Easy Red Potato Salad Recipe

Making a delicious potato salad doesn’t have to be impossible. As a matter of fact, this Easy Red Potato Salad recipe is so simple to make you’ll never buy store bought potato salad again! 

Easy Red Potato Salad Recipe

I’ll admit it—I used to be the person who always bought potato salad for cookouts and potlucks. Who has time to make it from scratch, right? I’d worry about the effort, the mess, and all the steps involved. But that all changed the moment I discovered this easy recipe for delicious and  creamy red potato salad a few years ago. It completely transformed how I feel about homemade potato salad. This fun salad is a twist on classic potato salad.   Red potatoes are known for their subtle sweetness and earthy notes. 
They have a waxy texture, which means they hold their shape well when cooked, making them ideal for dishes like potato salad, stews, and soup. They are the stars of the show, making this red skin potato salad a must make.

This red potato salad recipe couldn’t be easier, and trust me—there’s just no comparison between store-bought and this homemade version. With tender red potatoes, a creamy dressing, and the perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors, this has quickly become my go-to for any BBQ, picnic, or gathering.

What makes it even better? It uses red potatoes with the skin on (no peeling!), and the combination of red onion, dill pickles and hard boiled eggs gives it just the right bite. Whether you’re serving it warm or chilled from the fridge in an airtight container, this perfect side dish is always a crowd-pleaser.

Plus, the method is simple: boil the warm potatoes until fork-tender over high heat, mix with a flavorful combo of mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, then stir it all together in a small bowl before letting it chill. Some might swear by russet potatoes, but red potatoes really hold their shape and give this creamy potato salad the ideal texture.

If you’ve been looking for great recipes to add to your summer menu, this one’s a keeper. Scroll down for all the details—and get ready to impress with this crazy easy and delicious red potato salad!

So if you’re looking for a great potato salad recipe for your next summer BBQ or summer cookouts,  this is the perfect recipe for you!  I promise you will never look at a store-bought potato salad again! 

What you’ll need to make this great red potato salad

• 17-18 red skin potatoes (skins left on)
• 2+ cups mayonnaise
• 2Tbs yellow mustard (or Dijon mustard)
• 4 large dill pickles, sliced and cubed into small pieces
• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• ¼ cup finely chopped onions
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• Optional: green onions, sliced for garnish, and Paprika

Directions for the perfect potato salad

1. In a large saucepan, cover potatoes with water, bring to a boil, and cook on medium until they are fork tender. It should be about 20 minutes, give or take.
2. Once cooked, drain water from cooked potatoes and set pan back on the stove to let potatoes cool.
3. While the Potatoes are cooling boil eggs.Drain and rinse with cold water. Cover with cold water to continue cooling the eggs until ready to use.
4. In a large bowl, place chopped pickles, onions, mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir.
5. Add chopped eggs into mayonnaise mixture, stir until combined.
6. Cut each potato into small bite size pieces and place in mixing bowl. Gently mix until well coated.
7. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
8. I garnish with paprika and green onion but those can be optional if you don’t care for them.

Seriously, this salad is a must for any BBQ,Picnic or just because. This is a really good potato salad and will be a huge hit! 

Q: Can I make red potato salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better after the flavors have had time to mingle. Make it a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

Q: Can I serve this potato salad warm?
Yes! This recipe is delicious both warm and chilled. If you love warm potatoes in your salad, just mix everything together shortly after cooking. For best results, let the potatoes cool slightly so they don’t melt the mayo.

Q: What kind of potatoes work best?
This recipe is designed for tender red potatoes, which hold their shape better than russet potatoes and don’t require peeling. You can substitute with Yukon golds if needed, but avoid russets as they tend to fall apart.

Q: What if I don’t like onions or pickles?
You can leave out or reduce the amount of red onion or dill pickles. They add crunch and tang, but the salad is still delicious without them. Try crunchy celery or even chopped green olives for a twist!

Q: Can I use apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar?
Yes! A splash of apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar adds a nice tang to balance the creamy dressing. Either works—just use what you have on hand or prefer.

Q: How long can this potato salad sit out at room temperature?
Because this is a creamy red potato salad made with mayonnaise, it should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Keep it chilled or serve over ice if you’re outdoors.

Q: How long does it last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, this potato salad will keep for about 3–4 days in the refrigerator. Give it a stir before serving leftovers.

Q: Can I make this egg-free?
Yes! Just leave out the hard-boiled eggs—the salad will still be delicious and creamy. You can also use an egg-free mayo alternative if needed.

Q: What goes well with red potato salad?
It’s the perfect side dish for grilled meats, burgers, BBQ chicken, hot dogs, or sandwiches. It’s also a great potluck or picnic recipe!

Q: Here are some optional add-ins you can incorporate that will make this even better:

Crispy bacon bits

Sweet Onions

​Celery

 

You’ll Thank me when you try it for yourself! 

How can you possibly resist this delicious Potato salad?

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Looking for more delicious salads? Check out 30 Easy Summer Salads here!