Potato salads bring to mind picnics, potlucks, and barbecues. And while they’re perfect for those occasions, they can be enjoyed any time of year, with many types of meals. This roundup of vegan potato salad recipes — offbeat as well as classic — offers lots of plant-forward possibilities.
Which varieties are best for potato salads? Firm varieties like red-skinned and golden (aka Yukon gold) work best. Russet potatoes, which have a more mealy texture, aren’t ideal for potato salads, but you can use them if you take care not to overcook.
For a little variety and color, you’ll also find a few recipes that include sweet potatoes and purple potatoes.
In what way are potato salads not naturally vegan, you might ask? Often it’s just the mayo. Fortunately, really good vegan mayo is easy to get now, so that type of potato salad is easy to make vegan. Still, many of the following salads are mayo-free, offering other ways to make them savory or creamy.
What do vegan potato salads go with?
- Grilled vegetables and/or plant-based proteins
- Vegan burgers, sandwiches, and wraps
- Fresh corn recipes
- Main dish salads (that don’t themselves contain potatoes)
Even those who say they’re not into salads won’t turn away a tasty potato salad! Thanks to the talented bloggers who participated in this roundup for permission to use their photos and link to their recipes, in tandem with some from this site.
Classic German Potato Salad: This classic potato salad is dressed in vinaigrette and embellished with red onion, capers, and herbs. It’s a delicious departure from the creamy types of potato salad.
Potato and Fennel Salad with Artichoke Hearts: This recipe takes potato salad to another level with the addition of fennel and flavor-packed marinated artichoke hearts. A fantastic warm potato salad recipe, and it’s great at room temperature as well.
Cauliflower and Potato Salad with Peas and Olives: Here’s a simple cauliflower and potato salad (combining the two vegetables, not the trendy cauliflower “potato salad” containing no actual potatoes). Cauliflower adds great texture, and the potatoes give the salad heft.
Potato and Bean Salad with Artichoke Hearts: Satisfying enough to be a main dish, this potato and bean salad is welcome as a side dish in smaller portions or packed into a container as a portable lunch.
Easy Green Bean and Potato Salad: This recipe pares potato salad down (pardon the pun) to its basics — potatoes, peas, olives, mayo, and mustard. Perfect for a simple picnic meal, and great to pack for school and work lunches.
Golden and Sweet Potato Salad: This pretty potato salad will please eaters of all persuasions with its mild, pleasant flavors and enticing colors. It’s a fantastic selection for potlucks, and of course, picnics.
Sweet Potato Salsa Salad: Contributed by the BOSH! guys, Henry Firth and Ian Theasby, this sweet potato salsa salad featuring fresh cherry tomatoes and avocado is deliciously sweet, savory, and fresh tasting.
Golden, Sweet, and Purple Potato Salad with Arugula: This colorful salad combines three kinds of potatoes with the peppery greens for an earthy flavor with plenty of eye appeal.
Corn and Potatoes with Parsley Pesto: This medley of corn and potatoes with parsley pesto is best in late summer, when fresh corn is at its most flavorful. If you’d like a change of pace from pesto pasta, here’s a dish that says “summer harvest,” yet it can be enjoyed all year round.
Okinawan Purple Potato Salad: From Bittersweet, a salad with crisp, buttery macadamia nuts that add a crunchy contrast to the tender flesh of the potatoes. Paired with the creamy tang of tart coconut yogurt, this chilled salad is so much more exciting than your average cold spuds.
Roasted Potato Arugula Salad: From The Toasty Kitchen, a roasted potato arugula salad that makes a great lunch or side dish. Made with spiced roasted potatoes, arugula, tomato, onion, and a fresh dill vinaigrette dressing.
Lemon Piccata Potato Salad: From Spabettie, who brings a new flavor to classic potato salad with this bright and briny recipe! Zesty lemon and salty capers are the perfect pairing to a creamy potato salad.
Lemon and Mint Potato Salad (instant pot): From Tasty Oven, a delicious, minty and lemony vegan potato salad to make in your Instant Pot. It’s made with wholesome ingredients and packs big flavor.
Chimchurri Potato Salad: From Recipe Runner, a potato salad that’s packed with fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil. It’s perfect for those who don’t like mayo, vegans, and those who want something different.
Potato Salad with Fresh Herbs (no mayo): From Simple and Savory, an easy potato salad loaded with fresh herbs, perfect for any occasion! It’s creamy and delicious even though it’s made without mayo.
The Best Vegan Potato Salad (with Dill Pickle): From Cadry’s Kitchen, who asks, what makes this vegan potato salad the best? It’s all about balance and getting the details just right. This creamy potato salad is loaded with crunch from dill pickles.
Vegan Dill Potato Salad: From Thyme and love, a perfect potato salad for for summer BBQs and picnics. It makes a nice large quantity and is generously flavored with fresh dill.
Italian Potato Salad with Green Beans & Red Onions: From The Bella Vita, this Italian potato and green bean salad is an example of simple ingredients coming together to create a mouthwatering dish.
Potato Salad with Radishes and Herbs: From Daisies & Pie, a naturally vegan, fresh-flavored potato salad. Tender baby potatoes, crunchy radishes and a fruity olive oil dressing make it special.
Creamy Vegan Potato Salad (with mayo and corn): From Vegan Huggs, a potato salad for us vegan mayo fans. Tasty additions include corn kernels, red bell pepper, and plenty of scallion. It’s the perfect side dish for many kinds of meals.
French Potato Salad: From The Short Order Cook, made with tiny new potatoes, fresh herbs and a lovely Champagne vinaigrette are what make this French potato salad amazing.
No Mayo Potato Salad (made with cashew cream): From Clean Cuisine, this generous portion of potato salad gets its lusciousness from cashew cream.
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