Hellmann's Potato Salad (Original Recipe) (2024)

Last Updated on: November 27, 2023

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Whether you’re having a summer barbecue, picnic, or just a quick meal at home, this originalHellmann’s potato saladrecipe is a must-make.

What’s not to love about potato salad? It’s delicious, filling, and, best of all, easy to make and budget-friendly!

Hellmann's Potato Salad (Original Recipe) (1)

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This recipe can easily feed a crowd but won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Plus, the whole family will love it.

So, if you need the perfect accompaniment to your barbecued meats and burgers, try this Hellmann’spotato saladrecipe.

Hellmann’s Potato Salad

Originally printed on the back of the Hellmann’s mayonnaise jar, this potato salad recipe is a classic.

And unlike other country potato salads, it’s more than just a mix of boiled potatoes and mayonnaise. It has much more flavor and texture.

It’s still simple to make, though — a combination of potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, celery, and onions. All in a creamy, dreamy mayo-based dressing.

Yum’s the word!

What’s the Best Potato for Potato Salad?

It’s completely up to you, but I highly recommend over starchy potatoes. Waxy spuds, such as Yukon Golds, are able to hold their shape well even when boiled.

They’re also creamy and buttery, which adds another fantastic layer of flavor to the salad.

If you want to leave the skins on, I suggest you go for baby reds. They’re very thin-skinned, so you can leave them on without altering the texture of the salad.

Some prefer Russets, but personally, I’m not a big fan of their mushy texture.

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How Do You Make Potato Salad Taste Better?

Want to ensure your potato salad tastes as delicious as possible? There are a few simple tips to follow:

  • Use mayo and sour cream. This combo is better than mayo by itself. It’ll create a wonderful balance of creaminess and tanginess.
  • Don’t overboil the potatoes. Know how long to boil potatoes for potato salad. That way, they won’t end up mushy!
  • Roast the potatoes. You’ll love the extra crispy texture roasting provides!
  • Season the potatoes. If you go the roasting route, be sure to season the potatoes with cayenne, onion powder, or garlic salt beforehand. It makes all the difference!
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Tips for Making the Best Potato Salad

Here are a few more of my favorite potato salad tips:

  • Salt the boiling water well. You should always add a bit of salt to your boiling pot. You’ll need about 1 1/2 tablespoons for 2 pounds of potatoes.
  • Blanch the potatoes. Rinse the boiled potatoes under cold water to stop them from cooking further. Be sure to drain them well, though. Excess water will make the dressing runny.
  • Let the potatoes cool slightly. Warm potatoes absorb liquid better, giving them more flavor. However, if they’re too hot, they’ll make the dressing runny. So, allow the potatoes to cool slightly before mixing in the dressing.
  • Boil the eggs properly. To make hard-boiled eggs, boil the eggs for 10 to 12 minutes. If using very fresh eggs, add a teaspoon of salt to the water for easier peeling.
  • Make the onions less pungent. Do you dislike the sharp flavor of onions? Dial it down by soaking them in water for a few minutes.
  • Don’t skip the chill time. I hate waiting as much as you do, but it does make the salad significantly more flavorful.

Variations

Want to mix things up a bit? Try some of these variations:

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  • Add pickles. Add chopped dill pickles to the salad. If you’re concerned about it being too tangy, leave out the vinegar.
  • Make it herby. Flavor the salad with fresh herbs, such as dill, chives, basil, and thyme. Dried herbs and seasonings are okay, too, but reduce the amount by half.
  • Bacon makes everything better. Make it more sinfully delicious with crisp, smoky bacon crumbles.
  • Make it more filling. Give the potato salad more substance with add-ins. Use meats, such as shredded chicken or sweet ham, or veggies like corn and peas.
  • Use sweet potatoes instead. The texture and flavor will be a little different, but just as delicious – especially for those with a sweet tooth.
  • Make it cheesy. Cheddar, mozzarella, blue cheese, goat cheese – anything works.
  • Add crushed potato chips. Just sprinkle some on top before serving. This’ll add a unique kind of crunch and saltiness you didn’t think your potato salad needed.
  • Spice it up. How about some Sriracha, chili flakes, or paprika?

How to Store

Unfortunately, potato salad isn’t something you can freeze. So, try to make only as much as your family will eat.

If you DO have leftovers, you can store them for only a few days.

  • To store. Cover the potato salad tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 days, MAX.

More Potato-Based Recipes You’ll Love

  • Scalloped Potatoes
  • Lighthouse Inn Potatoes
  • Irish Mashed Potatoes
  • Wingstop Fries
  • Whipped Sweet Potatoes
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Hellmann’s Potato Salad (Original Recipe)

Servings

8

servings

Total time

25

minutes

Whether you’re having a summer barbecue, a picnic, or just an intimate meal at home, the original Hellmann’s potato salad recipe is a must-have. Learn how to make this timeless dish today!

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds (about 5-6 medium) potatoes, peeled and sliced into 3/4-inch pieces

  • 1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons vinegar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 cup thinly sliced celery

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion

  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

Instructions

  • Fill a 4-quart pot with salted water. Add the potatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, sugar, and pepper. Gently toss in the potatoes, celery, onion, and eggs.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Notes

  • After boiling, rinse the potatoes under cold water to stop them from cooking further. Then, drain them well before adding to the potato salad mixture.
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Hellmann's Potato Salad (Original Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How long does potato salad stay good in the refrigerator? ›

According to StillTasty.com, prepared potato salad—whether homemade or store-bought, dressed with vinegar and oil or mayonnaise—will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to five days if stored properly.

What is the maximum number of days that potato salad can sit out? ›

Potato salad, like most perishable foods, cannot sit out for more than two hours, and closer to only one hour when the temperature is above 90°F and you're dining outside.

Why is my potato salad gummy? ›

The starch in potatoes is held together by pectin. When that pectin breaks down too quickly in the boiling process, mushy potatoes result. Adding vinegar to the water fixes that problem because, as López-Alt explains, “pectin breaks down much more slowly in acidic environments.”

Is it better to boil potatoes whole or cut up for potato salad? ›

Drop a whole russet into the pot and by the time the outside has cooked through, the inside will still be raw. Larger potatoes should be cubed to ensure they cook evenly (peeled first if desired). Smaller potatoes tend to have thin skins and can be boiled whole, no peeling required.

Can you eat 2 week old potato salad? ›

prepared potato salad—whether it's homemade or store-bought, dressed with vinegar and oil or mayonnaise—will stay fresh in the refrigerator up to five days, if stored properly.

Can I eat 7 day old potato salad? ›

Signs your potato salad is bad: It's slimy, it tastes odd, it smells bad, it has black, white or green mold growing on it, it's been left out on the counter for over 2 hours (or less if outside in the sun), it's been in the refrigerator for over 5 days. ”If in doubt, throw it out!”

How long does potato salad last with mayonnaise? ›

Make ahead: The potato salad can be made up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container. Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

What goes bad first in potato salad? ›

But the truth is, mayonnaise isn't your main concern when it comes to spoilage. The actual culprit is the potatoes. Yes, it's true! The humble, reliable potato is a hotbed for bacterial growth if improperly stored after cooking.

How long does prepared potato salad last? ›

According to the USDA, leftovers like potato salad should last in the refrigerator for three to four days. Store-bought potato salad will be stamped with a best-by date. You'll want to keep the “two-hour rule” in mind, though.

What if I put too much mayo in my potato salad? ›

If you have added too much mayo to your potato salad, you can fix it by adding more of the other ingredients to balance out the flavor. You can add more boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, diced pickles, onions, celery, or mustard.

What if I put too much mustard in my potato salad? ›

You've got two options. The first option is to cook more potatoes and make more potato salad, adding more of every ingredient except mustard. Doing so will get the mustard content in equilibrium with the rest of the flavors in the salad. Your other option is to adjust the seasonings to compliment the…

Why does my potato salad taste so bland? ›

Forgetting To Salt The Water

Just as you would with pasta, seasoning the water is the only way to flavor the potatoes themselves. The vegetable absorbs the water it's cooked in, so if you just boil them in unseasoned water, you'll end up with tasteless taters that no amount of mayo, herbs, or bacon bits can help.

Why don't you peel potatoes for potato salad? ›

There's no reason at all, so my advice is to leave the skins on. The skin on a potato adds a nice texture and flavor to the potato salad and it's also the healthiest part.

How long does homemade potato salad keep for? ›

Potato salad can be served right away or refrigerated until ready to serve. It's best served the same day it's made, but leftovers will keep for about 3 to 4 days (less if the salad has sat out at room or warm temperatures for any length of time). You can also boil the potatoes and fry the bacon a few days ahead.

Can you freeze potato salad with egg and mayonnaise? ›

We don't recommend freezing potato salad made with mayonnaise or dairy-based ingredients like sour cream. These ingredients don't freeze well, leading to a weird texture when the potato salad thaws. If you do freeze potato salad with mayonnaise, we recommend serving it warm.

What is the maximum number of days that potato salad may be kept if it remains at a temperature of 41 F 5 C or lower? ›

Final answer: Potato salad kept at 41 F (5 C) or lower is typically safe to eat for 3-4 days. This timeframe is set to prevent the growth of bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum. Even in refrigeration, it's important to consume perishable foods like potato salad in a short amount of time to ensure safety.

How long is egg salad good for? ›

According to the USDA, egg salad that's been stored properly in the fridge will be good for three to five days. To maximize that timeframe, use an airtight container and place the egg salad in the coldest part of the fridge promptly. Make sure your fridge is set to 40 F or lower.

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