A Picnic Classic: Mastering the Art of Old-Fashioned Potato Salad
Raise your hand if you love potato salad! A staple at summer barbecues, potlucks, and backyard picnics, this seemingly simple dish holds a special place in many hearts. But achieving that perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and flavorful is an art form, passed down through generations.
Today, we’ll delve into the secrets of creating a truly delicious old-fashioned potato salad recipe, bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors and the comforting nostalgia of grandma’s cooking.

Old-Fashioned Potato Salad Recipe: Choosing the Right Potatoes
Not all potatoes are created equal when it comes to potato salad. For this recipe, we’ll be using red potatoes, known for their waxy texture and mild flavor. They hold their shape well when cooked, preventing them from becoming mushy in the salad.
However, feel free to experiment with other varieties like Yukon Golds or New potatoes, each offering subtle differences in texture and flavor.

Freshness is Key: High-Quality Ingredients
While the ingredient list for this old-fashioned potato salad recipe might seem basic, using high-quality ingredients makes all the difference. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 5 red potatoes, boiled and chopped
- 5 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup dill pickles, chopped
- Mayonnaise enough to coat
- Dijon mustard, to taste
- Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, to taste
- Onion powder, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh dill chopped
🎬 Watch How to Make This Recipe
Want to see this recipe come to life? Check out this video where I walk you through the entire process, step-by-step!
Tips for a Picture-Perfect Potato Salad:
- Don’t overcook the potatoes: Overcooked potatoes become mushy and can break down in the salad, creating an undesirable texture.
- Cool the potatoes completely: This prevents the mayonnaise from becoming greasy and ensures the salad stays chilled.
- Use room temperature eggs: Cold eggs can make the mayonnaise seize up, so allow the eggs to come to room temperature before chopping and adding them to the salad.
- Season to taste: Don’t be afraid to adjust the amount of salt, pepper, and vinegar to your personal preferences.
- Let the flavors meld: Chilling the potato salad allows the ingredients to come together and develop a richer, more harmonious flavor profile.
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Old Fashioned Potato Salad
Recipe by Jason Hill – CookingSessions.comIngredients
- 5 red potatoes boiled and chopped
- 5 hard-boiled eggs chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1/2 yellow onion chopped
- 1 cup dill pickles chopped
- Mayonnaise enough to coat
- Dijon mustard to taste
- Lawry’s Seasoned Salt to taste
- Onion powder to taste
- Garlic powder to taste
- ground pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh dill chopped
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together, using your discretion with mayo and seasonings. (We are generous with the Dijon mustard and seasoned salt).
- Top with a few extra sprigs of fresh dill and chill overnight.