Backyard BBQ

Japanese Potato Salad

by:
October  4, 2022
4.3
9 Ratings
Japanese Potato Salad
Photo by Bobbi Lin
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 15 minutes
  • Serves 4 to 6
Author Notes

These potatoes combine the best of a classic mash and a potato salad, with a little secret dash of vinegar. It’s creamy, tangy, and very forgiving. It can be served warm or cold, and take well to whatever you throw in it—a bit of leftover mirepoix, frozen peas and corn, or bits of ham—making them equally perfect for cozy weekday dinners or as a side in a party spread! The key here is in not skimping on the vinegar or mayo; that delightful tartness in the mash is a game-changer. —Jun

Test Kitchen Notes

Featured in: Japanese Mashed Potatoes: The Potato Salad Winning Our Cookouts Right Now. —The Editors

What You'll Need
Watch This Recipe
Japanese Potato Salad
Ingredients
  • 5 potatoes, Yukon Gold or russet work best
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise, preferably Japanese Kewpie
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon salt, for seasoning the water, plus 1 teaspoon for the actual mash
Directions
  1. Peel and quarter the potatoes, and rinse them under cold water to rid them of excess starch. Place the potatoes in a deep pot or saucepan, cover with water, add in 1 tablespoon of salt (or until it’s as salty as the sea), and bring it to a boil. Turn it down to a simmer, and let the potatoes cook for 10-15 minutes. The potatoes are done when they can be easily pierced by a knife or a fork.
  2. Drain the potatoes and leave them for a minute or two to let the excess steam evaporate. Then, mash the potatoes using a ricer, potato masher, or just a fork. Add in the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, black pepper, and the teaspoon of salt, and mix it all until the ingredients are well combined. Taste a little, and adjust the seasoning with more vinegar and/or salt as you see fit!
  3. I like my mash plain, but if you have any leftovers or potato-salad-y ingredients, add them in at this point! Whether it’s peas and onions, a bit of ham or chorizo, or that half stick of carrot you had from last weekend’s roast, just make sure they’re cut into small pieces (and suitably defrosted if they were frozen) before adding them in. This mash will take just about anything you throw into it and end up tasting great!
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  • Austin Burges
    Austin Burges
  • MichiElise
    MichiElise
  • marilyn
    marilyn
  • rox L
    rox L

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8 Reviews

Austin B.
Austin B. May 11, 2019
When you say 5 potatoes, you mean 2 pounds, I take it?
 
rox L.
rox L. August 18, 2018
My eyes spy corn, peas and red onion.
and you're correct MichiElise, they aren't the same veggies as she listed in the recipe. Sounds great though.
 
MichiElise
MichiElise August 18, 2018
Good call! Was thinking red could be radish. Red onion seems more likely in a hot dish!
 
MichiElise
MichiElise August 17, 2018
What are the veggies shown in the recipe pictured? F52 please stay true to your images — if you’re going to show something, tell us those details too. We eat with our eyes on this site!
 
Brown C.
Brown C. August 18, 2018
Step 3 in recipe above:
"I like my mash plain, but if you have any leftovers or potato-salad-y ingredients, add them in at this point! Whether it’s peas and onions, a bit of ham or chorizo, or that half stick of carrot you had from last weekend’s roast, just make sure they’re cut into small pieces (and suitably defrosted if they were frozen) before adding them in. This mash will take just about anything you throw into it and end up tasting great!"
 
MichiElise
MichiElise August 18, 2018
Yes, wondering exactly what is in the image they chose to share. Can’t tell which of the options were included and it looks quite fresh and tasty.
 
marilyn
marilyn October 11, 2018
Relax, everybody. It's potatoes. It's gonna be great.
 
Alyssa,Wodtke
Alyssa,Wodtke August 16, 2018
I discovered as an adult that adding balsamic vinegar to mashed potatoes added both acid and sweetness. It’s delicious! I will try this.