Name: Cajun Potato Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 24 ounces gold new potatoes (cubed); 6 pieces bacon (cooked and chopped); ¾ cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice; 2 tablespoons stone ground mustard; 2 tablespoons Old Bay (or cajun seasoning); 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 ½ tablespoon chopped fresh dill (plus more to garnish); 1 ½ tablespoon chopped fresh chives (plus more to garnish); 1 cup chopped red bell pepper; 1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper; ½ cup chopped green bell pepper; 1 jalapeño (deseeded, pulp removed, and died); ½ cup chopped dill pickles; ½ cup sliced celery; 5 hard-boiled eggs (roughly chopped); ¼ cup sliced scallions; salt and pepper to taste

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Summer is all about outdoor gatherings, good company, and delicious food. And what better way to impress your guests than with a mouthwatering cajun potato salad that will leave them asking for seconds? This recipe, which is loaded with fresh and flavorful ingredients, is the perfect way to spice up your summer barbecues, picnics, and potlucks.

cajun potato salad in a bowl on a gingham napkin.

Friends, you’re in for a treat today. I’m about to share (in my humble opinion) the BEST potato salad recipe.

I will be the first to admit that potato salad is not my favorite dish. Give me macaroni salad or pasta salad and I’m a happy guy. I just find that most potato salads are pretty bland, boring, and dry. For me to enjoy potato salad it needs to be pretty special.

cajun potato salad served on a plate with a bowl of it in the background.

I’m happy to report that this cajun potato salad does not fall into the categories of bland, boring, and dry and I would gladly eat it any day of the week! I made this cajun potato salad when my mom was visiting. We had a little dish of it with lunch and dinner (we both loved it that much). So good! I honestly couldn’t get enough. I’m fairly certain you’re going to love it too!

TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe

2 Ingredients

3 How To Make

4 Boil the Perfect Potato

5 Serving Suggestions

6 Recipe Variations

7 More Unique Salads You May Enjoy

8 Cajun Potato Salad

Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe

To put it simply, this cajun potato salad is just better than regular potato salad. The cajun twist takes it to a whole new level.
The combination of flavorful spices and creamy dressing creates a unique and bold taste. Plus, the addition of ingredients such as celery and bell pepper adds an extra crunch that regular potato salad just can’t provide.
It’s colorful! We first eat with our eyes. Classic potato salad is typically void of color. Not this one, it’s bursting with inviting colors of almost every shade.

Trust me, once you try this cajun potato salad, you’ll never want to go back to the basic version.

Want more salad ideas for your summer gatherings? You got it. I’m a big fan of unique pasta salad recipes and I have a huge collection for you to try. Looking for a more traditional green salad? I’ve got those too. You’ll love this collection of my best salad recipes.

up close shot of potato salad in a bowl.

Ingredients

To make this delicious cajun potato salad, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Please don’t feel overwhelmed by this list. It might seem a bit long, but every ingredient is worth adding.

gold new potatoes
bacon
mayonnaise
dill pickles and their juice
stone ground mustard
Old Bay (or cajun) seasoning
sugar
fresh herbs (dill and chives)
red, yellow, and green bell peppers
jalapeño
celery
hard-boiled eggs
scallions
salt and pepper

cajun potato salad ingredients arranged in groups on a plate.

How To Make

Okay, we’re ready to get cooking and stirring. Let’s make this cajun potato salad. I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Begin by cooking your potatoes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook for about 15 minutes or until tender when pierced with a knife. Drain and allow to cool.

In a large bowl, add the mayonnaise, pickle juice, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, sugar, dill, and chives. Stir to combine. (Add salt and pepper to taste.)
Add the bacon, chopped peppers, diced jalapeño, pickles, celery, eggs, scallions, and potatoes. Gently stir, being careful not to break up the eggs.

Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Before serving, sprinkle the top with chopped fresh dill and chives.

That’s it! You’re ready to enjoy! Isn’t this the most colorful and delicious looking potato salad you’ve ever seen!? (Trust me – it’s so flavorful too!)

big white bowl filled wit cajun potato salad.

Boil the Perfect Potato

Elevating your potato salad game all starts with the potatoes. Here are some tips for cooking the perfect potato for potato salad:

1. Choose the right potatoes: Not all potatoes are created equal! For potato salad, you want to use a waxy variety like Yukon Gold, new potatoes, or red potatoes. These potatoes hold their shape better and won’t turn mushy in your salad.

2. Cut your potatoes evenly: To ensure your potatoes cook evenly, cut them into bite-sized pieces that are roughly the same size.

3. Boil your potatoes in salted water: Add a generous amount of salt to the water before boiling your potatoes. This will help season the potatoes from the inside out.

4. Test for doneness: After about 12-15 minutes of boiling, test your potatoes by poking them with a fork. They should be tender but still hold their shape. Be careful not to overcook your potatoes, or they will turn mushy.

hand with fork taking a bite of cajun potato salad.

Serving Suggestions

Once you’ve made your cajun potato salad, it’s time to get creative with how you serve it.

For a classic presentation, serve the potato salad in a large bowl with a spoon. This option is perfect for casual gatherings, as guests can serve themselves and take as much or as little as they like.
For a more elegant touch, consider serving the potato salad in individual cups or glasses. Clear glass cups or mason jars work well for this option, as the colorful ingredients of the salad can be beautifully showcased. Add a sprig of fresh herbs on top for added freshness and color.
If you’re looking for a portable option for picnics or outdoor events, try serving the cajun potato salad in small containers that are easy to pack. I recommend a reusable plastic or glass container that can be kept on ice until eating time.

up close shot of potato salad in a white bowl.

Recipe Variations

Looking to take your cajun potato salad to the next level? Here are a few variations on the classic recipe that are sure to impress:

Cajun shrimp potato salad: Simply boil some shrimp and toss them into the potato salad for an added burst of flavor and texture.
Spicy cajun potato salad: If you really want to turn up the heat, add more diced jalapeños (leave in the seeds) or hot sauce to the potato salad for a kick of spice.
Veggie-loaded potato salad: While this potato salad has plenty of peppers, you can add even more veggies like carrots, radishes, and broccoli for a colorful and healthy version of the dish.

One final variation… if you’re not a fan of mayonnaise, you can use greek yogurt, sour cream, or even avocado to create a creamy dressing for your potato salad.

cajun potato salad on a small white plate.

More Unique Salads You May Enjoy

I hope you’ll try this cajun potato salad for your next get-together. I know you’re going to LOVE it. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.

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