Amish potato salad contains starchy potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy dressing. This potato salad recipe has a sweet, tangy flavor that tastes amazing. Amish potato salad is my go-to recipe for picnics, potlucks, and holidays.
Unlike traditional potato salads, the Amish version offers a slightly sweeter taste, making it a standout choice to serve at gatherings or picnics. Adding mustard and vinegar works harmoniously to counterbalance the sweetness, ensuring the overall flavor is not overly sugary.
So, next time you want to add a touch of sweetness to your potato salad, try the Amish variation. With its well-balanced combination of mustard, vinegar, and sugar in the creamy dressing, this delightful twist will elevate your potato salad game and leave your taste buds craving more.
What Is Amish Potato Salad?
Amish Potato Salad is a traditional dish from the Amish community, known for its simple and wholesome cooking. It is a variation of classic potato salad, characterized by a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, yellow mustard, vinegar, and sugar.
The salad typically includes diced white potatoes and chopped vegetables like onion, celery, and carrots and is often seasoned with celery seeds. Amish Potato Salad showcases the culinary traditions of the Amish, who have passed down this recipe through generations, creating a beloved dish with a unique flavor profile that balances sweetness and tanginess.
Amish Potato Salad Ingredients
By analyzing the flavors of Amish Potato Salad, we can appreciate how the ingredients come together to create a truly enjoyable dish. The creamy dressing, enriched with mayonnaise, gets a tang from the yellow mustard and vinegar. The subtle sweetness the sugar provides adds a pleasant contrast to the savory components of the salad. Let’s have a look at the ingredients of Amish potato salad.
Potatoes
Medium white potatoes with skin are chosen for their firm texture that holds well in the salad, while the skin adds a rustic touch and extra nutrients.
Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing
Mayonnaise or salad dressing serves as the base of the dressing, providing a creamy and luscious texture that binds all the ingredients together, adding richness and depth of flavor to the salad.
Onion
Finely chopped onion adds a mild and savory flavor to the salad, creating a delicious contrast to the creamy dressing and a subtle crunch.
Celery
Chopped celery brings a refreshing and crispy element to the salad, adding a subtle herbal note that complements the other ingredients.
Carrots
Chopped carrots contribute a touch of natural sweetness, vibrant color, and a slightly crunchy texture to the salad, enhancing its overall visual appeal and flavor.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Peeled and chopped hard-boiled eggs provide richness, creaminess, and a velvety texture to the salad, adding depth of flavor and protein to the dish.
Eggs
Beaten eggs are used in the dressing to enhance their richness and provide a smooth, thick consistency that helps bind the ingredients together.
White Sugar
White sugar balances the tanginess of the dressing by providing a subtle sweetness that complements the savory flavors, creating a harmonious taste experience.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent in the dressing, ensuring a creamy and velvety texture that evenly coats the potatoes and vegetables.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy and slightly fruity flavor to the dressing, providing a pleasant acidity that cuts through the richness and adds brightness to the salad.
Milk
Milk adds creaminess and helps achieve the desired consistency of the dressing, contributing to its smooth texture and richness.
Prepared Yellow Mustard
Prepared yellow mustard brings a subtle tang and a touch of spiciness to the dressing, enhancing the overall flavor complexity and providing a delicious zing.
Butter
Butter enriches the dressing with its creamy and silky texture, imparting a subtle richness that enhances the overall mouthfeel and taste of the salad.
Tips for Making the Best and Tasty Amish Potato Salad
- Cook the potatoes just until fork-tender: Overcooking them can result in a mushy texture, so cooking them until they are easily pierced with a fork is essential.
- Chill the dressing before adding it to the salad: This allows the flavors to meld and ensures that the dressing coats the ingredients evenly.
- Allow the salad to rest for optimal flavor: Although it can be served immediately, letting the salad sit for at least a day in the refrigerator intensifies the flavors and blends harmoniously.
- Experiment with seasoning: While the classic recipe calls for celery seed, you can explore herbs and spices like dill, paprika, or parsley to personalize the flavor profile.
- Customize the vegetable selection: Feel free to add or substitute vegetables based on your preferences. For instance, diced bell peppers, pickles, or radishes can add a delightful crunch and flavor dimension.
- Adjust the dressing consistency: Add more mayonnaise if you prefer a creamier salad. Reduce the amount of mayonnaise and increase the milk quantity for a lighter version.
- Serve at the right temperature: Amish Potato Salad is best served chilled to maximize its refreshing qualities and allow the flavors to shine.
Recipe Variations
While the classic Amish Potato Salad recipe is undoubtedly delicious, there are several variations you can try to add a personal touch or cater to specific dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
Sweet and Tangy Mustard
Add a touch of honey or maple syrup to the dressing to create a slightly sweeter version.
Herbed Delight
Incorporate fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chives into the salad for added freshness and complexity.
Vegan Delight
Replace the eggs and mayonnaise with vegan alternatives like tofu-based mayonnaise and crumbled tofu or tempeh for a plant-based version.
Mediterranean Twist
Add chopped Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and crumbled feta cheese to give the salad a Mediterranean flair.
Storage Of Amish Potato Salad
- Refrigerate promptly: Store Amish Potato Salad in an airtight container and refrigerate it immediately after preparation to maintain its freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
- Consume within 3-4 days: While it can be stored in the refrigerator, consuming the salad within 3-4 days is best to ensure optimal taste and quality.
- Stir before serving leftovers: Before serving leftover potato salad, gently stir to redistribute the dressing and ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Avoid freezing: Due to the creamy dressing and the texture of the potatoes, it is not recommended to freeze Amish Potato Salad, as it can result in a watery and mushy consistency upon thawing.
- Keep away from direct sunlight: Store the container of potato salad in a cool part of the refrigerator, away from direct sunlight or heat sources, to maintain its flavors and prevent spoilage.
- Discard if signs of spoilage are present: If the potato salad develops an off smell, strange texture, or any signs of mold or bacterial growth, it is best to discard it to ensure food safety.
What Can I Serve With Potato Salad?
- Grilled Meats: Amish Potato Salad pairs perfectly with grilled meats such as barbecued chicken or hot dogs, creating a balanced combination of flavors and textures.
- Sandwiches: Serve the potato salad alongside sandwiches, whether a classic deli sandwich, a hearty burger, or a refreshing summer wrap, for a satisfying and well-rounded meal.
- Picnic Spreads: Potato salad is a staple in picnic spreads, complementing other dishes like fried chicken, coleslaw, watermelon slices, and crusty bread for a delightful outdoor feast.
- BBQ Ribs: The creamy and tangy flavors of Amish Potato Salad make it an excellent accompaniment to succulent BBQ ribs, adding a cool and refreshing element to the smoky meat.
- Potluck Events: Bring Amish Potato Salad to potluck gatherings, where it can be enjoyed alongside various dishes like grilled vegetables, baked beans, casseroles, and fried fish, contributing to a diverse and satisfying meal.
- Summer Barbecues: Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or attending one, Amish Potato Salad is a classic and crowd-pleasing side dish that pairs well with a variety of grilled foods like steak, sausages, or veggie skewers, enhancing the overall barbecue experience.

Amish Potato Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Mixing bowl
- Airtight container
Ingredients
- 6 medium white potatoes with skin
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
Instructions
- Place the potatoes into a large pot and fill it with enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring it to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Whisk together the beaten eggs, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Stir in the vinegar, milk, and yellow mustard. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, which should take around 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Allow the dressing to cool, then stir in the mayonnaise.
- Peel the cooled potatoes if desired, and cut them into medium dice. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chopped onion, celery, carrots, celery seed, and hard-cooked eggs to the bowl with the potatoes.
- Gently fold in the dressing until all the ingredients are coated.
- Refrigerate the Amish Potato Salad for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to cool. Serve chilled, and enjoy the delicious Amish potato salad.
Video
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the potatoes; they should be fork-tender but still hold their shape.
- The dressing can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to use.
- Adjust the amount of vinegar and mustard for a tangier flavor according to your preference.
- Feel free to customize the vegetable selection or add ingredients like diced pickles or bacon for added flavor.
- For even better flavor, let the salad sit in the refrigerator overnight before serving to allow the flavors to fully develop.
Estimated Nutritional Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 200-300 calories
- Total Fat: 10-15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 2-4 grams
- Cholesterol: 100-150 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 20-30 grams
- Fiber: 2-4 grams
- Protein: 5-8 grams
- Sodium: 300-500 milligrams
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