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This is the best potato salad…so much healthier, mayo free, and extra creamy. The creamy base includes plenty of garden fresh herbs, a little garlic, and lots of flaky sea salt. The taste is very similar to a traditional potato salad, but because there’s no mayo, letting it sit out at summer picnics and BBQs becomes worry free. Most importantly…it’s all around delicious!

overhead photo The Best Herby Potato Salad with bowl of herbsNot sure about you guys, but I did not grow up eating potato salad. Potato salad was always one of those dishes that my mom told me to steer clear of at all family parties, so I did. Mom didn’t like potato salad for two reasons. Reason one, and probably most importantly, it was always served to her cold, and she is very much a hot food kind of person. Reason two, back in the day potato salad was basically just potatoes and mayo, and my mom does not like mayo.

As you can see, potato salad was not her thing, and since I mimicked her every move as a kid, it wasn’t my thing either.

As I got older however, I realized my mom was kind of a bland eater and I started to venture out, but even once that happened, I still never went for potato salad, as mayo has always been a food that freaks me out a bit.

So, why on Earth am I sharing a potato salad today?

Well, it’s simple, I love potatoes and I love salad. So why couldn’t I create a mayo free potato salad that’s just as delicious as the classic, if not better?

Answer? I could. DUH.

And that’s where this recipe comes into play. This is a mayo free potato salad, and I LOVE it.

overhead prep photo of potatoes before salad dressing

Here are the details.

I wanted to create a potato salad that was similar to the classic, but kicked up the flavor a bit, and of course, took out the mayo. To create a creamy base for my salad, I used cashews soaked in hot water and then blended into a creamy sauce with a little olive oil.

Now, I know this may sound weird, so just hear me out. Cashews are a super buttery and delicious nut. When you soak them in hot water for a quick minute, they plump up and become very soft and easily blend-able. Once the cashews are blended, they create a sauce that’s similar to that of a creamy mayo, but minus the weird mayo taste and texture that kind of freaks me out.

If you like mayo, I get it, most people do. But it’s just not my favorite ingredient, and I promise, this “cashew mayo” is so good and so much more flavorful (and healthy) than a bland mayo could ever be. Just saying.

Sidenote: If you like the idea of a healthier mayo, check out this delicious chipotle tahini mayo I created for this vegan BLT.

close up overhead photo of The Best Herby Potato Salad

So the “cashew mayo” is the base, now it’s time to add the flavor. I like to toss in a little garlic, lots of fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon. Keeping it simple, but flavorful.

The key with the garlic is to boil it along with the potatoes and then blend the garlic cloves in together with the cashews. Cooking the garlic first mellows its intense flavor so that it doesn’t overpower the rest of the ingredients.

Once the potatoes are done cooking, you’ll toss everything together. As you toss the warm potatoes with the “cashew mayo” and fresh herbs you will immediately begin to smell the delicious flavors of the salad.

You can either serve this warm (which is my personal favorite), or transfer the salad to the fridge, and serve later, either cold or at room temperature.

side angle overhead of The Best Herby Potato Salad

What’s especially great about this recipe, aside from its creamy deliciousness, is that it’s perfect for packing up to take camping, on picnics, or to serve at your next spring/summer party. Because it is mayo free, you don’t have to worry about the salad going bad or tasting funky after sitting out a couple of hours at room temperature.

With Memorial Day just a week from today, I figured it was time to finally share this recipe with you guys. Speaking of Memorial Day, is anyone planning their menus yet? Should I post some Memorial Day menu ideas for you guys? Let me know!

Even if you’re skeptical, put this potato salad on your menu. Once you try it it’s going to be your new favorite!

side angle close up photo of The Best Herby Potato Salad

Watch the How To Video Below:

If you make this potato salad, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. Oh, and of course, if you do make this salad, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

The Best Herby Potato Salad

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 315 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Place the potatoes, garlic and a tablespoon of salt in a large pot and fill with water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the to heat to medium, simmer 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are just fork tender. Drain. Place the potatoes back in the hot pot. Remove the garlic cloves. Cover the pot and let the potatoes steam for another 20 minutes. 
    2. Meanwhile, combine the cooked garlic, drained cashews, mustard, and olive oil in a food processor. Pulse until smooth and creamy, adding water if needed to thin slightly. 
    3. Cut the potatoes in half and add to a large serving bowl. Add the cashew sauce, basil, dill, chives, lemon juice, and a pinch each of salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Toss well to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to your liking. Serve warm or cover and place in the fridge. Can be served at room temp or cold.
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overhead horizontal photo of The Best Herby Potato Salad

Also? It’s odd, but I think potatoes are kind of pretty.

This post was originally published on May 21, 2018
4.41 from 342 votes (302 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I just made this and it’s amazing. I think this is one of the best potato salads I ever had and it’s vegan. Thanks for this : )

  2. I find it so weird that people freak over mayo …out for an hour or two. It’s oil and eggs. Sandwich places have it out open in a case all day as they stick a spatula in there over and over all day long, or squirt it out if a bottle into your bread. I don’t understand why anyone thinks it’s going to magically turn rogue at a picnic. If mayo at a picnic killed people we would have gone extinct years ago. If you don’t like mayo I get it, but potato salad is not gonna kill you if it has mayo at a picnic.

  3. I love the mayo potato salad but this is one recipe I would also like to try.
    Saw Red’s Mountain Dew commercial and loved the expressions on his face.

  4. OMG – looks delicious. I am thinking about making this ahead to take camping with us. Do you think would save well for a day or two in a cooler? I don’t think any of the ingredients would expire since it is cashew sauce – but would love your thoughts!

    1. HI! This should keep great in a cooler for a couple of days. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂

  5. Sounds like a good recipe! Can you post serving size and nutritional info (calories, carbs and sugar)?

  6. Mmm…I may just have to try this. I also have never been interested in eating potato salad as mayo doesn’t interest me. Thanks for creating a new version for those of us who are like you. 🙂

  7. After making so many of your amazing creations I can’t wait to make this one! I was wondering if there was a substitute for the cashew? I have a nut allergy! ? Thanks so much!

    1. HI! If you can use tahini that would work amazing. I would use 1/3 cup tahini. if not, just omit the nuts all together and use 1/4 cup addition olive oil. Should still be great! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! ?

  8. I have tree nut allergy so can not do cashews, any suggestions to modify? This recipe looks so good! Thanks!

    1. HI! If you can use tahini that would work amazing. I would use 1/3 cup tahini. if not, just omit the nuts all together and use 1/4 cup addition olive oil. Should still be great! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! ?

  9. I am just like your mom, I like my food piping hot! I do love salads, too, and your potato salad looks amazing!

  10. I’ve used blended cashews as the base for pasta sauces but using it for potato salad dressing is a brilliant idea!