Potato Salad Recipes Perfect For Cookouts, Picnics And More

As summer makes its entrance, it's time to pull out your essential grilling tools and invite friends and family over for a good old-fashioned barbecue. For a typical cookout, the menu certainly needs to include burgers, ribs, sausages and plenty of yummy grilled veggies, like corn on the cob. But let's not forget about signature side dishes such as collard greens, baked beans and of course — potato salad.

No-Cook Side Dishes for Summer Barbecues and Weeknight Dinners

Most people have a traditional potato salad recipe with secret tips and tricks from grandma that make it taste amazing. But for those who don't have a go-to recipe or looking for something new to try, these potato salad recipes can be your summer solution.

Sweet potatoes are a more nutritious alternative to the typical russet potatoes and add a touch of sweetness to any meal. Bring this potato salad to life by adding chopped scallions, smoked paprika, mayonnaise and vinegar. Make this whenever you're tired of lettuce-based salads.

For the Smoky Sweet Potato Salad recipe, click here.

Sometimes old-fashioned potato salad is the right way to go. Fold roasted potatoes into classic ingredients such as mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar and herbs to create this creamy dish to bring to any party.

For the Creamy Potato Salad recipe, click here.

Can't decide between egg salad and potato salad? No need to with this recipe! Just be aware: you'll need to know how to hard-boil eggs and perfectly peel them if you want to make this satisfying side.

For the Classic Egg Potato Salad recipe, click here.

If you're not a fan of mayo-based potato salads, this German potato salad recipe may be right for you. Potatoes are covered in a vinegar-based dressing and balanced with a touch of sugar, mustard and celery salt. And this salad is topped with crumbled bacon because, well, everything tastes better with bacon.

For the German Potato Salad recipe, click here.

This recipe incorporates apples for an unexpected touch of sweetness in your everyday potato salad. Take some diced potatoes and toss them in olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper before roasting in the oven. Next, dice up some apples and mix with the roasted potatoes, tangy mustard dressing and chopped walnuts.

For the Roasted Rosemary Idaho Potato and Apple Salad recipe, click here.

If you don't like using mayonnaise but want something more exciting than a white vinegar-based potato salad, this Niçoise-inspired potato salad will be your new favorite dish. For this, a tasty mustard vinaigrette dressing takes the place of mayonnaise in a classic American potato salad mixed with traditional French ingredients like olives and capers.

For the Potato Salad With Olives, Capers, and Mustard Vinaigrette recipe, click here.

You don't always have to use mayonnaise to make a creamy potato salad; this recipe proves it with ranch dressing. Cauliflower, bacon and hard-boiled eggs are also added for extra texture and flavor in this hearty side dish.

For the Creamy Ranch Potato and Cauliflower Salad recipe, click here.

Beware potatoes in the microwave! Before you nuke your spuds, be sure to pierce several holes in them with a fork so steam can escape and prevent a messy situation. Once your potatoes are tender enough, cut them up and mix them in a bowl with mayo, Italian dressing, onion, parsley and hard-boiled eggs for a quick and easy summer side.

For the Microwavable Potato Salad recipe, click here.

This recipe takes potato salad to the next level with common Southwestern ingredients such as green chiles and black beans. Cilantro, cumin and chile powder add a punch.

For the Southwestern Potato Salad recipe, click here.

Everyone needs a go-to potato salad recipe, so why not try this one? Peas, lemon zest and dill brighten up this red potato side for a fresh take on a classic. Even better? It takes less than an hour to make.

For the Lemon Dill Potato Salad With Peas recipe, click here.

This potato salad recipe swaps mayonnaise with olive oil, which is a healthier fat alternative typical of the Mediterranean diet. Everything comes together with olives, tuna, tomatoes, anchovies and more to form this dish, which is inspired by the flavors of Southern France.

For the Potato Salad Niçoise recipe, click here.

Add a little extra flavor to your usual potato salad by adding pickled onions. They'll add color and an enjoyable vinegary taste that will enhance the flavors in your potato salad.

For the Herby Potato Salad With Pickled Onions recipe, click here.

This potato salad keeps things simple with only five ingredients. Boil the red potatoes, dice them and combine with chives, tarragon, olive oil and lime juice. That's it! This easy dish isn't just one of our favorite potato salads; it's one of our all-time favorite ways to cook potatoes.

For the Simple Potato Salad recipe, click here.

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