Greek Potato Salad (No Mayo!)

Potato salad doesn’t need mayonnaise to be delicious, and this no-mayo Greek Potato salad recipe is living proof! With the right potatoes and an easy yet bold Greek-style vinaigrette, you’ll make a healthy potato salad with a wonderfully herbaceous flavor in just 30 minutes.

My Authentic Greek Potato Salad Recipe

As a Greek chef and cooking instructor, I spend half my time in Greece and the other half in the U.S. When I’m stateside, I crave the lighter flavors of Greece, and this Greek potato salad recipe is a regular on my menu.

With the season of outdoor gatherings in full swing, I often look for side dishes to pair with grilled meat and seafood like grilled cod, chicken gyros, or kebabs. If I’m keeping things traditional, classic Pork Souvlaki is a must.   

Greek potato salad is dairy-free, vegan, and naturally gluten-free side dish. You can think of it like a lighter version of American potato salad, which is often mayo-based. Greeks let olive oil, mustard, and fresh herbs stand in for the mayo. It’s perfect to enjoy during the warm summer months. Serve at your next barbecue or backyard gathering!

Ingredients for Greek Potato Salad

The ingredients for this refreshing and healthy no-mayo potato salad are simple and easy to find. What’s more, this recipe is so versatile. You can easily substitute many of these ingredients with what you have available.

• Potatoes: I use yellow potatoes like Yukon Golds, but small red or fingerling potatoes would also work well. Make sure to check the smallest potatoes as they boil, as the cooking times vary. 
• Onions: Red and green onions bring mild sweetness and depth of flavor. You can substitute them with shallots and chives. 
• Fresh herbs: Flat leaf parsley and fresh dill, bright light, fresh flavor to the creamy potatoes.
• Olives: You can typically find nice olives in the prepared foods section of your grocery store. Pitted Greek Kalamata olives are best for this recipe as they add a slightly tangy, rich flavor. You can substitute with a similar high-quality olive if necessary. 
• Extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil is a major flavor component of the vinaigrette. Use the best, smoothest finishing olive oil you have, or find our favorite Greek olive oils at our shop. 
• Red wine vinegar: The acidity of wine vinegar brightens the flavor of the potatoes.
• Mustard: A good quality (Dijon-style) prepared mustard adds a peppery flavor and helps the vinaigrette emulsify. 
• Dried oregano: I like Greek oregano, as it has a deeper flavor and is very aromatic.
• Garlic: Finely minced (see tips in our how to mince garlic guide) or pressed garlic brings boldness to the vinaigrette. 
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper: Seasonings enhance the potato salad’s flavor. Always adjust as needed to suit your preferences.

How to Make Greek Potato Salad

There is nothing difficult or tricky about preparing this Greek potato salad. As a bonus, it’s ready in just 30 minutes. Here are the steps:

• Ready the potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Scrub 3 pounds of small yellow potatoes. Once the water is boiling, add the potatoes and 1 tablespoon of salt and lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer until tender, then drain and allow to slightly cool.
• Make the easy vinaigrette: While the potatoes cook, make the dressing. In a medium mixing bowl, add 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk to combine. Slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup of olive oil while whisking to emulsify. 
• Peel and slice the potatoes: When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them with a paring knife or metal spoon or leave them as-is. Slice into bite-sized pieces. 
• Combine: Place the potatoes in a serving bowl. Add 1/2 cup each of chopped parsley, dill, and halved Kalamata olives. Add the vinaigrette and toss gently to combine. 
• Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve warm or at room temperature. Or, cover and store in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow the potato salad to come to room temperature before serving. 

Greek Potato Salad Variations

This versatile recipe can be tweaked according to your taste preferences and what you have on hand. Here are some ways to mix it up:

• Potatoes: To add more color to your potato salad, use a mix of potatoes. Boil both yellow and small red potatoes and keep their skins on. As long as they are about the same size they should cook at the same rate, but taste and adjust accordingly.
• Acidity: Instead of vinegar, you can use fresh lemon juice to add a citrusy flavor.
• For more intense flavor: Add a tablespoon of rinsed small capers. They will add tang and a briny flavor to the salad.
• Fresh herbs: Minced fresh chives and cilantro also go very well with this salad.
• Add protein: Stir in canned tuna, sardines, or shredded chicken to make it a complete meal.

Tips from a Greek: How to Make the Best Greek Potato Salad

This no-mayo potato salad is simple and essentially foolproof. Here are some tips to ensure you make the best potato salad every time: 

• Use the right kind of potato. Go for waxy potatoes, are they have a creamy interior, thin skin, and are low in starch. This means they keep their shape as they boil. Waxy potato varieties include yellow, Yukon gold, red, and fingerling. Starchy potatoes, like russet, have a thick, dark skin and a fluffy interior that will not hold its shape as they boil. They are best for baking or making another Greek potato recipe called Skordalia. 
• Prevent oxidation. If your potatoes are larger and you need to cut them into pieces or you decide to peel them before cooking, place them in a bowl of cold water to avoid oxidation (browning).
• Cook until just tender. Watch the potatoes closely as they cook. They should be fork-tender, but not fall apart at the end of their cooking time. This will make a classic potato salad, rather than mashed potatoes. 
• Season and dress the potatoes while they’re still hot. This is a good way to ensure they will absorb the vinaigrette nicely and become very flavorful.

What to Serve with Greek Potato Salad

This delicious and healthy potato salad can be served at room temperature or warm. It makes a great side dish for picnics, barbeques, and potlucks.

• Serve with barbecue meat like Grilled chicken, skirt steak, or Greek lamb burgers or kebabs would be classic and delicious.
• The light potato salad would also pair well with grilled fish like shrimp, salmon, swordfish or cod. 

This dairy-free, vegan dish is also perfect as part of a vegetarian spread.

• Serve with coleslaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, pasta salad, and of course, Horiatiki: Traditional Greek salad.