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Instant Pot Potato Salad is the FASTEST (and tastiest) potato salad recipe you will ever make! Made with tender potatoes, perfectly cooked eggs, and a classic mayonnaise-based dressing, this recipe is easy enough for a weeknight AND scalable for potlucks and cookouts.
Potato Salad the EASY Way
The Instant Pot reigns supreme in speeding up the process of making so many things. My recipes for Instant Pot dried beans, Instant Pot yogurt, Instant Pot baked potatoes, and Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs come to mind immediately.
But potato salad? Was it possible to make my family's favorite classic potato salad recipe in the Instant Pot?
Absolutely, and the process is almost magical!
By cooking the potato and eggs together in the Instant Pot, this recipe drastically cuts cooking time and the number of pots and pans, without sacrificing ANY flavor!
Whether you want to enjoy potato salad alongside Instant Pot Brats or Grilled BBQ Chicken for a simple weeknight dinner or make a double batch to complete your summer cookout menu, this Instant Pot Potato Salad recipe will be your go-to potato salad.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Notes on Ingredients
The ingredients for this Instant Pot potato salad are simple. No mustard. No pickles. Just classic old-fashioned flavors. That said, feel free to add what you like to make potato salad just the way your family likes it!
- Russet Potatoes: For a creamy potato salad, starchy russet potatoes are best. Waxy potatoes, like red potatoes or gold potatoes, won't produce the creamy texture that is standard in classic potato salad and are better suited for Ranch Potato Salad or Italian Potato Salad.
- Eggs: Use standard large eggs and let them come to room temperature to reduce the chance of cracking when cooked. I also recommend rinsing them well to remove any dirt.
- Mayonnaise: For the best flavor, I recommend real mayonnaise, like Hellman's or Duke's, not Miracle Whip. Reduced-Fat Mayo is fine, but don't use fat-free, as the flavor will change drastically.
- Vinegar: Distilled white vinegar or white wine vinegar is best. The vinegar adds a bit of tang and enhances the dressing's flavor.
- Celery + Onions: For crunch and flavor.
How To Make Instant Pot Potato Salad
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Potatoes. Wash, peel, and cube the potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
- Layer Potatoes and Eggs in Instant Pot. Pour water into the inner pot and place a trivet or steamer basket designed for the Instant Pot inside the inner pot. Lay the cubed potatoes on the trivet (or in the basket) and nestle the eggs on top.
- Pressure Cook. To ensure the eggs and potatoes are perfectly cooked, use precise timing. Cook for 4 minutes on high pressure. Yes, I normally hard-boil eggs in the Instant Pot for 5 minutes, but because it takes slightly longer to come to pressure due to the added volume of potatoes, I find 4 minutes perfect.
- Release Pressure. Once the cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for exactly 5 minutes. Then do a quick release of pressure. Place the eggs in an ice bath and let the potatoes cool slightly.
- Make Potato Salad Dressing. While the potatoes and eggs cool, whisk together the dressing, celery, and onions in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix it all together. Peel and chop the eggs, and mix into the dressing. Then gently fold in the potatoes until everything is evenly combined.
- Chill before Serving. Cover the potato salad and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes--I find 2-3 hours best. This lets the flavors meld.
Instant Pot Potato Salad FAQs
I always suggest hard-boiling 4-6 eggs, even though this recipe only calls for 2 hard-boiled eggs. Even with room-temperature eggs, they sometimes crack. And it never hurts to have extra for breakfast, a snack, or to make egg salad. And of course, feel free to add more than 2 eggs to this potato salad.
Some people like to crack the eggs into a small pan, place the pan on the potatoes, and cook as directed. Then chop the cooked egg loaf and add it to the potato salad dressing. Personally, I find the eggs a bit rubbery when prepared this way.
Yes! You can easily double this recipe to fit in a 6 or 8-quart instant pot.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving Instant Pot Potato Salad alongside burgers, homemade baked beans, and sour cream cucumber salad for a perfect summer feast.
That said, this Instant Pot Potato Salad recipe is easy enough to enjoy any night of the week and is the perfect side dish for the following dishes.
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Instant Pot Potato Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch chunks (about 4 cups cubed)
- 2-4 large eggs
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
- ½ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup minced yellow onion
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and cube the potatoes into even 1-inch-sized cubes.
- Pour 1½ cups of cold tap water into the inner pot of the pressure cooker.
- Add a steamer basket or trivet over the water. Place the cubed potatoes in the steamer basket. Gently nestle the eggs on top of the potatoes.
- Close the pressure cooker and check ensure the vent knob is sealed. Cook on HIGH pressure for 4 minutes. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook function, then use the plus or minus buttons to adjust the timer to 4 minutes.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Then do a quick release of pressure.
- Remove the eggs and place them in ice water. Remove the potatoes and let them cool slightly while you prepare the potato salad dressing.
- To prepare the potato salad dressing, mix mayonnaise, vinegar, celery, onion, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
- Peel the hard-boiled eggs, then cube them into bite-size pieces. Add the eggs to the mayonnaise mixture and mix to combine.
- Add the potatoes and gently fold together until everything is well combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 60 minutes before serving, best after 2-3 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is genius!! I've always hated making potato salad but this method makes it easy, quick, and delicious. Thank you so much! The only way I'll make potato salad from now on.
(I tried adding a little bit of pickle juice and dill and it was good too)
Hi Elaine! I am so happy you found this process to be so easy -- I couldn't agree more! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review and let us know your additions.
Almost two years ago I became a widower who could not cook and Kristen came alongside me and provides recipes and inspiration every week. This morning at 6:05 am this recipe for Insta-Pot Potato Salad arrived. By 7:30 am I made my first ever potato salad. This recipe is the BEST potato salad I have ever tasted. Follow the recipe exactly and you will be amazed!
David, your email brought tears to my eyes. I am so honored to come alongside you in the kitchen and help you in a small way after your loss. And of course, I am thrilled you have this potato salad a try and love hearing how much you enjoy it. Sending hugs and encouragement to keep trying new things!
What if you don’t have the insert basket. Can you still make this?
Hi Denise! Just very carefully lay the diced potatoes on the trivet (metal rack) so they are above the water.
I have made this many times, The only way to make potato salad! Always had trouble before-- always came out "soupy". I do add a bit of celery seed like my mother did but that's it! Thank you so much! Mr. Edd
You are so very welcome, Mr. Edd! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It is appreciated.
The only way I make potato salad! Easy and foolproof.
This is the best, most fool-proof recipe anyone will ever need for potato salad. It's easy, delicious and perfect. I eliminated the vinegar because I was sure I wouldn't like it. Out of curiosity I finally added it and it's perfect! It just adds that extra something but you cannot taste it as vinegar. I make this recipe once a week!
Hi Roz! I LOVE hearing you enjoy this potato salad so much! And thrilled you finally gave the vinegar a try 😉
The potatoes and eggs come out beautifully, and the flavor is delicious! Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.