Light Tangy Old Fashioned Potato Salad

Do you try to stay away from potato salad because you think it's full of blood-sugar-spiking, high glycemic index starch?  Well, actually, there's some good news about America's favorite cookout salad, so read on to find out why it's actually a pretty healthy choice.

But first, let's start with the obvious question. Vinegar or Mayo?

When it comes to potato salad, the camp is divided and I'm definitely team mayo. None of that French-style all-vinegar potato salad for me. I make mine with baby red bliss potatoes, skins on, some chopped hard-boiled egg, and good-quality mayo. Just like mom's potato salad. #SorryNotSorry

OK, I do lighten mine up a tad by cutting the mayo back just a bit and mixing it with some vinegar and mustard to bump up the tang factor. I also love to brighten it up with some fresh dill. I don't like it too thick and creamy, more like a light, fresh creamy dressing.   

BTW - did you know that it's really easy to make homemade mayonnaise?  Just grab some fresh egg yolks, fresh lemon juice, and olive oil and start whisking. If you prefer to buy mayo, just look for one that's made with good-quality ingredients like olive oil and organic eggs.

Since the 4th of July will be here before we know it, I thought it would be a good time to talk about potato salad. It's probably America's all-time favorite cookout salad after all.

Lots of people think potato salad is a guilty pleasure food, because - POTATOES.

Well, guess what?

Light and Tangy Old Fashioned Potato Salad|Craving Something Healthy

If you're gonna eat potatoes, potato salad is probably the healthiest way to eat them.

Here's why...

We all know potatoes are high in starch. Starch is a form of complex carbohydrate, and it's actually a good fuel for our body. The reason white potatoes are frequently shunned, is because they have a pretty high glycemic index. That means they raise your blood sugar higher and faster than sweet or purple potatoes.

Well, it turns out when you boil potatoes and then cool them, much of that starch changes form, and becomes resistant starch. As the name implies, resistant starch resists digestion. Instead, it serves as a prebiotic food for the healthy bacteria in our gut.

The same thing happens to rice, which means it's a great starch to add to a salad or my Chicken, Berry & Brown Rice Bowls.

But wait, there's more... Boiled and cooled potatoes have a much lower glycemic index.

Here's one more good bit of news for anyone who is worried about what potato salad might do to their blood sugar.  I came across this study which found that eating cooled potatoes with a bit of vinegar sauce (kind of like my tangy mayo-vinegar mixture) reduces the glycemic response even more.

Yes indeed, potato salad is good for our gut microbiome AND it doesn't spike our blood sugar!  You're welcome.

Now, that doesn't mean that you can eat all of the potato salad you can get your hands on, but by all means, enjoy a serving at your cookout, or make a batch and eat it as a side with your grilled chicken or salmon. It's a lot better for you than you thought!

Recipe

Light Tangy Old Fashioned Potato Salad|Craving Something Healthy

Light Tangy Old Fashioned Potato Salad

A lightened up version of your favorite classic summer salad
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 10 cups
Calories: 243kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds small red bliss potatoes, quartered or cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 3 eggs hard boiled peeled and chopped
  • 4 stalks celery diced
  • 4 green onions minced
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ¼ cup fresh dill minced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

  • Place the potatoes into a pot, and cover with water. Add the 2 teaspoons of salt, and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low, and let the potatoes simmer until they are just fork-tender.
  • When the potatoes are cooked, drain them in a colander and let them cool for about 15 minutes.
  • While the potatoes are cooling, prepare the vegetables and eggs as directed above.
  • Mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, dill, salt, and pepper.
  • Add the eggs, celery, and onions to the cooled potatoes, and pour the dressing over everything. Stir gently to combine everything.
  • Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Chill the potato salad until ready to serve. Keep any leftovers refrigerated in a covered container for up to 4 days.

Notes

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 770mg | Potassium: 589mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag me @CravingSomethingHealthy!

Do you prefer a mayo or vinegar-based potato salad? Do you make it or buy it?

Eat well!

6 Comments

  1. I made potato salad and chicken on the grill last night for supper. We're in Chandler, AZ for the winter and it was such a beautiful evening for cooking out! I used some buttermilk, mayo to thicken, and mustard . I'm pinning your recipe because I like the sound of the vinegar in the sauce. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thanks for checking it out Vicky! I love a little vinegar tang in my dressing. So glad you're enjoying the weather here - it's so amazing in the winter (and spring and fall!)

  2. I'm REALLY happy to read all of this, because I have a big potato salad in my fridge right now that I wanted to blog, and my husband hates potatoes, so I'll be stuck eating it myself this week 😐

    Thanks for all of this useful info! This salad sounds so so refreshing and perfect for summer. I'll have to make it once mine is all gone, now that I know it's a healthy way to consume potatoes 😉 (Okay fine, healthi-ER.)

    1. Yes, definitely healthy-ER! Everything in moderation, right, but it's nice to know that even potato salad can have some health benefits! Thanks for visiting!

  3. I'm in love with potatoes! Not sure you should be telling me they're healthy. Maybe if I was Matt Damon in The Martian the potato diet would work for me! But seriously, this recipe looks delish.

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