Though the majority of Amish people live in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana, the Amish way of cooking is popular across the country, even among many “English” (aka non-Amish) people. While Amish baking is especially revered—think of favorites like shoofly pie and friendship bread—the savory Pennsylvania Dutch recipes are cozy, classic and comforting. Look no further than this legendary make-ahead potato salad!
What Is Amish Potato Salad?
Amish potato salad is sweeter than your classic potato salad thanks to the sugar in its mayonnaise-based dressing. Mustard and cider vinegar balance out the sweetness and give this potato salad a unique sweet-and-sour kick. To top it off, chopped onions and celery lend a delightful crunch that contrasts the tender boiled potatoes, and chopped hard-boiled eggs make this one of the heartiest potato salad recipes we know.
How to Make Amish Potato Salad
This Amish potato salad makes 10 servings.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1-1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 6 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- Paprika, optional
Tools
- Dutch oven: A sturdy, capacious pot is ideal for boiling a big batch of potatoes.
- Lidded bowls: The lids in this set make it easy to store and transport the salad, or any other potluck dishes. You’ll need a small bowl for making dressing and a large one for combining all the ingredients.
- Silicone utensil set: A big spatula makes mixing easy and cleanup quick.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the potatoes
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Place the potatoes in a Dutch oven and add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook, uncovered, 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain, then transfer to a large bowl.
Step 2: Make the dressing
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In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Drizzle over potatoes while they’re still slightly warm, so they’ll absorb the dressing better. Toss to coat.
Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients
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Gently stir in the chopped hard-boiled eggs, onion and celery.
Step 4: Chill and serve
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Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours, so the flavors can meld. If desired, sprinkle with paprika and celery leaves.
Tips for Making Amish Potato Salad
What potatoes work best for Amish potato salad?
Traditional American-style potato salads are typically made from starchy Russet potatoes, but, perhaps thanks to their German heritage, Amish potato salad takes after traditional German potato salad, which features waxy potatoes. Our recipe uses Yukon Golds, but any type of potato that’s low in starch will work. Think red potatoes, new potatoes or fingerlings.
How should you store Amish potato salad?
Store potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. According to the USDA, it should last about four days, so keep that in mind when prepping ahead. Because this recipe has a creamy dressing, we don’t recommend freezing potato salad leftovers. (We bet there won’t be extras, anyway.)
What else can I add to Amish potato salad?
Like most salads, Amish potato salad can be easily customized to your liking. To add texture, try sprinkling on crumbled thick-cut bacon, french-fried onions or blanched green beans. If you like your food spicy, whisk a few splashes of hot sauce into the dressing, tasting as you go. For extra color, toss your Amish potato salad with chopped parsley or fresh dill.
More Amish Recipes to Love
Taste of Home
These easy-to-make, old-fashioned sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! I've passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri
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Amish cookie recipes.
LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME
Not only will the fun
tradition of sharing friendship bread keep you steadily supplied with a delicious snack, but it will also help you build a sense of community with everyone who gives and receives a starter of their own! That's what we call a win-win.
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Apple Dumplings with SauceThis warm and comforting apple dumplings recipe is incredible by itself or served with ice cream. You can decorate each dumpling by cutting 1-inch leaves and a 1/2-inch stem from the leftover dough. —Robin Lendon, Cincinnati, Ohio
Amish Onion CakeThis rich, moist bread with an onion-poppy seed topping is a wonderful break from your everyday bread routine. You can serve it with any meat, and it's a nice accompaniment to soup or salad. I've made it many times and have often been asked to share the recipe. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Spaetzle DumplingsThese tender homemade spaetzle noodles take only minutes to make and are a natural accompaniment to chicken. You can serve them with chicken gravy, or simply butter them and sprinkle with parsley. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio
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