Easy Homemade Mustard and Chive Potato Salad Recipe: Your Perfect Side for Any Gathering
There are few dishes that evoke the quintessential spirit of summer, family gatherings, and laid-back outdoor meals quite like a classic potato salad. It’s a timeless favorite, versatile enough to accompany anything from grilled burgers to a sophisticated BBQ spread. Today, we’re sharing a delightful take on this beloved side: an incredibly easy and refreshingly delicious potato salad recipe featuring the vibrant flavors of mustard and fresh chives. Forget those heavy, overly creamy versions; this recipe focuses on a light, tangy dressing that truly lets the potatoes shine, making it an ideal companion for your next cookout, picnic, or weeknight dinner.
Our recipe combines perfectly cooked, tender potatoes with a zesty dressing crafted from coarse mustard, a touch of light mayonnaise, bright apple cider vinegar, and the fresh, subtle oniony kick of chopped chives. The result is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will undoubtedly become a staple in your recipe repertoire. It’s simple to prepare, yet sophisticated enough to impress, offering a burst of fresh flavor that complements any main course. Prepare to elevate your plate with this irresistible side dish that’s both comforting and invigorating!
Cherishing Family Time and the Joy of Simple Meals
Weekends at home with my family are truly priceless moments that I cherish above all else. With my husband’s demanding work schedule often keeping him busy during the week, our Saturdays and Sundays have always been sacred time dedicated to reconnecting, unwinding, and just basically “chilling out” together. We’ve cultivated a wonderful tradition we lovingly call “pool day!” – a ritual that encapsulates everything we love about relaxed family time. On these special days, we tackle any necessary chores early, then quickly slip into our swimsuits, crank up some favorite tunes, and get the blender whirring for frosty, refreshing drinks (though admittedly, those have been temporarily put on hold for now!). The poolside atmosphere is pure bliss, a sanctuary where laughter and relaxation flow freely. And almost invariably, these “pool days” culminate in a fantastic grill-out, which is always a guaranteed win in our book.
Life, as we all know, can throw unexpected curveballs, and lately, our family has been navigating through a rather crazy season. This has unfortunately meant that our cherished “pool days” have become fewer and farther between. It happens, and it’s a natural part of life’s ebb and flow. However, this absence has only deepened our appreciation for those rare, truly free days when we can just switch off and simply exist together. When we do manage to carve out such a day, it feels extra special, a precious gift that we embrace with open arms. It’s during these moments that simple, wholesome meals, like a fantastic potato salad, really complete the experience, making the day feel utterly perfect and memorable.
The Perfect Summer Meal: Grilled Delights and Our Signature Potato Salad
A couple of weekends ago, we managed to pull together one of those quintessential summery meals that just hits all the right notes. We fired up the grill for some savory chicken sausages, complemented them with a vibrant fresh peach and spinach salad, and, of course, the star side dish: our easy potato salad. While I don’t always make potato salad—and I’m not entirely sure why, given how much we enjoy it—I had a beautiful bag of mixed potatoes just begging to be transformed into a delicious accompaniment. With just a few key ingredients, I whipped up this light and incredibly flavorful mustard and chive potato salad. It was the absolute perfect addition to our grilled feast, proving once again that simple, homemade food is often the best.
This particular potato salad recipe stands out for its balanced flavors and lighter profile. Unlike some traditional versions that can be heavy, ours offers a refreshing tang that brightens the entire plate. The coarse mustard adds a wonderful texture and deep, pungent flavor, while the fresh chives infuse a delicate oniony freshness. It’s a side dish that’s both comforting and exciting, making it an ideal choice for any grilling occasion, from casual backyard barbecues to more elaborate outdoor gatherings.
Key Ingredients for Our Delicious Mustard and Chive Potato Salad:
Crafting the perfect potato salad begins with selecting the right ingredients. For this mustard and chive potato salad, we focus on freshness and quality to ensure every bite is bursting with flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential:
- 1.5 lb mixed potatoes: I love using a small bag of variety potatoes, such as blue, red, and yellow. The mix adds visual appeal and a slight variation in texture, making the salad more interesting. Red potatoes hold their shape well, while yellow and blue varieties can add a creamy tenderness.
- 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, divided: This is a crucial ingredient for tang and depth. Adding some while the potatoes are warm allows them to absorb the vibrant flavor, creating a deeper, more integrated taste profile. The remaining is for the dressing.
- 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard: For this recipe, I highly recommend Grey Poupon Country Dijon. Whole grain mustard provides a fantastic texture with visible mustard seeds and a more robust, slightly spicy, and tangy flavor compared to smooth Dijon. It’s the backbone of our dressing’s character.
- 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise: Just a small amount of light mayonnaise provides creamy consistency and helps bind the dressing without making the salad overly heavy. It offers a subtle richness that balances the tang of the mustard and vinegar.
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives: Fresh chives are non-negotiable! They bring a delicate, fresh oniony flavor and a beautiful pop of green color. Their mildness ensures they enhance rather than overpower the other ingredients.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste, these are essential for seasoning and bringing out all the flavors.
Optional Additions & Variations:
While the core recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to get creative! You could add a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley for extra herbaceousness, finely diced red onion or celery for crunch, or even some crumbled bacon bits for a smoky twist. Hard-boiled eggs are also a classic addition to many potato salads and would be wonderful here.
How to Make This Easy Mustard and Chive Potato Salad: Step-by-Step Guide
Making this delicious potato salad is straightforward, but a few key steps will ensure perfect results every time. Follow these instructions for a side dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser:
- Prepare and Cook the Potatoes: Start by cutting your mixed potatoes into even-sized pieces. Depending on the size of your potatoes, this might mean halving or thirding them. Consistency in size is key for uniform cooking. Place the cut potatoes in a large pot, cover them with cold water, and add a generous pinch of salt to the water – this seasons the potatoes from the inside out. Place the pot on medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly and cook for approximately 6-8 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the exact size and type of your potatoes, so it’s crucial to check for doneness during the cooking process. The potatoes should be fork-tender but not mushy; you want them to hold their shape when tossed.
- Drain and Season While Warm: Once the potatoes are perfectly cooked, carefully drain them in a colander. Immediately return the warm potatoes to the pot. While they are still warm, splash them with 1-2 tablespoons of the apple cider vinegar. The warmth of the potatoes allows them to absorb the vinegar much more effectively, infusing them with a deep, tangy flavor that is essential to this recipe. Allow them to cool down completely in the pot.
- Mix the Dressing and Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole grain mustard, light mayonnaise, the remaining apple cider vinegar, chopped chives, and a good pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined. Once the potatoes have cooled completely, add them to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with the delicious dressing. Taste the potato salad and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or even a touch more vinegar or mustard to suit your preference. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor, or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for a refreshing cold side.
This simple process yields a potato salad that is bursting with flavor, perfectly textured, and incredibly satisfying. It’s a side dish that truly shines at any meal.
Why Homemade Potato Salad is Always Best
Opting to make your potato salad from scratch offers numerous benefits over store-bought alternatives. Firstly, you have complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to choose fresh, high-quality potatoes and adjust the amount of mayonnaise or other fats to suit your dietary preferences. This often results in a healthier and more flavorful dish. Homemade versions also tend to be free from preservatives and artificial additives found in many commercially prepared salads. Beyond the ingredients, there’s an undeniable satisfaction that comes from preparing food for your loved ones. The effort put into a homemade dish, especially one as comforting as potato salad, adds an extra layer of love and care to any meal.
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
This versatile mustard and chive potato salad pairs wonderfully with a wide array of main dishes. It’s a natural fit for anything grilled: think juicy steaks, grilled chicken, hot dogs, sausages, or even grilled fish. It also complements slow-cooked meats like pulled pork or brisket beautifully. For a complete summer meal, serve it alongside our peach and spinach salad, or a simple green salad. A platter of fresh sliced tomatoes and cucumbers also makes a great accompaniment.
If you’re making this potato salad ahead of time, it stores exceptionally well. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often meld and deepen over time, making it taste even better the next day. Just give it a gentle stir before serving again. This makes it an excellent option for meal prep or for taking to potlucks, as it’s often best enjoyed after the flavors have had a chance to marry in the fridge.
Potato Salad Recipe With Mustard and Chives
Author: Aggie Goodman
Try this easy Potato Salad recipe with mustard & chives for your next cook out! Simple & delicious, potatoes tossed in a light dressing made of coarse mustard, a little mayo, apple cider vinegar & chives.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb mixed potatoes (I bought a small bag of variety potatoes – blue, red, yellow)
- 2–3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, divided
- 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard (I used Grey Poupon Country Dijon)
- 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
Instructions
- Cut potatoes into even sized pieces (halves and thirds, depending on size of potatoes). Place in a pot, cover with water, add salt to water and place on medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce just a bit and cook for about 6-8 minutes (time will depend on size, so you will want to check potatoes during cooking process too). Test for doneness, should be fork tender.
- Drain potatoes and set back in pot to cool. Splash with 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar while potatoes are still warm (will absorb best this way).
- Once potatoes have cooled, mix mustard, mayonnaise, chives, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add potatoes to the dressing and gently toss to coat. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust. Serve at room temperature or chilled.