Potato Salad With Eggs

This ultimate Potato Salad recipe is crafted with expert precision for the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavorsโ€”no bland or dry bites here! Itโ€™s elevated by a sensational, flavor-packed dressing and a few secret ingredients to give it the right kick.ย With step-by-step photos, expert tips, and a carefully crafted technique, this recipe guarantees to be the most requested side at every cookout or potluck!

a spoon serving the best potato salad recipe with bacon


 

Potato Salad Recipe

This potato salad recipe is the culmination of many experiments to bring you the very best! Here’s why you’ll love it:

  • Creamy and Flavorful: The combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and mustard creates a rich, velvety dressing that coats each potato piece, ensuring flavor in every bite.
  • Perfect Potato Choice: Using Yukon gold potatoes provides a buttery texture that holds up well during cooking-no mealy salad here!
  • Texture Harmony: The inclusion of crunchy celery and green onions adds a refreshing crispness, balancing the potatoes’ softness. โ€‹
  • Savory Depth: Bacon makes everything better! It introduces a smoky, savory element that cuts through the creaminess.
  • Tangy Sweetness: Incorporating relish adds a subtle sweetness and tang, enhancing the salad’s complexity.
  • Customizable Kick: The recipe allows for adjustments in seasoning, enabling you to tailor the spice level to your preference. โ€‹

top view of a glass bowl of homemade potato salad with a serving spoon

Creamy Potato Salad Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Potato Salad

  • Potatoes: Yukon gold or white potatoes are ideal for potato salad because they are creamy yet hold their shape well. Quarter them before boiling for even cooking. More info below.
  • Pickle Relish: Famous Daveโ€™s Signature Spicy Pickle Relish adds a zesty kick; you can substitute with dill pickle relish for a more traditional tangy flavor.
  • Green Onions & Celery: These ingredients provide a fresh crunch and mild oniony flavor, balancing the creamy dressing.
  • Hard-Boiled Eggs: Add richness and texture; for easy peeling, place them in an ice bath after boiling.
  • Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon in this easy potato salad recipe so it retains its meaty texture when enveloped in the creamy dressing.

Creamy Dressing

  • Mayonnaise & Sour Cream: This combination creates an ultra-creamy, tangy base thatโ€™s more flavorful than mayo alone.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds brightness and a subtle tang, preventing the salad from tasting too heavy.
  • Yellow Mustard: Enhances the tanginess while adding a touch of classic potato salad flavor.
  • Hidden Valley Salad Dressing Mix: A secret ingredient that boosts the dressing with extra seasoning and a hint of ranch-like flavor.
  • Spices: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, & paprika add depth, warmth, and a hint of smoky heatโ€”adjust chili powder to your spice preference.
side view of a glass bowl of easy potato salad garnished with bacon and green onions

How to make the Best Creamy Potato Salad Recipe

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  1. Pot Potatoes: Add potatoes to aย large potย and fill with water to about 1-inch above the potatoes. Bring to a boil and season withย 1 ยฝ tablespoonsย salt.
  2. Cook Potatoes: Reduce heat to medium, cover, and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes. Transfer to a sieve, drain, refrigerate in a large bowl for 30 minutes.
  3. Prep Potatoes: Peel and cube the potatoes.
  4. Make Dressing: Whisk together all ingredients in aย large bowlย (the same bowl you will add your potatoes).
  5. Assemble: Stir in the relish, green onions, celery, and eggs. Once cool, stir in the cubed potatoes until evenly coated.
  6. Chill: Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving; best if chilled overnight.
  7. Add Bacon: When ready to serve, season with additional salt and pepper to taste and garnish with bacon.
showing how to make potato salad by adding potatoes, celery, eggs, mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard to a large glass bowl

Best Creamy Potato Salad Recipe tips

While there isn’t a right or wrong way to make potato salad, there are a ย few tips and tricks that make it better.

  • Uniform potatoes:ย  Select potatoes that are uniform in size so the quartered potatoes will cook evenly.
  • Use cold Water:ย  You want to add your potatoes to cold water.ย  By bringing the potatoes to a boil with the water, they cook more evenly, and you aren’t left with overcooked mushy outsides and undercooked insides, but instead have the perfect melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
  • Add Salt to water:ย  By adding salt to the boiling water, you are instantly infusing your potatoes with flavor from the inside out that simply isn’t achievable any other way.
  • Cook potatoes just until tender:ย  Of course, you need perfectly cooked potatoes. ย Potatoes are the main ingredient, so it’s important that they aren’t undercooked for firm, crunchy potato salad or overcooked for mushy potato salad. ย 
  • Potatoes are done as soon as they are tender enough to be pierced with a fork. ย  No fancy tips on getting this right, especially as cooking times will vary. ย The best thing you can do is test your potatoes often.
  • Small cubes:ย  ย I like to cube my potatoes on the smaller size because this increases the ratio of dressing to potatoes which increases the YUM factor.
  • Cool Potatoes before dressing:ย  Lastly, let your potatoes completely cool before dressing them with this mayo-based dressing; otherwise, the dressing will melt, and you will be left with potatoes swimming in oil. ย 
showing how to make potato salad by stirring potatoes with dressing
a gold spoon taking a bite of the best homemade potato salad recipe

Potato Salad With Egg Variations

While classic potato salad sticks with the tried and true cast of characters, Iโ€™ve also seen potato salad recipes with red onions, bell peppers, artichokes, 4 oz. jar of Kalamata olives, peas, avocados, dill, celery seed, even curry powder.

Every homemade potato salad recipe boasting these ingredients claims to be the “best” potato salad – so it comes down to personal preference.  If you keep the basic technique and ratios I’ve outlined in the recipe, you can have fun experimenting with all sorts of add-ins.  Please let me know what other ingredients and topping you love!

Flavor Twists:

  • Deviled Egg Style: Mash the egg yolks with the dressing for a rich, deviled egg-inspired flavor.
  • Dill Pickle Potato Salad: Swap the spicy relish for chopped dill pickles and add fresh dill for a tangy, herbaceous kick.
  • Sweet Southern Style: Use sweet pickle relish instead of spicy, add a touch of sugar, and increase the mustard for a classic Southern taste.
  • Spicy Cajun Potato Salad: Add a dash of Cajun seasoning, swap regular paprika for smoked paprika, and mix in a little hot sauce for heat.
  • Tangy German-Inspired: Replace some mayo with Dijon mustard and a splash of pickle juice or vinegar for extra tang.

Ingredient Additions:

  • Cheesy Twist: Stir in shredded cheddar or crumbled feta for an extra layer of creaminess and saltiness.
  • Fresh Herbs: Add parsley, chives, or dill for a bright, fresh finish.
  • Crunch Factor: Toss in crispy fried onions, crushed potato chips, or toasted nuts for extra texture.
  • Avocado Creaminess: Blend in mashed avocado with the dressing for a creamy, fresh twist.
  • Protein Boost: Add shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped ham for a heartier salad.

Dietary variations:

  • Gluten Free Potato Salad:ย  The ranch seasoning mix and all other ingredients except the mayonnaise are gluten free.ย  Mayonnaise sometimes contains gluten as a thickening agent so you will need to check the packaging.
  • Dairy-Free Potato Salad: Swap out the sour cream for additional mayonnaise or dairy-free sour cream.ย  Mayonnaise is dairy-free but not vegan, as it is made with egg yolks, vinegar, and seasonings.

Looking for More Potato Recipes?

Everyone needs the best potato salad recipe and this is it! so creamy and flavorful and disappears in minutes whenever I take it any where - everyone always asks for the recipe!!

Want to try this Best Potato Salad recipe?

Pin it to your SIDES, SALAD or POTLUCK/BBQ Board to SAVE for later!

Find me on Pinterest for more great recipes!  I am always pinning :)!

ยฉCarlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

Everyone needs the best potato salad recipe and this is it! so creamy and flavorful and disappears in minutes whenever I take it any where - everyone always asks for the recipe!!

Best Creamy Potato Salad Recipe

This BEST Potato Salad recipe is mega creamy and flavorfulย  – no dry or bland potato salad here!ย  It is made with Yukon potatoes, relish, green onions, celery, eggs, bacon and a sensational dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, and a few secret ingredients to give it just the right amount of kick.ย ย  This creamy Potato Salad is easy to double/triple for a large crowd, can be made in advance for stress free sharing and best of all everyone loves this Best Potato Salad recipe!
Servings: 8 -10 servings
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Save This Recipe To Your Recipe Box

You can now create an account on our site and save your favorite recipes all in one place!

Ingredients

Potato Salad

  • 3 pounds white or Yukon gold potatoes, quartered (about 6 medium potatoes)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
  • 1/4 cup Famous Daveโ€™s Signature Spicy Pickle Relish (may sub dill pickle relish) *
  • 6 green onions, diced
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
  • 6 thick-cut bacon strips cooked and crumbled

Creamy Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Hidden Valley salad dressing mix
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional for a kick)
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Add potatoes to a large pot and fill with water to about 1-inch above potatoes. Bring to a boil and season with 1 ½ tablespoons salt. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork but DO NOT OVERCOOK. Drain potatoes and refrigerate in a large bowl for 30 minutes then peel and cube.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together all of the Creamy Dressing ingredients together in a large bowl (the same bowl you will add your potatoes). Stir in relish, green onions, celery and eggs. Stir in cubed potatoes once cool until evenly coated.
  • Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving; best if chilled overnight.
  • When ready to serve, season with additional salt and pepper to taste and garnish with bacon.

Notes

*Use more or less to taste. You can also mix both Famous Dave’s Spicy Relish and traditional dill relish.

HOW TO MAKE POTATO SALAD RECIPE TIPS

While there isnโ€™t a right or wrong way to make potato salads, I think there are ย few tips and tricks that make aย way betterย potato salad.
  • Right potatoes:ย ย You want to avoid using starchy potatoes like Russets that can turn dry, mealy, mushy and crumbly. ย Instead, both white and Yukon gold potatoes are best. ย Theyย boast a delicious buttery flavor, are a little sweet, hold their shape after cooking while still imparting a creaminess all without becoming mushy. ย They also absorb the dressing better than waxy potatoes resulting in tastierย potatoes through and through.
  • Use cold Water:ย ย Next, you want to add your potatoes to cold water.ย  By bringing the potatoes to a boil with the water, they cook more evenly and you arenโ€™t left with overcooked mushy outsides and under cooked insides, but instead have the perfect melt in your mouth consistency.
  • Add Salt to water:ย ย By adding salt to the boiling water, you are instantly infusing your potatoes with flavor from the inside out that simply isnโ€™t achievable any other way.
  • Cook potatoes just until tender:ย ย And of course, you need perfectly cooked potatoes. ย This is huge. ย ย Potatoes are the main ingredient, so its important that they arenโ€™t undercooked for firm, crunchy potato salad or overcooked for mushy potato salad. ย  Potatoes are done as soon as they are tender enough to be pierced through with a fork. ย  No fancy tips on getting this right, especially as cooking times will vary. ย The best thing you can do is test your potatoes often.
  • Cool Potatoes before dressing:ย  Lastly, you want to let your potatoes completely cool before dressing them with this mayo-based dressing otherwise the dressing will melt and you are left with potatoes swimming in oil. ย Not so yum. ย You will want to refrigerate your cooked potatoes for at least 30 minutes, then you are free to peel them and douse them in dressing.

MAKE AHEAD POTATO SALADย 

You can make the Potato salad 1 or 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.ย  I often make my potato salad the night before serving for best results.ย  Store the bacon separately or cook it up right before you serve to keep it crispy.

STORAGE

Store Potato Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.ย  Potato Salad does not freeze well.

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @CarlsbadCravings and Use #CarlsbadCravngs

Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!

ยฉCarlsbad Cravings Original

Reader Interactions

leave a review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

12 Comments

  1. Dorothy Dunton says

    Hi Jen! I love potato salads and I am always on the lookout for a new one to try! I’ve never seen Famous Dave’s relish, but I’ve had Famous Dave’s ribs. I make and can zucchini relish so will use that. I am of the opinion that bacon makes everything better!

    • Jen says

      Hi Dorothy, I love that you are always willing to try new potato salads! You should be able to find Famous Dave’s spicy relish at any grocery store – I’ve even seen it at Wal-Mart, but if not, your zucchini relish sounds delicious either way. And yes, bacon makes everything better :)!

      • Vickie says

        Is this the sweet and spicy or the spicy dill relish?

        • Jen says

          It is the Signature Spicy Pickle Relish, but feel free to use any dill relish you like. Hope you enjoy!

  2. Lynn says

    Hi Jen,

    Wow! Just love all of your recipes! I was wondering, though, if you could recommend a substitute for the 1 Tbsp. of Hidden Valley Ranch in this recipe. I would really like to make this but Hubbie can’t stand “ranch” flavoring of any kind, or could I just leave it out? Thanks for all of the wonderful recipes!

    • Jen says

      Hi Lynn, I remembering reading your comment and thought I responded but I am not seeing my response, so I am SO sorry!! I would just leave out the ranch seasoning – it will still be delicious! Thank you for following along and trying my recipes!

    • Jennifer Fulk says

      Hi! They did not have Dave’s pickle relish at my local Wal Mart but it was available online at Wal Mart – 3 jars for 7 dollars which is a totally reasonable price. I knew Dave’s would be good because we buy Dave’s Devil’s Spit pickle chips , but wow this relish does not disappoint! It’s worth getting. We put some on hot dogs and they were delicious! I can’t wait to make this potato salad recipe this weekend, using the relish! Thanks Jen!

      • Jen says

        You’re so welcome Jennifer, I’m so glad you splurged for them! I hope you loved the potato salad!

  3. Stephanie says

    Wow, what a great side dish this was for our Memorial Day bbq with cheeseburgers! I made this the night before, even though I’ve had problems with other recipes, soaking all the dressing up and being dry the next day. This stayed creamy, dreamy and a perfect classic potato salad taste, only better! Not too tangy, not too sweet, just a perfectly balanced dressing. I’ve made potato salads using ranch dressing, but this is better using the ranch as a seasoning to compliment the other ingredients. Another great recipe, thank you.

    • Jen says

      Thank YOU Stephanie for taking the time to comment and for your awesome review of this “creamy, dreamy and a perfect classic potato salad.” I so appreciate it, Happy Memorial Day!

  4. Stephanie says

    I love all your potato salads & I used this one to make a low carb option, substituting with lightly steamed cauliflower florets. Trying to keep carbs under 20 for several months has helped husband and I drop 50 lbs each! This potato salad base is so delicious & using cauliflower made this the best fake potato salad ever. LOL.

    • Jen says

      Wow! I am impressed by your creativity and dedication! So glad you and your husband enjoyed this and that it was good with cauliflower. ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks, Stephanie!