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This single serving potato salad is creamy, flavorful, and easy to make. With just one potato and a few simple ingredients, it comes together quickly for a perfect side dish.

A bowl of potato salad next to a fork, a russet potato, and two onions all on a metal tray.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect Size: Made for one, with no waste or leftovers.
  • Quick and Easy: Comes together easily with a handful of ingredients.
  • Creamy and Flavorful: A rich, smooth dressing paired with crisp bits of onion and celery.
  • Doubles Well: Easily make enough for two.

This potato salad is one I come back to again and again. It’s simple, comforting, and hits all the right notes – creamy, flavorful, and made with just one potato.

If you enjoy this one, you might also like these single serving salads: creamy macaroni salad for one, fresh broccoli salad for one, bold Mexican street corn salad for one, or chicken salad for one for a protein-packed option.

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Ingredients And Substitutions

If you have any leftover ingredients from this small batch potato salad recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

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How To Make Potato Salad

Bake a scrubbed, fork-pierced russet potato at 400°F (200°C) for about 50 minutes, or until tender. Let it cool, then cut into bite-sized cubes.

In a small bowl, mix the remaining ingredients. Add the potatoes and gently toss to coat. I like to chill the salad for at least an hour before serving—it lets the flavors come together and tastes even better.

A fork filled with potato salad from a small bowl next to a russet potato, and two onions all on a metal tray.

Expert Tips

  • Leftover Potatoes: Have a single baked potato on hand? Just chop it up and add it, no need to cook.
  • Add-Ins: For extra flavor and texture, mix in pimentos, pickle relish, fresh herbs, hard-boiled eggs, or crumbled bacon.
  • Chill Time: Let the salad chill for at least an hour before serving to help the flavors come together.
  • Peeling: I leave the skins on for texture and flavor, but feel free to peel them if you’d rather.

What To Serve With Potato Salad

This potato salad pairs well with:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make potato salad ahead of time?

Yes, it actually tastes better after chilling for a few hours. You can make it up to a day in advance.

How long does this potato salad last in the fridge?

It’s best eaten within 2 days for the freshest taste and texture.

Can I double this potato salad recipe?

Absolutely! Just double the ingredients for a potato salad that serves two.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

If you’ve tried this single serve potato salad recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!


Cooking For One Made Easy
Because you’re worth it

Potato Salad For One

5 from 18 votes
By: Joanie Zisk
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 1 serving
This creamy, flavorful potato salad is made with one potato and a handful of simple ingredients. It’s the perfect small batch side dish.
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Equipment

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 (6 to 8 ounce) russet potato
  • ¼ cup chopped onions
  • ¼ cup chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill
  • teaspoon smoked paprika
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Scrub the potato, pat it dry, and prick it several times with a fork.
  • Place on a baking sheet and bake for 50–60 minutes, until the skin is dry and the inside is soft. Let cool, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
  • In a small bowl, mix the remaining ingredients. Add the potato and toss to coat. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

  • Leftover Potatoes: Have a baked potato on hand? Just chop it up and add it—no need to cook.
  • Add-Ins: For extra flavor and texture, mix in pimentos, pickle relish, fresh herbs, hard-boiled eggs, or crumbled bacon.
  • Chill Time: Let the salad chill for at least an hour before serving to help the flavors come together.
  • Peeling: I leave the skins on for texture and flavor, but feel free to peel them if you’d rather.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 387kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 381mg, Potassium: 1012mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 113IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 2mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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I'm Joanie, a chef with over 35 years of cooking experience, author of The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook, and creator of One Dish Kitchen. For the past 15 years, I've developed and tested 700+ single serving and small batch recipes. Every one is made from scratch and built for one from the start, so nothing goes to waste. I'm so glad you're here.

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4.95 from 18 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




38 Comments

  1. Bev says:

    Loved the the recipe, but too much mustard. It took away from the taste of the salad for me. Next time I would add 1 tsp instead of a tablespoon and go from there. Loved the creaminess of the salad.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      So glad you enjoyed it! Mustard is definitely one of those ingredients that comes down to personal taste, so adjusting it to your preference is a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

  2. De says:

    Is it possible to microwave the potatoe for the potatoe salad.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      Yes, you can microwave the potato instead of baking it. Just cook it until it’s tender when pierced with a fork, then let it cool slightly before using it in the salad.

  3. KarenC says:

    This recipe is a keeper, I have yet to be disappointed. I like adding hard-boiled eggs to my potato salad and using my air fryer, 250° for 17 minutes makes the perfect hard boiled eggs every time. Thanks Joanie!

    1. Shauna L Bowling says:

      I always add hard boiled eggs to my potato salad. I’m pleased to learn I’m not the only one who doesn’t think potato salad is complete without hard boiled eggs!

      1. Roberta says:

        agreed!

    2. Gail says:

      Definitely have to have boiled eggs in my potato salad! Other than the dill and ACV, everything else is right on target.

      1. Joanie Zisk says:

        Eggs are a great addition, and they’re right there in the Add-Ins section as an option. Sounds like you’ve got this one dialed in to just how you like it.

  4. Jenny Fletcher says:

    I made this for dinner today and I have to say that it was not as beautiful as yours to look at
    You always present your dishes so beautifully however I will say that it tastes delicious!
    I like my potato salad warm so did not chill and added boiled egg and bacon bits
    Love it this will go on repeat for me
    Thank you for the recipe

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      Thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the potato salad and that it will be a repeat recipe for you. I really appreciate your thoughtful words and love that you made it your own.

  5. Nancy says:

    Also, I microwaved the potato, then wrapped it in foil to finish cooking, let cool and then continued with the recipe. Took 50 minutes off the prep time.

  6. Nancy says:

    Made today, flavorful and delicious! Added radishes and bread and butter pickles, and parsley instead of dill..

    Had air fryer salmon fillet and mandarin oranges to go with it. Tasty!

  7. Stephanie Tingley says:

    Why not boiled potatoes? Just curious.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      I bake the one russet potato in this recipe because it gives the potato a slightly firmer texture and richer flavor, which I really enjoy in potato salad. That said, you can absolutely use boiled potatoes if you prefer—both methods work.

  8. KarenC says:

    Potato salad is cultural, traditional, geographical and oh-so familiar. I love how versatile this recipe is.
    Thank you Joanie for providing a basic potato salad recipe for one that can be created with ingredients I have on hand! I didn’t have celery so I swapped out baby spinach and arugula, added a hard boiled egg and black olives. I’m so looking forward to this treat because I haven’t made potato salad and probably 40 years!

  9. Christine Stewart says:

    Where’s the sugar? Anytime you add vinegar to a recipe you need sugar. I put sugar in my salad even though I don’t add vinegar because I use Miracle Whip instead of mayo.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      We don’t feel the salad needs sugar but you can certainly add it if you like.

  10. Kare says:

    I made this with a baked 8 oz. Yukon gold potato and Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise (didn’t have any and didn’t want to go to the store or make some). It was yummy and made plenty as written for the two of us

    1. KarenC says:

      Thanks for the suggestion! I never thought of using yogurt in place of mayo, will do next time.

  11. Barbara Zalesky says:

    I have several cooking for one books but your recipes are by far the best. Most are not too complicated but yet are so delicious. Wish you would publish another cookbook. Big fan of you.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled that you enjoy the recipes and find them simple yet delicious. Your encouragement about another cookbook is truly motivating and gives me plenty to consider for the future.

      Thank you for being such a fantastic supporter!

  12. Wendy - wumph says:

    I have been making various ones of your recipes for a few years using microwave and slow cooker thank you. I have now bought a small air fryer and wondered if you have any ideas on how to adapt your recipes to this new method of cooking.
    Thank you from UK.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      I’m so happy to know you are enjoying our recipes. Our recipes are not tested with an air fryer but an air fryer is just a small convection oven so anything that can be made in a regular oven can be made in an air fryer. You’ll just need to reduce the cooking time as convection ovens cook faster due to how they circulate heat using a fan.

  13. J. Hegyi says:

    Terrific recipe.

  14. Rose M Weber says:

    Easy to put together and yummy to eat!

  15. Beth says:

    I made this with waxy potatoes instead of the the baked. Other than that, followed the recipe. The best potato salad I’ve ever made!

  16. J. Hegyi says:

    Great recipe.

  17. Trinn says:

    This is the perfect recipe for one!!! I haven’t made potato salad in awhile!!!
    I went by the recipe except for the dill…..I didn’t have any. Also I added eggs!!

  18. KatieS says:

    I usually make a cauliflower mock potato salad, I love this sized down recipe for one, just sub the cooked cauliflower florets. Thanks!

  19. Cindy Ellwein says:

    I love the taste of the potato salad and have made it several times. I added a boiled egg to it.

  20. Lee Ann says:

    Very good

  21. Rene says:

    It was very good! I will make again.

  22. Betty Harris says:

    Thank you very much

  23. Gina Loya says:

    I like to use pickle juice instead of vinegar. Thanks for the encouragement to make a single serving. It’s a thing!

  24. joni ezell says:

    Thank You for the recipie for the potato salad.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      You’re welcome. Hope you enjoy it!

    2. JuanitaTaylor Taylor says:

      Turned out great ,Thanks