This potato salad recipe has apples in the mix for a bit of sweetness and a lot of crunch.
This Apple Potato Salad is the recipe you’re looking for! It’s incredibly delicious with some tang, freshness, crunch, and the comfort of potato. Did you know that potato salad isn’t only for summer BBQs? In fact, in Germany it’s popular to have potato salad (with sausages…yum!) on Christmas Eve.
That may seem a bit strange. But ask yourself why it is that potato salad is so perfect for BBQs. It’s because potato salad is easy to make in large quantities, right? Large quantities that are full of deliciousness. So much deliciousness that I’d be happy to eat large quantities of it at every celebration, from summer to winter and all the months in between.
![Apple Potato Salad White bowl of potato salad with apples.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-Potato-Salad-19-portrait-1200x1800-1-660x990.jpg)
Lighter Potato Salad With Apples
But if we’re going to eat potato salad all year long, I think it’s necessary that we revise the ingredients a little bit to make it a tiny bit healthier (but still celebratory, of course!).
When I think about lightening potato salad, I usually think about the mayonnaise. I end up opting for low-fat mayonnaise, less mayonnaise, or no mayonnaise. (Though I absolutely love this Creamiest Potato Salad recipe too.) But this time I was fixated on the carb loaded potatoes. I thought that one way to make potato salad a bit healthier might be to put less potatoes in it. But what to add instead?
Making Apple Potato Salad
I decided to try adding apples. Why? One of the things I like to add to potato salad is celery. Celery and apples taste amazing together. I was hoping that they would work here. I also added some apple cider vinegar to the dressing to tie that apple flavor in throughout.
The result? You’ve got to try it! The apples add a little bit of sweetness and a lot of crunch. And they just plain work. So much so that I swear I’m going to put apples in all of my potato salads, all year long, from now on.
I used a sweeter apple for mine, one with some crispness. Gala is a great bet, or your favorite variety. I’ve also tried this with a Grannie Smith and enjoyed the bit of sourness. For the potatoes, you can use a baking potato like a russet or an all-purpose like Yukon gold potatoes. Find more about the types of potatoes and their uses here.
More Side Dish Recipes
I have over 100 side dishes for you to discover, but here’s a few that I think you’ll especially enjoy if you love this potato salad recipe.
- Easy Applesauce Recipe
- Perfect Roasted Potatoes
- New Potatoes with Dill
- Fried Potatoes and Onions
- Creamy Corn Salad Recipe
Podcast Episode: Making Apple Potato Salad
Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this potato salad, along with some other great tips, by clicking the play button below:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
Print![White bowl of potato salad with apples.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-Potato-Salad-square-1200-150x150.jpg)
Apple Potato Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooling Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
This potato salad recipe has apples for wonderful crunch and a bit of sweetness. It’s delicious. You got to try it!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. baking potatoes
- Salt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (low-fat or regular)
- 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp. neutral-flavored oil, like grape seed or vegetable
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 2 medium apples*, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (leave the peel on)
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut into 1-inch chunks.
- Put potatoes into a medium pot with 2 teaspoons of salt. Cover with cold water. Heat to a boil over high heat, partially covered.
- Uncover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until fork-tender, 5-7 minutes.
- Drain and allow to cool for 15-30 minutes.
- In a large bowl use a fork to whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, oil, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Add the celery, green onions, and apples along with the cooled potatoes.
- Stir and serve.
Love this recipe? I’d appreciate it if you could scroll down and add a *5 star rating* to help others know they’ll love it as well!
Notes
*Use a sweet, crisp apple like a Gala, or opt for something sour like a Grannie Smith.
This post originally appeared in July 2014 and was revised and republished in July 2022.
![Apple Potato Salad](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-Potato-Salad-19-portrait-1200x1800-1.jpg)
Easy to make and assemble. The apples are a perfect addition for crunch and sweetness.
Thank you so much, Patricia! I’m glad you enjoyed.
I think this sounds really good and I’m going to try it. I actually have a summer apple tree, so it will be great for picnics! They come ripe mid July. I picked a bunch this morning.
However, I wanted to point out that apples have as many carbs as potatoes, sometimes more depending on the sweetness of the apple. The saving grace of the apples is they can be eaten raw whereas potatoes just… can’t. That retains more nutrients. In truth, both are pretty healthy and balance each other out well.
Thanks for sharing with us, Lana!
LOL, you forgot to add the potatoes in the recipe’s Directions. Just a typo, surely.
The cooked potatoes are added with the other ingredients in step 3, Mary. I’ll edit it above to clarify, thank you.
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Glad you enjoyed, thanks for visiting!
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Hi I was searching for a recipe like my Oma’s (German) and this one seems very similar. I always remember apples being in it and the apples brought a refreshing kick to it. I might given this one a try for our Christmas get together.
Eric, Let me know if you try it. I’d love to hear what you think!
I delight in, cause I found just what I was taking a look for.
You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you
man. Have a nice day. Bye
Comece a visita pelo Jardim Poty Lazzarotto.
I had leftover ham and an apple and potatoes from a weekend event. I found your site and used your recipe. Perfect. Thank you.
Robin, So happy you liked it and happy to have helped.
Top marks for this. Tastes great. Thanks for sharing.
Simon
Thanks Simon! I’m so glad you liked it.
Wow, I love the idea of putting apples in potato salad! I had no idea potato salad was a traditional thing to eat on Christmas Eve in Germany…it’s so interesting to learn little bits of culture like that :)
I’ve never thought to add apples – I bet it adds some amazing crunch! Great idea!
What an awesome idea!! I would never have thought to add apples but wow! It’s beautiful and I bet it’s wonderful! Oooo and I totally forgot my Crunch to Contribute photo!
My daughter has discovered an unconditional love for potatoes this year… however, I don’t believe she has ever had a potato salad!! Love the apple addition, and yes, I think all year round is appropriate!!!
I had apples in potato salad for the first time this summer – it was a Brazilian potato salad – loved the combination!
This looks amazing! it reminds me of a play on my grandmothers german potato salad…which I think I need to make soon, and I need to give this one a try also. Perfection.
I’m always looking for a new potato salad recipe, adding the apple seems like it would give it a nice sweetness.
This looks so good! Loving the apples in it. SO unique — I bet the crunch is amazing.
Nice! Would have never thought to add apples to potato salad, but I really like the idea. And the ACV is perfect in the dressing too. :)
I love your healthy version of potato salad… this is the kind I would love to get addicted to!