Picnic-Perfect Potato Salad: A Crowd Favorite with a Soulful Twist
There’s something special about summer gatherings — the kind where laughter spills out under open skies, aunties call your name from across the yard, and the food table is lined with love.
And that one dish that always makes its way to the table? The potato salad. And not just any potato salad. We’re talking creamy, tangy, just-the-right-amount-of-sweet, and made with heart.
At Hope, we believe food tells a story, and this one says celebration, connection, and tradition.
Whether you’re feeding your family, a church picnic crowd, or bringing a side to the cookout, this recipe is guaranteed to hit the spot.
Angelia’s Go-To Potato Salad
Serves: 10 | Prep time: 25 min | Chill time: 2+ hrs
Ingredients:
3 lbs yellow potatoes (like Yukon Gold), peeled and chopped
6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 cup Miracle Whip
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1/3 cup sweet relish
1½ tsp Nature’s Seasoning
½ tsp Accent (optional)
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika, plus more for garnish
Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 10–12 minutes. Drain and let cool completely.
Boil and chop the eggs while the potatoes cool.
In a large bowl, mix together the Miracle Whip, mustard, sweet relish, Nature’s Seasoning, Accent, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper until creamy and smooth.
Add the cooled potatoes, eggs, onion, and bell pepper to the bowl.
Gently fold to combine. Don’t overmix so the texture stays just right.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Want more zing? Add a touch more mustard. Craving more sweet and savory? A spoonful of extra relish or dash of onion powder will do the trick.
Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Overnight is even better!
Hope Tips for Feeding a Crowd
Hosting a reunion, holiday meal, or backyard celebration? I have two tried-and-true tricks to make this potato salad go the distance:
Tip 1: Grab a small tub of Amish-style sweet relish potato salad from Walmart and mix it in with your homemade version. It stretches the servings and keeps the flavor soulful and consistent.
Tip 2: If you’ve gone too heavy with the Miracle Whip and the salad’s too wet, don’t stress — stir in ½ to 1 cup of instant mashed potato flakes (plain or buttery). It thickens beautifully while keeping the creaminess intact.
From Our Table to Yours
There’s no one right way to make potato salad. Every family has its own flavor legacy. What makes this one special is the love and intention stirred into each bite. The kind that says, “You matter. Sit down. Eat. Let me love you a little with this plate.”
So whether you’re packing it for a park picnic or setting it next to ribs and cornbread at the family cookout, may this dish bless your table and fill your heart.
From the Hope kitchen to yours, happy summer and happy cooking.
