This Vegan Potato Salad is excellent for family gatherings and picnics. No one will ever realize it’s a low-fat, healthier version. I promise, if my family can’t tell, yours won’t either.
I am from the Carolinas where potato salad, coleslaw, and tomato sandwiches are necessary meal staples. This was a real issue for me after switching to a plant-based lifestyle because you know what all these foods require right? Mayonnaise!

Potato salad made with vegan mayonnaise
The southern potato salad recipe I had used for 35 years called for mayo, and that wouldn’t work anymore due to the eggs and oil. This was a very sad realization for me.
But did it have to be? I decided to search for a compliant, heart-healthy mayonnaise option that would allow these foods to continue to be a part of my and my family’s lives.

Unfortunately, I quickly found out that store-bought mayo options–though they were vegan–were certainly not healthy. They contained lots of artery-clogging oil and loads of fat.
Then, I ran across a recipe from Dr. John McDougall‘s wife, Mary McDougall. She had this Easy Eggless Low-Fat Mayo recipe that tastes delicious.
One of my first tests was to try it in my decades-old southern potato salad recipe. It’s a recipe that has been in my family for years. I remember my grandmother preparing it for Sunday dinners after church when I was a child.
This new healthier version of potato salad has officially passed the test because no one has even noticed the difference!

Ingredients in vegan potato salad
- potatoes
- onion
- pickle relish
- Low-Fat Vegan Mayo
- yellow mustard
- garlic powder
- parsley
- smoked paprika
- salt & pepper
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
How to make vegan potato salad
First, peel, wash, and dice the potatoes into bite-sized chunks that are about 1″ in size.

While you’re chopping, now is a good time to go ahead and dice up the onion. I really love to use red or purple onion when making this because it makes the dish stand out beautifully, but you really can use almost any other onion such as white or yellow.
I am often asked which knives I use personally, and I have to say that it is Victorinox. They are the same company that makes Swiss Army Knives and the quality is excellent.
Add the diced potatoes (but NOT the onion) to a large pot of boiling water, and allow them to cook on medium-high until they are tender–approximately 15-20 minutes.

Be sure not to overcook the potatoes. You want them soft enough for a fork to go through easily but not cooked to the point of being mushy or falling apart easily.
Once the potatoes have finished cooking, use a colander to drain the cooked potatoes.
Add all other ingredients–onion, low-fat mayo, mustard (this is the refrigerator kind, not dry ground), garlic powder, parsley flakes, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Just recently, I began adding a little Indian black salt to mine because it gives it just a hint of eggy flavor that the traditional potato salad has. It’s a great option to kick it up a notch.
Mix together thoroughly and serve. We love to make this no-egg potato salad for picnics and family gatherings.
Serving suggestions
When I take this vegan potato salad to family get-togethers, the bowl is always empty when I bring it home. These are some dishes that go well with potato salad whether you’re serving it at home or at a function.
Tips and substitutions
- Potatoes- This vegan potato salad can be made with many different types of white potatoes. Traditionally, Russets or even yellow potatoes. Sometimes I make this with red potatoes and leave the skins on for a more nutritional bang!
- Cook time- Don’t overcook the potatoes because they will become too soft and mushy–more like mashed potatoes than potato salad.
- Secret ingredients- The Vegan Mayo along with the perfect amount of salt and pepper are key ingredients here. After you’ve made it, if it needs a little tweaking to suit your taste preference, these are the three ingredients to adjust.

*Originally published August 2015.
Other great side dishes
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Vegan Potato Salad
This vegan potato salad is excellent for family gatherings and picnics. No one will ever realize it's a low-fat, healthier vegan version. I promise, if my family can't tell, yours won't either.
Ingredients
- 6 medium-large potatoes
- 1 small onion, (purple onion makes it prettier)
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish with a little juice
- 1-2 rounded tablespoons low-fat vegan mayo (Homemade Mayo Linked)
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, (not dry mustard)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 pinch smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to your taste preference
- Black ground pepper
- 1 pinch Indian black salt (optional for eggy flavor)
Instructions
- First, peel, wash, and dice the potatoes into bite-sized chunks that are about 1″ in size. While you’re chopping, now is a good time to go ahead and dice up the onion.
- Add the diced potatoes (but NOT the onion) to a large pot of boiling water, and allow them to cook on medium-high until they are tender–approximately 15-20 minutes. Be sure not to overcook the potatoes. You want them soft enough for a fork to go through easily but not cooked to the point of being mushy or falling apart easily.
- Once the potatoes have finished cooking, use a colander to drain the cooked potatoes.
- In a large bowl, add all other ingredients–onion, low-fat vegan mayo (try my homemade version), mustard (this is the refrigerator kind, not dry ground), garlic powder, parsley flakes, paprika, salt, and pepper. Just recently, I began adding a little Indian black salt to mine because it gives it just a hint of eggy flavor that the traditional potato salad has. It’s a great option to kick it up a notch.
- Mix together thoroughly and serve. We love to make this no-egg potato salad for picnics and family gatherings.
Notes
Tips & Substitutions
- Potatoes- This vegan potato salad can be made with many different types of white potatoes. Traditionally, Russets or even yellow potatoes. Sometimes I make this with red potatoes and leave the skins on for more nutritional bang!
- Cook time- Don't overcook the potatoes because they will become too soft and mushy--more like mashed potatoes than potato salad.
- Secret ingredients- The Vegan Mayo along with the perfect amount of salt and pepper are key ingredients here. After you've made it, if it needs a little tweaking to suit your taste preference, these are the three ingredients to adjust.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6Amount Per Serving: Calories: 185Total Fat: 1gCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 4gProtein: 5g
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.



Judy Kurtz
Friday 10th of June 2022
Just made the potato salad and it’s fantastic. I must have had bigger taters because the mayo mixture wasn’t enough. Just added more. Thank you thank you for your recipes! I love them.
Terri Edwards
Saturday 11th of June 2022
Hi Judy- You can't go wrong with more mayo in my book, lol! I'm so glad you liked the recipe. Thanks for letting me know!
JoAnn
Monday 1st of March 2021
Is this a typo on the amount of mayo?It seems like it would be really dry with only 1 T of mayo for that many potato
Terri Edwards
Tuesday 2nd of March 2021
Hi JoAnn- It's actually a 'heaping' tablespoon of mayo which would equal out probably to be more like 1.5-2 level tbsp. It's really just for flavoring and does quite well. I would suggest starting with 1 heaping Tbsp and taste testing for your preference. You can always add more if desired. Hope you enjoy it!
Dawn
Saturday 8th of February 2020
Hi! Thanks for sharing your recipe! Are the parsley flakes dried or fresh? Thanks!
Terri Edwards
Saturday 8th of February 2020
Hi Dawn- The parsley can be either dried or fresh. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Reba Hunt
Wednesday 12th of June 2019
Can this Country Potato Salad be made the day before?
EatPlant-Based.com
Wednesday 12th of June 2019
Yes, it sure can. I like even better a day or two after making it. Enjoy!
Teresa White
Monday 3rd of June 2019
I must be missing the mayo recipe, can’t find it?
EatPlant-Based.com
Monday 3rd of June 2019
The link can be found by clicking on the photo of the mayonnaise in the blue dish. A number of people mentioned not being able to find it, so I also added the link to the recipe card to make it a bit easier. Here's a direct link to it. https://eatplant-based.com/mary-mcdougalls-low-fat-eggless-mayo/