This Southern Potato Salad recipe is one everyone should have in their go to recipe collection, no matter where they live. It is a classic potato salad with mustard and mayo. This is also a great recipe to make with leftover hard boiled eggs. A perfect BBQ side dish!
Southern Potato Salad
Just because I’m a Yankee, doesn’t mean I don’t love a heaping helping of good old fashioned Southern Potato Salad. What could be better at a picnic than a tangy egg and potato salad with mustard. The potato salad pairs perfectly with barbecue sauce, so make up a batch before firing up the grill. It’s a great way to use up those leftover hard boiled eggs too.
What Makes Potato Salad Southern?
So, what makes a potato salad southern? … mostly the addition of eggs, but mustard is often also considered a key addition. This is not a straight mustard potato salad though the recipe also includes relish and mayo.
The recipe is easy to make, but you want to ensure a good ratio of mustard and relish, to nicely compliment the mayonnaise in the dressing. As mentioned, eggs are essential in a Southern potato salad like this, but you also don’t want to overdo it either. The recipe I’m sharing below, is great in itself, but is also a great starting point for creating your own distinctive family recipe, suited to the preferences of your own tribe.
… and did I mention goes awesome with BBQ… lol!
Want more barbecue side dish options for your guests? How about my Traditional Macaroni Salad Recipe or Buttermilk Dill Potato Salad Recipe.

Ingredients
- 2 pounds potatoes
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1/2 cup celery diced
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 cup green pepper diced
- 3 hard boiled eggs
- salt & pepper to taste
- paprika for garnish
Instructions
- Peel and dice potatoes, boil in lightly salted water until tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Once cool, add the remaining ingredients (except paprika) and mix well.
- Garnish with the paprika.
- Serve the potato salad chilled.
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews says
Looks delicious, as usual! I haven’t made potato salad since last summer. It’s suppose to be in the 70’s the next couple of days, I’ll have to make some! Thanks!
Crystal Green says
This looks like my mom’s version of potato salad. It is really good for sure! It’s quick and easy to make and oh so delicious. Thanks for sharing this great summer treat.
Raijean says
Geez, that looks delicious!! I want some potato salad now!
Lisa says
At first I thought this was a potato salad based on the Southern Charm show lol! Nope, it’s way better than that! 😉
Ty says
Your potato salad is very similar to mine ingredient wise, so I know it has to be good.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
I love how you displayed those ingredients together! I’ve never attempted to make my own potato salad but there’s a first time for everything.
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) says
Yummm, I love potato salad, and I’m open to different kinds. My family however will only eat my Mom’s. Even if I make it from her recipe, they say it doesn’t taste the same. Go figure?!
HilLesha says
I never got into potato salad even though I LOVE just about anything with potatoes. This actually looks pretty good, though!
Colleen says
Oh yum, potato salad reminds me of picnics and get togethers.
Erlene says
Looks like a yummy potato salad. Would be perfect for the upcoming summer months. Thanks for sharing. Pinned.
Lisa says
My mom is a great southern cook and potato salad is something she does particularly well. She is more likely to use celery seed than chopped celery. Either is good. Her potato salad always includes a little chopped onion, maybe half a small onion. She makes her own sweet pickle, and includes chopped pickle and a generous pour of pickle vinegar from the pickle jar. She hard boils the eggs in the same pot where she cooks the cubed potatoes!
Robin Gagnon says
That sounds delicious!
Liz Mays says
Everyone in the family would gobble this up! Potato salad is always a hit. 🙂
Donna says
The only difference in your potato salad and my Mom’s is that my Mom doesn’t use green peppers and she uses celery seed. I love potato salad and trying new ways to make it.
Penelope Guzman (NY Blogger) says
I’m going to go make this now (I really am, I have all the ingredients and those pics are killing me)..and I love potato salad and hard boiled eggs, yum!
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
This looks so yummy! I love mustard in my potato salad. My mother in law adds green olives to hers.
Miz Helen says
It is Potato Salad time and your salad looks delicious. Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
I’ve pinned your delicious Southern Potato Salad to my salads board on Pinterest. I love the addition of the sweet pickle relish – delicious! Thank you for sharing this post with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.