The Ultimate Garlicky Herb Red Potato Salad: Fresh, Flavorful & Mayo-Free
Prepare to revolutionize your side dish game with this incredibly easy and flavor-packed Garlicky Herb Red Potato Salad! Forget heavy, mayo-laden versions; this recipe celebrates the vibrant taste of fresh herbs, the richness of olive oil, a delightful tang from vinegar, and a bold kick of garlic. Each bite of this Red Potato Salad Recipe is a burst of fresh flavor that will undoubtedly become a staple on your dinner table and at every gathering. It’s not just a side; it’s a star!
The Best Potato Salad Recipe: A Fresh, Mayo-Free Approach
Potato salad holds a special place in the pantheon of beloved side dishes. It’s a classic accompaniment to barbecues, picnics, holiday meals, and simple weeknight dinners. While many adore the rich, creamy texture of traditional mayo-based potato salads (like this potato salad with bacon and dill pickles), there’s a growing appreciation for lighter, fresher alternatives. This Garlicky Herb Red Potato Salad stands out by offering all the irresistible comfort of a classic without any mayo or sour cream! It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking to cut down on richness, cater to dietary preferences, or simply prefer a more vibrant, herb-forward flavor profile. Along with other carb-tastic favorites like easy creamy mashed potatoes, crispy garlic roasted potatoes, and the most incredible garlic butter parmesan smashed potatoes, this herb potato salad proves that potatoes are truly a versatile hero in the kitchen!
Why Red Potatoes are Perfect for Potato Salad
Choosing the right potato is key to a stellar potato salad. Red potatoes are an excellent choice for this recipe, and here’s why:
- Firm Texture: Red potatoes are considered waxy potatoes, meaning they have a lower starch content and hold their shape beautifully when cooked. This prevents them from becoming mushy and ensures each piece remains distinct in your salad, offering a delightful bite.
- Thin Skin: Their thin, tender skin doesn’t need to be peeled, saving you prep time and adding a rustic charm, appealing color, and extra nutrients. The skin also contributes a slight chewiness that complements the soft interior.
- Mild Flavor: Red potatoes have a naturally mild, slightly sweet flavor that acts as a perfect canvas for the vibrant garlicky herb dressing, allowing the fresh herbs to truly shine without overpowering them.
These characteristics make red potatoes ideal for a salad that’s meant to be both robust and refreshing.
Tips To Make The Best Garlicky Herb Red Potato Salad
Crafting the perfect potato salad, even a simple one, involves a few key steps to ensure optimal texture and flavor. Here’s how to master the process:
Cooking the Potatoes to Perfection
As with all great potato salad recipes, the foundation begins with perfectly cooked potatoes. Start by boiling your red potatoes in generously salted water over high heat. Salting the water isn’t just for taste; it helps season the potatoes from the inside out. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to medium and allow them to simmer gently until they are fork-tender. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes, depending on the size of your quartered potatoes. You want them tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, but not so soft that they fall apart.
Cooling for Optimal Texture
Once cooked, drain the potatoes thoroughly in a colander. This next step is crucial for preventing mushy potatoes: rinse them under cold running water for about 30 seconds to one minute. This immediately halts the cooking process, ensuring they don’t overcook from residual heat, and also removes some of the surface starch, helping the dressing adhere better.
After rinsing, spread the potatoes out in a single layer on a baking sheet or a clean tray. This allows them to cool completely and any excess moisture to evaporate. Cooling them down quickly and completely is important to prevent them from becoming mealy or “mushing” through the dressing when tossed. You can even refrigerate them for a short period to speed up the cooling process if you’re in a rush. Allowing them to cool to at least room temperature is essential before adding the dressing.
While your perfectly cooked potatoes are cooling, this is the ideal time to prepare your incredible garlicky herb salad dressing! This efficient timing ensures your entire dish comes together smoothly and deliciously.
The Incredible Garlicky Herb Dressing: The Heart of This Salad
What truly elevates this red potato salad, making it a truly special and memorable dish, is its extraordinary dressing. Unlike traditional potato salads that rely heavily on mayonnaise for creaminess, this dressing focuses on fresh, vibrant flavors that brighten every single potato piece. It’s a dressing that proves a potato salad can be incredibly delicious and satisfying without being heavy.
Beyond the foundational elements of high-quality olive oil, a robust kick of fresh garlic, and perfectly balanced salt and pepper, it’s the thoughtfully chosen combination of fresh herbs that makes this dressing exceptional. These herbs create a depth of flavor that rivals, and many would argue surpasses, any mayo-filled counterpart.
Our Go-To Fresh Herb Combination:
- Thyme: Adds a subtle, earthy, and slightly floral note that beautifully complements the potatoes.
- Rosemary: Contributes a fragrant, piney aroma and a distinctive savory flavor that pairs wonderfully with both potatoes and garlic.
- Parsley: Provides a fresh, clean, and slightly peppery taste, adding brightness and a vibrant green color.
The Role of Other Key Dressing Ingredients:
- Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil forms the rich, smooth base of the dressing, carrying the flavors of the herbs and garlic beautifully.
- White Vinegar: Just a tablespoon provides that essential acidic tang, cutting through the richness of the potatoes and awakening your palate. You could also experiment with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar for slightly different flavor nuances.
- Fresh Garlic: Minced garlic delivers a pungent, aromatic punch that is central to the “garlicky” aspect of this salad, infusing it with irresistible depth.
- Salt and Pepper: These fundamental seasonings enhance all the other flavors, making them pop. Always taste and adjust to your preference.
Don’t hesitate to personalize your dressing! Feel free to substitute any of these recommended herbs for others you might have on hand or simply prefer. Excellent alternatives include:
- Dill: For a fresh, slightly tangy, and herbaceous flavor.
- Tarragon: Adds a distinctive anise-like sweetness.
- Oregano: Brings a robust, slightly peppery, and earthy Mediterranean touch.
- Basil: Offers a sweet, peppery, and aromatic quality, especially lovely in summer.
The beauty of this herb potato salad lies in its adaptability. Experiment with different herb combinations to find your perfect blend!
Assembling and Serving Your Garlicky Herb Potato Salad
Once your potatoes are perfectly cooled and your dressing is mixed, it’s time to bring it all together. Gently transfer the cooled potatoes to a large serving bowl. Pour the aromatic herb dressing generously over the potatoes. Use a rubber spatula or large spoon to gently toss the potatoes, ensuring every single piece is evenly coated with the vibrant dressing. The key here is “gently” to avoid mashing the tender potatoes.
After tossing, it’s crucial to taste test. Adjust the salt, pepper, or add more fresh herbs if you desire to suit your personal palate. This salad is often best served after chilling for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen. It can also be made a day ahead for maximum flavor development, making it a fantastic make-ahead option for busy hosts.
This Garlicky Herb Red Potato Salad is incredibly versatile and pairs well with almost anything. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, barbecued ribs, roasted fish, or as a fresh addition to any potluck or picnic spread. Its bright, clean flavors make it a refreshing counterpoint to richer main courses.
Looking for More Amazing Side Dishes? Try These!
If you enjoyed this fresh and flavorful potato salad, you’ll love exploring other incredible side dish recipes that perfectly complement any meal:
- Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts & Bacon
- Lemon Herb Mediterranean Pasta Salad
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Garlicky Herb Red Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 3 pounds baby red potatoes scrubbed, washed and quartered
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/3 cup fresh flat leaf parsley finely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves finely chopped
Instructions
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Bring potatoes to a boil in salted water over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and allow to simmer until fork tender (about 10-12 minutes).
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Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Spread out onto a baking sheet to completely cool potatoes (about 10 minutes).
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While potatoes are cooling, mix together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, thyme and rosemary.
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When potatoes have cooled to the touch, transfer to a serving bowl. Pour dressing over top and gently toss through to evenly coat. Taste test and adjust salt, pepper or herbs if desired, to suit your taste.
Serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.