Best Vegan Potato Salad

Name: Best Vegan Potato Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 5 pounds yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped small (1/2-1 inch); 14- ounce block extra-firm tofu; 1 1/2 cups vegan mayo; 1 cup sweet pickle relish; 2 tablespoons yellow mustard; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 2 teaspoons celery seeds; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 3 celery ribs, diced; 3 green onions, chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill; salt + pepper, to taste

This is the best dang vegan potato salad, period. It’s ultra creamy with a flavorful mayo-mustard-sweet pickle dressing, “eggy” tofu and fresh dill! No one would ever guess it’s 100% vegan.

close up of vegan potato salad with forks and blue towel in background

This old fashioned potato salad is the perfect dish to bring to a potluck. It’s creamy with the right amount of crunch and so flavorful thanks to a mayo-mustard-relish dressing PLUS fresh dill.

Similar to my Vegan Egg Salad, we are adding sliced and chopped tofu to mimic hard boiled eggs. Mixed in with the incredibly tasty dressing, it’s difficult to detect there are no eggs in the salad!

Of course you can leave out the tofu if you’d like, it’s still the most delicious potato salad you’ll ever eat!

I’ll share a few tips and tricks that will bring your potato salad from good to great in no time.

bowl on black round rack of salad with chives

Ingredients you need

Potatoes – I prefer yukon gold potatoes but russet is fine.
Extra-firm tofu – Firm is fine if needed, but you’ll need to press the excess water out of it before using. Don’t use silken or soft tofu.
Vegan mayo – Homemade or store bought.
Sweet pickle relish – I prefer sweet but use dill relish if you like.
Yellow mustard
Apple cider vinegar
Celery seeds
Paprika
Celery
Green onions
Fresh dill – Could leave this out but it’s so good!

How to make vegan potato salad

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Once you have peeled and chopped your potatoes, vegetables and tofu, it’s easy to throw this salad together.

Boil the diced potatoes for 10-15 minutes, until fork tender. Drain, then add to a large bowl.

black pot full of yellow potatoes on wood background

Add the dressing ingredients to a bowl: vegan mayo, sweet pickle relish, mustard, apple cider vinegar, celery seeds and paprika.

glass bowl with several ingredients unstirred.

Whisk dressing ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

glass bowl with creamy yellow tinted dressing with a whisk in it on wood background

To the large bowl with the cooked potatoes (still warm), add the dressing, sliced and chopped tofu and vegetables.

silver bowl on wood background with creamy sauce, celery, herbs and chopped tofu

Mix everything together until the potatoes are coated. Add salt + pepper to taste, then cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.

Chilling the vegan potato salad overnight is even better, so the flavors have time to mingle and it gets really chilled!

Tips & substitutions

Peel and dice the potatoes small for the best texture and taste. 1/2-1 inch pieces are best. When you mix everything together, some of the potatoes get a little mashed, adding to the creaminess of the dish.
Vegan mayo – You can use a store bought vegan mayo you like or homemade cashew based Vegan Mayo. The homemade version is oil free. I also have a recipe for Tofu Mayonnaise that works.
May use dill relish instead of sweet, but I very much prefer sweet pickle relish here!
May add or substitute vegetables depending on what you like. Consider adding some diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion or sweet onion, or even green peas.

silver bowl with wooden spoon and potato creamy mixture being stirred

Frequently asked questions

Is potato salad vegan?

Potato salad is not usually vegan friendly. It often uses egg based mayo and has cooked eggs in it. It is, however, often dairy free. My version is 100% vegan without eggs.

What goes well with potato salad?

Vegan Potato Salad goes with almost any main dish or other sides. Try serving with Vegan Baked Beans, BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork, Veggie Burgers, Zucchini Fritters, Vegan Coleslaw, Vegan Cornbread, Marinated Tofu or nearly any other entree.

How long does vegan potato salad last?

It will keep for 1 week in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Can potato salad be frozen?

I would not freeze it. The texture and flavors will not be right after freezing.

bowl of potato salad with two forks in it, on black round cooling rack.

Want more cookout and potluck vegan dishes?

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