Creamy Fresh Herb Potato Salad with Tarragon and Parsley

Name: Fresh Herb Potato Salad with Tarragon and Parsley
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 4 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes; ½ cup diced celery; ⅓ cup finely chopped green onions; 3 large hard-cooked eggs (peeled and chopped); 1 cup lite mayonnaise; ½ cup lite sour cream; ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon; 2 garlic cloves (chopped); 1 tablespoon stone ground Dijon mustard ((Trader Joe's)); 1 teaspoon salt; ¾ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

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This creamy Herbed Potato Salad gets its fresh, distinctive flavor from two key herbs — flat-leaf parsley and tarragon — stirred right into the mayonnaise and sour cream dressing. No dried spice packets, no shortcuts — just Yukon Gold potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and a garlic-herb dressing made with fresh ingredients that comes together in one bowl.

a bowl of fresh herb potato salad with paprika sprinkled on top on a table with a linen napkin and parsley sprinkled around.

Sheila’s Recipe Snapshot

Style: Classic creamy Southern side salad

Flavor: Creamy, herby, lightly tangy

Time: About 1 hour

Pro Tip: Toss the potatoes in dressing while still warm — they absorb the flavors as they cool

Best For: Cookouts, potlucks, Southern summer gatherings — take it to your next family dinner and you’ll make Grandma proud.

I’ve collected Southern Living cookbooks for over 20 years, and this recipe came straight out of the 2012 Annual Collection — the volume that gathers every recipe published in the magazine that year. When I spotted it, something about the fresh herbs and the lighter dressing combination made me think it was worth a try.

My mom’s potato salad was always heavy on the mayo and eggs — the classic Southern version most of us grew up with. I never really loved it, but I didn’t know there was another way until I found this one.

The mix of sour cream and mayonnaise keeps it creamy without feeling heavy, and the flat-leaf parsley and tarragon give it a freshness that lifts the whole dish. It tastes lighter than traditional potato salad without sacrificing any of the comfort.

Potato salad shows up at nearly every Southern gathering — cookouts, potlucks, Sunday dinners — so I wanted one I could feel genuinely proud to set on the table. This is the one I’ve stuck with year after year, and it never fails to get compliments. Can you relate?

ingredients for potato salad on a table.

Ingredient Notes

Potatoes | Use tender, buttery Yukon gold potatoes for a flavorful potato salad. Other waxy potatoes, like red potatoes, also work well.
Celery | Add in some diced celery for a subtle crunch and hints of bitterness contrasting the creamy notes.
Green onions | Sprinkle in some finely chopped green onions for a light onion flavor.
Eggs | As a classic potato salad element, toss in three hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces.

Mayonnaise and sour cream | Lite mayonnaise and lite sour cream make up the base of this easy herb potato salad dressing. Feel free to use regular sour cream and mayonnaise if preferred. I like the healthier alternatives, being that the taste is hardly different.
Garlic | Boost the taste with subtle spice from a couple of chopped garlic cloves. You may use garlic powder in its place if in a pinch.
Mustard | Round out the creamy notes with tangy and slightly spicy stone ground Dijon mustard. I like to use the Trader Joe’s brand.
Salt and pepper | Finish the dressing with a dash of salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Herbs for Potato Salad

The best herbs for potato salad with mayonnaise are fresh, mild herbs that complement a creamy dressing without overpowering it. Here are the top choices:

Flat-leaf parsley — mild, slightly peppery, and the most classic choice for creamy potato salad; adds fresh flavor and a pop of green color
Tarragon — bittersweet with a subtle licorice note; pairs beautifully with mayonnaise and sour cream dressings and gives potato salad a distinctly summery flavor
Fresh dill — bright and slightly tangy; a popular substitute or addition, especially in Southern-style potato salad
Chives — mild onion flavor with a delicate bite; works well alongside parsley or on its own
Basil — sweet and aromatic; best used sparingly as it can overpower a creamy dressing

For this recipe, flat-leaf parsley and tarragon are the winning combination — the parsley adds freshness while the tarragon brings an unexpected depth that makes this potato salad stand out from the rest.

How to Make Herb Potato Salad

This delicious recipe requires a little extra effort, but there’s nothing complex or challenging about it.

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STEP 1 | Boil the potatoes

Start this herby potato salad recipe by washing the potatoes and placing them in a large pot. Cover them with water and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

Next, cook the potatoes for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool for 15 minutes before peeling and cutting into 1-inch cubes.

chopped herbs in a bowl with mayonnaise and sour cream to make the dressing for potato salad.

STEP 3 | Mix potato salad dressing

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, chopped fresh parsley and tarragon, garlic, and mustard, seasoning with a bit of salt and pepper.

stirring together ingredients for fresh herb potato salad in a large bowl with a rubber spatula.

STEP 4 | Toss salad in the dressing and serve

Finally, pour the dressing over the warm potatoes and stir gently to coat thoroughly. Serve right away, or cover and chill for up to 12 hours.

Recipe Success Tips

Potatoes make a difference. Not just any kind of potato works for potato salad. Stick to waxy potatoes for the best flavor.

Use fresh herbs when possible. Do your best not to overcook the potatoes, or they will lose much of their natural flavor and become too mushy for most people’s preferences.

To peel or not to peel? Because of the thin skins of Yukon Golds, there’s no need to peel the potatoes unless you prefer. Use a paring knife or vegetable peeler if you decide to skin them.

Let the potatoes soak in the flavor. For the best results, combine the dressing and potato mixture while the potatoes are still warm, stirring gently until all ingredients are coated.

Chill before serving. Chilling also allows the salad’s flavors to meld further and develop while sitting in the fridge.

Storage Tips

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
When serving at outdoor gatherings, don’t leave it out longer than 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F, or 2 hours in cooler conditions. After two hours, you should discard the potato salad. And if it sits in the sun longer than an hour, it’s also no longer safe to consume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

You can, but you’ll be missing out on the bright, fresh flavor that makes this potato salad special. Dried tarragon works fine in a pinch — just use one-third the amount since it’s more concentrated. For the parsley, fresh is worth the extra effort — dried parsley has very little flavor and won’t deliver the same result.

How long does potato salad last in the refrigerator?

Stored in an airtight container, this herb potato salad will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a good stir before serving since the dressing can settle as it sits — and if it looks a little dry, a small spoonful of mayonnaise stirred in brings it right back.

Can I make potato salad ahead of time?

Absolutely. In fact, the flavors tend to meld as the potato salad chills in the refrigerator so it tastes even better the next day.

spooning potato salad into a blue serving bowl on a table.

Looking for More Homemade Potato Salad Recipes?

Try this Sweet Potato Salad with fresh jalapeno and a maple syrup vinaigrette for a sweet and spicy take on a tasty potato salad. Are you a fan of bacon? If so, this Red Potato Salad is for you.

Find more make-ahead favorites in my Southern side dish lineup.

fresh herb potato salad in a blue bowl on a table with a linen napkin and a serving spoon.

What to Serve With Potato Salad

The perfect summer barbecue consists of the best potato salad with a juicy pineapple-topped Hawaiian Burger and a refreshing and sweet Watermelon Feta Salad.

For even more ideas, check out this collection of the 30 Best Dishes to Serve with Potato Salad.