Potato Salad: The Star Recipe of 2023 and Some Versions

Potato salad has become one of the trendiest recipes in 2023. This simple and versatile dish, traditionally considered a mere side dish, has become a common recipe in many of our meals. The growing popularity of potato salad in recent times is clearly reflected on the internet, where the search volume for its recipe has skyrocketed. If you want to know more about the dish and how to prepare it, keep reading!

Potato Salad: A Global Phenomenon

Potato salad has always been a popular and cherished meal in many cultures, but its popularity on everyday menus has recently increased. What caused this to happen? There are several reasons. For starters, it’s a potato recipe that serves as the foundation for an infinite number of flavours and textures. Second, the trend towards more conscious and healthy eating has led many people to seek lighter alternatives to meats and heavy dishes. As a result, the dish is an excellent pick for individuals on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Potato salad fits perfectly into this criteria, especially when it’s prepared healthily and served cold.

Furthermore, potato salad has a long history dating back centuries. In the 16th century, potatoes were brought to Europe from South America and quickly became a staple food in many countries. The modern potato salad is thought to have originated in Germany, where it is known as “Kartoffelsalat.” It has since been altered and evolved into many variations all across the world.

Summer, Potato Salad’s Best Ally

With the coming of summer, internet searches for potato salad recipes surge. This is not surprising. This light and easy-to-make recipe is ideal for outdoor meals, barbecues, and beach picnics. According to Google search data, potato salad is one of the most searched terms throughout the summer months, even rivalling other summer essentials such as ice cream or watermelon.

Star Ingredients of Potato Salad: A Wide Variety for All Tastes

Potato salad is a blank canvas on which home cooks and chefs can experiment with a variety of ingredients. With its solid structure and neutral flavour, the potato is an excellent starting point for a variety of cuisines and textures. Potato salad can incorporate a variety of other ingredients that make it distinctive and delicious, depending on the recipe and personal preferences.

Common additions include onion, celery, and pickles, which provide a delightful crisp texture and powerful flavour that contrasts with the smoothness of the potato. Hard-boiled eggs, on the other hand, provide a creamy texture and a mild flavour that matches the potato wonderfully.

Another important component of potato salad is the dressing. Some people favour mayonnaise for its thick and creamy texture, while others prefer vinegar dressing for its lighter, more refreshing taste. Mustard is a favourite spicy addition, and capers, parsley, and dill are also common seasonings that lend flavour and depth to the dish.

A growing trend in 2023 is the inclusion of international ingredients in the potato salad, such as Moroccan spices, Asian soy sauce, or Greek feta cheese. These unique potato salad versions show the versatility of this dish, which continues to reinvent and surprise us.

Variants of Potato Salad

While we’ve already indicated that the potato salad recipe is highly adaptable and that we encourage you to experiment with your own ideas, we understand that sometimes we don’t have time to improvise, so we’ve included three tasty variations, including a vegan version!
German Potato Salad:
This is a traditional version that is usually served hot. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients: 1 kg of potatoes, 1 onion, 200 g of bacon, 1 cup of cider vinegar, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, fresh parsley.

Preparation:

1. Cook the potatoes in salted water until they are tender.
2. In a pan, cook the bacon until it is crispy and remove it, leaving the fat in the pan.
3. Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté until it is translucent.
4. Add the vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to the pan and bring to a boil.
5. Slice the potatoes and place them in a bowl.
6. Pour the mixture from the pan over the potatoes, add the bacon, and mix well.
7. Garnish with parsley before serving.

Vegan Potato Salad

This version includes ingredients suitable for a vegan diet.

Ingredients: 1 kg of potatoes, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 cup of chopped celery, 1 cup of chopped pickles, 1/2 cup of chopped red onion, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley

Preparation:

Cook the potatoes in salted water until they are tender. Once cooked, let them cool a bit and then cut the potatoes into medium-sized cubes.
While the potatoes are cooling, you can prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix these ingredients well until they are well combined.
In a large bowl, combine the chopped potatoes, chopped celery, chopped pickles, chopped red onion, and chopped fresh parsley.
Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the large bowl. Mix well to make sure all the potatoes and vegetables are well coated with the dressing.
You can serve the salad right away or chill it for a few hours to allow the flavours to mix further. This vegan potato salad is a tasty and nutritious side dish for any dinner.

Mediterranean Potato Salad

This version incorporates common ingredients in Mediterranean cuisine, such as peppers and black olives.

Ingredients: 1 kg of potatoes, 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, 1/2 red onion, 1/2 cup of black olives, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 cloves of garlic, salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation:

1. Cook the potatoes in salted water until they are tender.
2. In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. Slice the potatoes and add them to the bowl.
3. Add the peppers cut into strips, chopped red onion, and black olives.
4. Mix well until all the ingredients are well combined.
5. Serve the salad cold or at room temperature, and enjoy this delicious Mediterranean dish.