Creamy Potato Cucumber Salad

Creamy Potato Cucumber Salad is my mom’s award-winning recipe!  This delicious potato cucumber salad has all the classic ingredients like hard-cooked eggs and a creamy mayonnaise dressing, but it’s kicked up with horseradish and the coolness of cucumber for an award-winning combination.  Perfect with Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs!

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

My mother always made the BEST potato salad, but this one really rocked, and with it, won the Wisconsin Potato Cooking Contest in 1990.  The judges loved the addition of cucumber and horseradish for a cool, kicked-up version of classic potato salad! She won and placed in many cooking contests, including an award for this Moroccan Beef Stew.

The combination of potatoes and cucumbers is an “old-world” touch, and potatoes and horseradish are a culinary match made in heaven!

This potato cucumber salad recipe is the perfect side dish for summer cookouts, potlucks, holidays, or when you’re craving something cool and creamy!

Let’s make it!

How to Make Creamy Potato Cucumber Salad:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this easy potato salad recipe, along with how to prep the ingredients. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

• Russet Potatoes: I like Russet potatoes in potato salads with mayonnaise or that have a creamy dressing because of their starchy, dry texture; the two play off each other for a creamier potato salad. However, you can use Yukon gold or red potatoes if you prefer a salad with contrasting textures because they maintain their texture.
• Cucumber: Use English, also called “hothouse” or “seedless” cucumbers. They’re less watery than Kirby cucumbers.
• Hard-Cooked Eggs: Check out all my tips on hard-cooking eggs so they’re easy to peel in this deviled eggs post. It includes a stovetop method along with cooking them in the Instant Pot.
• Mayonnaise: My mom was a Hellmann’s girl, but living in the South has made me a Duke’s girl. Use your favorite mayonnaise.
• Sour Cream: You can use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream if you prefer or don’t have sour cream.
• Dijon Mustard: My mother used horseradish mustard in her original recipe. We like the extra kick of using horseradish on its own and mustard on its own.
• Horseradish: Horseradish is produced from the root of the horseradish plant. It belongs to the mustard and wasabi family and is related to vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, so it’s very good for you. Look for prepared horseradish near the condiments or refrigerated foods area.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

• Gather and prep all the ingredients.
• Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, and mustard together in a small bowl.
• Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Refrigerate until needed.

• Peel the Russet potatoes and cut them into even chunks. (If using Yukon gold or red potatoes, peeling is optional.) See my Chef Tips and Tricks below for why my potatoes are cut the way they are.
• Place a large rimmed sheet pan into the freezer to chill.
• Cover with cold water and generously salt the water.
• Bring to a boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a knife.
• Drain and cool quickly on the cold sheet pan.

• Once cooled, transfer to a large bowl.
• Add the celery, scallions, cucumber, and eggs.

• Pour dressing over the potato cucumber salad and gently toss the dressing with the potatoes and vegetables.
• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Chill until ready to serve.

• Transfer to a bowl and serve!

• An award-winning Creamy Potato and Cucumber Salad that will be the hit of your get-together!

Chef Tips and Tricks:

• Whether you use waxy or starchy potatoes is a personal preference.  If you prefer a salad with contrasting textures, use waxy as they will maintain their texture the best.  If you prefer a salad with a softer, more creamy texture, Russets are what you want.
• Cut the potatoes into similar-sized chunks so the potatoes all cook at the same rate. According to the Idaho Potato Commission, a part of the cell structure in Russets that runs down the middle or length of each potato can take a little longer to be fully cooked. Just cutting the Russets into chunks could result in their being overcooked. Rather, cutting the potato into four even, long pieces and then halving them as shown above, allows this cell structure to be better exposed.
• Always start the potatoes in cold, generously salted water. Starting the potatoes in cold water ensures even cooking.
• Drain and cool quickly.  Don’t leave them in the pot because they will continue to cook.  When you place the potatoes on to boil, place a large sheet pan in the freezer.  Then, after draining well, spread the potatoes out on the chilled baking sheet to cool.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Storage:

• Keep refrigerated and cold when serving. Potato salad can last in the refrigerator for up to five days if stored safely.

Serve with:

• Nashville Hot Fried Chicken
• BBQ Chicken Sliders
• Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Peach Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
• Maryland Crab Cakes

More great potato salad recipes you’ll love!

• French Potato Salad
• Potato and Green Bean Salad
• Potato Salad with Horseradish Dressing

Get all my potato recipes at Potato Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen.

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