Honey Mustard Potato Salad

No barbecue, picnic or potluck is complete without a potato salad. It’s the ultimate hot weather side dish, acting as the perfect supporting act for grilled meats. There are plenty of potato salad recipes to choose from, but you can’t go wrong with our honey mustard potato salad. It’s a fantastic side dish, but it’s also satisfying enough to enjoy as a standalone delight.

Tender, waxy potatoes are combined with crunchy vegetables and hearty hard-boiled eggs. But what makes this salad really stand out is the sweet, tangy, creamy dressing. It will breathe new life into any gathering and have everyone reaching for seconds.

This potato salad’s flavor intensifies as it rests in the refrigerator, so make it ahead of time to create a stress-free backyard barbecue. Let it sit in the fridge, ensuring it stays cold, crunchy and vibrant, until you’re ready to serve.

Honey Mustard Potato Salad Ingredients

• Potatoes: Red potatoes are the ideal choice for this salad because they retain their texture when boiled and don’t get mushy. They also absorb the dressing well without breaking apart. If you can’t find red potatoes, try other waxy potatoes like fingerlings. You can even use this recipe as one of the many ways to use Yukon Gold potatoes.
• Vegetables: Crisp celery, sweet red bell peppers and earthy green onions add vibrancy and a much-needed crunch.
• Eggs: Hearty hard-boiled eggs add richness to this potato salad. The yolks enhance the dressing’s creaminess, and the egg whites add a springy texture.
• Salad dressing: Our mustard-based dressing recipe combines salt, pepper, creamy mayonnaise and tangy sour cream. A combination of honey mustard and regular mustard contributes sweetness and a savory earthiness.

Directions

Step 1: Boil the potatoes

Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cover the saucepan and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool.

Editor’s Tip: Cook the potatoes in heavily salted water to ensure they are seasoned from the inside as they cook.

Step 2: Combine the potatoes and other toppings

Cut the boiled potatoes into quarters and place them in a large bowl. Add the celery, red pepper, hard-boiled eggs and onions to the same bowl.

Step 3: Make the dressing and mix

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, honey mustard, sour cream, prepared mustard, salt and pepper.

Pour the dressing over the prepared potato mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Editor’s Tip: Use a flat silicone spatula to scrape the dressing off the sides of the bowl and gently fold it into the salad. This ensures that the potato salad will have several different textures.

Recipe Variations

• Add dill: Fresh dill contributes bright, grassy notes that can liven up creamy potato salad with mustard.
• Try a lighter dressing: You can make this salad lighter by swapping in fat-free or low-fat Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise. You could also try out some no-mayo salad recipes if mayonnaise isn’t your jam.
• Make it vegan: Make this a vegan potato salad with a few smart ingredient swaps. Use vegan mayo and cashew sour cream for the dressing, and swap in chopped tofu for the hard-boiled eggs.

How to Store Honey Mustard Potato Salad

Like all homemade potato salads, this recipe should be refrigerated in an airtight container. It will last for up to four days.

Can you make honey mustard potato salad ahead of time?

Honey mustard potato salad is one of those dishes that improves after sitting for a while, so feel free to make it ahead of time. As it sits in the fridge, the potatoes will absorb more of the dressing, flavoring them from the inside. That can also make the salad taste dry, so we suggest keeping a little dressing to the side and mixing it in when you’re ready to serve. Alternatively, you can add extra mustard just before serving to reintroduce that acidic zing.

Honey Mustard Potato Salad Tips

What kind of potatoes work best for a creamy potato salad with a mustard-based dressing?

The best potatoes for potato salads are the waxy kind, like red potatoes or fingerlings. They hold their texture well when boiled and don’t absorb extra water that might soften them. Yukon Golds are midway between waxy and starchy, so they’re another good choice for salads. Avoid starchy potatoes like russets, which become mushy when boiled.

How do I adjust the sweetness in a mustard-based dressing for potato salad?

To make your salad dressing sweeter, consider adding a bit of honey or agave nectar or increasing the amount of honey mustard. For a less-sweet potato salad, add a bit of pungent Dijon mustard to give the dish more bite. You could even add a small dash of horseradish to make it sharper. Err on the side of caution, though, as a little horseradish can go a long way.

How do I serve honey mustard potato salad?

Serve potato salad with any of your favorite barbecue recipes, like chimichurri steak, grilled shrimp or barbecue chicken. If grilling outdoors is not the plan, keep things simple and serve this honey mustard potato salad as a side to one of your favorite cold sandwich recipes.