Grandma’s Potato Salad is a simple & easy old-fashioned recipe. Made with potatoes, eggs, and a simple creamy dressing for an easy side.

a bowl of potato salad with a wooden spoon.

If I ever want to dial up summer memories from childhood, I make my grandma’s potato salad. I have several potato salad recipes on this blog, but with its simple ingredients and preparation, this one always tugs at my heartstrings.

I’ve shared several of my grandmother’s (or Gigi, as we called her) recipes; this potato salad is yet another favorite.

It’s an old-fashioned potato salad with a mayonnaise-mustard dressing flavored with pantry seasonings.

We always had it with hard-boiled eggs mixed in, and they pair perfectly with the soft red potatoes.

My all-time favorite recipe is my loaded potato salad – it’s more amped up – but this one, my beloved Gigi’s salad, will always be on our summer dinner table.

Recipe Notes

  • For this recipe, you can boil the eggs ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them.
  • We use red potatoes in this recipe – they hold their shape when you boil them and don’t turn mushy like starchier potatoes.
  • My grandma always kept things deliciously simple, so we made good use of the spice rack for this recipe. That doesn’t mean you can’t toss in a few fresh herbs if you happen to have them – they’ll enhance the flavor.

Whenever I make this recipe, I usually make Gigi’s baked beans, too. The two go hand-in-hand for me and make it feel like summer, no matter what time of year I make them.

close-up shot of potato salad on a plate with a fork.

Ingredients

  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Red potatoes
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard
  • Parsley
  • Celery seed
  • Onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper
overhead shot of the salad in a bowl.

What potatoes are best for potato salad?

I like red potatoes, but other waxy potatoes will work, like Yukon Gold, baby potatoes, or even fingerlings.

How long does it keep?

Homemade potato salad will be kept for several days in the refrigerator. It will dry out since the potatoes absorb some of the dressing. If that happens, add a little more mayo and stir well before serving it.

Recipe Tips

You don’t have to peel the potatoes, but I like to because they tend to separate from the potato when you cook them. Some people like the texture it adds, so it’s OK to leave it on as long as the skin is thin.

I like to sprinkle some paprika over the top for garnish before serving it.

Because this salad has a mayonnaise dressing, please don’t keep it at room temperature for more than two hours. You should refrigerate it sooner if serving outside on a warm day.

potato salad on a plate.

My grandma’s potato salad will always be a favorite at our house. I’m so happy to share it with you – I hope it’s your new favorite, too. Enjoy! XOXO San

Pin To Your Favorite Pinterest Board!

Grandma’s Potato Salad

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
A classic potato salad just the way my grandma used to make it. Simple, easy to make, and delicious! This is a side you can enjoy all summer long.
a bowl of potato salad with a wooden spoon.

Ingredients
 

  • 4 eggs
  • 4 red potatoes
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise I use Best Foods
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 2 tablespoons parsley
  • 2 teaspoons celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Peel and cut potatoes into small cubes. Add to cool water and boil until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Let cool at room temperature while boiling eggs.
  • Make hardboiled eggs using your preferred method. I like doing this on the stove-top. Peel and chop into bite-sized chunks.
  • Place chopped eggs and cooled potatoes in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
  • Cover bowl and refrigerate until chilled and ready to serve. Top with paprika if desired.
a bowl of potato salad with a wooden spoon.
Tried this recipe?Let us know what you think!

Similar Posts

17 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    People have gotten really creative with potato salad over the years, but nothing beats the classic for me. I can’t wait to try this!

  2. 5 stars
    I mean, the name is perfect! I just made this for the hamburgers we’re grilling, and I had a little pre-dinner bit. I tastes exactly like my grandmother’s potato salad!

  3. 5 stars
    Your Grandma’s Potato Salad recipe brought me right back to my childhood! It was exactly like the potato salad my grandma used to make.

  4. 5 stars
    This Grandma’s Potato Salad turned out amazing! It had that perfect blend of creamy and tangy, just like how my grandma used to make it. It was a big hit at our family gathering, and everyone was asking for the recipe. Such a comforting and nostalgic dish!

Leave a Reply

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

Recipe Rating