Old-Fashioned Southern Potato Salad
Creamy mustard-flecked mayonnaise dressing coats tender potatoes, chopped boiled eggs, sweet pickle relish, and crunchy celery in this cookout classic.

Every family cookout has a potato salad debate, and this one settles it with a dressing that's tangy from mustard and relish but still rich enough to coat every bite. My mother always said the secret was seasoning the potatoes while they're still warm, and she was right. It disappears fast at every gathering.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 5 large eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp paprika, plus more for garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
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1
Boil the potatoesPlace the potatoes in a large pot of salted cold water, bring to a boil, and cook until fork-tender, about 12-15 minutes; drain well.
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2
Season while warmWhile the potatoes are still warm, drizzle with the apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt, tossing gently so they absorb the flavor.
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3
Mix the dressingIn a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, relish, sugar, and paprika until smooth.
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4
CombineGently fold the celery, red onion, chopped eggs, and dressing into the potatoes, being careful not to mash them too much.
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5
Season and chillTaste and adjust with salt and pepper, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
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6
ServeSprinkle with a little extra paprika before serving cold or at cool room temperature.
Cut the potatoes into evenly sized cubes so they finish cooking at the same time without turning mushy at the edges.
Keep covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; potato salad is best served cold and should not sit out longer than 2 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nutrition
Per serving. Values are estimates.