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This potato salad is the one from my childhood — creamy, tangy, and utterly comfort food. I always make it for barbecues and family lunches because it’s reliable, simple, and loved by everyone.
“My kids love this recipe. Great as a side at a BBQ…. Has now become dad’s secret weapon!!“
Nicky’s Notes
This is my dad’s recipe that I’ve been eating (and making) for over 30 years! Perfect to go with any party table alongside all the other delicious appetizers!
It’s one of those recipes that I’ve never been sure whether to write about. It’s so simple, and it’s made with simple ingredients, nothing too fancy here but still has bags of creamy flavour, it might be the best potato salad recipe!
Why This Potato Salad Works
✅ Reliable for any occasion – It holds up in warm weather, works as a side or a sandwich filler, and you can make it ahead.
✅ Creamy but balanced – The combo of mayo and salad cream gives richness with a welcome tang.
✅ Fluffy texture – Floury potatoes done until fork tender so they break up a bit, catching dressing in all the right places.
✅ Simple, nostalgic flavours – No fuss, no faff—just proper potato salad that tastes like you remember.
Table of Contents
📋 Ingredients for Potato Salad
***Full recipe with detailed quantities in the recipe card below***
- Salad cream is a creamy and tangy salad condiment, primarily sold in the UK. You may be able to find it on the international aisle of larger grocery stores in the US.
Here’s an affiliate link if you wanted to buy it online or, I’ve created my own simple recipe for Salad Cream if you wanted to make your own. - White pepper – this is a must and really makes the flavour of this recipe! You don’t need a lot, about 1/4 tsp is all you need.
- Potatoes – I like to use floury all purpose potatoes such as rooster potatoes, as I like how the edges break down and become a little fluffy after boiling. If you prefer your potato salad to have potatoes with firmer edges, use waxy potatoes instead. You can use maris piper or yukon golds even replace with baby new potatoes if you like (it’s fine to leave the skin on if you’re using new potatoes).
🔪 How to make it
**Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.**
- Peel potatoes and chop into bitesize pieces, then boil them for about 7-9 minutes, until tender. Drain and leave to cool a little (they don’t have to be completely cooled).
- Place the potatoes in a large bowl with finely chopped onion, mayonnaise, salad cream (this is a UK condiment, but I have got a recipe for homemade salad cream if you can’t find it) white pepper (yes it MUST be white) and a little salt.
- Fold it altogether, then cover and place in the fridge until fully chilled (at least 30 minutes, up to overnight).
Pro Tips
You don’t want to leave the potatoes to cool for too long, as boiled potatoes can start going grey after a little while (usually after 15-20 minutes or so). This is due to an enzyme in potatoes that reacts to the air. Once the potatoes are mixed with the other ingredients, there’s no longer a risk of them turning grey.
It’s one of those recipes that you test for seasoning, and then can’t help but scoff 3 more spoonfuls before you’re ready to share it with everyone else.
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📺 Watch how to make it
Prefer to watch and cook along? Check out the video tutorial just below. You’ll see exactly how I like to chop the potatoes, and when to add that creamy potato salad dressing for max flavor!
Creamy Potato Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 medium-sized potatoes I like red-skinned potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite-size chunks
- ½ small brown onion peeled and chopped very finely
- 6 tbsp full-fat mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp full-fat salad cream**
- ¼ tsp white pepper this is a must – it can’t be replaced with black pepper
- pinch salt
To Serve:
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives optional
- pinch black pepper optional
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 7-9 minutes until tender.5 medium-sized potatoes
- Drain the potatoes and leave to cool.
- Place the cooled potatoes in a mixing bowl
- Add in the onion, mayonnaise, salad cream, white pepper, and salt.½ small brown onion, 6 tbsp full-fat mayonnaise, 3 tbsp full-fat salad cream**, ¼ tsp white pepper, pinch salt
- Stir everything together to combine. Taste and add a little more seasoning if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to a day) before serving.
- Just before serving sprinkle with chopped chives and a little black pepper if you like.1 tbsp chopped fresh chives, pinch black pepper
Video
Notes
Do I have to peel the potatoes?
Yes, it’s a good idea to peel the potatoes, as the skin tends to come off when boiling the potatoes anyway.You can replace the potatoes with baby new potatoes if you prefer. If you’re doing that, then you don’t need to peel them.
Type of potatoes
I use Rooster potatoes, which are floury potatoes, as I like the fluffier edges that you get after boiling them. You can use waxy potatoes if you prefer a firm edge to your potatoes.Can I make it ahead?
Yes! This potato salad needs chilling anyway, so you can make it, cover and chill the potato salad.It should keep fine, covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
How to scale up and scale down this recipe
You can scale up or scale down this recipe using the same ingredient ratios.** Salad cream
Salad cream is a creamy and tangy salad condiment, primarily sold in the UK. You may be able to find it on the international aisle of larger grocery stores in the US.Here’s an affiliate link if you wanted to buy it online or, I’ve created my own simple recipe for Salad Cream if you wanted to make your own. Nutritional Information is per serving. I’ve based the calculation on this recipe serving 8 people.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This creamy potato salad recipe was first published in August 2017. Updated in April 2021 with new photos, video and some housekeeping. Updated since with additional information and for housekeeping reasons.
🍽️ What to serve it with
This Potato Salad is perfect served as part of a buffet, picnic, or with barbeque food.
My personal favourite way to eat this is on a crusty roll with slices of roast beef. Believe me, you haven’t lived until you’ve had a potato salad and roast beef sandwich.
? Frequently Asked Questions
For the best potato salad use floury all purpose potatoes such as rooster potatoes, as I like how the edges break down and become a little fluffy after boiling. If you prefer your potato salad to have potatoes with firmer edges, use waxy potatoes instead. You can use maris piper or yukon golds even replace with baby new potatoes if you like (it’s fine to leave the skin on if you’re using new potatoes). You can use waxy potatoes if you prefer a firm edge to your potatoes.
Yes, this is a great make-ahead dish. Just pop it in the fridge and stir before serving. It tastes even better the next day! It should keep fine, covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Salad cream is a creamy and tangy salad condiment, primarily sold in the UK. You may be able to find it on the international aisle of larger grocery stores in the US.
Here’s an affiliate link if you wanted to buy it online or, I’ve created my own simple recipe for Salad Cream if you wanted to make your own.
🍲 More fantastic BBQ Side Dishes
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.
Can you use Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt or Ranch Salad Dressing for the Salad Cream? Can’t find it in Conn./U.S.A , and I think Miracle Whip is too sweet for a potato salad.
There really no like-for-like replacement of salad cream with another single product. I really wish they sold it in the US!!
I have a recipe to make your own though and it’s very similar. This will give you enough just for this recipe. You need to mash up 2 anchovies with 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 1 tsp white wine vinegar and a pinch of salt. The result is a lovely tangy, creamy sauce, very similar to salad cream.
Hi made this potato salad for this evening with a quiche salad,easy to make and tastes great. Not a potato salad lover but this is one i will make and eat again. No problem with salad cream as i am in the uk.
Really easy and really tasty.
I can’t stop eating it.
Have tried so many other potato salad recipes and this one is the best! Thank you x
So glad you like it 😀
Hi, great recipe, made it yesterday, simple but perfect 👍🏻
As I am in UK, and just 6 miles from Heinz factory, Heinz salad cream was easy to get and may I recommend it being mixed with Heinz own mayonnaise, great combination which I’ve never even considered before.
Thank you
Can I use new potatoes in this recipe as I have a glut in the garden right now?
Love family recipes, sounds like you got your love of food and cooking from your family. Fab holiday pics too.
We always had potato salad at our family get togethers.
Hi Nicky, I grew up in Sweden and I can remember that we hade salad cream there, don’t know if they still do. I am not sure if it’s available here in the U.S, I have to look. And I agree you have to use white pepper.☺☺☺
what is salad cream
Thanks Vickey. Sorry I thought salad cream was available everywhere, but it looks like it’s primarily a UK condiment. You may be able to find it on the international aisle of bigger grocery stores – it’s made by Heinz. I’ve included an Amazon affiliate link at the bottom of the recipe too.
What is saladcream
Thanks Patti. Sorry I thought salad cream was available everywhere, but it looks like it’s primarily a UK condiment. You may be able to find it on the international aisle of bigger grocery stores – it’s made by Heinz. I’ve included an Amazon affiliate link at the bottom of the recipe too.
Your recipe is very appealing but what is ‘Salad Cream’?
Thanks John. I totally thought salad cream was available everywhere, but it looks like it’s primarily a UK condiment. It’s a creamy salad dressing, similar to mayonnaise, but with a distinct tanginess to it. You may be able to find it on the international aisle of bigger grocery stores. I’ve included an Amazon affiliate link at the bottom of the recipe too. Looks like I’ll have to figure out a way to make it and blog the recipe 🙂
Hi Nicky, thanks for the quick reply and the info on salad cream. However the ‘link’ did not work. It may be my connection etc. I did find a source here in Las Vegas at a store named “Cost Plus, World Market”. I believe it is a chain store. In addition, we have a product called ‘Miracle Whip’ that may be similar to salad cream. Have a wonderful day.