Creamy Rustic Smashed Potato Salad
This Creamy Rustic Smashed Potato Salad is a delightful twist on the classic potato salad, perfect for any gathering or as a comforting side dish. The recipe showcases tender red potatoes, which are lightly smashed to maintain a rustic texture, creating a satisfying mouthfeel. The addition of creamy mayonnaise and tangy sour cream, complemented by crunchy sweet pickles, zesty mustard, and aromatic onions, ensures a burst of flavors with every bite. Enjoy it warm as a comforting side or let it cool to room temperature for a refreshing addition to summer barbecues. Optional shredded cheddar cheese adds a rich creaminess that elevates this dish even further. Whether served at a picnic or as a side at dinner, this potato salad is sure to become a family favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
red potatoes
12 medium (peeled or unpeeled, cubed)
butter
3 tablespoons (melted)
mayonnaise
1/2 cup (none)
sour cream
1/2 cup (none)
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (optional)
mustard
3-4 tablespoons (none)
small onion
1 (finely chopped)
sweet pickles
2-3 small (chopped)
celery
1 stalk (finely diced)
seasoning salt or white salt
to taste (none)
black pepper
to taste (none)
cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (shredded or finely diced, optional)
Instructions
1
Begin by rinsing the potatoes under cold water to remove any dirt. If desired, peel the potatoes for a smoother texture; otherwise, leave the skins on for added flavor and nutrition.
2
Cut the potatoes into even cubes for consistent cooking. Place them in a large pot and cover completely with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.
3
Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and cook the potatoes until they are fork-tender, typically 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the cubes.
4
Once cooked, drain the potatoes and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Using a fork or a potato masher, gently smash the potatoes, leaving some larger chunks for a rustic texture. Avoid mashing them until smooth.
5
Immediately add the butter to the hot potatoes, allowing it to melt, then stir in the chopped onion, diced celery, and sweet pickles until the mixture is well combined.
6
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder (if using), and mustard until smooth. Pour this dressing over the potato mixture and gently fold until everything is thoroughly combined.
7
Season the potato salad with seasoning salt (or white salt) and black pepper to taste, adjusting as necessary based on your preference.
8
If using, fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, mixing it in gently to incorporate.
9
Serve the potato salad warm or allow it to cool to room temperature before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Rustic Smashed Potato Salad?
It is a delightful twist on classic potato salad that uses lightly smashed red potatoes to create a rustic texture and satisfying mouthfeel.
What kind of potatoes are best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 12 medium red potatoes.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Peeling is optional; you can peel them for a smoother texture or leave the skins on for added flavor and nutrition.
How should I prepare the potatoes before cooking?
Rinse the potatoes under cold water to remove dirt and cut them into even cubes for consistent cooking.
How much salt should be added to the boiling water?
Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the pot of water before boiling the potatoes.
How long do the potatoes need to boil?
Boil the potatoes for 10-15 minutes or until they are fork-tender.
What is the best way to smash the potatoes?
Use a fork or a potato masher to gently smash them, making sure to leave some larger chunks for a rustic texture.
Should I mash the potatoes until they are smooth?
No, avoid mashing them until smooth as the goal is a chunky, rustic consistency.
When should I add the butter?
Immediately add the 3 tablespoons of butter to the hot potatoes right after draining them so it can melt.
What vegetables are included in the salad?
The salad includes finely chopped onion, diced celery, and chopped sweet pickles.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing is a whisked mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, and optional garlic powder.
How much mayonnaise and sour cream is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of mayonnaise and 1/2 cup of sour cream.
What type of mustard should I use?
The recipe calls for 3-4 tablespoons of mustard; you can use your preferred variety.
Can I add garlic to this recipe?
Yes, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to the dressing for extra flavor.
How many sweet pickles are needed?
Use 2 to 3 small sweet pickles, finely chopped.
What kind of salt should I use for seasoning?
You can use either seasoning salt or regular white salt according to your taste preference.
Is cheese an ingredient in this potato salad?
Yes, adding 1/2 cup of shredded or finely diced cheddar cheese is an optional addition to make it creamier.
Can I serve this potato salad warm?
Yes, it is delicious when served warm as a comforting side dish.
Is it okay to serve this salad cold?
Yes, you can allow it to cool to room temperature before serving, which is perfect for summer barbecues.
How much celery is used?
The recipe requires 1 stalk of celery, finely diced.
Is the onion cooked or raw?
The finely chopped onion is added to the hot potatoes, which helps soften it slightly without fully cooking it.
What texture should the celery and onion have?
They should be finely chopped and diced to provide a nice crunch against the creamy potatoes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total, including optional items like cheese and garlic powder.
Can I use black pepper?
Yes, black pepper is used to season the salad to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for a barbecue?
Yes, it is highly recommended as a refreshing addition to summer barbecues and picnics.
How do I incorporate the dressing?
Pour the whisked dressing over the potato mixture and gently fold it in until everything is thoroughly combined.
What if I want a smoother salad?
You can peel the potatoes and mash them slightly more, though the intended style of this recipe is rustic and chunky.
Can I use seasoning salt?
Yes, seasoning salt is one of the options for adding flavor to the final dish.
Is this a family-friendly recipe?
Yes, its creamy texture and familiar flavors like cheddar and sweet pickles make it a family favorite.
What makes this potato salad unique?
The combination of smashed red potatoes, butter, and the mix of sour cream and mayo gives it a unique texture and richness.