Simple Sunday Potato Salad

8 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 25 m Total: 40 m Beginner
Simple Sunday Potato Salad
A classic creamy potato salad made with red potatoes, hard boiled eggs, celery, and onion, all tossed in tangy Miracle Whip. Perfect for Sunday dinners, potlucks, and cookouts—this simple recipe lets you adjust the creaminess to your liking.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 3 lbs potatoes (red skinned)
  • 4 eggs hard boiled
  • 1 small onion, chopped fine
  • 3/4 cup celery, chopped fine
  • ½ cup Miracle Whip
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes with skins until potatoes are no longer hard, about 20-25 minutes (you can boil the eggs at the same time). Cool potatoes, remove skins and cut into bite size pieces. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Dice celery, onion, and eggs and combine with the potatoes.
  3. Starting with a small amount (1/2 cup) of Miracle Whip, mix the Miracle Whip until the potatoes are coated. You can always add more Miracle Whip if you prefer. A dash of cayenne adds additional flavor to your potato salad.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my potato salad watery?

A: Make sure to cool the potatoes completely before mixing in the Miracle Whip. Hot potatoes will cause the dressing to break down and become runny. Also, don't over-boil the potatoes—they should be fork-tender but still hold their shape.

Q: Can I make this ahead?

A: Yes, potato salad actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have melded. Cover tightly and refrigerate. You may need to stir in a little extra Miracle Whip before serving if it's absorbed into the potatoes.

Tips and Techniques

Red potatoes are preferred because they’re waxy and hold their shape better than russet potatoes. If you like your potato salad less sweet, you can substitute mayonnaise for half or all of the Miracle Whip. For easier peeling, plunge the hot potatoes into ice water for a minute before removing the skins.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Miracle Whip: mayonnaise or a combination of mayo and Miracle Whip
  • red potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes
  • celery: diced dill pickles or sweet pickle relish

Equipment Needed

  • Large pot for boiling potatoes
  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife and cutting board

Historical Context

Potato salad became a Southern staple at church socials, family reunions, and Sunday dinners. The simplicity of this version—without pickles or mustard—represents the traditional approach many Louisiana families prefer, letting the potato flavor shine through.