Potatoes are a staple at my family gatherings in one form or another. Cheesy potatoes at Thanksgiving and Christmas, baked potatoes loaded with chili for Halloween, and the ever present potato salad at all summer events. I've never been a fan of any kind of mayo... so I took up the challenge to make a vegan potato salad recipe only using fresh herbs, mustards and olive oil to bring color and flavor to your next BBQ.
It'll wow your tastebuds, trust me!
What makes this potato salad vegan?
Traditional potato salad has eggs either in the mayonnaise or hard boiled in the salad itself. My potato salad swaps the mayo for a delicious olive oil + mustard blend dressing, and loads up on fresh veggies.
Switching from a mayonnaise base to an olive oil one also lightens up the salad a bit. I find mayonnaise-based dishes are fairly heavy, while this lovely recipe remains light and bright... plus, it's just SO colorful without that white sauce covering everything up!
Tips for vegan potato salad recipe
What are your must-have ingredients for potato salad? Mine include dill pickles, fresh dill, and black olives... because those were always in the salads of my childhood. Yet the original salads from my childhood weren't vegan, so I love the new take this vegan potato salad recipe has on the classic dish.
I don't peel the red potatoes for my salad, as boiling them with the skin on helps retain more nutrients. Dijon mustard elevates the flavor in this recipe, so that is my go-to in the dressing.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
I love recipes where I can easily sub in what I have on hand, and this potato salad is just such a recipe. If radishes aren't your thing, then swap them with diced cucumbers or corn to keep in a bit of fresh crunch.
If you really want the feel of a traditional potato salad, then swap in a vegan mayonnaise. These tend to be more processed, yet can give you the feel of enjoying your family's fav old recipe.
The pop of color in the red potatoes is super fun, yet feel free to use any potato you want (Yukon golds work great too!). If you really want a fresh change up, try using a white sweet potato... and then let me know how it turns out!
While I love using Claussen pickles for this recipe, I bet a lot of you have great local options you might prefer. I'm a true pickle lover, so tell me your fav kind and I'll give it a try. For a less vinegary taste, try sweet pickles.
FAQs
Traditional potato salad has eggs in it, either in the mayonnaise or hard boiled. My potato salad swaps the mayo for a delicious olive oil based dressing, and loads up on fresh veggies.
I've had it both ways! The potatoes are cooked, yet I like mine to chill a bit in the fridge before serving. Honestly, letting the salad refrigerate overnight before serving will bring out the best flavor.
I love using red potatoes. They are super easy to slice up, and taste delicious. You can also use Yukon Gold potatoes for a buttery taste.
Fresh Vegan Potato Salad
Rate this Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
- 2 lbs small potatoes (chopped into ½" cubes)
- ¼ cup fresh dill (stems removed + finely chopped)
- ½ cup red onions (diced)
- 3 stalks celery (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup black olives (sliced)
- 2 radishes ( halved and thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup dill pickles (diced (Claussen are my go-to))
Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon pickle juice
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- black pepper (to taste)
- smoked paprika
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a large pot with cold water. Bring to boil then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain the potatoes, set aside to cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, mix all dressing ingredients together.
- Add the potatoes and remaining vegetables and herbs into the dressing and stir well.
- Garnish with radishes and paprika.
Video
Notes
Nutrition (estimated)
More scrumptious vegan BBQ recipes
I've got so many great vegan recipes you can share at your next backyard BBQ. From side dishes to mains, pick the flavors that you want and get cookin':
- Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
- Vegan Coleslaw
- Avocado Caprese Salad
- Black bean burgers
- Homemade Hummus
- BBQ Jackfruit Tacos
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Cabbage
Don't forget to make this vegan potato salad and let me know in the comments how it turned out!
Tina S
This potato salad was different, & good, but I am used to potato salad being mayo-based. Even if it is a vegan mayo. But it is good to try new things. I am an olive-lover, but I almost think capers would be good in this one.
Denise
I have never been a fan of potato salad, but I gave this one a try. The flavor was fun, but I am still not a fan of potato salad 🙂
Simple Green Smoothies
So awesome that you stepped out of your comfort zone and tried this salad!
Karla K
I was hesitant on a potato salad with no mayo in it, but man was I wrong! I did leave out olives for myself but the kid and spouse had them. This is one of the easiest potato salads I have ever made (and I do like and make a lot of potato salads) and also surprisingly tasty. For such a relatively light dressing, it packs just enough punch to pull everything together. I also had not considered putting radish in one before, so that was a nice add. I had watermelon radish in the fridge so those added a nice peppery flavor plus a hint of color. My 5yo did not like the overall taste, but adults in the house loved it, even the radish which was an initial concern. This will be great to make again in the summer!
Elisa Bremner
I ran out of pickles so I used pickle relish in place of that and the pickle juice, also dried dill b cause that’s one herb that always goes off before I can use it up. This potato salad was unique and delicious! Love all the veggies!
Kim
This has to be one of my favorites from the salad challenge. I loved the dill flavor and the fact it didn’t have mayo.
Kelly Williams
I love this! It’s so easy to make and we usually have all of these ingredients on hand! We currently have a bunch of fresh dill growing outside. I honestly think the olive oil/ mustard based dressing is better than the mayo. Such a filling side dish or alone as a lunch.
Colleen
I went vegan a few years ago. I loved potato salad. I had attempted my first vegan salad last summer. It was decent. I made this one and I’m so happy to not use vegan mayo substitutes! I love the dressing with oil!!! I did all some celery seed as that makes a potato salad for me. I love black olives and never thought to put them in potato salad. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Jackie
Good but nothing special. However, I maybe unintentionally partial to my mother’s potato salad. All the previous salads were completely new to me.
Simple Green Smoothies
Mother's potato salads are the best, but this offers a nice alternative.
Dipti Rath
It was very crunchy, yummy and truly delicious! The dressing was good too!
Anne
It was very good, I did replace the radishes with cucumber Yum!
Simple Green Smoothies
That sounds delicious!
Sally Jo Blair
What a rush. We’ll make this again and again. The combo was surprisingly delicious and the dressing had great character! Thanks for such a fun dinner.
Heather
This was delicious, crunchy, and such a fresh way to have potato salad! My lunch buddy (who is eating the other portion of my salad each day 😉 loved it, too. I am so enjoying this challenge and embracing new ingredients!
Simple Green Smoothies
Aww! So nice of you to share! Glad you're both enjoying the recipes!
Angie Whitehouse
This was really good! My family really liked it also. The only thing I did different, was the olives went on after serving in my portion because no one else likes them. Tasted even better the next day for lunch.
Amy
very tasty
Amanda
I liked the potato salad. I only added salt for my liking. I do prefer mustard to mayonnaise in my potato salads too. Thank you!
tracym
super filling and delicious with great crunch, snappy/zippy flavors. I would double or at least do 1.5x for olive oil dressing.
Great change from the only greens type salads. Loved it!
Annie H
Nice potato salad. I added in extra pickles and olives because I’m not a fan of celery or radishes. Very filling
Joyce Sawyer
This salad was good, the servings amount for the dressing wasn’t enough so I adjusted it the pickle juice & oil . Next time I will try it with sweet pickles
Anne
The potato salad was simple, tasty and one I'll use again. I did however, add 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard to the recipe.
Michael Renee Daniels
I have never been a fan of potato salad because I'm not a fan of mayo. THIS is delicious. This screams picnic. Fresh, bright, light and the texture allows you to taste how well the flavors blend. A winner that I will be making again.
Simple Green Smoothies
Glad you found a potato salad that you can enjoy!
Lynn
Very good. Either my radish was too big or too strong. It gave a really spicy kick. My recipe did not include the Dijon mustard. I think this would have really added to the taste.
I would enjoy more pickle in it, maybe some pickle relish.
Were we supposed to cube the potatoes before or after cooking? I cooked first and the "cubes" were rather freeform.
This will be a fun recipe to play with...so many options to try. I am curious about the taste if a sweet potato is used.
Simple Green Smoothies
I usually cube my potatoes before cooking them because it makes it easier to cut. As for the sweet potatoes, I think it could def work!
Regina
I loved this odd combo of flavors. The crunchy celery and radish against that pickle based dressing on the potatoes was awesome. Also the tumeric just hits it home. I will make this again. I don't eat a lot of white potatoes, mostly sweet potatoes but this is a good dish.
Shari
This is a good, much-healthier option for a potato salad.
Tanya
Omg! This was so amazing. It's incredibly flavorful. So far the best salad of the challenge due to the great flavor profile. I added extra pickles cuz I love pickles and reduced the red onions by half because I abhor raw onions. I think mayo is disgusting and always look for alternatives. This fit the bill!
Renee
This was good, but had to leave out the radishes and mustard asI don’t like either
Amber B
Really good! SO and I both liked it. Glad I had the foresight to double the dressing.
Patsy Ann Brookshire
This potato salad was an absolute hit my husband! We will be making this again for beach day picnics and lunch must haves.
Lisa
Surprisingly good-I’m not a fan of the traditional potato salad-but I liked this one.
Denise L
I liked this potato salad and didn't expect to! I am not a fan of mustard but enjoyed it in this recipe. I usually watch carbs (and wish I had remembered subbing cauliflower) so I won't eat it a second day but it was good!
Joyce
I liked this potato salad ok, but the red onions were very overwhelming for me. I think the next time I will use green onions. I did feel it need something else, so I added turkey bacon. My husband tried it. He really liked it, but also felt it needed something, so added turkey bacon to his as well. This is the very first recipe that he has ever tried with the challenges I have done. He said he would like to have this in the summer. He has never had potato salad because he doesn't eat any condiments. He even took a big bowl for lunch today.
Simple Green Smoothies
I'm glad it was a hit (with the addition of turkey bacon)! Green onions would be wonderful in this potato salad!
Timea Farkas
This potato salad has it all with just the right texture, crunch and flavour.
My husband liked it even though he is not a fan of pickle juice. I squeezed some fresh lemon juice on my serving for an extra splash of tang. I will make this recipe at our next bbq
Simple Green Smoothies
It's absolutely perfect for a BBQ!
Susan
Tasty recipe! I really loved this one. I subbed in sweet pickles for the dill pickles. Using what's on hand. I have to say those little bites of sweet made it for me.
Simple Green Smoothies
Keep on rawkin it!
Natalie
This potato salad is a nice change from a creamy dressing and a good side dish for a BBQ event. Adding Dijon mustard is a must to amp up the flavour and if you can get home made dill pickles, even better! I gave it four stars as I still prefer a creamy vegan dressing made with avocado.
Deborah McFarlane
Potatoes are a comfort food for me, one of my favorites! Potatoes of any kind and this recipe was a hit with my tastebuds!
Martha Silbaugh
Great recipe! Didn’t miss the usual Mayo based dressing at all. Loved the Mediterranean taste to it. Delicious!
Anitra Hutcherson
This was an interesting version of a potato salad. I loved my mom's potato salad growing up with mayo, eggs, celery, pickles and her special seasoning.... it was soooo good. I did like this version but to say this will no be my go to potato salad I'm not sure. I like real mayo based potato salad but this will definitely be placed in my salad tool box.
Lynn Komorny
this is great! much better than mayo based and Vegan! the whole family loved it. thank you
Simple Green Smoothies
Love that the whole family tried it and loved it!
Patty
This will be my go to salad when making potatoe salad. I had it with a sandwich (used cashew cream on the sandwich.) The salad was delicious. Enjoyed the olives (again) along with all the other flavors. I think I will add more pickle and onion next time.
Simple Green Smoothies
Way to use your cashew cream!
Eunice
I liked the crunchy vegetables with the soft potatoes but the overall flavors didn't come together for me when I ate it.
Simple Green Smoothies
I'm so glad you tried it, keep on rawkin it!
Eunice
The recipe in the challenge booklet left out the Dijon. I was also in a rush and left out the dill and radish. The Dijon definitely makes a difference since I was missing a "dressing."
Simple Green Smoothies
Yes I love it with the Dijon as well!
anita
My hubby absolutely loved this salad. We will make it a weekly staple. Thank you!
Rebekah Jones
This was a nice refreshing potatoe salad. Easy to make. Already had all the ingredients on hand from our regular shopping. Got a thumbs up from the family. Would make again.
Diane
This was a fun take on potato salad. I enjoyed it as a main dish by adding a boiled egg.
Brenda davidson
I made it exactly as the recipe called for and loved it. It tasted so fresh. My hubby thought it was a little dry but he's used to a ton of mayo on his.
Dukh Niwaran
My family, friend and I all really liked this potato salad so much that we ate more than one serving. I seldom make a recipe without changing something but the only thing I did with this was to use a leek instead of the green onions since it was what I had and shallots instead of regular onion. Both we sauted since we don't do well with raw ones. We did add salt.
Simple Green Smoothies
Sounds so yummy! Great idea on sautéing the shallots and leeks before adding to the salad.
Patricia
I really liked the potato salad. I only made 1 lb of potatoes but used all the dressing and it was perfect. Of course, my husband didn’t like it because it wasn’t swimming in Miracle Whip.
Simple Green Smoothies
I'm so glad he is at least trying it! That's the first step. Way to go!
Beki Ward
This wasn’t bad; the next time I make it, I will probably make more dressing & increase the dill pickles and juice to give it more zing.
Kimber
I love that this does not have mayo in it. I expected it to be a bit dry, since there wasn't any mayo, but it wasn't. I ate it while it was still warm and it was delicious. Will keep this recipe handy.
Tammy Uyeda
Another winner from Simple Green Smoothies! Loved the hit of dill and I added a bit of chopped pickled jalapeño peppers because I love heat and thought I’d surprise the family! So good!
Jeanmarie Funke
The potato salad was good but we did make some adjustments. For us we needed some salt. I added Slavo garlic salt. Also my husband wanted it creamier so I used the leftover cashew cream, added mustard and then mixed it into the salad. It came out really good! It was nice to know I can eat potato salad that is still healthy!
Simple Green Smoothies
Totally love the idea of adding some cashew cream. It seriously goes on just about anything!