The Best Potato Salad You'll Ever Make (Deli-Quality) | Epicurious 101

In this edition of Epicurious 101, professional chef and chef instructor Frank Proto demonstrates how to make the ultimate potato salad to serve at a backyard barbecue or bring to your next pot luck.
Director: Parisa Kosari
Director of Photography: Ben Dewey
Editor: Boris Khaykin
Host: Frank Proto
Director of Culinary Production: Kelly Janke
Culinary Researcher and Recipe Editor: Vivian Jao
Culinary Producer: Young Sun
Culinary Associate Producer: Leslie Raney
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Associate Producer: Amanda Broll
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Camera Operator: Carlos Araújo
Sound Mixer: Mariya Chulichkova
Production Assistant: Emmanuel Dominguez
Researcher: Vivian Jao
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: Lauren Worona
--
0:00 Tater Salad One Oh One
0:15 Chapter One - Cooking Potatoes and Eggs
2:39 Chapter Two - Peeling and Chopping
4:17 Chapter Three - Dressing The Salad
6:30 Chapter Four - Plating
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[@Metoobie]

That trick with pushing the eggs through a wire rack is a game-changer!

[@Paula-tf3zv]

@Metoobie OMG Yes!!!!!!

[@royscreen1]

I always enjoy Frank's 101 videos. He has such a kind and patient energy about him, makes him an excellent teacher.

[@abigailkegajoshua9260]

❤

[@VOIDSTRANGER2099]

🥹 omg

[@killuminatepeacefulness3948]

Yes

[@smatee_]

sooo soooo true! ❤ More Frank videos

[@VIpanfried]

Same

[@Hathur]

1 or 2 teaspoons of mustard makes a huge improvement I find. Other than that, the method here is how I've been making it for 20ish years (again, only difference is adding a bit of mustard to the mix)

[@ed_halley]

Mustard, yes. Olives, no.

[@fromthewest0074]

I too love a generous amount of mustard in my potato salad. Same as with deviled eggs. I love the recipe that Frank shared though. It is very sweet that it reminds him of his grandmother.

[@jane-cn6nd]

I think with the vinegar the mustard isn't really necessary.

[@cockneyculchi]

Vinegar, mustard and spring onions

[@RH-wj4rz]

Agreed. I use Coleman’s Sweet Hot mustard.

[@JazzyG1505]

Instead of vinegar, I throw in diced pickles. YUM! Such a simple side, yet so enjoyable. 💛

[@jorgeenchilada]

You're just making olivye at that point. It's a russian salad.

[@thoralfsahn]

Yup, that's what I do as well. And I also add some diced cheese. 😋

[@MOthanMost]

Diced? Just use a dill relish.

[@m53goldsmith]

Yes, and I give the olives a miss, too. Sometimes, adding some finely mined red onion for a bit of crunch and colour. But everyone's grandma made it different!

[@MikeR65]

@@m53goldsmith raw onions do not belong in potato salad.

[@turdboy962]

The wire rack hard boiled egg thing is genius!

[@ginainfantino411]

Yes, it is!

[@beth-af]

My mom would peel her potatoes before boiling and as soon as they were done drain them well and then splash them with the vinegar. The potatoes would soak up the vinegar and it just makes it so much better

[@honkytrousers]

Then do a video and post it

[@JamesJohnson-oy3rw]

I always mix the mayo, salt pepper, vinegar, etc really well before adding to the potatoes and eggs. Better overall distribution of seasoning.

[@hundragant]

I think I'd NOT prefer that. So each bite has it's own diverse flavor and it's not all exactly the same.

[@Christopher-rd7ou]

I do the same thing. Mixing un-combined dressing ingredients with the potatoes will result in mushy potatoes.

[@classychassie6584]

I do too. I like it to very combined and incorporated well before I add my potatoes eggs and veggies yum yum

[@DaddyOof4]

@@Christopher-rd7ou make potatoes ahead and chill no mushy at all

[@LILJESS202008]

This is the first time I have seen anybody putting olives in potato salad.

[@MikeR65]

salty , briny, perfect combination.

[@eyeballs306]

Really?? I see it all the time! I don’t personally enjoy it but Ive seen it quite a bit.

[@chrisfry436]

@@MikeR65 I know more people who hate the green stuffed olives than like them so that would leave a lot of people out for eating potato salad that day, lol lol

[@stevenbergom3415]

You have to let the potato salad sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours before serving. It gives the flavors a chance to really meld and makes for a demonstrably better flavor.

[@eathomelive]

I agree. Same with pasta salads and braised dishes, soups, and stews.

[@DaddyOof4]

ABSOLUTELY

[@kuxica]

I love how easy that was. It’s very similar to how my family makes ours. We just incorporate a little bit of celery for texture and some relish for sweetness and that makes for an even better potato salad.

[@stellamcwick8455]

Frank’s videos make me feel like I’m a much better cook than I deserve to be.

[@RealBigBadJohn]

❓

[@stellamcwick8455]

@@RealBigBadJohn , he makes me FEEL like I’m a better cook. Watching him makes me think I am a wiz in the kitchen. “Oh that’s easy, I can do that”. When I should be saying to myself “just don’t, you’ll only be disappointed in yourself”.

[@kevinwhite6176]

I'm loving these Frank Proto videos. Frank has this great educational vibe. It's clear he's a great chef with his own ideas and he's also very interested in helping people learn basics.

[@bjorksven]

I really like onion with my potatoes, I'd definitely add some finely chopped shallots or something, maybe chop in some pickled red onion along with the pickling juice. That being said, I'm a huge fan of mustardy potato salads, maybe with some dill and green beans and radishes. Probably some capers. And definitely some shallots.

[@chrisfry436]

Green beans? radishes? capers? never have I seen a potato salad with that stuff in it, and hope I dont! but it's your recipe and glad you enjoy it.

[@LoveandButter]

Simple, straight forward, all talking is meaningful. LOVE this.

[@nicche511]

I love putting paprika on egg potato salad (the sweet Hungarian kind)

[@debraduffy7787]

I’ve watched numerous videos, read through lots of recipes. I love the straightforward and minimalist approach. I can’t wait to try this recipe; I know it will be perfect! Thanks!

[@augiemesa9429]

My sister did it similar to this but instead of olives, she used pickles and yellow mustard. My favorite ever. It's tough to admit it but the use of those green olives w that brineyness and the pimiento rather is just genius. And the plain white vinegar to season the potatoes . This recipe is beautiful. 🥹

[@Kristiekins2]

Yellow mustard is a MUST for me with potato salad. My mum also makes it with mashed potatoes, not cubed, which I know some people really hate but for me it's my favourite.

[@VIpanfried]

Yes to green olives! Ok my mom put green olives in

[@kevinwhite6176]

I feel like this is a great base potato salad, and then all the other stuff is "what kind of other flavors do you like? add 'em in!" I personally use sweet gherkins, green olives, green onions.

[@victorbenner539]

Who would have thought there were so many tips for making potato salad. Well done.

[@ajaxf1560]

frank is the GOAT! egss through the rack is awesome, i can't believe I've never seen this before

[@David_Crayford]

Never done this before. Easy enough to remember without writing anything down. Smashing idea to use the rack instead of chopping.

[@vickiehudson2668]

Nobody makes potato salad like a mama. ❤ My mom's will always be my go to.

[@morriganwitch]

You make the potato salad like I do . I feel empowered lol thank you Frank

[@BenjaminOwusu-lp4qj]

I love all of Frank episodes. I recently found out that he has a KZbin channel it's called proto cooks with chef Frank. Great recipes ❤

[@karengieseking1437]

Oh that egg chopping hack is brilliant!

[@ardiris2715]

"Miracle Whip is gross." Marry me. (:

[@bengal_tiger1984]

Too bad, he’s married already!

[@yourbestpallshawn4139]

@@bengal_tiger1984*already married*

[@terrybradford3727]

Totally enjoying the 101 series. I can't wait to try this recipe. Potato salad is one of my favorites.

[@edh6062]

Unbelievably simple.....Perfect!!

[@snawani86]

Chef frank + potatoes= celebration❤

[@teejaygirl818]

This is how I make potato salad. For years people have complimented me but now I understand why. Thanks much...

[@mirto5663]

Some great tips, Chef! Very helpful.

[@alexjordan8458]

I need his pasta salad recipe I bet it's amazing

[@yokoboo]

Instead of olives, I like to thinly slice cucumbers, salt them, pat dry, and then add that into the potato salad. It adds a very nice crunch to it.

[@ColombianLNP]

Frank is the best!!!

[@beelinekhan460]

Love the soupy viennese salad with pumpkinseed oil 😋

[@debrapalmer9772]

I add a little melted butter to the warm potatoes before the mayo. The butter adds flavor and keeps salad creamy and moist.

[@vivalaleta]

The olives I had on hand were wonderful, Greek style, marinated ones. I put both the olives and their vinegar brine into the salad and it was a winner.

[@MoonFlowerAlchemy]

Let me start off by staying that I really enjoy your videos. I make a version of potato salad that converts folks that usually strongly dislike (hate!) it. Cooled boiled potatoes like you described and same with the eggs (include eggs folks!). Then I mix in a small amount of mayo, mustard, finely chopped chives (or green onions), Dill pickle juice (secret ingredient!), salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Finely chopped crisp bacon is optional yet amazing.

[@augusts1]

Dill pickle juice is not a secret! Look through the comments here & you'll see many people mentioning it. My Mom made it that way with diced pickles too as I grew up as a kid in the 60s & 70s.

[@maricarsara9678]

Thank you for the simple recepi and the trick on how to crash your eggs. Never used olives but wilp try now. I always put relish in my potato salad and i just learned its not needed.

[@davidmyers-wakeman5515]

I know I've said this on Frank's KZbin before, but I will never not call his version "Protato Salad" 💙✨

[@evejoycelaboralladin4010]

❤❤❤love your recipe I love potato salad🥰 Thank you for this amazing recipe 👏👍

[@gabiota892]

I'm gonna try it tomorrow thanks!

[@execbum1]

It's interesting to see what goes into American potato salad. In the UK, it's usually chopped new potatoes (like Jersey Royals), diced onion/red onion/spring onions (scallions)/shallots, with Hellman's mayo, salt, pepper and chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley.

[@AA123TD]

it varies in the US. I use russet but perfer yukon gold potatoes. I don't use eggs. I put celery and diced onions for crunch/flavor. The dressing is salt, pepper, mayo, vinegar, sugar and sometimes a bit of mustard, which I mix before adding to the potatoes, onions and celery.

[@Dinki-Di]

That's a clever technique to chop the eggs. My variant is to add chopped cornichons to introduce the vinegar element into the dressing, along with some fresh dill. Also, I think it's really important to dress the potatoes while they are still warm.

[@RenBR]

This is basically the traditional potato salad here in Brazil. We usually add some lime juice with the vinegar as well green onions.

[@AnaLuizaHella]

Oi, tudo bem? Que bom ver compatriota por aqui. Beijos e bom dia 🌹

[@hummers7342]

I make my grandma's famous potato salad too - similar to yours, but add mustard, dill pickles and onion. Your version looks delicious. Thank you for the boiled egg trick!!

[@user-pe2gs3et2d]

I’m making this tomorrow 😊

[@TOTALCAMARO]

Miracle whip lol I add dried dill weed in my salad Mustard given it little tangy to it. It’s my mom’s and grandma’s recipes.

[@leoinsf]

Great tips! You are the perfect cooking teacher!

[@ToxicSpork]

Remember, the best potato salad is still potato salad

[@tacmason]

I definitely enjoy your videos brother !

[@karentaylor2160]

That looks awesome, nice touch with the olives! I'll try this

[@FireCracker-vd8pq]

Chopping the eggs through a cooling rack... Mind. Blown. Where has this hack been all my life? 🤯

[@asynchronicity]

Wow cool egg shredding technique 👍

[@rattankumar4973]

Yayy...he's back

[@Ycats2023]

I just made it last night and it is amazing! Also when you don’t want to cook Burger King has 3 Whoppers with 3 Cheese Burgers and 3 Fries for 20.00 ❤❤❤❤

[@judymaddox2407]

I use a little mustard instead of vinegar and picked o instead of olives.. Love the tip on cutting the eggs

[@EdwardCheek]

Nice! Can't wait to make this potato salad

[@aveina9190]

he is an amazing teacher

[@TOTALCAMARO]

Pastry blender works great to chop up the eggs.

[@saintrude]

I tried this and loved it.

[@debbiesingh3522]

Love your recipe i will try it . thank you

[@KyleBaran90]

Whoa, Frank just invented the Slap Chop, get Dan Formosa on this

[@patibarrera2874]

I was surprised you didn’t add onions and celery. I add diced sweet pickles and black olives along with the onions and celery. No vinegar in mine.

[@mousiebrown1747]

Pickle relish, some green onions, more pepper, yellow mustard and Blue Plate mayonnaise. Parsley to garnish & nibble on.

[@jonnyskray3000]

FIRST person I've EVER seen put green olives in their potato salad besides my grandma and mom! Love it!!!! 😋😋😋

[@NellieGCabo]

I enjoyed watching your easy Potato salad.

[@juicyduman]

Im going to make this! Thankyou

[@VIpanfried]

Cooking eggs in the potato water takes confidence! I’m cooking mine separately

[@raymond.mcdannell6317]

Thank you

[@s.e.3252]

Finally made it, black olives, couldn't find stuffed green, simple, nevertheless it was what I wanted, delicious, thank you!

[@rizaslifestyle5824]

Looks yummy..I will try to make this..tnx

[@pichumiu4117]

I sometimes make potatoes salad since it easy and can stored for a few days. However, I like to use Kewpie mayo with 1 teaspoon of mustard. I love a bit of sweetness in my salad tho.

[@kristynalexandria1071]

Things that were missing: yellow mustard, paprika, relish, garlic powder, and onion powder

[@nicolenunya984]

You know it!

[@jayharv285]

Nothing was missing since this is what his grandma did and what he said he was doing

[@ljdelight]

@@jayharv285 k

[@cindys9858]

Most of that was ok until came to relish, gag.

[@llolipoplizard3604]

Apple cider vinegar, either dried mustard or brown spicy mustard, and celery seeds and some onions. basically my potato salad is just deviled eggs with potatoes. But Hellmans is the best mayo to use for potato salad.

[@dbe471]

Hey Chef Frank, take all my upvotes. Your videos are always easy to follow and the food is always delicious. Thanks!

[@TheMagdalenaBB]

I usually like to add mustard and pickles. Add apples, peas and carrots to make it a Polish/ Russian salad.

[@countrychola7735]

Love this human❤❤❤

[@ginainfantino411]

Yum. I’m gonna try this!

[@AuthorStevenWood]

...The sound of love... 😀

[@LRDZw13bL]

what about the bit more temperature with salt in the water ?

[@Reesie-WIT-A-Spoon-mq1ve]

I'll have to try it!

[@lindaj-uz1tm]

Mix about 1 top of mustard with mayo and splash of dill pile juice and sweet pickle mix well add to potatoes or pasta for macaroni salad yum

[@Unbreakable1986]

Try this one on for size: red potatoes (do no peeling!), diced boiled eggs, diced dill pickles, diced polish sausage, 50/50 blend whole egg mayonnaise and salad cream (e.g. Heinz), salt and pepper to taste. The ratios of the diced additions are up to you, I'm in favour of being a little heavy handed. Oh, some sort of diced onion is nice also, but I don't tend to because children complain

[@Rainy..Day.]

Not the kind of potato salad I like, but still a great watch. Thanks

[@MikeR65]

You’re my kind of potato salad!!

[@Rainy..Day.]

@@MikeR65 thank you.

[@yahanwiwi]

Can't wait to see other cold salads/slaws. How about coleslaw.

[@manuelfromdabloc1452]

Swap the olives with pickles and vinegar with the pickle juice and you got the traditional original German potato salad❤

[@lfeco]

Same, but I add some very fine chopped celery and onion. I do think that more folks don't care for the onion however.

[@rhaikh]

ATK & Lopez-Alt got this beat by miles I'd still eat this though

[@daveski99x]

I have an egg slicer so I use it. Another item I add is paprika and dress with more chopped eggs. Interesting idea to cook potatoes whole with skin. Less watery.

[@martinhriibek3443]

"What did you have for dinner?" "A salad" "Mmmmm, delicious and healthy" "Ehm...yeah...healthy" :-D

[@jamiemcmurtrey3154]

Looks delicious I’m surprised he didn’t use celery though I’m highly allergic to vinegar so none in my salads. I also use bread n butter pickles thank you for showing this

[@WarlockSpell]

I have to try dicing eggs like that.

[@piper5618]

How long do the eggs take to cook after added to simmering water?

[@GayJayU26]

So pleased you didn’t add sugar. I make mine virtually the same, but sometimes add some chopped cornichons.

[@breakfasttodinnerr]

Really the best

[@jsvi]

I’d throw small cut apples- crunch and a bit of sweet. My aunt would add shredded carrots as garnish.

[@itsjackiebro1872]

Going to try this tomorrow 😅

[@davidmilhouscarter8198]

5:25 I bought Kroger (King Soopers store brand) mayonnaise because the first ingredient is soybean oil and the second is eggs. The name brands had water as the second ingredient.

[@richardnedbalek1968]

😲The cooling rack egg smash! 💥 👍

[@faymostafavi2890]

The mayo in the market are all made with seed oils which I don’t touch. There’s a mayo made with avocado oil and is expensive but worth it.

[@user-vg5iu4xz8d]

I use both miracle whip and mayonnaise delicious 🙅💕