love to have this sided with my dinner tonight!
Too bad I can’t deliver it, right? 🙂
I love potato sald, and and there nothing better then mom’s right 🙂
This is like the perfect potato and egg salad! beautiful!
Thanks, Alice!
We use hard boiled eggs in potato salad in my family!
I frequently leave them out though and add a bunch of dill, which I love.
You mom sure does have a tasty potato salad and I can see why it would be your favorite.
Thanks, Alice!