Mama’s Old-Fashioned Potato Salad (A Timeless Family Classic)

 


Mama’s Old-Fashioned Potato Salad (A Timeless Family Classic)

Before we dive into bowls and spoons, let me say how grateful I am that recipes like this still matter 💛. This is the kind of dish that shows up at family reunions, church picnics, and backyard BBQs — made not from a trend, but from tradition.

Mama’s Old-Fashioned Potato Salad is creamy without being heavy, tangy without being sharp, and perfectly balanced in every bite. It’s the exact kind of potato salad your mother or grandmother made, the one everyone quietly hoped they’d bring again.

Simple. Reliable. Anything but boring!!

👉 Be sure to subscribe by email so cherished, tried-and-true recipes like this never slip by.

Overview of the Recipe

This is a classic Southern-style potato salad made on the stovetop with tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, pickles, mustard, and good mayonnaise.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Tried-and-true family favorite

  • Perfect for BBQs, picnics, and holidays

  • Creamy, tangy, and comforting

  • Feeds a crowd

  • Gets better as it chills

What Does It Taste Like?

Creamy potatoes with just the right pop of tang from pickles and mustard, balanced by soft eggs and a touch of onion. Every bite tastes familiar — in the best way possible.

Benefits of This Recipe

  • Simple, affordable ingredients

  • Easy to customize

  • Great make-ahead side dish

  • Loved by kids and adults alike

🛒 Ingredients List

  • 5 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • ½ medium onion, finely chopped

  • 5 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

  • ¼ cup sweet pickle relish or cubes

  • ½ cup dill pickle relish or cubes

  • 1 stalk celery, diced (optional)

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

  • 1½–2 cups mayonnaise (good quality matters!)

  • 1½–2 tablespoons yellow mustard

  • Paprika, for garnish (optional)

  • 1 hard-boiled egg, sliced, for garnish (optional)

🔧 Tools You’ll Need

  • Large pot

  • Colander

  • Mixing bowls

  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions

  • Red potatoes can be used for a firmer texture

  • Sweet relish only if you prefer sweeter salad

  • Add a splash of pickle juice for extra tang

  • Green onions instead of yellow onion for a milder bite

👩‍🍳 How to Make Mama’s Old-Fashioned Potato Salad

Please Head On keep on Reading (>)