Creamy Red Potato Salad

This red potato salad recipe is for the smell of a charcoal grill and warm summer evenings sipping frosé. This one’s the all American classic: the one that Grandma made, or a better-tasting version of the one at your grocery store deli. Alex and I love lots of styles of potato salad recipes, like French potato salad and dill potato salad…but there’s something to the classic that really hits it home! Here’s how to make a classic potato salad with red skin potatoes. Love red potatoes? Here are our Best Red Potato Recipes.

How to make red potato salad

There are a few secrets to making the classic salad that tastes like a million bucks, from the mustard to the dill pickle! Here’s how to make this red skin potato salad:

How long to boil potatoes for potato salad

Good question! Alex and I tried several methods of boiling for this red potato salad. What we found to be most consistent? Place diced potatoes in a pot with cold water, then bring it to a boil. The other main method is dropping the potatoes into a pot of boiling water. But there are two drawbacks: the potatoes are less-evenly boiled, and even worse: there’s a risk of splashing boiling water on yourself (not cool). Using the “start from cold water” method, you’ll place the potatoes in the water and bring it to a boil. Then, there are two main times you’ll notice:

Bringing the water to a boil: 10 minutesActually boiling the potatoes: 10 minutes

Depending on how you look at it, how long to boil potatoes? can be answered with 10 minutes (boil time only), or 20 minutes (the time to bring to a boil plus the boil time). Either way, it will take about 20 minutes total.

How long does potato salad last? Can you freeze it?

This red potato salad can be stored in the refrigerator for about 4 to 5 days. If you’re leaving it out at a potluck or a buffet table, leave it out for 2 hours max. Then pop it into a sealed container and store refrigerated. Because it’s made with mayonnaise, freezing potato salad is not recommended. Mayo doesn’t freeze well and can separate after freezing, and the potatoes can become discolored. Celery also doesn’t freeze well. The best way to extend the life of potato salad is keeping it in the refrigerator.

More easy potluck recipes

This red potato salad is perfect for potlucks and pitch-ins! Here are a few more of our very favorite recipes for this occasion:

Easy Bean Salad THE most delicious and simple salad to hit your plate.Watermelon Salad with Feta & Cucumber This refreshing salad features salty feta, cucumber, fresh basil, and lemon zest.Creamy Cucumber Salad A silky sauce with dill and shallots that brings irresistible flavor to crunchy cucumbers.Grilled Caesar Salad The best summer salad EVER! Grilling romaine lettuce infuses a smoky flavor; topped with Greek yogurt Caesar, it’s pure gold.Greek Salad Packed with fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumber, salty feta cheese, and briny olives: just like they make it in Greece!Strawberry Spinach Salad This one features double the strawberries: sliced ripe berries and sweet tart strawberry vinaigrette salad dressing!