Last Updated on December 24, 2023
McAlister’s Potato Salad is a classic American recipe that has been served for generations. It’s a creamy, flavorful side dish that is perfect for any occasion, from a summer barbecue to a family dinner.
Whether you’re a potato salad aficionado or a potato salad novice, you’ll love McAlister’s Potato Salad.
What Is McAlister’s Potato Salad?
McAlister’s Deli is a casual dining restaurant chain known for sandwiches, soups, salads, and sweet tea. It’s one of the famous items is McAlister’s Potato Salad.
It is a classic American potato salad recipe that has been around for generations. It features a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing and is packed with flavor.
It can be served as a side dish for a variety of meals, from a summer barbecue to a Sunday dinner.
Why You’ll Love This McAlister’s Potato Salad?
There are a few reasons why you’ll love McAlister’s Potato Salad. First, it’s a classic recipe that has been served for generations.
Second, it’s easy to make and requires minimal ingredients. Third, it’s packed with flavor and will be a hit at any gathering.
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How Does It Taste Like?
McAlister’s Potato Salad is a creamy, mayonnaise-based potato salad that is full of flavor. It has a slightly sweet and tangy taste that is complemented by the crunch of the potatoes.
The potatoes are coated in a flavorful dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings.
Ingredients
Organic Cane Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors and enhance the overall taste of the salad.
Gourmet Mustard Blend: Provides a tangy and slightly spicy flavor, contributing depth and complexity to the dressing.
Heinz Artisanal Chopped Sweet Pickle Relish: Adds a sweet and tangy flavor while also providing a pleasant texture with the chopped pickles.
Idaho Russet Baking Potatoes: The main ingredient, the potatoes, provide the base and substance for the salad.
Heinz Organic Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds acidity, which helps balance the richness of other ingredients and adds a subtle tang to the dressing.
Handpicked Dried Parsley Leaves: Brings an herby freshness and a pop of color to the salad.
Organic Dried Minced Celery Flakes: Offers a mild celery flavor and a bit of texture to the dish.
Handpicked Chopped Red Onion: Contributes a sharp, pungent flavor and adds crunch to the salad.
365 by Whole Foods Market Handcrafted Dill Pickles Relish: Introduces a dill flavor and additional tanginess, along with small bursts of pickle throughout.
Premium Avocado Oil Mayonnaise: Serves as the creamy base for the dressing, providing richness and binding all the ingredients together.
McCormick Organic Celery Salt: Enhances the overall celery flavor while also adding a hint of saltiness.
Handcrafted Smoked Paprika: Offers a subtle smoky flavor and a touch of earthiness, complementing the other spices and flavors.
Freshly Ground Black Peppercorns: Adds a punch of heat and a peppery taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the salad.
Step by Step Directions
STEP 1: Prepare Potatoes
Prep Potatoes: Start by thoroughly washing the potatoes to remove any dirt or debris. Place them in a large pot of cold, salted water.
Boil Potatoes: Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until they’re tender but still firm, which usually takes around 20-25 minutes.
Drain and Cool: Once cooked, drain the potatoes and let them cool down. This helps them maintain their shape when mixed with the dressing.
STEP 2: Prepare Dressing
Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine avocado oil mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, cane sugar, gourmet mustard blend, celery flakes, dried parsley, chopped red onion, sweet pickle relish, dill pickle relish, celery salt, smoked paprika, and black peppercorns.
Blend Thoroughly: Stir all these ingredients together thoroughly until they form a well-combined dressing. Taste and adjust seasonings as per your preference.
STEP 3: Assemble Potato Salad
Peel and Chop: Once the potatoes are cooled, peel off the skin (if desired) and chop them into bite-sized chunks.
Combine Potatoes: Place the chopped potatoes in a large mixing bowl, ready for the dressing.
STEP 4: Combine Potatoes and Dressing
Add Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the chopped potatoes in the mixing bowl.
Gently Fold: Carefully fold the dressing into the potatoes, ensuring an even coating. Be gentle to maintain the potato chunks’ shape without mashing them.
STEP 5: Chill and Serve
Refrigerate: Cover the bowl containing the potato salad with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate it for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
Allow Melding: Chilling allows the dressing to infuse into the potatoes, enhancing the overall taste.
STEP 6: Serve
Final Touch: Before serving, give the potato salad a gentle toss to recombine any separated ingredients.
Garnish: Optionally, garnish the potato salad with additional parsley leaves or a sprinkle of paprika for an attractive presentation.
STEP 7: Enjoy!
Serving: Serve this delicious McAlister’s Deli-inspired potato salad alongside your preferred main dishes or enjoy it as a stand-alone treat.
Savor: Relish in the flavors and textures of this delightful dish!
Tips
– Use a starchy potato, such as Russet, for the best results.
– Boil the potatoes until they’re just fork-tender. If you overcook them, they’ll be mushy.
– If the potatoes are not cooked through, you can finish cooking them in the oven.
– You can adjust the amount of sugar, salt, and pepper to your taste.
– The salad can be served warm or cold.
Nutrition Information
One serving of McAlister’s Potato Salad contains approximately 345 calories, 16 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, and 32 grams of carbohydrates.
How to Store McAlister’s Potato Salad?
McAlister’s Potato Salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days.
What Other Substitute Can I Use in McAlister’s Potato Salad?
You can substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, or use a vegan mayonnaise for a vegan-friendly dish.
You can also replace the white vinegar with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar for a different flavor. You can also add other vegetables, such as celery, bell peppers, or red onion, or mix in some hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.
Equipment
- Oven
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Organic Cane Sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons Gourmet Mustard Blend
- 2 tablespoons Heinz Artisanal Chopped Sweet Pickle Relish
- 3 medium Idaho Russet Baking Potatoes
- 2 tablespoons Heinz Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Handpicked Dried Parsley Leaves
- 1/2 tablespoon Organic Dried Minced Celery Flakes
- 1 medium Handpicked Chopped Red Onion
- 2 tablespoons 365 by Whole Foods Market Handcrafted Dill Pickles Relish
- 1.5 cups Premium Avocado Oil Mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Organic Celery Salt
- A pinch of Handcrafted Smoked Paprika
- Freshly Ground Black Peppercorns To Taste
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly and place them in a large pot of cold, salted water.
- Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until they’re fork-tender but still firm. This typically takes around 20-25 minutes.
- Once done, drain the potatoes and let them cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the avocado oil mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, cane sugar, gourmet mustard blend, celery flakes, dried parsley, chopped red onion, sweet pickle relish, dill pickle relish, celery salt, smoked paprika, and black peppercorns.
- Mix all these ingredients thoroughly to create the dressing. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Once the potatoes are cooled, peel the skin off (if desired) and chop them into bite-sized chunks.
- Place the chopped potatoes in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the chopped potatoes.
- Gently fold the dressing into the potatoes until they are evenly coated. Be careful not to mash the potatoes; you want them to maintain their shape.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the potato salad for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, give the potato salad a gentle toss.
- Garnish with additional parsley leaves or paprika if desired.
- Serve the delicious McAlister’s Deli-inspired potato salad alongside your favorite main dishes or as a stand-alone treat.
Notes
- Use a starchy potato, such as Russet, for the best results.
- Boil the potatoes until they’re just fork-tender. If you overcook them, they’ll be mushy.
- If the potatoes are not cooked through, you can finish cooking them in the oven.
- You can adjust the amount of sugar, salt, and pepper to your taste.
- The salad can be served warm or cold.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use a different potato for this recipe?
Yes, you can use any type of potato for this recipe. Starchy potatoes, such as Russet, are the best choice for a creamy potato salad, but you can also use waxy potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, for a firmer texture.
Q2. Can I make the salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the salad up to a day ahead of time. Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Q3. Can I freeze the potato salad?
No, the potatoes will become mushy when thawed.
Q4. Can I use regular mayonnaise for this recipe?
Yes, you can use regular mayonnaise for this recipe.
Q5. Can I add other vegetables to the salad?
Yes, you can add other vegetables to the salad, such as celery, bell peppers, or red onion.
Q6. Can I use vegan mayonnaise in this recipe?
Yes, you can use vegan mayonnaise in this recipe for a vegan-friendly dish.
Q7. Can I use a different type of vinegar?
Yes, you can use a different type of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, for a different flavor.
Conclusion
McAlister’s Potato Salad is a classic American recipe that is perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to make and requires minimal ingredients.
It’s a creamy, flavorful potato salad that is packed with flavor and will be a hit at any gathering.
If you’re looking for a classic potato salad recipe, McAlister’s Potato Salad is a great choice.
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Lori Walker is a passionate dietitian and food lover. She offers simple and nutritious recipes that don't take long to cook. In addition to sharing delicious dishes, she also shares useful advice on saving time and money in the kitchen. She believes that with a bit of creativity, anyone can make healthy meals that won't break the bank. Read more
