Zesty Crispy Smashed Potato Salad Recipe for Summer Bliss

Potato enthusiasts find pure bliss in this crispy smashed potato salad that reimagines classic comfort food.

Crunchy edges meet tender centers, creating a delightful textural adventure.

Summer gatherings demand something special, and this recipe delivers unexpected excitement.

Herbs and seasonings dance across golden potato surfaces, promising remarkable flavor complexity.

Minimal ingredients combine for maximum impact, proving simplicity can be extraordinary.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of crisp exterior and soft interior.

You’ll want to make this dish again and again for every celebration.

Prepare to be amazed by how a few simple techniques can elevate humble potatoes into something extraordinary.

Why Crispy Smashed Potato Salad Is Worth Making

  • Elevate Texture Pleasure: Smashing potatoes creates an irresistible crispy exterior with a soft interior, delivering a delightful crunch that transforms an ordinary potato dish into a spectacular experience.
  • Master Simple Culinary Technique: This recipe teaches an easy cooking method that looks impressive, allowing home cooks to create restaurant-quality potatoes with minimal professional skills and basic kitchen tools.
  • Customize Flavor Adventure: Versatile recipe enables personal creativity by adjusting herbs, seasonings, and dressing components, making it perfect for experimenting and suiting different taste preferences or dietary needs.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Side Dish: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and family meals, this dish appeals to various age groups with its familiar ingredients and exciting texture, guaranteeing wide-ranging appreciation.

Ingredients Needed for Smashed Potato Salad Success

Main Ingredients:

Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that create the base of this crispy, flavorful salad.

Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior on the smashed potatoes.

Dressing Ingredients:
  • Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt: Creamy base that provides rich and tangy flavor to the salad.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp, zesty kick to the dressing.
  • Lemon Juice: Brightens the overall flavor and adds a fresh, citrusy note.
  • Chopped Herbs: Brings fresh, aromatic elements to the dressing.
Seasoning and Garnish Ingredients:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
  • Minced Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic flavor to the roasted potatoes.
  • Red Bell Pepper, Red Onion: Provide crunch and additional layers of flavor to the salad.
  • Capers: Optional ingredient that adds a briny, tangy element to the dish.

Steps to Make Smashed Potato Salad Just Right

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a sizzling 425°F and get ready for potato magic.

Step 2: Boil The Potato Beauties

Drop potatoes into a large pot of salted water.

Let them dance and bubble until fork-tender, around 15-20 minutes. Drain and let them cool down slightly.

Step 3: Smash Those Spuds

Grab a baking sheet and spread out your boiled potatoes. Time to get playful!

Use the bottom of a glass or potato masher to flatten each potato into rustic pancake-like shapes about 1/2-inch thick.

Step 4: Create Crispy Potato Perfection

Drizzle your smashed potatoes with a generous splash of olive oil.

Sprinkle on:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Minced garlic

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and roast for 20-25 minutes until edges turn golden and crunchy.

Step 5: Whip Up The Creamy Dressing

In a small bowl, blend together:
  • Mayonnaise
  • Greek yogurt
  • Dijon mustard
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Chopped herbs

Season with salt and pepper to your taste.

Step 6: Assemble The Salad

Gently toss your roasted potatoes with the creamy dressing. Fold in:
  • Diced red bell pepper
  • Finely chopped red onion
  • Capers (optional)

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Dish up your crispy potato salad warm or at room temperature.

Watch everyone dig in with delight!

Great Advice for Smashed Potato Salad Wins

  • Select small, firm potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best crispy texture and even cooking.
  • Press potatoes gently but firmly to create uneven surfaces that'll crisp up beautifully in the oven.
  • After boiling, let potatoes dry completely to ensure maximum crispiness when roasting.
  • Add more Greek yogurt or mayonnaise to make the dressing creamier or thinner as desired.
  • Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, chives, or parsley to add extra depth to the salad's taste profile.

Try These Twists on Smashed Potato Salad

  • Vegan Potato Delight: Replace mayonnaise and Greek yogurt with cashew cream or vegan mayo. Use plant-based herbs like chives and dill for added flavor.
  • Spicy Southwestern Swap: Add jalapeños, replace capers with corn kernels, and mix in cilantro. Incorporate chipotle powder into the dressing for a smoky kick.
  • Herb-Infused Mediterranean Version: Substitute Dijon mustard with tahini, add za'atar seasoning, and include chopped parsley and mint. Use feta cheese crumbles for extra tang.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Replace potatoes with roasted cauliflower florets. Keep the same crispy roasting technique and dressing for a lighter option.

Great Matches for Smashed Potato Salad Plates

  • Light, zesty white wine complements the tangy dressing and cuts through the potato's richness, creating a refreshing balance.
  • The herb-infused dressing of the potato salad perfectly echoes the seasoning of grilled chicken, creating a harmonious flavor profile that feels like a culinary dance.
  • Grilled zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers share similar roasted notes with the crispy potatoes, enhancing the overall textural and flavor experience.

How to Keep Smashed Potato Salad Fresh Longer

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the potatoes and dressing separate to maintain crispiness.
  • Not recommended due to the creamy dressing and potato texture. Potatoes tend to become mushy when frozen and thawed.
  • Spread potatoes on a baking sheet, bake at 375F for 10-12 minutes. Drizzle extra olive oil to restore crispiness and prevent drying.
  • Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Add a tablespoon of water to prevent potatoes from becoming tough.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients for the dressing?

The dressing includes mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chopped herbs, creating a creamy and tangy flavor profile.

  • How do I achieve crispy potatoes?

Smash the boiled potatoes to about 1/2-inch thickness, drizzle with olive oil, and roast at 425F until the edges turn golden and crispy.

  • Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the roasted potatoes and dressing separately in advance, then combine them just before serving to maintain the crispy texture.

  • Are there any recommended herb variations?

Fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill work wonderfully in the dressing, adding a bright and fresh taste to the salad.

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Crispy Smashed Potato Salad Recipe


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4.9 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy smashed potato salad delivers a delightful twist on classic comfort food. Creamy potatoes meet zesty dressing, creating a mouthwatering side dish you’ll crave at every summer gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes:

  • 1.5 pounds (680 grams) small potatoes (Yukon Gold or red potatoes)

Seasonings and Herbs:

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, or chives)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Dressing and Additional Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 12 teaspoons capers, drained (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 425F, preparing a stage for crispy potato transformation.
  2. Submerge potatoes in salted water, bringing to a rolling boil and simmering until fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  3. Carefully drain potatoes and allow brief cooling to handle safely.
  4. Arrange boiled potatoes on a lightly greased baking sheet, creating adequate spacing between each.
  5. Utilize a sturdy glass or potato masher to gently flatten each potato, creating rustic, uneven surfaces approximately 1/2-inch thick.
  6. Generously drizzle olive oil across smashed potatoes, ensuring thorough coating.
  7. Sprinkle minced garlic, salt, and freshly cracked pepper over the potatoes for enhanced flavor profile.
  8. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until edges transform into golden, crispy perfection.
  9. While potatoes roast, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice in a separate bowl.
  10. Incorporate finely chopped herbs into the creamy dressing, seasoning with additional salt and pepper.
  11. Once potatoes achieve desired crispness, remove from oven and allow brief cooling.
  12. Gently fold roasted potatoes with prepared dressing, integrating diced red bell pepper, red onion, and optional capers.
  13. Taste and adjust seasonings to ensure balanced flavor complexity.
  14. Serve immediately while warm, presenting a vibrant and textural side dish.

Notes

  • Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best crispy texture and even smashing.
  • Pat potatoes completely dry after boiling to ensure maximum crispiness when roasting.
  • Space potatoes well on the baking sheet to prevent steaming and promote golden, crunchy edges.
  • For a lighter version, swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or use a vegan mayo alternative to reduce calories and accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 190 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Clara Bennett

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.


Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.

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