Making Grandma's Best Potato Salad Recipe is Easy

My Grandma's famous recipe for the BEST Potato Salad handed down and oh it's good!

I don't remember my Grandmother making many things in the kitchen, but those that I do remember are still classic recipes today.

Making Classic Potato Salad with the perfect blend potatoes to creamy sauce is the key and let me tell you, she nailed it!

My earliest memory of this recipe was at my Grandfather's funeral when I was about 5 years old. Being so young, you have no idea what to expect at such an event.

After the funeral everyone who loved and adored my Grandfather came to my grandmother's home for lunch. Among the many items served was her famous Classic Potato Salad.

There were long banquet tables lined up, all filled with food. As young kids, the only place for us was under these tables as there was so many adults around.

My grandmother's recipe was clearly the favorite as the Best Potato Salad. Everyone talked about it and everyone wanted some.

My Grandfather has been gone more than 40 years, and let me tell you. I still remember that day and those moments.

So you can bet that I love this Easy Potato Salad and have made it my own.

Living in Eastern Idaho, we love our spuds! I've made so many potato recipes over the years. Why not try Roasted Garlic Potatoes or Loaded Baked Potato Salad as a side to your meal.

They are all amazing, family friendly recipes.

Of course if you are grilling make sure to try this Marsala Tri Tip Recipe too. Oh it's good and really so easy to make.

Just make sure to have an internal temperature gauge so you get the perfect temp on your Tri tip.

Make sure to serve this recipe All. Summer. Long! Serve this classic recipe at your family BBQ, work Potluck, or just because! There really is never a bad time.

Ingredients for the Best Potato Salad

• 1.5 lbs Potatoes: I prefer the small new potato and use a Yellow or Yukon potato. The skins are so tender it adds extra texture to this recipe, so leave them on.
• 4 Hard Boiled Eggs: Did you know you can cook your eggs with your Potatoes in your Instant Pot? Well you can! So make sure to use your Pressure Cooker and cook everything at once.
• 2 Stalks of Celery: I personally love the crunch that celery adds to recipes, so make sure to dice up 2 stacks of celery for this easy potato salad.
• 1 Bunch of Green Onions: Dice those Green Onions! Green onions have a milder flavor but feel free to substitute a yellow or even a diced red onion if you prefer.
• Mayonnaise AND Miracle Whip: Use both! ⅔ cup Mayonnaise and ¼ cup Miracle Whip. There is a fine balance here, and the Miracle Whip gives an added zest and sweetness to this recipe.
• 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar: It only calls for a little bit but it makes all the difference.
• 1 teaspoon Celery Seed: Don't omit this ingredient. It really adds to this recipe.
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder: I do love garlic and so did my grandmother.
• ¼ Cup Sweet Pickle Relish: I've never been a pickle fan but let me tell you, I crave this flavor in Potato Salad. Mush be a childhood memory but oh it's good!
• 1 Tablespoon Yellow Mustard: I'm more of a Dijon or Spicy Brown Mustard fan personally, but in this Easy Potato Salad, I love Yellow Mustard. It just makes it complete.
• Garnish: Sprinkle a good Smoked Paprika on top, add more diced hard boiled eggs, add parsley, or dill. But give it some color so your dish will pop!

How to make the Best Potato Salad

It's so easy to make my grandmothers recipe, I've converted it for you for the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker!

• Cooking the Potatoes: You can cook your potatoes in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker which I prefer OR the boil method on the stove top. I like to use baby new potatoes and cut into quarters and place in my Instant Pot with just enough water to cover them. Cook for 4 minutes on Pressure Cook and Quick Release. Drain in a colander and place in a bowl to cool. Then I like to mash about ⅓ of the potatoes while still hot. The added texture of some potatoes smashed and some not is perfect. Trust me. (Continued Below)

• Making the Sauce: In a separate bowl I combine the sauce ingredients. (Mayo, Miracle Whip, Diced Celery, Diced Green Onion, Celery Seed, Yellow Mustard, Pickle Relish, Apple Cider Vinegar and Garlic Powder) Mix with a large spoon until blended
• Mixing Together: Once the Potatoes have cooled, add your chopped hard boiled eggs and the sauce mixture with the potatoes. Gently stir to combine. (continued below)

• Salt and Pepper: It's important to taste your Classic Potato Salad for taste and season with Salt and Pepper.
• Chill: I prefer my potato salad perfectly chilled. Cover your bowl and place in the Refrigerator for a couple of hours!
• Safety: Remember Potato Salad Recipes need to be kept cold. If left sitting out the temperature will get to hot with the mayo and miracle whip and could cause problems. 😉

Instant Pot ~ Cooking Eggs with Potatoes

I love how easy it is to cook everything all at once.

If you are using a Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot you can cut up your potatoes and barely cover with water. Then place your trivet on top of your potatoes.

Crack your eggs into a small metal bowl and place on top. The eggs will cook while your potatoes cook. Quick and Easy!

Classic Potato Salad Substitutions

No recipe is complete without substitutions, right? We all have preferences, so let's address it and see how we can make this recipe PERFECT for you!

• Mustard: I prefer a Yellow Mustard in this recipe, however swap it up for a Dijon or Spicy Brown Mustard. It will be wonderful too!
• Cut the Calories: Maybe Mayo isn't your thing, substitute a green plain yogurt in it's place.
• Vinegar: Apple Cinder Vinegar has a bite for sure, substitute with a Red Vinegar or even a White Vinegar
• Potatoes: You clearly need Potatoes for this recipe, but feel free to choose your favorite. Red, Golden, Russet or whichever your prefer!
• Pickles: Do you love Pickles? Add more Pickle Relish! If you don't love Pickles, take it out!

Can I freeze Potato Salad?

I would not recommend freezing Potato Salad Recipes. Mayo, Miracle Whip, eggs and Celery do not freeze well at all. If you make too many potatoes, try freezing just the potatoes and use later.

How Long Does Potato Salad Last?

It's recommended that Potato Salad lasts 3-4 days. If Potato Salad is kept in excess of 41F degrees for more than 2 hours, it's recommended by the FDA that it should be thrown away.

Is it okay to make Potato Salad the Day before?

I prefer to make my Classic Potato Salad the day before. I like how the flavors meld together over night making a delicious Potato Salad Recipe.

Does Potato Salad need to be Refrigerated?

According to the FDA, the danger zone for Potato Salad Recipes is 41°F - 135°F(5°C - 57°C). Potato Salad should be kept refrigerated and below 40F.

Why is my Potato Salad Recipe Watery the next day?

It's very important to drain your potatoes well. Any extra water will thin your Potato Salad Recipe as it sits. It's also important to not allow your potatoes to soak in water for any extra time as they will absorb the water and then later release.

More Neighborhood Approved Potluck Salad Recipes

• Loaded Baked Red Potato Salad
• Dorito Taco Salad
• Classic BLT Pasta Salad
• Creamy Taco Pasta Salad
• Hawaiian Mac Salad
• Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad
• Pepperoni Pasta Salad
• Creamy Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
• BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad

And try these Family Friendly Side Dishes Too!

• Garlic Roasted Potatoes
• Zesty Ranch Roasted Potatoes
• Light Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes Pasta
• Mushroom Garlic Noodles

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4.44 from 16 votes

Best Potato Salad

I've made so many potato recipes over the years. This Classic Potato Salad is my Grandmother's family recipe and dubbed the BEST Potato Salad ever. I've converted this Classic Potato Salad Recipe for the Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker and it's so easy to make. Grandma would be proud!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time4 minutes mins

Additional Time50 minutes mins

Total Time59 minutes mins

Devour Dinner

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 Servings

Author: Devour Dinner

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs Yellow New Potatoes
• 4 Eggs
• ⅔ Cup Mayoannaise
• ¼ Cup Miracle Whip
• ¼ Cup Sweet Pickle Relish
• 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Yellow Mustard
• 1 teaspoon Celery Seeds
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 2 Celery Stalks
• 1 Bunch Green Onions
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Pepper

Instructions

• Wash and quarter New Potatoes. Making sure potatoes are cut in similar sizes
• Place potatoes in Pressure cooker with just enough water to cover on top
• Grease a small metal bowl, crack 4 eggs and place on trivet on top of potatoes and water.
• Set Pressure Cooker to Manual/High for 4 minutes. Quick Release Pressure.
• Remove Eggs and trivet and drain potatoes
• Put potatoes in a larger bowl and smash about ⅓ of the potatoes. This is optional but gives added texture to the potato salad.
• Allow potatoes to cool for 50 minutes
• Flip eggs out of pan onto a plate and allow to cool. Then slice and dice to desired size
• Wash and dice Celery and Green Onions
• In a separate bowl combine : Mayo, Miracle Whip, Sweet Pickle Relish, Garlic Powder, Celery Seeds, diced celery, diced green onions, Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt and Pepper and mix to combine.
• Pour mixture over cooled potatoes and add diced cooked eggs. Gently stir to combine.
• Store in refrigerator
• Add additional Salt and Pepper to taste
• Garnish with a sprinkle of Smoked Paprika

Notes

Potatoes can be cooked on the stove by adding to a pot of water and boiling until soft and tender. Rinse and drain and continue directions above

Hard Boil Eggs on Stove: Place eggs in a large saucepan. Cover them with cool water by 1 inch. Cover pan with a lid and bring water to a rolling boil over high heat. Boil for 6 minutes over medium-high heat.

Have you made this recipe?Mention @devourdinner or tag us #devourdinner! Please leave a comment and rating below. Thank you!

Nutrition Disclaimer

All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 443mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g