Classic Old-Fashioned Potato Salad with Hard-Boiled Eggs
A traditional American potato salad featuring tender boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, crisp celery, and tangy sweet pickle relish bound together with creamy mayonnaise and mustard. This nostalgic side dish is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings. The combination of textures from the soft potatoes and eggs with crunchy vegetables creates a satisfying salad that improves in flavor as it chills. Seasoned with garlic salt and celery salt for extra depth.
Ingredients
- 5 medium potatoes
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- ½ cup sweet pickle relishdill pickle relish1:1savory
more tangy flavor
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Gather all ingredients
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
- 3
Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes
- 4
Drain, cool, peel, and chop potatoes
- 5
Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water
- 6
Bring water to a boil, cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes
- 7
Remove from hot water, cool, peel, and chop eggs
- 8
Combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, relish, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic salt, celery salt, and pepper in a large bowl
- 9
Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled
Tips
Cook potatoes until just tender to avoid mushy texture in the salad
Chill the potato salad for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld
Cool eggs in ice water after boiling for easier peeling and to stop cooking
Good to Know
refrigerate up to 3 days in covered container
can be made 1 day ahead, flavors improve overnight
serve chilled as side dish
Common Mistakes
cook potatoes just until tender to avoid mushy texture
cool eggs immediately after cooking to prevent overcooking
drain potatoes well to avoid watery salad
Substitutions
more tangy flavor
FAQ
Can I make this potato salad without eggs?
Yes, simply omit the hard-boiled eggs. You may want to add extra celery or pickles for texture and increase seasoning slightly.
How long does potato salad keep in the refrigerator?
Properly stored potato salad will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Always keep it chilled and use clean utensils when serving.
Can I use different types of potatoes?
Yes, waxy potatoes like red or Yukon Gold work best as they hold their shape. Avoid russets which can become too starchy and fall apart.