Potato Salad, Traditional and Southern

July 22, 2009

I’ve been putting off writing this post for two weeks now. Why? Partly because I’ve been ridiculously busy with other activities and partly because I’m conflicted about the traditional southern potato salad. The chunky, seasoned white potato and mayo mixture is a mainstay on many southern and African-American tables during family gatherings, especially in the summer. However, it’s not the healthiest thing you can eat with its high fat content from the mayonnaise, and there in lies the conflict.

I was never really crazy about potato salad while growing up, although almost everyone in my family was and still is (on my Dad’s side in particular, many are crazy about my mom’s potato salad). But, over the years I’ve come to enjoy a little dab of the homemade stuff every now and then (portion control is key).

Speaking of homemade, if you’re going to eat potato salad, please, please, PLEASE, make sure it’s homemade! I’ve never tasted a store-bought, mayo-based potato salad I thought was any good, and I’ve been to a lot of church functions and back-yard cookouts where more and more people are taking the store-bought route.

This recipe below is my attempt to get as close as possible to my mom’s recipe, which she pulls from her memory every time she makes it, adding ingredients by sight and feel rather than specific measurements. I called her up and asked her to give me her estimates of amounts used.

Two things are key, she told me, to making a good potato salad — use a large, waxy variety of potato and “always use Duke’s” mayonnaise. My mom swears by Duke’s mayonnaise. She says that she has made potato salad with several other brands of mayo and she says it’s never as good as it is when it’s made with Duke’s.

As for the potatoes, I used the kind she uses the most, large red potatoes. The main thing to remember for potatoes is to use a waxy, thin-skinned variety because they hold their shape better than, for example, russet potatoes, which are ideal for baking.

What are your thoughts on potato salad? Do you love it, hate it or usually buy it by the container in the store? Let’s chat about it in the comments section below!

Potato Salad, Traditional and Southern
Serves 5 – 8 (depending on serving size)

1 1/2 pounds large red potatoes, about 6
(or another variety of waxy potato)
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
4 tablespoons sweet relish
2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
1/2 tablespoon yellow mustard
1/2 white onion, finely diced (optional)
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds (optional)
1 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Place rinsed and scrubbed potatoes in a large stockpot and fill the pot with water until the water covers the potatoes by one inch. Place the pot over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Once water comes to a boil, reduce heat to med/medium-high, partially cover pot with lid allowing steam to come out, and cook potatoes for about 40 minutes or until fork-tender.

Meanwhile, hard-boil your eggs and set aside to cool. Peel and dice them once cooled. When potatoes are cooked, drain them from the water and set aside to cool. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes with your hands, dice the potatoes and add to a large mixing bowl. 

Add diced eggs and remaining ingredients except for the celery seeds, salt, and pepper and gently fold and combine everything together. Sprinkle celery seeds over mixture and add salt and pepper to taste gently folding and combining once more. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Filed Under Salads, Vegetables, Vegetarian/Conversions | 11 Comments Print This Post

Comments

11 Responses to “Potato Salad, Traditional and Southern”

  1. Tamika Felder on July 22nd, 2009 4:58 pm

    I love Duke’s and if I can’t get Duke’s Hellman’s is the only other may I will use and celery seed is a MUST.

  2. Tesia on July 22nd, 2009 10:50 pm

    🙂 Tamika, I remember you saying that celery seed is one of your secret ingredients.

  3. Pam Gilmore on July 23rd, 2009 6:59 pm

    Now you know that I love potato salad. I’m from South Carolina, what else can I say!! No one could make it like ma (your grandmother). However, my sister Bonita and my sister Toni (your mom) comes soooooo close. Oh yeah, Duke’s is definitely the best. Been using it forever! Keep up the good work, Tesia.

  4. Luna/Smae on April 10th, 2010 11:01 pm

    Hello Tesia, Thank you so much for sharing this! I made some and it turned out delicious! The celery seed enhances the flavor! Love the explanation of why one should go with a red potato vs russett I can really see and taste the difference!

  5. Tesia on April 12th, 2010 9:23 pm

    Great, Luna!

  6. Nancy on June 25th, 2011 4:57 pm

    I love the whole recipie as it is my family one also. BUT w use real celery and scallions. My Mom’s from La. so it is her southern style.
    Love it..ALSO RED potatoes a MUST. 🙂

  7. Tesia on June 29th, 2011 9:59 pm

    @Nancy, nice! I’ll have to try fresh celery and scallions.

  8. April Rainwater on April 6th, 2012 9:07 pm

    I love to cook but I don’t cook potato salad often enough to have a great recipe. Plus, I tend to add more ingredients than recipes require. For me, potato salad is one recipe that should not be fooled with too much. This recipe is exactly what I was looking for, down to how to cook the potatoes. I can’t wait to make it tomorrow for Easter Sunday.

  9. Tesia on April 7th, 2012 2:29 pm

    @April: Great! Enjoy!

  10. Scream on June 16th, 2012 2:34 am

    I agree with your Mom about Duke’s. If anyone can’t get hold of Duke’s, Blue Plate comes in a close second to it.

  11. Kimberly on July 5th, 2013 8:05 am

    This potato salad recipe tastes delicious. This was my first time making potato salad. My family loved it. I used Duke’s Light Mayonnaise to cut back on fat/calories.


  • About FlavorDiva.com

    FlavorDiva.com shares the writing and recipes of Tesia Love and her culinary journey in reclaiming the legacy of the great home cook.
    More ...