Dairy-Free Potato Salad
Classic dairy-free potato salad with tender potatoes, celery, pickles, herbs, mayo, and dairy-free sour cream.
Recipe by Andrew Tibbs, the Non Dairy Dude in Dairy-Free Side Dishes
Published
- Total
- 40m
- Servings
- 8
- Level
- easy
Potato salad is usually dairy-free until somebody decides it needs sour cream, buttermilk, or a ranch packet with milk powder hiding in it. This one keeps the familiar cookout flavor and uses dairy-free sour cream for the tangy part of the dressing. Mayo gives it body, pickle brine sharpens it, and the potatoes get seasoned while they are still warm.
The main mistake is dressing cold, underseasoned potatoes and hoping the fridge fixes it. It won't. Salt the cooking water, toss the warm potatoes with vinegar, then fold in the dressing after they cool a bit.
This recipe uses: Dairy-Free Sour Cream
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2½ lbYukon Gold potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
- 1¼ tspFine salt, divided, plus more for potato water
- 2 tbspApple cider vinegar
Dressing
- ¾ cupMayonnaise
- ¼ cupDairy-free sour cream
- 1 tbspDijon mustard
- 1 tbspPickle brine
- ½ tspFreshly ground black pepper
Mix-Ins
- 2 ribsCelery ribs, finely diced
- ½ cupDill pickles, finely chopped
- ¼ cupRed onion, finely diced
- 3 largeHard-boiled eggs, chopped, optional
Finish
- 2 tbspFresh dill, chopped
- 2 tbspFresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ tspPaprika, optional
Instructions
- 1
Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Season the water generously with salt.
- 2
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook for 10 to 14 minutes, until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
- 3
Drain well and transfer the warm potatoes to a large bowl. Sprinkle with apple cider vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss gently and let cool for 20 minutes.
- 4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, dairy-free sour cream, Dijon, pickle brine, black pepper, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt.
- 5
Add the celery, pickles, red onion, eggs if using, dill, and parsley to the potatoes.
- 6
Fold in the dressing until the potatoes are evenly coated. Taste and adjust with more salt, pickle brine, or vinegar.
- 7
Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle with paprika if using.
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How we make it dairy-free
- Sour cream → dairy-free sour cream, for tang and a thicker dressing.
- Buttermilk-style acidity → pickle brine and apple cider vinegar, which wake up the potatoes without dairy.
- Creamy base → mayonnaise, which is usually dairy-free and gives the salad body.
- Ranch packet flavor → fresh dill, parsley, mustard, and black pepper, so there is no hidden milk powder.
Tips & Variations
Salt the water: Potatoes need seasoning from the inside. Unsalted potato salad tastes flat no matter how good the dressing is.
Dress warm potatoes with vinegar first: Warm potatoes absorb vinegar better than cold potatoes.
Let them cool before mayo: Hot potatoes can make the dressing greasy and loose.
Pick the right potato: Yukon Golds or all-purpose potatoes hold their shape better than russets.
Chill before serving: One hour is good. Four hours is better.
Keep it cold outside: Set the serving bowl over ice if it will sit out at a cookout.
Frequently asked questions
Is potato salad usually dairy-free?⌄
Some potato salad is dairy-free, but many recipes add sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, or milk-based dressings. This version uses dairy-free sour cream and mayo.
Can I make dairy-free potato salad ahead?⌄
Yes. Make it up to 1 day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Stir before serving and adjust with a splash of pickle brine if it tastes dull.
Can I leave out the eggs?⌄
Yes. The eggs are optional. Leave them out for an egg-free variation and add a little extra celery or pickle for texture.
Why is my potato salad watery?⌄
The potatoes may have been overcooked or not drained well. Let them sit for a few minutes after draining so extra moisture escapes, then add the dressing after they cool slightly.
Dairy-Free Potato Salad · https://nondairydude.com/recipes/dairy-free-potato-salad
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