There’s nothing like a classic American potato salad. Something about the creamy potatoes, eggs and mayo just make it perfect for a backyard barbecue. Or with fried chicken. This is the best potato salad I know how to make. And I know a few…
This is my kind of comfort food. Probably because I love BBQ. And I love fried chicken. And I love potatoes. So not a big surprise.
But I don’t like just any potato salad. I’m actually pretty picky. Don’t like it pre-fab from the grocery store. Not crazy about it at most casual restaurants.
Usually don’t want anything to do with what they serve at fast food joints. But I love this stuff for a reason. It’s just really, really good.
This is my best potato salad
Best. That’s a very big claim. Too big really. And it’s very subjective. I love a good French potato salad. Potatoes with grainy mustard and bacon can be fantastic.
So maybe it’s not the best there is but it’s up there. There’s just something about it that works. Works very well.
I can’t take much credit for it. This is America’s Test Kitchen all-American potato salad with a couple small glebekitchen touches. More eggs. Lots more. And leave out the celery seed. That’s it. But it makes a difference.
If you want to make really good potato salad, it’s going to be a bit more work than tossing potatoes with some mayo and chopped onion. Sorry. It’s not hard but there are a few extra steps.
Pickle juice is why this works
Pickle juice is the secret ingredient. Pickle juice and ball park mustard. It’s different. Crazy even. But it’s critical. Drizzle warm potatoes with pickle juice and mustard. Let it sit to allow the potatoes to absorb the flavours.
Sour cream is the other twist. Full fat sour cream. Don’t wimp out. Cook to impress. Nobody needs to know.
Just serve it up and take the compliments. Nobody is going to die because they had a few extra calories at a party. I’m pretty sure anyway. At least I hope not.
Best potato salad? I think so.
Old school? Maybe.
Tasty? Definitely.
Try it and let me know what you think.
best potato salad
Ingredients
- 2 lbs yukon gold potatoes
- 3 Tbsp pickle juice total
- 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 dill pickles finely minced
- 1/2 red onion finely minced
- 1 stalk celery finely minced
- 1/2 - 1 Tsp kosher salt
- 3 hard-boiled eggs chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise - Hellmans and preferably not light
- 1/4 cup full fat 14% sour cream
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes into roughly 3/4 inch pieces.
- Boil until tender in well salted water. Drain.
- Mix 2 Tbsp pickle juice with the yellow mustard. While the potatoes are still warm, spread the potatoes on a cookie sheet and drizzle the pickle juice/mustard mixture overtop. Stir gently to coat all the potatoes.
- Refrigerate around 30 minutes.
- Combine all other ingredients except the eggs in a bowl large enough to contain the potato salad. Don’t forget the third Tbsp of pickle juice.
- Fold in the potatoes and then the eggs gently and chill for around one hour. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Roast turkey with chipotle gravy is a great twist on your holiday bird. It keeps the great traditional turkey flavour but kicks it up. Into seriously tasty territory. And it’s fast enough to make on a weeknight. Turkey Tuesdays. It could happen…
I don’t understand why turkey doesn’t make it to the table more often. Chicken this. Chicken that. I love chicken but why not mix it up some? Turkey isn’t quite the blank canvas chicken is. You need to respect that. But if you do, there’s a whole new world of flavour to be discovered. Chipotle is one of those discoveries waiting to happen. It pairs fabulously.
Turkey parts are the key to success. Roast turkey is tough to do because the bird cooks unevenly. Parts eliminate the problem. Cook a turkey breast. No harder than a chicken breast. Thighs? Same thing. Easy.
I used boned out turkey thighs. Boning them out lets you slice them like you would a turkey breast. It’s a nice touch but it’s not critical. Turkey breast works equally well here. Just please leave on the skin. I don’t really need to tell you that, do I?
This is basically your holiday turkey made easy. You are still looking to get a good fond in the pan. You are making a simple gravy. The fond flavours the gravy. Sound familiar? As easy as roasted chicken parts but with that great turkey flavour. What’s not to love?
