If you love classic potato salad with a delightful twist, this Smashed Potato Salad Recipe is a game changer that you’ll want to make again and again. Combining tender yet crispy smashed baby gold potatoes tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing loaded with fresh herbs, crunchy pickles, and crisp radishes, this salad bursts with flavor and texture in every bite. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser for picnics, dinners, or any occasion that calls for a dish that’s both comforting and exciting. Once you try this recipe, you’ll understand why it earns a special spot in my recipe box and heart.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a metal baking tray filled with several golden brown smashed potatoes. Each potato is flattened unevenly, exposing soft, textured potato flesh with a light crust on the outside. The potatoes are scattered loosely with visible bits of seasoning and oil on the tray. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Smashed Potato Salad Recipe is how simple, wholesome ingredients come together to create a flavor-packed masterpiece. Each component has a unique role: the potatoes bring buttery softness, fresh herbs add brightness, and the tangy dressing ties everything together in harmony.

2 pounds baby gold potatoes: Their naturally creamy texture and small size make them perfect for smashing and roasting.
4½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil: Used for both roasting the potatoes to perfection and enriching the dressing with fruity smoothness.
1 teaspoon kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the full flavor of every ingredient.
⅔ cup mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and helps bind all the flavors into a luscious dressing.
1 tablespoon stone ground mustard: Brings a gentle heat and texture to brighten the dressing.
1½ tablespoons pickle juice: Adds a fabulous vinegary tang that gives this salad its irresistible zest.
Freshly cracked black pepper: A little kick of spice to balance the creaminess.
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives: Provides an oniony freshness and vibrant green flecks.
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley: Adds a herbaceous note and lovely color contrast.
1 cup diced Persian cucumbers: Their crispness and subtle sweetness elevate the texture dramatically.
¾ cup diced pickles: Brings bursts of tangy crunch, complementing the creamy potatoes perfectly.
4 hard-boiled eggs, roughly chopped: Offering rich, creamy bites that pair beautifully with the zesty dressing.
4 radishes, thinly sliced: These add a peppery crunch and a pop of color that make the salad irresistibly fresh.

How to Make Smashed Potato Salad Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to a high heat of 450°F and greasing a rimmed sheet pan with olive oil. This ensures the potatoes roast evenly and develop that perfect crispy texture we’re aiming for.

Step 2: Boil the Potatoes

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add your baby gold potatoes. Cook them until they are very tender—about 20 minutes should do it. This tenderness is key for easy smashing without the potatoes falling apart.

Step 3: Smash the Potatoes

Drain the potatoes and let them cool briefly. Spread them out on your greased sheet pan, then lightly smash each one using the bottom of a drinking glass until about a quarter-inch thick. Drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt to prepare them for roasting.

Step 4: Roast to Crispy Perfection

Pop the smashed potatoes into the oven and roast for roughly 25 minutes, until their edges turn golden and crispy. This roasting step adds delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy dressing later on.

Step 5: Chop and Combine

Once roasted, allow the potatoes to cool slightly before roughly chopping them into bite-sized pieces. Transfer them to a large bowl as the base for your salad’s fresh and creamy ingredients.

Step 6: Whip Up the Dressing

While the potatoes roast, mix together the mayonnaise, remaining olive oil, stone ground mustard, pickle juice, salt, and pepper. This dressing is tangy yet creamy, perfectly balancing the mild potatoes and crisp vegetables.

Step 7: Stir in Fresh Ingredients

Add the chopped chives, parsley, diced cucumbers, pickles, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and thinly sliced radishes into the potato bowl. Pour the dressing over everything and gently toss until every piece is coated with that luscious creamy goodness.

Step 8: Chill Before Serving

Pop the finished salad into the refrigerator to chill until you’re ready to serve. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making your Smashed Potato Salad Recipe even better the next day.

How to Serve Smashed Potato Salad Recipe

The dish is a potato salad served in a white bowl, showing at least four main layers. The bottom layer consists of crushed and lightly browned potato pieces with a rough texture. On top of the potatoes, there are thin, round slices of pale radishes with pink edges and some sliced cucumbers with fresh green skin and white centers. The entire salad is drizzled with a creamy white dressing, speckled with small green herbs and black pepper. The salad is topped with small green chive pieces and dots of black pepper scattered evenly. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To make your Smashed Potato Salad Recipe pop visually and add an extra fresh note, adorn it with extra chopped chives, a sprinkle of black pepper, or thin radish slices. These small touches brighten the appearance and amplify flavor with every bite.

Side Dishes

This salad is fantastic served alongside grilled chicken, seared steak, or fresh seafood for a satisfying meal. It also pairs beautifully with classic barbecue fare or rustic breads to create a crowd-pleasing spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the salad in individual mason jars topped with a sprig of parsley for a charming picnic vibe. Alternatively, plate it on a wooden board garnished with herbs and radishes for a rustic, family-style presentation that invites everyone to dig in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Smashed Potato Salad Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keeping it chilled helps maintain the texture of the vegetables and the crispiness of the potatoes.

Freezing

Because of the fresh vegetables and creamy dressing, freezing this salad is not recommended. The texture of the potatoes and crunchy elements will be compromised, and the dressing may separate upon thawing.

Reheating

This salad is generally best served chilled or at room temperature. If you prefer, you can let it sit out for 20 minutes before serving to take the chill off, but avoid heating since it can alter the flavors and textures.

FAQs

Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?

Absolutely! While baby gold potatoes work beautifully for their creamy texture and size, you can experiment with Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Just ensure they are tender enough to smash without falling apart.

How do I make the salad ahead without it getting soggy?

Prepare the smashed potatoes and dressing separately. Toss them together just before serving, or mix everything but add crunchy toppings like radishes last minute to keep that fresh bite.

Is there a vegan version of this Smashed Potato Salad Recipe?

Definitely! Swap mayonnaise with a dairy-free alternative and omit the eggs. You can add extra herbs or a touch of mustard for complexity to keep the flavor vibrant.

Can I add other vegetables or herbs to the salad?

Yes! Feel free to customize by adding diced bell peppers, green onions, or dill. Fresh herbs like tarragon or cilantro can also bring a new twist and enhance the salad’s freshness.

What’s the best way to boil potatoes to ensure tenderness?

Start potatoes in cold salted water and bring to a boil rather than adding them to boiling water. This even cooking method ensures potatoes cook through gently and become tender all the way inside.

Final Thoughts

This Smashed Potato Salad Recipe isn’t just your everyday side dish—it’s a celebration of textures and flavors that’s surprisingly easy to make yet impressively delicious. Whether you’re feeding family, friends, or just treating yourself, this dish promises to become a go-to favorite that brightens up any meal. Give it a try, and I’m sure it will soon hold a special place at your table, just like it does in mine.