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!
Christina
Very good, surprised how light the salad dressing was. I added garbonzo beans for protein. And I LOVE dill in salads, but surprisingly never thought about using pickle juice.
Karen
This as a great potato salad. I like it because it is not a traditional creamy potato salad made with mayonnaise. A different approach to a classic recipe, and really delicious.
Valerie Parker
Wow this potato salad is delicious! The flavor is amazing and the pickle juice is a game changer (I love pickles). Very filling but I did pair it with some grilled chicken for more protein. Good serving size. I’m not a fan of raw onion so I grilled them before adding them! Definitely taking this dish to the next potluck!
Simple Green Smoothies
Great idea to grill the red onions!
Valerie Parker
Wow this potato salad is delicious! The flavor is amazing and the pickle juice is a game changer (I love pickles). Very filling but I did pair it with some grilled chicken for more protein. It was enough food to feed my hubby, daughter, and myself! I’m not a fan of raw onion so I grilled them before adding them! Definitely taking this dish to the next potluck!
Mayjo
Super easy and delicious recipe!
I don't normally eat potato salad because I can not have mayonnaise. But this was a very good alternative that I could eat.
Thanks for the recipe. I will definitely keep it to make again.
Simple Green Smoothies
That's so awesome, I'm glad you're now able to enjoy potato salad!
Patti Ryan
A nice variation from a heavy potato salad dressing! The pickles and dill are refreshing!
KS
Wow! This is SO delicious! I was prepping this meal on Day 2 of the challenge and could not resist and had to eat some after my salad! Will be sharing some food with my coworker today!!
Justina
Super surprised at how nice it was. I am use to all those creamy potato salads. I am a cream person.
I will be making this again.
Patricia Broadway
Tasted pretty good!!! The flavors were nicely mixed . Loved the use if mire then a tiny tiny bit of potatoes
Megan
Yummy side dish! I added more onions 🙂
Laura Jankowski
I left out the pickles because I don't do good with them. I use more olives and used roasted peppers and it was good. Great recipe! Was going to make it for the holiday weekend but it got all eaten tonight. Just proves it was delicious.
Erin
Made this with a few modification (aka what was in my fridge): used bell peppers instead of radishes and no olives. It was so refreshing! I love potato salad, so this was a fun new take.
Sarah T.
I love everything about this recipe- but my fav thing is that it doesn’t use mayo. The dill is perfect and the pickles add so much depth.
Barb Pesola
Love the change from Mayo.
Traci Lyn
What a nice take on potato salad! I love that there's no mayo! I love dill pickles and olives, and the radish gives it a nice crunch. This is a craveable recipe. I might eat my husband's half.
Olivia
What a great take on potato salad! I can't wait to try this recipe; it sounds amazing.
Frank Giffone
Easy to replicate & so tasty!
Orleana
Potatoes! All colors! They are so satisfying! And the tang of the dressing makes the salad come alive!
Simple Green Smoothies
Yes - agree 100%!!