What are your family traditions for Memorial Day? Do you head out to a city parade to honor the men and women in the armed services – past and present?
Then again, does your Memorial Day revolve around a picnic and outdoor fun with family and friends? When it comes to your outdoor buffet, there’s one dish that’s an absolute must: potato salad.
For something traditional and classic, try out the recipe from the folks at Hellmann’s mayonnaise. Pump up the flavor with a grilled blue cheese-and-bacon variety. Then again, use a little inspiration from around the world and try out Italian or Asian potato salad.
Whatever recipe you choose, our suggestion is to make extras!
The Original Potato Salad
The makers of Hellmann’s mayonnaise know how to keep it classic. Hellmann’s original potato salad, includes all the ingredients that make this side dish great – hard-cooked eggs, onions, celery, potatoes (of course!) and a dash or two of vinegar. For the traditional family favorite, this is the recipe.
Big Daddy’s Grilled Blue Cheese-and-Bacon Potato Salad
Here’s a way to add in some smoky flavor to your next potato salad – grill it! This recipe for “Big Daddy’s” grilled blue cheese-and-bacon potato salad from My Recipes includes crumbles of both hearty ingredients mixed in with the potatoes. But instead of boiling the potatoes for the salad, this recipe calls for you to heat them in foil packets placed on the grill. Genius.
Italian Potato Salad
This recipe for Italian potato salad from Taste of Home includes all of the expected ingredients – with an Italian twist. Add in a dose of Italian salad dressing to amp up the flavor. A teaspoon of horseradish helps, too. Delizioso!
Lighter Potato Salad
Southern Living offers two recipes for “lightened” potato salad. You can take your pick: With lemony potato salad (pictured here),fresh lemon juice and olive oil stand-in for mayonnaise. Or you might want to try the herbed potato salad that gets its creamy texture from a blend of nonfat plain yogurt, light mayonnaise and olive oil.
Warm Asian Potato Salad with Sesame & Fresh Chile Dressing
No mayo in this recipe! For a creative, new take on the traditional version, try this warm Asian potato salad with sesame and fresh chile dressing from the Steamy Kitchen. The potato wedges are bathed in a dressing of ginger, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, roasted sesame seeds and minced fresh chile pepper. If you’re looking to find something unique for your picnic, this recipe will dazzle your guests!
Looking for even more Memorial Day recipe ideas? Check out our roundup of fruit salad recipe ideas.
This post was originally published in 2013 and is updated regularly.