This recipe for my mom’s potato salad is a family favorite and a hit at any summer party. So easy to make with a perfectly creamy condensed milk dressing.
My mom was the queen of summer side dishes. Her macaroni salads were always a crowd favorite but what people came back for most, was her potato salad. To this day when I make potato salad, people ask “is this your mom’s recipe?” It’s just that good.
And the best part? It’s the easiest potato salad I have ever made. Nothing fancy here, just completely deliciousness. The key to my mom’s potato salad dressing is, wait for it, sweetened condensed milk. I know, it sounds strange, but believe me when I tell you that it is absolutely revolutionary. The condensed milk of course adds sweetness to the dressing but it also adds insane creaminess and this lushness that can only be found in a can of condensed milk.
How to make potato salad
Potato salad is probably one of the easiest side dishes you could make but there are still a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way. Number one, boil your potatoes whole with their skins on. I’ve tried peeling and chopping the potatoes before boiling and boiling them whole but peeled but boiling them whole with their skins on results in perfectly al dente potatoes with no wateriness or flouriness. I let the potatoes cool down to a warm room temp before peeling the skins and cutting them.
The second tip is to pour the dressing over the potatoes while they are still a little warm. This way they suck up the dressing and absorb the flavor. It’s also important to over-season the dressing. The dressing needs to be a little too sharp, a little too sweet and a a little too salty because the potatoes themselves are like bland little sponges just waiting for the dressing.
And because you have such a lovely blank canvas with the creamiest dressing (ever), you can jazz it up with all kinds of other delicious things if you so please. I only add spring (green) onion and parsley but you could add crispy bacon bits, chopped boiled egg and any other herbs you wish. I love it most in its simplest form but I know many people don’t consider potato salad potato salad if it doesn’t have boiled eggs in it.
Easy summer sides
- Creamy curried macaroni salad
- Easy tomato, red onion and cucumber salad
- Sour cream potato salad
- Tomato avocado salad
- Easy spicy potato wedges
Easy creamy potato salad
Ingredients
- 8 large potatoes
- 1½ cups spring onions chopped
- 1 cup parsley chopped
For the potato salad dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1-2 tsp salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and fill with water, generously salt and place over high heat.
- Boil the potatoes until a knife can be inserted easily.
- Drain the potatoes and allow to cool to warm room temperature then peel and cut into large chunks.
- Mix all the dressing ingredients together then pour over the potatoes. Add the spring onions and parsley and mix well.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours (alternatively overnight) and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Easy creamy curried macaroni salad
Summer grilled corn salad
I read the reviews before making this salad fully expecting it to be an absolute hit – and it exceeded expectations.
There are never leftovers & it never goes to the table without someone remarking on how incredibly delicious it is.
For my tastes I like to double the lemon juice & add 1 generous teaspoonful of hot english mustard. For the Aussies – Praise Mayonnaise is essential.
Thank you for sharing this recipe, we’re loving it over here.
That is awesome to hear, thanks Luke!
Sweetened condensed milk? just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
You absolutely should. It’s a game changer.
What if you don’t have sour cream, remember that we are in lock down
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Use plain yoghurt or just leave out. It adds creaminess but won’t ruin the salad if you don’t have it.
Is your recipe close to ‘Dawn’s”?
I really liked Dawn’s, but can’t find it anywhere anymore.
I’m not sure as I’ve never tried their version.
Added chopped boiled eggs and it was a hit. Love how sweet and creamy it was.
So glad you liked this recipe and love that you added boiled eggs. 🙂
My mom made this yesterday and it was the first salad to be finished. No one could believe it when she told us it obtained condensed milk. Definitely making this again.
Oh, that’s so great to hear. People are always surprised but I’ve converted everyone I’ve served it to.
What type of potato do you use?
Most potatoes work well but a waxier potato is always good for potato salads.
Made this salad for our 4th cook out yesterday and it was an absolute hit. I’ll be honest, I was totally sceptical about the condensed milk but the sweet creaminess it added was over the top delicious. Fantastic recipe and so easy.
Yay! Another convertee! So glad you liked it.
That dressing looks SO creamy! Can’t wait to try it this week!
Thanks so much Gene! Hope you love it.
I’ve never tried sweetened condensed milk in my potato salad! I’ve got to give this a try Alida!
You will LOVE it!