The Secret to a Perfect Potato Salad is Already in Your Fridge

Potato salad is a staple at nearly every potluck or barbecue because it’s a crowd favorite that’s easy to make. From our classic Old-Fashioned Potato Salad to the indulgent Million Dollar Potato Salad, we have a variety of recipes sure to have everyone gathered around at your next event. 

If you’re looking to give your potato salad a bold twist, there’s one secret ingredient that can make all the difference. Elevate your dish with an unexpected kitchen hero: pickle juice. This simple addition could turn even the biggest potato salad skeptic into a fan. 

Why You Should Add Pickle Juice to Your Potato Salad

Pickle juice, along with other brines, is a game-changer in sauces, dips, and salads. The salt and fermentation add a punch of flavor to otherwise bland ingredients (sorry, potatoes!). Pickle juice also works wonders as a marinade for meats—Chick-fil-A uses a similar technique for their famous fried chicken. 

Pickle juice doesn’t just boost the flavor of your potato salad—it also helps preserve the potatoes’ texture after cooking, thanks to a surprisingly effective method. 

How to Add Pickle Juice to Your Potato Salad

Ready to try pickle juice in your potato salad? We suggest starting with our Million Dollar Potato Salad recipe, which features both a secret ingredient and a secret technique—this two-pronged approach makes for a truly irresistible dish. When prepping your ingredients, set aside half a cup of pickle brine. You’ll use the first quarter-cup during step 6, adding it to a large pot of water and salt. Not only will this infuse the potatoes with a delicious pickle flavor, but boiling them in pickle brine also helps the potatoes hold their shape after cooking. This is because pickle juice raises the acidity of the water. If you don’t have enough brine, you can substitute with two tablespoons of a neutral vinegar, such as white wine, distilled, or apple cider vinegar. 

While the potatoes are simmering, begin preparing the dressing. For a rich and creamy base, combine mayonnaise and sour cream. Add 1 cup of Parmesan, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and the remaining 1/4 cup of pickle juice to create a flavor-packed dressing that can’t be beat. 

Here’s an extra tip to elevate your potato salad: After draining the potatoes, coat them with the dressing while they’re still warm. This allows the potatoes to soak up more of the flavors, creating a smooth, thick coating that sticks perfectly. 

Additional Toppings for Potato Salad 

• Bacon. Nobody says you have to put bacon in your potato salad, but as long as everyone in your party enjoys pork, they’re definitely not gonna complain. Fry the bacon for 5-7 minutes on each side, then move it to a cutting board and let it cool down. Once it’s at a safe temperature, chop the bacon into small pieces, and serve as a garnish. 
• Chives. Potatoes and chives are already a champion pair, so adding ⅓ cup finely sliced chives as a garnish is a can’t-lose decision. 
• Crispy fried onions. Sure, celery and pickles give potato salad a nice degree of crunch, but you know what would make it even better? Miniature crispy bites. This ingredient works best as a garnish, so add to the top just before serving.