This deviled egg potato salad is a Southern potluck staple, made just like Grandma used to- with fork-tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, pickles, and a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It's comfort food in every bite!
This is just like my grandmother always made it! The hard boiled egg is probably my favorite part of the whole thing! ★★★★★
-Amy
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🔍 Quick Look: Southern Deviled Egg Potato Salad
⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🥔 Cook Time: About 10 minutes
🕒 Total Time: About 20 minutes plus chilling
👥 Servings: 10-12
🥚 Key Flavor: Creamy potato salad with deviled egg flavor and sweet pickle relish
❄️ Make Ahead: Yes, best after chilling several hours
🍽️ Best For: Cookouts, church suppers, holidays, and potlucks
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
A note to the reader
When one of those sweet little church ladies showed up at the potluck with a big bowl of Southern potato salad, you made a beeline for it because you knew it'd be one of the first dishes to disappear. It was made with love, a little patience, and a bit of effort, and it was always deeply appreciated.
These days, a truly good homemade potato salad seems a little harder to find. It's one of those simple recipes that isn't always as easy as it looks. Too much mayonnaise can make it runny, overcooked potatoes can make it mushy, and getting the balance of mustard, relish, and seasonings just right takes a little know-how.
I learned how to make perfect potato salad from my husband's Aunt Molly. She was known for her wonderful cooking, was particularly famous for her 16 Layer Cake, Chicken and Pastry, Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, and potato salad. Over the years, she shared a few simple tricks with me, including her secret chilling tip that makes all the difference.
In this post, I'll walk you through exactly how to make creamy, flavorful Southern potato salad every time. With a few simple techniques and a little patience, you'll have potato salad just like Grandma and the sweet little church ladies used to bring to every gathering. Enjoy! Xoxo~ Katie.
P.S. If you like this recipe, you will also love my Bacon Ranch Potato Salad. It is delicious too!
Ingredient notes and substitutions
To make this creamy Southern-style deviled egg potato salad recipe, you will need the following simple ingredients:
- Russet potatoes- Russet potatoes are preferred because they stay firm and are less waxy. They also do a good job of absorbing the dressing. However, Yukon Gold potatoes make a great substitute.
- Mayonnaise- I use Duke's mayonnaise, some of my friends prefer Hellmans mayonnaise. Whatever mayonnaise you choose, use a "real" mayonnaise with full fat content. This in not meant to be a low calorie salad and you will ruin it using low fat mayonnaise. Miracle Whip does not work for this recipe either.
- Yellow Mustard- My personal preference is yellow mustard. However, you can substitute with Dijon mustard. You can also substitute with dry mustard powder.
- Hard-boiled eggs- Hard-boiled eggs are a key ingredient to any real, true, Southern potato salad!
- Yellow sweet onion- Red or white onion will also work well as a substitute. Thinly sliced green onions are good also, but they will have a stronger flavor. I think fresh onions are the best for this salad, but you can also substitute with onion powder.
- Sweet pickle relish- Traditionally, most of my family use sweet relish and I personally love sweet pickle relish in my potato salad. However, I have had it with dill relish and it was also very good. Sometimes I use a ¼ cup of both. You can also finely dice whole sweet pickles or dill pickles in place of the relish. For a stronger pickle flavor, add a dash of pickle juice!
- Celery Salt- I love that extra punch of flavor the celery salt adds. However, if you are not a celery fan, you can omit it. Sometimes celery salt is had to find. You can make your own. However, if you can't get celery salt, substitute with celery seed.
- Paprika-A sprinkle of paprika adds a nice little pop of color for a garnish.
Flavor Tips
For a sweeter flavor, add a sprinkle of sugar. For a tangier flavor, add a small splash of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. For a kick of heat, add a dash of hot sauce.
Steps
Follow these steps to make the best deviled potato salad!
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When water reaches a boil, add salt and peeled and diced potatoes. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, but still hold their shape. (You do not want them mushy.)
- Rinse potatoes in cold water, drain, then set them in a large bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or completely cold.
- Once potatoes are completely chilled, mix in hard boiled eggs, sweet pickle relish, and onions.
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, and celery salt.
- Add creamy dressing to the potato salad and mix. Do not overmix! Garnish with a dash of paprika and egg slices.
- Refrigerate one or more hours before serving to allow the flavors to build.
Watch how to make
Why do you chill the potatoes before mixing in potato salad?
Why do you chill the potatoes before mixing in potato salad? Because hot potatoes make the mayonnaise dressing melt and it becomes oily. Also, hot potatoes will sweat as they cool and make your salad watery.
Chilling the potatoes before mixing them into potato salad keeps the potatoes from sweating and the dressing from melting. Cold potatoes create a perfectly dressed, creamy potato salad.
Potato salad is actually better made a day ahead! It allows the flavors to build and the potatoes to absorb the dressing. Therefore, this delicious potato salad makes a great make-ahead dish!
How long can you store leftover potato salad?
Potato salad stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator is good up to 5 days.
Why is my potato salad watery?
Watery potato salad is usually caused by one of three things: undercooked potatoes, overcooked potatoes, or potatoes that were mixed while they were still too wet.
If the potatoes are undercooked, they won't absorb the dressing properly. If they are overcooked, they can break down and release excess moisture into the salad. Another common mistake is draining the potatoes and immediately mixing them with the dressing before they have had a chance to steam dry.
For the best texture, cook the potatoes just until fork tender, drain them well, and let them sit in the colander for a few minutes to release excess steam. I also recommend chilling the potatoes before adding the dressing. This was one of Aunt Molly's favorite tricks because the cold potatoes absorb the flavors better and help create a thick, creamy potato salad instead of a watery one.
Please leave me a comment below if you make this Southern potato salad recipe and tell me what you think about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post your picture of your creamy potato salad on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Southern Deviled Egg Potato Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet potatoes
- ½ cup onion diced
- ½ cup sweet pickle relish
- 4 hard boiled eggs diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
Topping
- dash paprika
- 2 hard boiled eggs sliced
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. When water reaches a boil, add 1 teaspoon of salt and cubed bite sized potatoes. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, but still hold their shape. (You do not want them mushy.)3 pounds russet potatoes
- Rinse potatoes in cold water, drain, and then set them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or completely cold.
- Once potatoes are completely chilled, mix in eggs, sweet pickle relish, and onions.½ cup sweet pickle relish, 4 hard boiled eggs, ½ cup onion
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, and celery salt.1 cup mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon celery salt, 2 tablespoons mustard
- Add mayonnaise dressing to the potato salad and mix.
Topping
- Garnish with a dash of paprika and egg slices. (Optional)dash paprika, 2 hard boiled eggs
Kate Hahnel says
My potato salad turned out so delicious! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Amy Liu Dong says
I love everything about this recipe. I made this last night and it turned out great. It's creamy and delicious!
Jamie says
This is my go-to potato salad recipe. It is so easy, quick, and delicious!