American Potato Salad

This timeless American Potato Salad is easy to make, creamy, and full of nostalgic taste. It’s the ideal rendition of this beloved classic side dish that everyone enjoys!

The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and many of us will be having picnics, barbecues, or grilling with family and friends. Looking ahead, I thought I would share my recipe for American Potato Salad with you.

I loved my mother’s potato salad as a kid. It was potatoes, eggs, mayonnaise, and mustard. No crunchy stuff and no green stuff. I have grown out of those childhood taste buds and texture issues, and now I have to have a potato salad with a little bit of everything. I am, however, still particular about what goes in it. 

I like perfectly cooked potatoes– not mushy. Once cooked, I season them with vinegar and chicken broth for added flavor. I use finely diced celery (because I don’t care for big chunks) for some needed crunch. Bacon lends a smoky, salty taste. I also add finely diced gherkins for a pickled tang, along with chopped hard-boiled eggs, scallions, and flat-leaf parsley for more texture, flavor, and color. Lastly, I toss it all together with some mayonnaise and a bit of Dijon mustard. Whew! Now that’s an American potato salad I can sink my teeth into– creamy, tender, crunchy, and perfect!

American Potato Salad

Prep: 20 minsCook: 15 minsRest and Refrigeration Time: 1 hr 10 mins Servings: 6 Creamy, crunchy, and tender makes this the PERFECT American potato salad!

Ingredients 

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• ⅓ cup chicken stock, Homemade or store-bought
• 1 medium celery rib, finely diced
• 3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons chopped gherkins
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
• ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• ¾ cup mayonnaise

Instructions 

1. Peel the potatoes and slice each one lengthwise in half, or in quarters if very large, then cut crosswise into half-round or quarter-round slices, about ½-inch thick. Place the slices in a large saucepan with enough water to just cover. Generously salt the water and heat to a simmer. Cook the potatoes for 6-8 minutes, or until just cooked through. It is important that the potatoes are not overcooked. Immediately drain the potatoes and transfer to a large bowl. Stir the cider vinegar into the chicken broth, then drizzle it over the potatoes, gently turning them to distribute the mixture. Gently transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet in one layer and let them rest for 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
2. Return the potatoes to the bowl and add the celery, bacon, gherkins, eggs, mustard, scallions, and parsley. Begin by adding just ½ cup of the mayonnaise and, using a large rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adding more of the mayonnaise if needed.
3. Cover the salad and refrigerate for an hour before serving. If it is refrigerated longer, allow it to come to room temperature before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 78mg, Sodium: 374mg, Potassium: 728mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 364IU, Vitamin C: 34mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.