Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2024)

This Red Potato Salad recipe is the perfect potluck side, or lunch side for work or a picnic. It’s an easy recipe to make and has lots of fresh flavor and texture.

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (1)

What makes or breaks a potato salad is whether there’s lots of flavor incorporated into the dish. Otherwise, potatoes can be quite bland and boring.

That won’t be a problem for us today! We’ll use minimal dressing ingredients but have a great balance of flavor and freshness.

When I go to parties in the summer or on a picnic, I’ll almost always bring some sort of sturdy salad like this. It’s the perfect side dish for a summer cookout.

Salmon Salad, Cranberry Chicken Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad, and Egg Salad are some of my other go-tos. It’s truly one of my favorite recipe categories. This is also a great side for dishes likeButtermilk Fried ChickenorOven BBQ Pork Spare Ribs.

What Makes This Recipe The Best

Seasoning the water – By seasoning the boiling water heavily with salt, just like when you make pasta, that allows the salt to penetrate the potato. This is great because the salted water seasons the flesh on the inside and makes for tender red potatoes.

A knockout dressing – We’ll make a quick homemade dressing that has a great balance of creaminess and tang. It’s delicious! This is creamy potato salad that isn’t drowning in mayo.

Fresh herbs and vegetables to add crunch and texture – Because potatoes are so neutral, it’s important to add other ingredients for flavor, and to ensure a delicious recipe. The bits of crunchy celery, scallions, chives, and more add both texture and flavor that is absolutely heavenly.

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2)

Step by Step Overview:

Start with the dressing so it’s ready to go for when the potatoes are hot. That way they absorb the tangy dressing and flavor really nicely.

Combine mayonnaise, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, red or white wine vinegar, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl:

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (3)

I love the combination of fats here, with the fruity flavor and aroma of the olive oil, and the creamy classic flavor of the mayonnaise. It’s so much better than a mayonnaise-only dressing.

Also, if you have 10 minutes to spare, I recommend making some homemade mayonnaise for optimal flavor.

I think red or white wine vinegars are by far the best acids here, but champagne vinegar, sherry vinegar, and apple cider vinegar work too.

Whisk that together until creamy and smooth:

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (4)

What variety of potatoes should you use?

The best kind of potato to use for potato salad is any of the “waxy potatoes,” like red bliss potatoes or yukon gold, over the starchy ones like russet. They hold up better, whereas russets can fall apart into mush.

Slice (or chunk) some red skin potatoes and put them in a large pot. How I cut them totally depends on my mood, and both work great.

Cover the potatoes completely with cold water:

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (5)

Next add a couple tablespoons of salt to the water:

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (6)

I know it seems like a lot of salt, but the potatoes will only absorb a small amount of this water, and it will help season the potatoes “on the inside.”

Bring the potatoes to a rolling boil over high heat.

How long do you cook red potatoes for potato salad? It depends on how you cut them up, but about 5 minutes of cooking time after the water is boiling, or until fork tender.

Then drain them in a colander, and let them sit for a few minutes at room temperature to let the steam escape a bit.

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While the potatoes are still warm, toss them with the dressing, then add chopped celery, scallions (aka green onions), and chives:

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (8)

You can either serve this warm (which I love) or you can chill it for a few hours before enjoying.

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (9)

Potato Croquettes, Steak Fries, and Potato Gratin are some of my other favorite potato dishes.

I have a whole section of potato recipes in my recipe index if you want more ideas. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

A great potato salad is one that caters to your preferred tastes and ingredients. Here are some ideas for variations you can try.

Herbs – You may use other herbs that you enjoy here, such as fresh dill.

Sour cream – For a more heavily dressed and creamy red potato salad, add 1/4 cup of full fat sour cream to the dressing.

Hard boiled eggs – Combine the greatness of an Egg Salad with potato salad by adding hard-boiled eggs to the mix. Double the dressing and add up to 12 hard boiled eggs.

Onion – Instead of green onions, you can thinly sliced or chopped red onion instead. Or try pickled red onion or shallots to reduce the bite.

Lemon – Swap the white or red wine vinegar out for fresh lemon juice in the creamy dressing for extra fresh flavor.

Bacon – Add crispy bacon bits to the dressing, and extra on top for garnish.

FAQ and Tips

How do you make this red potato salad for a large crowd?

You can absolute scale the recipe as needed, you are really only limited by the size of pot you have. You may need to boil the potatoes for longer since it may take longer for the pot of water to reach a boil.

Is this potato salad healthy?

That means different things to everyone, but it is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and paleo.

Can red potato salad be made ahead?

Yes, but I recommend only making it up to 1 day ahead though, so the flavor is still fresh and at its peak.

How long does Red Potato Salad keep?

Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for about 4 days. After that the flavor starts to deteriorate too much.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Or, follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest!

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (10)

Red Potato Salad

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

This Red Potato Salad recipe is packed with flavor, easy to make, and perfect to take to potlucks and picnics!

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 2.5 lbs red potatoes, sliced or chunked
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1/3 cup sliced scallions
  • 1/3 cup sliced chives

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk to combine the mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.

  • Place the cut up red potatoes into a large pot, and fill with enough cold water to cover the potatoes, plus an inch.

  • Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, and season with enough salt that it tastes like ocean water, about a couple tablespoons. Then cook the potatoes until fork tender. The time will really vary depending on if you sliced the potatoes or cut them into chunks, and how large, but for me it usually only takes about 5 minutes once the water is boiling, about 10-15 minutes total.

  • Once the potatoes are fork tender, drain them in a colander and let them sit for a few minutes for the excess steam to come off.

  • While the potatoes are still warm, toss them well with the dressing.

  • Stir in the celery, scallions, and chives, then serve warm or chill for several hours before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Make-ahead instructions: You can make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge, but I recommend only making it up to 1 day ahead for peak freshness and flavor.

Storing leftovers: Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Know that the flavor deteriorates a little more each day.

Nutrition

Calories: 252kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 320mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Fifteen Spatulas

Post updated with new pictures, writing, and more tips in August 2018. Originally published July 2014.

Red Potato Salad (Easy Red Bliss Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between red bliss potatoes and red potatoes? ›

Red Bliss are just 1 member of the red potato family. All of them have higher concentrations of pigments like anthocyanains in their skin . This is what gives all red potatoes their scarlet hue. Red Bliss in particular are lower in moisture and have a denser texture then most other red potatoes.

How to make potato salad Martha Stewart? ›

Directions
  1. Put potatoes in a large pot of salted water; bring to a boil. Cook until just tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain; let cool.
  2. Stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and dill; season with salt and pepper. Peel potatoes; cut into 1-inch chunks. Fold into mayonnaise mixture.
Feb 25, 2021

Can diabetics eat red bliss potatoes? ›

According to the diabetes association, starchy vegetables, like potatoes, are perfectly okay to include in a healthy diabetes diet. Being a complex carbohydrate, starch generally takes longer to break down in the body than simple sugars like sucrose.

When not to use red potatoes? ›

Red potatoes are great for roasting, cooking in soups, or boiling or steaming for potato salad. The waxy nature of the flesh means they'll maintain their shape, but it also means they will get gluey when overworked, so you'll want to choose a different potato for mashing.

Why don't you peel potatoes for potato salad? ›

If you'd like to add a little extra color and texture to your salad, leave the skins on. Just be sure to scrub them thoroughly with a vegetable brush before you cook them.

How to keep potatoes from falling apart when making potato salad? ›

Taste of Home Deputy Food Editor James Schend suggests adding a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to the water before it comes to a simmer, which will help create a “crust” on the potatoes. This way, they'll be less likely to fall apart.

Why does homemade potato salad get watery? ›

Potatoes can retain moisture. To prevent this, drain the potatoes very well in a colander or pot. Allow all the steam to escape the potatoes before mixing them with the dressing and other ingredients. Steaming the potatoes instead of boiling them is a good way to ensure that excess moisture isn't trapped inside.

What is in Walmart potato salad? ›

POTATOES, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, EGG YOLKS, VINEGAR, SALT), MUSTARD (WATER, VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, TURMERIC, PAPRIKA, GARLIC POWDER, SPICES, ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLOR], XANTHAN GUM, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR), DILL PICKLE CUBES (CUCUMBER VINEGAR, SALT, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, NATURAL ...

What is Japanese potato salad made of? ›

Japanese-style potato salad is a popular dish that is made with semi-mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables, ham, hard boiled egg, and mayonnaise.

Why is my potato salad hard? ›

If you overcook them, the result is a mushy, grainy mess. And if you undercook them, you end up with crunchy (not in a good way) potatoes. It's a delicate balance to achieve soft, tender potatoes for that just-right potato salad texture.

How can I thicken up my potato salad? ›

To thicken potato salad without using mayonnaise, you can try using Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a combination of both. Another option is to add mustard, which not only thickens but also adds flavor.

Should you add salt to water when boiling potatoes for potato salad? ›

Dense potatoes don't absorb seasonings easily, so you'll need to salt the water liberally so that the water the potatoes do drink up also carries in seasoning. And because potatoes are so timid in flavor, they need that salt to bring them out of their shells. Pour some salt in, then keep going.

How do you make potato salad last longer? ›

I would make sure the refrigerated container is closely sealed next to the potato salad mixture to keep out any additional oxygen from discoloring the potatoes and they should last a week.

What is a bliss potato? ›

: a potato with thin, smooth, red skin and white flesh.

What are the different types of red potatoes? ›

Reds are also important to Wisconsin, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, and California growers. The most common varieties of red potatoes are Chieftain, Norland, Red La Soda, Klondike Rose®, Pontiac, and Ruby, yet we are seeing many new entrants which are producing beautiful potatoes.

Are red bliss potatoes good for you? ›

Red potatoes are an excellent source of flavonoid antioxidants like quercetin, kaempferol-rutinose, catechin, and rutin. Red potatoes contain twice the amount of flavonoids as compared to white potatoes. 6They're also a rich source of several nutrients, including vitamin C and potassium.

What are the best red potatoes to grow? ›

You can also grow different types of red potatoes, such as red Pontiac and red Norland. Red Pontiacs typically bulk as they grow, creating larger potatoes to cook with but a less uniform size in the harvest. Norland potatoes mature sooner but tend to crack under high heat and become mealy.

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