Updated: June 29, 2026
Growing up in the South, this is the only southern potato salad recipe I ever loved. It’s the same recipe my mom made for family cookouts, reunions, Sunday dinners, and just about every backyard barbecue. It has everything I love about a classic Southern potato salad recipe: yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, tender potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs. In fact, if a potato salad isn’t yellow, I start losing confidence before I even take the first bite! And thankfully, this family favorite skips the one ingredient you’ll never find in our bowl – raisins. 🙂
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Why you'll love this family favorite recipe!
- A true family recipe. This southern style potato salad recipe has been passed down through my family for years and is one I learned to make alongside my mom.
- Classic Southern flavor. Made with yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, honey, and hard-boiled eggs, every bite tastes just like the potato salad served at family reunions and summer cookouts.
- Ultra creamy texture. Warm potatoes absorb the buttery, tangy dressing while a light mash creates the perfect creamy consistency with just enough potato chunks.
- Simple pantry ingredients. Everything you need is easy to find at your local grocery store, making this an easy potato salad recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
- Perfect for entertaining. This delicious potato salad is easy to prepare ahead of time and always disappears quickly at family gatherings, backyard cookouts, and potlucks.
- Even better the next day. After chilling, the flavors continue to develop, making leftovers just as delicious, if not better, on the second day.
What is Southern Potato Salad?
Southern potato salad is a classic side dish made with tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, onions, celery, and simple seasonings. Unlike some variations of potato salad, Southern-style potato salad is known for its rich yellow color, creamy texture, and slightly sweet, tangy dressing. While every family has their own version, many Southern cooks grew up making what some would consider “black Southern potato salad recipe” or “Southern style potato salad” that included yellow mustard, sweet relish, chopped eggs, and plenty of love. Some families use Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise, while others add dill pickles, green onions, pickle juice, apple cider vinegar, or even Dijon mustard for their own signature twist. This recipe stays true to the classic ingredients I grew up eating, creating the best Southern potato salad recipe that’s perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, family reunions, and every summer cookout in between.
Ingredients
The complete list of ingredients and detailed measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
- Yukon Gold Potatoes – These naturally buttery, waxy potatoes hold their shape while becoming perfectly fork tender.
- Chicken Bouillon – This infuses every bite with rich, savory flavor from the inside out.
- Salted Butter – Gives the potato salad an extra layer of richness that makes it taste homemade.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs – Add richness, texture, and classic Southern flavor.
- Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise creates the creamy base of the dressing and brings all of the ingredients together into one smooth, flavorful salad.
- Yellow Mustard – Yellow mustard gives this classic potato salad its signature golden color while adding the tangy flavor Southern potato salad is known for.
- Honey Mustard Dressing – A small amount of honey mustard dressing adds extra depth, creaminess, and just a touch of sweetness that complements the yellow mustard beautifully.
- Sweet Pickle Relish – Sweet pickle relish adds little bursts of sweetness and tang that balance the richness of the mayonnaise and eggs.
- Vidalia Sweet Onion – Sweet onion provides a mild onion flavor without overpowering the dressing, adding just the right amount of freshness and crunch.
- Celery – Fresh chopped celery adds a crisp texture and subtle freshness that balances the creamy ingredients.
- Honey – Rounds out the tangy flavors and gives this Southern potato salad its signature hint of sweetness.
- Salt – Salt enhances every ingredient and helps bring all of the flavors together.
- Black Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper adds just enough warmth and seasoning without overpowering the classic Southern flavors.
- Paprika – A sprinkle of paprika adds the traditional finishing touch and beautiful pop of color every Southern potato salad deserves.
How to Make Southern Potato Salad
This Southern potato salad recipe with egg comes together in just a few simple steps. You’ll find step-by-step photos below to walk you through the cooking process. Detailed ingredient measurements are available in the recipe card below:
STEP 1: Cook the Potatoes and Eggs – Bring a large pot of water and chicken bouillon to a boil over medium-high heat. Peel and cut the Yukon Gold potatoes into evenly sized cubes before carefully adding them to the boiling water along with the eggs. Remove the eggs after 10 minutes and transfer them to cool water or an ice bath while the potatoes continue cooking until fork tender.
STEP 2: Steam the Potatoes – Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and return them to the warm pot. Cover and let them steam for 5 to 10 minutes to remove excess moisture. This simple step is one of the best ways to prevent watery potato salad and helps the dressing cling to every potato.
STEP 3: Prepare the Mix-Ins – Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs, then finely dice the Vidalia onion and celery while the potatoes finish steaming.
STEP 4: Combine Everything – Transfer the warm potatoes to a large mixing bowl and toss them with the butter until melted. Add the chopped eggs, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, honey mustard dressing, sweet pickle relish, onion, celery, honey, salt, and black pepper.
STEP 5: Mash and Mix – Using a potato masher, gently mash some of the potatoes while stirring everything together. Mash as much or as little as you like depending on whether you prefer a chunkier potato salad or a creamier texture.
STEP 6: Chill Before Serving – Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sprinkle the top with paprika, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to blend together for the best Southern potato salad. Enjoy!
What Are the Best Potatoes to Use for Potato Salad?
While many recipes call for russet potatoes or red potatoes, my personal preference is Yukon Gold potatoes.
Yukon Gold potatoes have a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture while still holding their shape after cooking. Because they’re considered a waxy potato, they don’t fall apart as easily as starchy potatoes. This makes them ideal for a creamy potato salad that still has visible chunks of potato. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: My favorite choice. Creamy, buttery, and hold their shape beautifully.
- Russet Potatoes: More starchy and fluffy. They create a softer, creamier potato salad but can break apart more easily if overcooked.
- Red Potatoes: Firm and waxy with thin skins. They hold their shape well and are great if you prefer a chunkier potato salad.
Substitutions & Variations
One of the best things about a Southern-style potato salad recipe is that every family has their own version.
- Use Russet Potatoes – If you prefer an extra creamy potato salad, russet potatoes are a great substitute. Because they’re more starchy than Yukon Gold potatoes, they break down more easily when mixed.
- Try Red Potatoes – Red potatoes have a firmer texture and hold their shape well after cooking. This makes them a great option for a chunkier potato salad.
- Use Miracle Whip – Many families grew up making Southern potato salad with Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise. It creates a sweeter, tangier dressing while still delivering a creamy texture.
- Give It More Tang – For a brighter dressing, stir in a splash of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
Tips for the Best Potato Salad
Making the best Southern potato salad recipe doesn’t require fancy ingredients, but a few simple techniques make all the difference.
- Add the Butter First – Before adding the dressing, toss the warm potatoes with butter. It melts into every piece and gives the potatoes an incredibly rich flavor.
- Cook the Potatoes in Seasoned Water – Adding chicken bouillon to the cooking water flavors the potatoes from the inside out, giving every bite more depth than plain salted water.
- Don’t Overcook the Potatoes – Cook the potatoes just until fork tender. Overcooked potatoes become mushy and can turn the salad gummy once mixed.
- Steam the Potatoes After Draining – After draining, return the potatoes to the warm pot and let them steam with the lid on for 5 to 10 minutes. This removes excess moisture so the dressing stays creamy instead of watery.
- Mix While the Potatoes Are Warm – Warm potatoes absorb the butter, mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings much better than cold potatoes, resulting in more flavorful potato salad.
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
Potato salad is one of those recipes that often tastes even better after the flavors have had time to come together.
- Refrigerating – Store leftover potato salad in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Make Ahead – This recipe is perfect for making ahead. Prepare it up to one day in advance, then refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Many people actually prefer the flavor on the second day.
- Serving – For the best texture and flavor, remove the potato salad from the refrigerator about 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Taking the chill off slightly allows the flavors to shine.
Can You Freeze Potato Salad?
Freezing isn’t recommended. Because the dressing contains mayonnaise, freezing and thawing can cause the texture to separate and become watery.
What to Serve with Potato Salad
This classic Southern potato salad recipe pairs well with just about any barbecue, picnic, or comfort food meal. Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve alongside it:
- Southern Baked Beans
- Creamy Coleslaw
- BBQ Chicken Wings
- Honey BBQ Chicken
- Grilled Pork Chops
- Fried Fish
- Southern Green Beans
FAQ
Can I leave the potato skins on?
You can, especially if you're using Yukon Gold or red potatoes with thin skins. I prefer peeling them for the smooth, classic Southern texture I grew up with.
Why is my potato salad watery?
The most common reason is excess moisture left on the potatoes after cooking. Letting them steam in the warm pot for a few minutes after draining helps prevent watery potato salad.
Can I use Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise?
Absolutely. Miracle Whip creates a sweeter, tangier dressing and is a popular choice in many Southern families.
How long can potato salad sit out?
Because it contains mayonnaise and eggs, potato salad should not sit at room temperature for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it's over 90°F/32°C).
Recipe Card
Southern Potato Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lb Yukon Gold Potatoes
- 1 tbsp Chicken Bullion
- ¼ cup Salted Butter
- 4 Eggs
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Yellow Mustard
- 1 tbsp Honey Mustard Dressing
- ⅓ cup Sweet Pickle Relish
- ⅓ cup Sweet Onion, (Vidalia onion), chopped
- ½ cup Celery, (Chopped (2 ribs)
- 1 tbsp Honey
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- Paprika, (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water and chicken bouillon to a boil over medium-high heat. Peel and cut the Yukon Gold potatoes into evenly sized cubes before carefully adding them to the boiling water along with the eggs. Remove the eggs after 10 minutes and transfer them to cool water or an ice bath while the potatoes continue cooking until fork tender.
- Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and return them to the warm pot. Cover and let them steam for 5 to 10 minutes to remove excess moisture. This simple step is one of the best ways to prevent watery potato salad and helps the dressing cling to every potato.
- Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs, then finely dice the Vidalia onion and celery while the potatoes finish steaming.
- Transfer the warm potatoes to a large mixing bowl and toss them with the butter until melted. Add the chopped eggs, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, honey mustard dressing, sweet pickle relish, onion, celery, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Using a potato masher, gently mash some of the potatoes while stirring everything together. Mash as much or as little as you like depending on whether you prefer a chunkier potato salad or a creamier texture.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sprinkle the top with paprika, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to blend together for the best Southern potato salad. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Craving More?
If you make this Old School Southern Potato Salad Recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out, or tell me what Southern side dish or family recipe you’d like to see next. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @elicitfolio so I can see your beautiful creations! You can also follow me on Pinterest for even more homemade recipes, entertaining ideas, and Southern-inspired favorites delivered straight to your feed.
