Potato salad is a classic summertime dish that’s perfect for picnics and potlucks. There are many varieties of potato salad, from a rich, creamy mix laden with mayonnaise to the crisp and tangy bite of German potato salad. Potato salad should not be just cold mashed potatoes with little bits of diced vegetables swirled in, but rather a refreshing combination of firmly cooked diced potatoes with a flavorful dressing and other bits added for taste and texture. But how do you master the potato salad method and prepare the perfect dish? Here are some recipes to try:
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Old Fashioned Potato Salad
This recipe mixes together eggs, celery, relish, onions, mayonnaise, mustard and, of course, potatoes to make a delicious creamy side dish. Adjust the amount of mayo in the recipe to make it more or less creamy to your liking. For the best results, try using baby potatoes — they have a naturally sweet flavor that works well with this recipe.
Classic Potato Salad
Rich and creamy like the old fashioned recipe, this classic potato salad contains mayonnaise, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, scallions, parsley and celery. Instead of using the typical brown potato, this recipe calls for red potatoes, which have a rich flavor that is earthy and almost nutty. Because of the red potatoes, this salad might not be as sweet as the old fashioned potato salad.
German Potato Salad
German potato salad isn’t as sweet as many other varieties. Instead, this recipe is heavy on onions, cider vinegar, olive oil, mustard and potatoes and completely lacks mayonnaise — which is a key ingredient to many potato salads. Because of this, German potato salad is a tart and tangy variation.
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Southern Potato Salad
This recipe is a combination of sorts between sweet, mayonnaise-y potato salads and German potato salads. It’s heary and filled with bacon, eggs, celery and onions with apple cider vinegar a few teaspoons of sugar thrown in.
Sweet Potato Salad
Sweet potatoes are sweet, nutty and can be prepared in many different ways. Their sweet flavor makes them a delicious base for this potato salad, especially when accompanied with green onions, red pepper and even orange juice — an ingredient that might seem bizarre for a potato salad, but works so well to enhance the sweet potato flavor.
