Southern Potato Salad

Every cookout deserves a big bowl of Southern-style potato salad. This classic summer side earns high marks everywhere it goes for it's tasty dressing, flavorful stir-ins (here's looking at you, hard-boiled eggs!) and delicious texture. A little creamy, delightfully chunky, and a touch crunchy, it's hands-down one of the best potato salad recipes to pair with grilling recipes, barbecue recipes, or even with simple sandwiches for lunch. Everyone will want an extra scoop at the potluck!

What's in Southern potato salad?

For starters, you don't have to be Southern to make this potato salad and no two Southerners make it exactly the same way! This version includes the classic cast of ingredients, including a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing spiked with apple cider vinegar, plus generous amount of sweet pickle relish to balance the flavors. Hard-boiled eggs, celery for brunch, and some green onion only up the ante. Although this version doesn't include any bacon, you're welcome to add some just like Ree Drummond does in her Perfect Potato Salad.

What else can you add to Southern potato salad?

The options are practically endless, but a few popular additions include crispy cooked and chopped bacon and fresh, soft herbs like dill or parsley.

What kind of potatoes are best for potato salad?

That depends on what kind of potato salad you're making! Different types of potatoes result in different texture: Waxier potatoes like new potatoes hold their shape better when cooked, so they're great for German- and French-style potato salads which are tossed in a thinner, vinaigrette-style dressing; Yukon Gold and russet potatoes cook up more tender and fluffy. When mixed with a mayonnaise based dressing, they'll break apart to make an all-around creamy potato salad.

How do you make Southern potato salad creamier?

If you prefer a smoother, creamier potato salad, mash the potatoes to your preferred consistency before combining them with the rest of the ingredients in step 2. A potato mashed is a good tool to use here because you'll still be left with some texture.

Is it better to boil potatoes whole or cut up for potato salad?

Larger potatoes like Yukon Golds and russets should be cubed, then boiled. Cutting the potatoes into small, even chunks allows for quicker and more even cooking than if you were to boil the potatoes whole.

Can Southern potato salad be made ahead of time?

Sure thing! In fact, it's one of the best make-ahead sides for a cookout as time allows the flavors to meld. It stays fresh for up to five days in an airtight container in the refrigerator, so feel free to make it a few days before your next cookout.

How long can potato salad sit out?

The USDA recommends never leaving food out for more than two hours. If it's 90 degrees or above outside and you're dining al fresco, it shouldn't sit out more than 1 hour. If you want to take potato salad to a picnic, but won't be eating it immediately, just keep it in your cooler until time to serve. It travels very well!