Dad's Hillbilly Potato Salad is a family favorite. No cookout is complete without it!
This potato salad is inspired by my dad, who made it for my family when I was a kid. I have many guesses as to why he calls it "hillbilly potato salad": it could be because he grew up in Virginia, surrounded by hills and valleys. It could be because the simple nature of the preparation is a bit "non-traditional" (to say the least). At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter, because this stuff is good!! I think it's the first dish I remember him making as a child. As we have already established, I am a potato junkie, so this potato salad (Hilbilly or not) is right up my alley.
It all starts with leftover mashed potatoes. Please refer to our Amazing Mashed Potatoes for the perfect recipe. Make the mashed potatoes as a side dish for your dinner, and be sure to make extra so you have leftovers to make this salad. Or, if you so desire, make the mashed potatoes just so you can make this dish for your next cookout! I made this for our Memorial Day cookout, and the kids really liked it. The sweet pickles were just what it needed to charge the taste buds. Jackie had the perfect description: "tangy, like deviled eggs." She was not far off. We love it at our house, and we are proud that it is dad's recipe. It is perfect for summer grilling season.
Hillbilly Potato Salad
Your cookout will never be the same! Dad's Hillbilly Potato Salad is a family favorite, made with leftover mashed potatoes.
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 6 C cold mashed potatoes
- 1 C sweet pickle relish or diced sweet pickles
- 2 C mayonnaise
- 6 hard boiled eggs (finely chopped)
- ¾ C yellow mustard
- 1 green onion
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. paprika
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine mashed potatoes and mayonnaise. Mix until well blended
- Slice green onion in ⅛ inch slices add to mixture
- Add remaining ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle with paprika for color
- Serve with your favorite summer grilled foods
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: side dish
- Cuisine: Home style American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cup
- Calories: 684
- Sugar: 4.2 g
- Sodium: 2060 mg
- Fat: 63.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.8 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 50.6 mg
Keywords: potato, salad, potato salad, mashed potatoes, grilling, cookout, side dish, summer
Tami says
I will be making this tonight. My boys absolutely love this recipe.. Quite unique and incredibly delicious.. Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately, I don't have green onions. Hopefully a yellow onion will do.
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kaia says
yummy
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Jackie says
thanks Kaia! We're glad you like it!!
Sharon says
Oh my goodness! This absolutely made my day! My Dad also made this every spring & summer starting with Easter dinner and finishing for the year on Labor Day. We sadly lost him in 2010 and although we watched him many times, I just couldn’t seem to replicate his magic dish (although I’ve tried many times). THIS IS IT!!! I couldn’t shake my Easter craving for it so I once again searched the internet and boom! - your recipe popped right up. Strangely, my Dad was not the chef in the family but the couple of dishes he made were beyond amazing! Another strange coincidence, although we have been in Texas for 4 generations, our family too is originally from Glade Hollow, Virginia and I do know this was a handed down recipe. Wouldn’t it be cool to find that it absolutely is a Virginia mountain recipe?? I’ll keep researching. Thank you so much for sharing. It really felt like my Dad was right in my kitchen making this with me
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Jackie says
Sharon,
You have made OUR day!!! What a wonderful story!! It warms our heart, especially during these times. We are so happy to have found a kindred spirit, united in love of this OUTSTANDING potato salad (we have on weekly rotation these days)! We absolutely must do some research to see where Keith's dad acquired the recipe. We will be back in touch! Thank you again so much for sharing. It means a lot.
Yang says
This potato salad recipe is so easy to make and so perfect to serve during the Summer months. I love eating it with grilled salmon or a burger. It is just really satisfying. You have such wonderful recipes on your blog and Instagram, the photos are gorgeous. Thank you.
Jackie says
thank you so much Yang! We really appreciate your kind words!! This potato salad is a family favorite!!
Elizabeth says
I gave this recipe a try, but it came out very salty. Hubby said it was "interesting"
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Jackie says
Thanks for the feedback Elizabeth.