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!

plant based ingredients
Table of Contents
  1. What Makes this Potato Salad Vegan?
  2. Tips for Vegan Potato Salad Recipe
  3. FAQs
  4. Fresh Vegan Potato Salad Recipe

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!

summer produce in summer recipe

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.

vegan potato salad recipe

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.

Vegan potato salad

FAQs

Is potato salad vegan?

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.

Do I serve potato salad hot or cold?

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.

What potatoes are good in potato salad?

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.

More Scrumptious Vegan Recipes

I’ve got so many great vegan salads and side dishes you can share at your next backyard BBQ. Just pick the flavors that you want and get choppin’:

If you make this vegan potato salad, please let me know in the comments how it turned out!

4.39 from 347 votes

Fresh Vegan Potato Salad

Step aside traditional potato salad! A new version is in town and it's delightful. Try this vegan potato salad out on your next gathering and be ready to share the recipe!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: dairy-free, Plant-Based, Vegan
Serves: 6 servings

Ingredients  

  • 2 lbs small potatoes chopped into 1/2″ cubes
  • ¼ cup fresh dill stems removed + finely chopped
  • ½ cup red onions diced
  • 3 stalks celery diced
  • 3 garlic cloves 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 tbsp pickle juice
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp 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

*If you have a fav pickle brand, then go for it! My recommendation is for those not bound to one brand.
*If raw radishes are a bit too spicy for you, then roast them before adding. This cuts back on the spice and adds even more crunch.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Sodium: 90mg, Potassium: 697mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 177IU, Vitamin C: 33mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

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Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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.

  2. 5 stars
    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.

  3. 5 stars
    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!

  4. 5 stars
    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!

  5. 5 stars
    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.

    1. That’s so awesome, I’m glad you’re now able to enjoy potato salad!

  6. 5 stars
    A nice variation from a heavy potato salad dressing! The pickles and dill are refreshing!

  7. 5 stars
    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!!

  8. 5 stars
    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.

  9. 5 stars
    Tasted pretty good!!! The flavors were nicely mixed . Loved the use if mire then a tiny tiny bit of potatoes

  10. 5 stars
    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.

  11. 5 stars
    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.

  12. 5 stars
    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.

    1. 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.

  13. 5 stars
    What a great take on potato salad! I can’t wait to try this recipe; it sounds amazing.

    1. 5 stars
      Potatoes! All colors! They are so satisfying! And the tang of the dressing makes the salad come alive!