Sweet Potato Salad

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This Sweet Potato Salad puts a Southern-style twist on classic potato salad with tender sweet potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and a creamy, tangy dressing. Whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of granulated sugar balance the natural sweetness of the potatoes for a side dish that works for everything from family dinners to potlucks.

Overhead view of creamy Sweet Potato Salad topped with chopped hard-boiled eggs and fresh parsley

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A fun twist on a classic. Sweet potatoes give traditional potato salad a completely different flavor while keeping everything you love about the creamy Southern-style side dish.
Creamy and tangy. Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt create a rich dressing, while mustard and apple cider vinegar add plenty of tang.
Easy to make ahead. The salad needs time to chill anyway, making it a great choice when you want to get some of your cooking done early.
Perfect for gatherings. Serve it at cookouts, potlucks, family dinners, or holiday meals.
Easy to customize. Add cayenne for a little heat or pickle juice for an extra tangy kick.

What is Sweet Potato Salad?

Sweet Potato Salad is a twist on traditional potato salad that swaps regular potatoes for sweet potatoes. This version keeps many of the familiar flavors of Southern-style potato salad, including hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, celery, onion, and seasonings.

The sweet potatoes bring natural sweetness to the dish, so the tangy mustard and apple cider vinegar are especially important. A little granulated sugar rounds everything out, while Greek yogurt or sour cream helps make the dressing creamy without relying entirely on mayonnaise.

Key Ingredients

NOTE: This section highlights ingredients used in the recipe. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.

Sweet potatoes

Peeled and cubed sweet potatoes are the star of the recipe. Cook them just until fork-tender so they hold their shape when mixed with the dressing.

Hard-boiled eggs

Chopped eggs give the salad extra richness and help create that familiar Southern potato salad flavor.

Mayonnaise

Forms the creamy base of the dressing.

Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream

Either works well for adding creaminess and a slight tang.

Whole grain mustard

Adds tang along with a little texture and mustard flavor.

Apple cider vinegar

Helps balance the sweetness of the potatoes and brightens the creamy dressing.

Granulated sugar

A small amount balances the tangy ingredients and complements the sweet potatoes.

Celery

Adds freshness and a little crunch.

Onion

Gives the salad a savory bite that balances the sweeter ingredients.

Fresh parsley

Adds a fresh finish and a little color.

Seasonings

Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper season the dressing throughout.

Ingredients for homemade Sweet Potato Salad arranged in bowls, including cubed sweet potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, and creamy dressing ingredients

Ingredients & Substitutions

NOTE: This section suggests substitutions. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.

sweet potatoes – Peel and cube them before cooking. Cook only until fork-tender so they don’t become mushy.
hard-boiled eggs – Add richness and classic Southern potato salad flavor.
mayonnaise – Provides the creamy base for the dressing.
plain Greek yogurt – Adds creaminess and tang. Sour cream can be used instead.
whole grain mustard – Gives the dressing tangy mustard flavor and texture.
apple cider vinegar – Adds acidity to balance the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
granulated sugar – Balances the tangy ingredients and complements the sweet potatoes.
celery – Adds fresh crunch.
onion – Adds savory flavor and texture.
fresh parsley – Adds freshness and color.
garlic powder – Adds savory seasoning throughout the dressing.
onion powder – Boosts the onion flavor without adding additional texture.
paprika – Adds another layer of seasoning.
salt – Enhances the other flavors.
black pepper – Adds mild peppery flavor.

Variations

Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing for a little heat.
Make it extra tangy: Add a splash of pickle juice to the dressing.
Use sour cream: Replace the plain Greek yogurt with sour cream for a slightly richer dressing.
Adjust the texture: Cut the sweet potatoes into slightly larger or smaller cubes depending on how chunky you like your potato salad. Just watch them carefully as they cook so they don’t become too soft.

Bowl of Southern-style Sweet Potato Salad with creamy sweet potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and parsley

Tips for Best Results

Don’t overcook the sweet potatoes. They should be fork-tender but still firm enough to hold their shape. Overcooked sweet potatoes can become mushy when folded into the dressing.
Let the potatoes cool slightly. Give the sweet potatoes a little time to cool after draining before adding them to the creamy dressing.
Fold gently. Sweet potatoes are softer than many traditional potatoes, so gently fold everything together instead of vigorously stirring.
Give it time to chill. Refrigerate the finished salad for at least 30 minutes. This gives the flavors time to come together and allows the salad to cool completely before serving.
Taste before serving. After chilling, give the salad a quick taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.

FAQs

Can I make Sweet Potato Salad ahead of time?

Yes. This is a great make-ahead recipe because the salad needs to chill before serving. Prepare it, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

How long does Sweet Potato Salad last?

Store Sweet Potato Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt?

Yes. The recipe works with either plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.

How do I keep the sweet potatoes from getting mushy?

Cook the cubed sweet potatoes only until they are fork-tender. Drain them promptly, let them cool slightly, and gently fold them into the dressing instead of vigorously stirring.

Can I make Southern-Style Sweet Potato Salad spicy?

Yes. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing for a little extra heat.

How can I make the salad more tangy?

Add a splash of pickle juice. The extra acidity pairs nicely with the sweet potatoes and creamy dressing.

Do you serve Sweet Potato Salad warm or cold?

This recipe is designed to be served chilled. Refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

Storage

Store leftover Sweet Potato Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Because the dressing contains mayonnaise and Greek yogurt or sour cream, keep the salad refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it and return leftovers to the refrigerator promptly.

How to Make Sweet Potato Salad

NOTE: This section includes a step-by-step guide. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.

Quick steps:

Cook the sweet potatoes. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cubed sweet potatoes and cook until fork-tender, about 10 minutes.
Drain and cool. Drain the sweet potatoes and allow them to cool slightly.
Make the dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or sour cream, whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, celery, onion, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Combine. Gently fold the sweet potatoes and chopped hard-boiled eggs into the dressing until evenly coated.
Chill. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Peeled sweet potato cubes cooking in a pot of salted water until fork tender

Creamy Sweet Potato Salad dressing ingredients with chopped eggs, celery, onion, parsley, mustard, and seasonings in a mixing bowl

Make Ahead

Sweet Potato Salad is a convenient make-ahead side dish because it is meant to be served chilled. Prepare the salad according to the recipe, cover it, and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

The flavors have time to blend while the salad chills, making this especially convenient for potlucks, cookouts, and meal prep.

What to serve with Sweet Potato Salad

Sweet Potato Salad is an easy side dish for cookouts, potlucks, picnics, and casual family meals. Its creamy dressing and sweet-savory flavor make it especially good alongside grilled and barbecue favorites.

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Try serving it with burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, pulled pork, barbecue ribs, or sandwiches. It can also be part of a larger spread with baked beans, coleslaw, corn on the cob, or other picnic-style sides.

Because sweet potatoes work so well with fall flavors, this salad can also fit nicely into an autumn meal when you want something different from traditional potato salad.

If You Enjoyed Sweet Potato Salad

If you love putting a new spin on classic side dishes, try my Bacon Ranch Potato Salad next. It has plenty of creamy potato salad goodness with bacon and ranch flavors that make it especially good for cookouts and potlucks.

Another easy side for your summer table is Broccoli Salad. It’s a great option when you want something cool and creamy to serve alongside grilled meats, burgers, or other backyard favorites.

For another classic that belongs at just about any gathering, you can’t go wrong with Macaroni Salad. Serve it alongside this Sweet Potato Salad when you need a couple of easy cold sides for a cookout, picnic, or potluck.

Turn this salad into part of a Southern-inspired meal by serving it with Southern Fried Chicken. The crispy chicken is a delicious contrast to the cool, creamy sweet potatoes.

For burger night, pair your Southern-Style Sweet Potato Salad with Oklahoma Onion Burgers. The savory, griddled burgers and onions are a great match for the salad’s slightly sweet, tangy flavors.

If you’re planning a barbecue or casual summer dinner, Chicago Hot Dogs are another fun main dish to serve with this salad. Add a few more picnic sides, and you’ve got an easy meal for feeding a crowd.

And if you’re looking for another cold salad to bring to your next gathering, try my Antipasto Pasta Salad. It’s an easy make-ahead option that works well for picnics, potlucks, and summer meals.

Spoonful of creamy Sweet Potato Salad with sweet potato, celery, onion, chopped egg, and fresh parsley

📌 Save This Recipe

Save this Sweet Potato Salad recipe so you have it handy the next time you need an easy side dish for a cookout, potluck, family dinner, or holiday meal. It’s also a great recipe to save to your favorite side dish or sweet potato recipe board on Pinterest.

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