This easy potato salad without eggs is a classic, creamy side dish made with red potatoes, celery, onion, mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. It is simple, familiar, and perfect for cookouts, picnics, potlucks, and summer dinners.
If you search for potato salad online, you will quickly find that there is no single way to make it. Recipes vary by region, family tradition, and personal preference, especially when it comes to ingredients like eggs, pickles, and bacon. This version skips those extras and lets the potatoes take center stage.
What You Need for Potato Salad Without Eggs
- Potatoes: Red potatoes work especially well because they hold their shape and give the salad a creamy texture without turning mushy.
- Onion and celery: Celery adds crunch, while onion gives the salad a little bite. Sweet onion keeps the flavor milder, but red onion can also be used.
- Mayonnaise and sour cream: Together, they create a creamy dressing with a balanced flavor. All mayonnaise can be used if preferred.
- Mustard: A little mustard adds tang and helps round out the dressing. Yellow mustard works well, but Dijon can be used for a sharper flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Tossing the warm potatoes with vinegar before adding the dressing helps the potatoes absorb more flavor.
How to Make Easy Classic Potato Salad:
- Cook the potatoes. Peel the potatoes and cut them in half. Boil them gently in heavily salted water until fork-tender. Cutting them too small can release too much starch and make the texture gummy.
- Optional method: Some cooks prefer to boil the potatoes with the skins on, then peel them while still warm. Either method works, so use the one you prefer.
- Add the vinegar. While the potatoes are still warm, place them in a large bowl and toss with a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Let them sit for a few minutes so the potatoes can absorb the flavor.
- Mash slightly. Use a fork or potato masher to break up the potatoes just a little. They will continue to break apart as the salad is stirred.
- Add the vegetables. Stir in the celery and onion.
- Mix the dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, salt, and pepper. Once the potatoes have cooled slightly, fold in the dressing until everything is evenly coated.
Easy Potato Salad without Eggs
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
A classic easy potato salad using nothing but potatoes, celery, onion in a mayo and sour cream dressing.
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 pounds red potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 1 cup sweet onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced (2 to 3 stalks)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
DRESSING:
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
EQUIPMENT I USED:
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into large chunks, depending on their size.
- Place them in a large pot of cold water covered by at least 2 inches.
- Generously salt the water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender
- Meanwhile, dice the onion and celery and set aside.
- Drain the potatoes and let them cool for about 5 minutes or until they stop steaming.
- Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar over the potatoes and stir gently to combine. Let them sit for 1 to 2 minutes so the vinegar can absorb.
- Mash lightly with a potato masher, keeping some larger chunks. Add the onion and celery, then season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix the dressing and stir in enough to coat the potatoes evenly.
- Cover and chill until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Chill Time: 1 hr
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
Potato Salad Without Eggs FAQs
Can you make potato salad without eggs?
Yes. This recipe is made without eggs and uses mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, and apple cider vinegar for a creamy dressing.
Can I leave the skins on red potatoes?
Yes. Red potato skins are thin, so you can peel them or leave some of the skin on for texture and color.
Can I use red onion instead of sweet onion?
Yes. Red onion works, but it has a sharper flavor. Use a little less if you want the salad to stay mild.
Can I make this potato salad ahead of time?
Yes. Potato salad is best after it chills and the flavors have time to blend.
Does this potato salad have pickles or relish?
No. This is a simple potato salad without eggs, pickles, or relish.
Recipes that go with Potato Salad
- The juiciest Burgers you'll ever eat! - A classic cookout pairing.
- Our #1 Grilled Chicken recipe - Simple grilled chicken pairs well with a cold, creamy potato salad.
- Healthy Grilled Salmon - Grilled salmon and potato salad make an easy weeknight dinner or summer meal.
I made this using red skinned potatoes and I left some of the skin on. Delicious!
I make potato salad only twice a year. Made this for Labor Day weekend to go with brats and cheesesteaks...Delicious! I did not have sour cream so I used full fat plain Greek yogurt. I also used dry mustard because I was out of regular. I added dried thyme and dried parsley. The apple cider vinegar gave an awesome punch of flavor. I used extra organic celery because I like a decent crunch and only 1/4 onion. Saving this recipe....thank you!!
Definitely creamier than the just mayo taste but a bit lacking in flavor. I made it for a potluck and brought most of it back home. It wasn't much of a hit. If I try again I may adjust down the sour cream or add carrot bits.
Awesome!!!!!! Thank you.
I had leftover potatoes and didn't know what to make. Found your recipe and am thrilled how good it tasted. I did add some diced yellow & red paper for color and it really added to the whole thing. I'm perplexed about the apple cider vinegar but followed your recipe to a "tee"!!! Super YUMMY!!!
thanks Debbie! I appreciate the feedback.
This is excellent !!! I just added some boiled eggs but other thank that I stuck to the recipe.
Have you ever served this warm
No I have not
Can I use red skin potatoes instead? I have a bunch I need to use up.
well Meagan, funny enough, I am sitting right next to my mother now and she said that's all she uses are red potatoes. How did I not know this? LOL
I haven't made potato salad in years! I also have a lot of red bliss which I plan to use. I really think you can combine some either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, and stir in a tad of mayo after they are completely cooled. I am using green onion, but I'm skipping on the parsley, which many recipes use, skipping hard boiled eggs. There's 3 types that I know of: German, which has a lot of vinegar & parsley, egg potato (self-explanatory), and regular potato salad. We have fresh celery from our garden too!
Hi Debi, how many people does this recipe serve? Want to make it for son in law's b'day this
Saturday.
Hi Marta - I would say it comfortably serves 8. When I make it at home for the 4 of us I always have enough leftover for at least 2 more meals
Super easy, super quick and super tasty! If you like sour cream and mayo, this recipe is great
I brought this potato salad to a cookout where half the people said they don't like potato salad. They tried this, loved it, and I didn't have leftovers! So tasty.
that's awesome Sarah - thank you so much trusting our recipe enough to bring it to a cookout! Speaks volumes!
Can I use red onion in this recipe? Or will it totally change the flavors?
I have never used red onion in this recipe before - I'm curious to your thoughts if you try it.
Thank you for sharing this simple, yet tasty recipe.
I make mine exactly the same way.... I use white vinegar however. NO HB eggs either. That is a Southern recipe in my opinion. Delish!
Best potato salad recipe! So easy and flavorful!
Perfect! thank you!!!!
Made this today for a gathering tomorr ow. Couldn't resist trying some for dinner tonight. Outstanding!
This is AMAZING!!! I have been looking for foreverrrrr for a SIMPLE potato salad recipe.. and finally found this. I only like a few ingredients in my tater salad as well as does my husband. And I also love vinegar.. yummmmm! What a god send you are to simple recipe lovers thank you oh sooo very much. I know my family and I love it!!
OMG Hunter! Thank you so much. What a great way to start my day!
One question did your mom peel the potatoes post-cooking or leave them on in the salad?
Hi Audrey - my mom will let the potatoes cool until she can handle them and she lifts each one with a fork and peels the skin off. Hope that helps!
Very similar to my mom’s recipe. It was a best foods mayo recipe from way back when....sooo simple, so good!