The Best Summer Potato Salad: A Refreshing Recipe Using Baby Yukon and Red Potatoes

Ingredients and Preparation

Creating the best summer potato salad starts with selecting and preparing of ingredients are crucial. This is my family's recipe and I don't measure anything. I will try to approximate measurement of ingredients for you.

• Begin with:

  • a mix of baby Yukon and baby red potatoes to achieve a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The baby Yukon potatoes bring a creamy, buttery texture, while the red potatoes add a slightly firmer bite, perfect for a refreshing summer salad

  • thoroughly wash the potatoes to remove any dirt

  • cut them using a sharp knife and on a ribbed cutting board into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Depending on size of potatoes, either in half or in quarters

  • place the potato pieces in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add a pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt to the water for seasoning. Bring the pot of potatoes to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer.

  • cook the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are tender yet firm when pierced with a fork

*Be careful not to over cook them as they can result in mushy potatoes, so keep a close eye on them.

While the potatoes are cooking, let's prepare the other ingredients. Hard-boiled eggs are a classic addition to potato salad, providing extra protein and a creamy texture.

• To prepare:

  • place 3-4 eggs in a small pot and cover just over the top of the eggs with water

  • bring to a boil for 10-12 minutes

  • transfer the eggs to a small bowl for an ice bath to cool before peeling and chopping them

  • crack the eggs and use a teaspoon to peel shell from edible egg

  • use a very sharp knife and ribbed cutting board to chop eggs into bite size pieces

• For added crunch:

  • wash a few (3-4) large celery stalks and place them on a ribbed cutting board

  • take a sharp knife and dice the celery stalks into 1/4 inch pieces

*Celery not only adds texture but also a refreshing flavor that complements the potatoes.

• To spice up the flavor:

  • grab 1 medium shallot

  • using your sharp knife and a ribbed cutting board, finely mince the shallot (this ensures distribution of their flavor evenly throughout the salad)

*Shallots have a mild yet flavorful onion taste

• The dressing is what ties everything together:

  • use high-quality mayonnaise and mustard for a rich, tangy base

  • incorporate chunky chopped dill pickles and a splash of dill pickle juice to enhance the tanginess

  • season the dressing with salt to taste, ensuring all components are well-balanced and delicious.

*Mixing these ingredients together thoroughly creates a creamy and flavorful dressing.

Ingredient list:

Main Ingredients:

1. Approximately 2 cups each baby Yukon and baby red potatoes

2. Approximately 3-4 eggs

3. Approximately 3-4 large celery stalks

4. 1 medium shallot

Dressing Ingredients:

1. Approximately 2 TBSP (heaping) mayonnaise

2. Approximately 3-5 second squirt of mustard

3. 2 large dill pickles

4. Splash of pickle juice

5. Salt to taste

Mixing and Combining Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

After cooking, cooling, and chopping the main ingredients, It’s time to add all of them into a large mixing bowl:

• potatoes

• eggs

• shallots

• celery

*Ensure the pieces are uniform in size to promote even flavor distribution, maintain consistency, and texture throughout the salad.

Dressing Ingredients:

The dressing is an essential step in bringing all the elements of the best summer potato salad together. In a medium mixing bowl, combine:

• mayonnaise

• mustard

• dill pickles

• dill pickle juice

• salt

Whisk all these ingredients thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.

*This mixture will provide the tangy and rich flavor that complements the potatoes and other ingredients.

Combine Ingredients:

Then, pour the dressing over the top of the main ingredients and gently fold together until fully mixed. Use a spatula to incorporate the dressing, being careful to coat every piece evenly while avoiding breaking the potatoes.

*This gentle folding technique ensures the salad maintains its desired texture.

Once the ingredients are well mixed, it is crucial to taste and make adjustments as you see fit. Taste the potato salad and add more salt, mustard, or dill pickle juice if needed to enhance the flavor to your liking.

This step allows you to fine-tune the taste to your preference, ensuring a delicious and refreshing summer potato salad. With the ingredients perfectly combined and the dressing adjusted, your potato salad is ready to be served or stored in the refrigerator until served.

Chilling and Serving for Optimal Flavor

Final step, chilling:

Ensuring that your potato salad reaches its peak flavor requires a crucial step: chilling. After combining all your ingredients, transfer the potato salad into a covered sealed container.

This will help maintain its freshness and prevent any unwanted flavors from seeping in. Place the covered sealed container in the refrigerator.

*Allow your summer potato salad to chill for at least two hours, though allowing it to sit overnight is preferable.

This resting period gives the flavors ample time to meld together, resulting in a harmonious taste that is both refreshing and satisfying.

The chilling process also significantly improves the texture of the salad. The cold helps the potatoes firm up and the dressing penetrate deeper into the potatoes and eggs, providing a more pleasing bite.

Serving:

When it comes to serving your perfectly chilled potato salad, presentation is key.

• Garnish with fresh dill for a burst of color and an added layer of flavor.

• Alternatively, sprinkle some roughly chopped tomatoes on top for a tangy twist that complements the creamy texture of the salad.

*These small touches not only enhance the visual appeal but also contribute to the overall taste experience.

This refreshing potato salad makes a versatile addition to various meals.

• It pairs exceptionally well with grilled meats, adding a cool and creamy contrast to the savory flavors of barbecue.

• Additionally, it serves as a delightful side dish for sandwiches, offering a satisfying crunch alongside your favorite deli-style creations.

• For a quintessential summer picnic, this potato salad is a must-have, providing a refreshing and flavorful complement to a wide array of picnic staples.

Your potato salad is not just a side dish but a highlight of your summer meals, enjoyed by all who partake.

*** Check out my blog article about the Top 5 Knife Manufacturers, Plus My Personal Favorite: Cutco Knives here.

*** Another one of my favorite summer recipes for camping and just hanging out at home too is my foil dinner recipe here.

*** Or my fun and quirky hot do taco family recipe here. It definitely takes people by surprise!

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Here's what our customers have to say about our amazing recipes!

Stephie's summer potato salad is amazing! I'm a single guy and made it for a friends gathering. All my guy friends devoured it. I had to hid a small portion so I could have seconds.

Randy V. - Vancouver, Canada

I'm not a big potato salad person but my family wanted me to make some for our picnic gathering. I found Stephie's recipe on Pinterest and absolutely love everything about this dish. The entire bowl was gone. I would say that it's a hit!

Scarlette J. - Springfield, OR

★★★★★

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