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Best Potato Salad

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A creamy, tangy classic potato salad made with Yukon Gold potatoes marinated in white vinegar while still warm, folded with hard-boiled eggs, celery, green onions, and a well-seasoned dressing. The warm vinegar step drives flavor deep into every bite.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lb Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt for the cooking water
  • 4 tbsp white vinegar
  • 2 stalks celery finely diced
  • 6 green onions chopped
  • 5 large hard-boiled eggs
For the Dressing
  • 1.5 cups salad dressing such as Hellmann's
  • 1.5 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 2 tsp celery seed
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • 1 tsp paprika for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Medium pot (for eggs)
  • Colander
  • Baking sheet
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Slice the Yukon Gold potatoes into large, uniform 2–3 inch chunks, keeping the skins attached to help maintain their structure during boiling. Add them to a large pot and cover completely with cold water. Stir in 1½ tsp kosher salt, then place over high heat and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 30–35 minutes until the potatoes are tender enough to pierce easily with a fork but still hold together. Drain well through a colander and spread the potatoes across a baking sheet to cool for approximately 10 minutes.
  2. As the potatoes are cooking, place the 5 eggs in a separate pot and cover them with cold water. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove the pot from heat. Cover and let the eggs sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath until completely cooled, then peel them. Set aside 4 eggs to chop and mix into the salad later, and reserve 1 whole egg for slicing as a garnish.
  3. While waiting for the potatoes to cool enough to handle, prepare your vegetables and dressing. Finely dice the celery stalks, chop the green onions, and mince the fresh dill. In a small mixing bowl, combine the salad dressing, yellow mustard, celery seed, 1 tsp kosher salt, black pepper, and sugar, whisking until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated.
  4. When the potatoes have cooled just enough to touch comfortably, peel away and discard the skins—they should slip off easily. Cut the peeled potatoes into bite-sized cubes, roughly ¾-inch on each side. Transfer the cubed potatoes to a large mixing bowl and immediately pour the white vinegar over them while they remain slightly warm. This warmth helps the potatoes absorb the vinegar more effectively. Allow the potatoes to sit and marinate in the vinegar for about 15 minutes.
  5. Add the diced celery, chopped green onions, and minced dill to the bowl with the vinegar-dressed potatoes. Toss gently to distribute. Roughly chop the 4 reserved hard-boiled eggs and add them to the bowl along with the prepared dressing mixture from earlier. Fold everything together carefully using a gentle motion to coat all ingredients evenly while avoiding breaking up the potato cubes.
  6. Spoon the finished potato salad into a serving bowl and place it in the refrigerator. Chill for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to become thoroughly cold. Just before you're ready to serve, slice the remaining hard-boiled egg and arrange the slices decoratively on top of the salad. Finish by sprinkling paprika over the surface for visual appeal and a hint of smoky flavor.

Notes

This salad can be made up to one day ahead — the flavors actually deepen as it sits in the refrigerator, making it an ideal make-ahead dish for gatherings. Hold off on adding the sliced egg and paprika garnish until just before serving so they stay fresh. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days; if the salad looks dry, stir in a splash of vinegar or a tablespoon of salad dressing to bring it back. If you only have mayonnaise on hand instead of salad dressing, use it with an extra tablespoon of white vinegar and a pinch of sugar added to the dressing mixture. Red potatoes are a reliable substitute for Yukon Golds, but avoid russets as they break down too easily and make the salad gluey.

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