Our Southern potato salad has the best creamy texture and tangy flavor, with ingredients like mayo, mustard, hard-boiled eggs, pickle relish, and seasonings. It’s one of those recipes that always brings people together at barbecues, picnics, family reunions, and holiday gatherings!

Hey ya’ll! Today, we’re excited to share one of our all-time favorite recipes with you: Southern Potato Salad! Now, let me tell you, this is a Southern black potato salad recipe and an absolute staple in my household. It’s one of those dishes that’s always on the menu whenever we’re having a cookout or a big family gathering. There’s just something about that creamy, tangy goodness that keeps everyone coming back for more!

Now, don’t get me wrong, potato salad is fantastic any time of year, but there’s just something extra special about enjoying it during the spring and summer months, or whenever you’re hosting a cookout.

One thing’s for sure, when you make this black southern potato salad recipe, you better be prepared for the compliments to start rolling in. Seriously, this recipe is so good, people will be asking, “Who made the potato salad?” And let me tell you, it’s way better than anything you’ll find in the store. It’s easy to make and takes no time at all. In fact, you can have it ready in under an hour!

If you want to get fancy, you can garnish your Southern potato salad with a sprinkle of paprika and some sliced boiled eggs, but it’s delicious enough all on its own. Pair it with dishes like Southern fried chicken, fried catfish, smoked ribs, collard greens with ham hocks, and Southern cornbread for a complete Southern soul food meal.

Gather up your ingredients and get ready to make the best Southern potato salad recipe you’ve ever tasted. Trust me, your friends and family will thank you for it!

What you’ll love about this recipe:

CREAMY TEXTURE – The combination of potatoes and creamy mayo dressing creates a luxurious and creamy texture that many people enjoy.
FLAVOR – The mayonnaise, mustard, and pickle relish provides a Southern potato salad flavor that is both tangy and slightly sweet, appealing to a wide range of tastes.
QUICK & EASY – With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is easy to make even for beginner cooks or those short on time.

Ingredients

Russet potatoes
Eggs
Mayonnaise
Dill pickle relish
Yellow mustard
Diamond Crystal kosher salt
Ground black pepper
Seasoning for garnish, such as paprika, Creole, or Cajun (optional)

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

Some people like to add onions, celery, and/or diced bell peppers for added flavor and texture.
Seasonings like paprika, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce may be added for extra flavor and a hint of spice.
Instead of using dill pickle relish, you can try chopped pickles or simply add a splash of pickle juice.

How to Make Black Southern Potato Salad

Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized chunks. Place the potatoes in a pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your potato chunks.
While the potatoes are cooking, place the eggs in a separate pot of cold water. Bring to a boil, then cover and remove from heat. Let the eggs sit in the hot water for about 10-12 minutes.
Once done, drain the potatoes and eggs, and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Grab a big bowl and toss your cooked potatoes in there. Then, take a potato masher or fork and mash them up. You want some chunks to remain for texture.
Peel the eggs and chop them into bite-size pieces. Add the chopped eggs to the bowl with the potatoes.
Add in some mayo, mustard, relish, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir until everything’s evenly mixed.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled as a side dish at your next barbecue, picnic, or family gathering.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Potato Prep: Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces before boiling to ensure they cook at the same rate. This will help prevent some from being overcooked while others are still underdone.
Cold Rinse: After boiling, immediately rinse the potatoes and eggs with cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps prevent the potatoes from becoming mushy and makes the eggs easier to peel.
Mashing Technique: Be gentle when mashing the potatoes to avoid overworking them, which can result in a gummy texture. Aim for a slightly chunky consistency rather than completely smooth.
Seasoning Adjustment: Taste after adding the mayo, mustard, relish, salt, and pepper, and adjust the seasonings according to your preference. You can always add more of any ingredient to suit your taste.
Chill Before Serving: For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate the for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to firm up slightly.

What to Serve with Southern Potato Salad

Grilled Meats: Grilled chicken leg quarters, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, smoked ribs, steak, or grilled sausages are all great options.
Sandwiches: Serve as a side dish with sandwiches such as smoked pulled pork, pork chop, roast beef, turkey, or grilled vegetable sandwiches.
Fried Chicken: My favorite recipe, it’s crispy, golden, and full of flavor! We skipped the buttermilk soak and embraced a salt, sugar, and water brine for juiciness for this recipe. Our blend of flour, cornstarch, and seasonings guarantees an irresistibly crunchy coating every time.
Plan a Cookout: If you’re planning a barbecue or cookout, consider serving alongside festive dishes like pulled pork parfaits, BBQ coleslaw, deviled eggs, baked beans, and watermelon.

Make Ahead Instructions

This Southern potato salad recipe can be made ahead of time, which makes it perfect for meal prep or for entertaining. Here’s how you can prepare it in advance:

Cook the Potatoes and Eggs: Follow the recipe as instructed, including boiling the potatoes and eggs until they’re cooked through. Once done, drain them and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Assemble the Salad: After rinsing the potatoes and eggs, proceed to chop the eggs and combine them with the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add in the mayonnaise, mustard, dill relish, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
Refrigerate: Once its assembled, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and enhances its taste.
Serve: When you’re ready to serve, give it a quick stir to ensure everything is evenly mixed. You may also want to taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve it chilled as a delicious side dish alongside your main meal.

How long is potato salad good for?

Potato salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. It’s best to eat it within this timeframe to ensure its freshness and flavor.
Immediately after preparing or serving, transfer to an airtight container. Seal the container tightly to prevent any air from getting in. Store in the refrigerator.
Potato salad contains ingredients like mayonnaise and eggs, which are prone to spoilage when left at room temperature for an extended period. Always keep it chilled until ready to serve and return it to the refrigerator promptly after eating.

How do I prevent Southern potato salad from becoming dry?

If you find that your potato salad is too dry after mixing in the mayo, mustard, and relish, you can add a bit more mayo or mustard to achieve your desired consistency.

Summary

Our Southern potato salad recipe is creamy and tangy thanks to the combination of dill pickle relish, mustard, hard-boiled eggs, and seasonings. Whether it’s a barbecue, cookout, family reunion, or holiday gathering, this side dish is guaranteed to be a hit and bring everyone together with its irresistible taste and comforting appeal.