When it comes to our big family get-togethers, I have somehow become the designated bringer of two very specific sides: my bubbling cheesy leeks and my classic potato salad. While I would happily eat my cheesy leeks all year round, the current burst of warm weather means heavy roast dinners are firmly off the menu for now. Instead, barbecue season is upon us, and my kids have started their daily campaign, begging me to knock up a batch of my 'best' potato salad. Honestly, I cannot blame them! There is something undeniably comforting about a bowl of cool, creamy carbs when the sun is shining and the burgers are on the grill. The true beauty of this recipe is that it is a super simple, foolproof crowd-pleaser. It is exactly the kind of dish you want in your summer arsenal because it actually tastes better when made in advance, leaving you free to enjoy the sunshine. Plus, it serves as the perfect blank canvas to spice up if you are trying to impress guests at an impromptu garden party.
My 'Always Requested' Family Potato Salad
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 1 small bag of baby new potatoes
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 4 spring onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- If the potatoes vary widely in size, chop the larger ones so they all cook evenly.
- Bring a pan of salted water to the boil.
- Add the potatoes and boil until soft but not mushy.
- Drain the potatoes and leave them to cool.
- In the meantime, finely chop the spring onions.
- Once the potatoes are completely cool, combine them in a bowl with the mayo, mustard, and spring onions. Season to taste and serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator until later.
Top Tip: If you swap the potatoes out for hard-boiled eggs, these exact same ingredients make a mean egg mayonnaise! Just add some crusty white bread and a handful of cress for a classic summer sarnie.
The recipe above might be my family's absolute favourite, but a quick chat with friends revealed that everyone has their own variations on the theme. Jayne from the office likes to add fresh chives to hers, while Maxine loves a spicy kick.
Maxine's Potato Salad 'With a Bang'
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 1 small bag of salad potatoes
- 1 bunch of spring onions
- 1 bag of fresh coriander
- 2 mild green chillis (deseeded)
- A couple of good dollops of mayonnaise
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- Boil the potatoes until tender, then set aside to cool.
- Finely chop the spring onions, coriander, and chillis.
- Once the potatoes are cool, lightly crush them up a bit with a fork or masher.
- Throw in all the chopped ingredients and the mayonnaise, mix thoroughly, and season to taste.
Looking for more upgrades? Here are some cookbook recommendations that offer incredible twists on potato salad. Poppy Cooks: The Potato Book by Poppy O'Toole is currently half price on Amazon at £18.03 (RRP £22). The undisputed TikTok potato queen and Michelin-trained chef shares some unbelievable twists, including her internet-famous crispy potato salad. Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course by Gordon Ramsay is £23.82 on Amazon (RRP £24). For a more refined, punchy side dish, Gordon balances earthy spuds with wonderfully sharp, flavour-packed dressings. Nigella Bites (Nigella Collection) by Nigella Lawson is £20.25 (RRP £26). Nigella is the absolute master of relaxed entertaining. Her recipes often ditch the heavy mayonnaise in favour of beautiful, fresh, herby dressings. Jamie's 30-Minute Meals by Jamie Oliver is less than half price at £13.44 (RRP £30). Jamie champions fresh, vibrant flavours. Expect warm and cold new potato salads tossed with olive oil, capers, and plenty of fresh herbs instead of thick creams.
Whether you are packing up a picnic basket, firing up the barbecue, or just trying to satisfy the daily demands of your own hungry household, I hope these recipes bring a little extra sunshine to your table. Cooking should not be stressful, especially in the summer, and a good potato salad really is the ultimate 'prep it and forget it' side dish.
What is your go-to potato salad twist? Let me know in the comments.
