Pink and Purple Potato Salad — Move over, boring potato salad! Have this PRETTY one made with purple potatoes instead!! NO MAYO makes it healthier and perfect for picnics, parties, potlucks and events!!
Pretty but Simple Potato Salad Recipe
Pink and purple food. Yes, it’s a thing. Can anyone resist pretty pink and purple potato salad? I think not. I’d much rather have this than your average run-of-the-mill potato salad.
I replaced the heavy mayo, mushy potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs with pretty pink (red) and purple potatoes, crisp pink and purple radishes, and crunchy red onions. Lots of flavors and textures in every bite.
I used one bunch of ‘Easter egg radishes’ from Whole Foods and baby multi-colored potatoes (red, purple, Yukon gold) from Trader Joe’s. Use what you can find in your area.
Everything is tossed in a light yet flavorful dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, and garlic.
There’s no mayo so it feels lighter and as a bonus you don’t have to worry about it as much at warm outdoor potlucks, picnics, and events. It’s perfect for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day parties.
It’s easy, ready in about 30 minutes, and you can serve it right away or chilled. Either way it’s a great side that’s naturally gluten-free, vegan, and will be sure to disappear anytime you make it.
What’s in the Purple Potato Salad?
To make this pretty vinegar potato salad, you’ll need:
- Baby purple, red, & Yukon gold potatoes
- Kosher salt
- Pink and purple radishes
- Red onion
- Olive oil
- Dijon mustard
- Red wine vinegar
- Garlic
- Sugar
- Fresh parsley
How to Make Purple Potato Salad
Add the potatoes to a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the potatoes simmer just until fork-tender. Drain, let them cool, then chop.
Then, whisk together the vinegar potato salad dressing. Add the chopped potatoes, onion, and radishes to a bowl and drizzle with the dressing.
Toss to coat in the dressing, then sprinkle with parsley.
Can Potato Salad Be Frozen?
I think it technically can be, but I don’t recommend freezing this simple potato salad. The potatoes will become grainy once frozen, as will the fresh radishes and onion.
What Goes With Potato Salad?
This pretty purple potato salad pairs well with any number of potluck entrees and grilled mains! Here are some of my favorite things to serve with potato salad:
- Hawaiian Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Steak Kabobs
- Honey Barbecue Grilled Chicken
- 10-Minute Honey Barbecue Grilled Shrimp
- Grilled Honey Lemon Butter Salmon
- Grilled Lime Cilantro Chicken
Tips for Making Vinegar Potato Salad
I highly recommend adding a teaspoon or two of sugar to the potato salad dressing. You need a little sweetness to balance out the mustard and the vinegar.
Cook the potatoes just until fork tender and no further, otherwise they’ll wind up being mushy once they’re tossed with the dressing.
If you can’t find the purple potatoes and radishes, you’re welcome to use regular ones instead.
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Pink and Purple Potato Salad
Move over, boring potato salad! Have this PRETTY one made with purple potatoes instead!! NO MAYO makes it healthier and perfect for picnics, parties, potlucks and events!!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds baby purple, red, and Yukon gold potatoes (I get mine at Trader Joe’s)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, for the boiling water
- 1 cup pink and purple (Easter egg) radishes, trimmed and very thinly sliced (red or other radishes may be substituted)
- 2/3 cup red onion, diced small (rinse in cold water to mellow the bite)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- heaping 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced or pressed
- 1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, or to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley (regular or Italian flat-leaf), finely chopped
Instructions
- To a large pot, add the potatoes, cover with water, add 2 teaspoons salt, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and allow potatoes to simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until done and fork-tender.
- Drain and rinse potatoes under cold water to stop the cooking process; set aside to cool. When they’re cool, halve, quarter, or chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
- To a very large bowl, add the chopped potatoes, radishes, and red onion; set aside.
- To a small bowl, add the olive oil, mustard, red wine vinegar, garlic, sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, pepper, and whisk to combine.
- Evenly drizzle the dressing over the potatoes in the large bowl, add the parsley, and stir to combine. Taste potato salad and make any necessary adjustments, i.e. more salt, pepper, sugar, dash of extra mustard, oil, vinegar, etc.
- Serve immediately if desired or cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Notes
Storage: Potato salad will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Adapted from Bacon Potato Salad.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 102Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 759mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g
More Potato Side Dishes:
Bacon Potato Salad — There’s no mayo in this easy potato salad that’s loaded with bacon, corn, red onions, and tossed with a flavorful dijon dressing! Always a favorite at picnics, potlucks, parties, and events!
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad – Goodbye mayo-loaded, mushy, boring potato salad. Hello to a Mexican-inspired potato salad full of flavor and texture with corn, black beans, peppers, and cilantro! Great for outdoor events and lunchboxes because there’s no mayo!
The BEST Mashed Potatoes — Buttery, creamy, PERFECT mashed potatoes that rival your favorite restaurant’s version but EASY and ready in 45 minutes!!
Parmesan and Herb Roasted Potatoes – Easiest potatoes ever and packed with so much flavor! Olive oil, herbs, and everything is better with cheese! A family favorite that everyone loves!
Honey-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey-Cinnamon Dip – The honey glaze and the creamy cinnamon dip make these potatoes irresistible!!
Baked Thick-Cut Seasoned Oven Fries – Learn the secrets to creating restaurant-style oven fries! They’re baked rather than fried so you can have extra!
Three Cheese Scalloped Potatoes – These scalloped potatoes are EXTRA cheesy thanks to three cheeses used as well as super rich and CREAMY!!
This looks amazing! Bonus no mayo =)
Thanks!
I love potato salad of all kinds, and this is definitely the prettiest one I’ve ever seen! Nice job :)
Thanks for saying it’s the prettiest one you’ve ever seen!
hey girl- this salad looks so good!
This is SO pretty. It would be perfect for a baby or a wedding shower! And I love that there is no mayo.
I was totally thinking shower food too! I wish it would be as fun to make potato salad for a shower as it would be to make cupcakes :)
This is THE prettiest potato salad I’ve ever seen–hands down!! Lots of color and crunch. I like the vinaigrette over the mayo too–it reminds me of my MIL’s German potato salad recipe.
Thanks for the compliments on it being the prettiest potato salad you’ve ever seen. My goal was to a make a potato salad (typically not a pretty food at all, tends to be quite bland and mushy looking) and make it pretty! I much prefer a vinaigrette too over mayo.
Sounds fresh! Love the colours! Will be pinning and testing soon ;)
Great! Hope you enjoy it!