A different take on a classic potato salad, potatoes are grilled on the BBQ. Perfect with your next summer BBQ party. Roasting the potatoes on the grill is surprisingly quick.
The first time I had this potato salad it was the night before my wedding day. We had our rehearsal dinner in my in-laws' backyard and a good friend (and now famous chef - I'm sure he has forgotten all about us and is cooking barefoot somewhere tropical) made our meal. He made a classic potato salad... red potatoes, red onions, mayo and robust stone ground mustard. Not that creamy and pasty potato salad of potlucks and picnics. No, this was chunky, red potato salad, full flavour version.
What he taught me that weekend - because my husband and I were his sous-chefs - was to toss my boiled and still warm potatoes with some vinegar and salt. It brings flavour to the otherwise bland potato. He also taught me that this salad is a must during the summer. It goes with all BBQs and it doesn't matter what else you are serving, you need to have this potato salad. This is the only way I have made potato salad since.
Why you should BBQ your potatoes
But this is Summer, and BBQ season and, so even though this salad is perfectly good with boiled or steamed potatoes, I felt I needed to use the grill in some way. I decided to grill the potatoes and the results were rich and delicious. Grilling the potatoes brings a smokiness and a sweetness to the potatoes. The potato skins blister and crisp just enough to add a wonderful texture.
And it saves a dirty pot and the yuckiness of boiling water in an already hot kitchen. I mean you are BBQ-ing already, so just stay outside and get the whole dinner done.
How to make grilled potato salad
When the potatoes come off the grill cut them in half (quarters if they are really big but leave some size to them). Yes, they will be still hot and hard to handle. Then tossed the still-warm potatoes with a splash of white wine vinegar and a generous pinch of salt. While they sit they absorb the flavours of the vinegar and salt, they cool and you can get the other stuff ready.
Please use stone ground mustard. Whatever you do, don't go with regular yellow mustard. That stuff is for hot dogs (veggie or otherwise). It's just not appropriate on these potatoes.
This is a salad that you can adjust to exactly how you like it. I like onions, so I add lots. I don't like mayo so I keep it to a minimum. As for the type of mayo. Veganaise is wonderful and keeps this dish vegan, but feel free to use your favourite.
Grilled Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound mini red potatoes scrubbed and air-dried
- 1 tablespoon grape-seed oil or olive oil, just enough to coat the potatoes
- generous splash white wine vinegar
- ½ small red onion thinly sliced in half moons, approximately half a cup
- ¼ mayonnaise your choice, add more to taste
- 1-½ tablespoons sharp stone-ground mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 350 degrees, you will cook these on a covered grill. The temperature of your grill should read 350-375. Reduce flames to low to avoid scorching.
- In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with oil and then transfer to a grill basket. Place on the grill, and cover with lid. Every 5 minutes or so, check the potatoes and give them a quick shake. Replace lid. The potatoes will take anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes, depending on their size and the heat of the grill. A little bit of char is a good thing. A little bit. Test the potatoes by inserting a knife or a fork into their flesh, it should slide easily with no resistance.
- Once potatoes come off the grill, all them to cool only to the point where you can handle them. Cut each potato in half or quarters, should be largish bite-sized pieces, and toss into a large bowl. Toss still warm potatoes with white wine vinegar and a generous pinch of salt. Allow them to cool a bit longer at this point.
- Directly to the potatoes, add mayo, mustard, and red onions. Toss well to combine. Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper, as needed, and fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
More Potato Salad Recipes
- Summer Potato Salad with Corn and Tomatoes
- Grilled Baby Potatoes With Peppers And Onions by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Sausage Potato Salad by girlichef
- Lightened Up Fully Loaded Baked Potato Salad by Peanut Butter and Peppers
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Yum! I love grilled potatoes!! Your salad looks delish!!
Renee says
Oh the smokiness from the grill must be a fabulous flavor addition to the salad. I like that it has simple ingredients and just a hint of mayo.
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I need one of those little grill basket thingies! Stat!
Susan says
I wish I had a grill to make this, guess I'll just need to boil or roast my potatoes. I'm not a huge fan of lots of mayo on my potato salad but a little bit like you do here will do. Great job on your first #SS post BTW!
Heather @girlichef says
This potato salad makes me want to cuss, it looks so good! I've made one with roasted potatoes in the past, but I'd forgotten how delicious it was. Now, if only I could figure out how to reach in and grab that plate...
Conni @FoodieArmyWife says
Mmmm - now this is my kind of dish. I am a HUGE potato salad fan - and I love the idea of grilling to potatoes first, what flavor that would give!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Grilling potato salad is the only way! And how nifty is that grill basket? Every time I grill potatoes, I lose a few to the dark underbelly of the grill. 🙂
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
Grilled Potato Salad! How did I never think of this?! What an awesome flavor this must have. Yumm-o!!
Kim@Treats & Trinkets says
I love the sound of that crispy potato skin in this salad. Yum!
Aman says
This sounds so yummy! Have got to try it (:
xoxo, Aman | coffee chic
Tara says
This just brings potato salad to a whole new level. Nicely done!!
Liz says
Oooh, this looks terrific. From the grilled potatoes to the stoneground mustard, I love it all!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I've been looking forward to this dish all week. It looks so good, and I can't wait to make it. I totally need to invest in one of those grilling bins. Yum, yum!
GourmetGetaways says
WOW! This potato salad looks really special. I can't wait for BBQ weather so I can try it 🙂
Gail {A Stack of Dishes} says
Hell to the yes! Deeeelish!
Diana @EatMoveShine says
What a fantastic recipe... and great tips, too! Can't wait to give this a try- love grilled potato salad!
Katie says
What a great trick with the vinegar and salt for the salad. I would definitely be on board for this dish...I typically shy away from the mayo-laden potato salads I usually see!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
This sounds like such a great potato salad! Thanks for the tip about the vinegar and salt, we'll have to try that next time!
Soni says
Such a great tip to use vinegar and salt on potatoes!! I'm going to try that and grilling them sounds like a great idea too 🙂 Yum!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
The tip about tossing the potatoes with vinegar and salt is such a great one! Makes perfect sense - the warm potatoes will soak up all that flavor. Also, your potato salad is quite beautiful. Usually, potato salad isn't much to look at, but yours is pretty!
Family Foodie says
Love the idea of tossing the potatoes in salt and vinegar, and I also like that it isn't smothered in mayo. This potato salad would be perfect for a BBQ and it looks amazing!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
This brings back such good memories of camping with my dad, he did the BEST grilled taters
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
This potato salad is a keeper!