This grilled potato salad is bright, smoky, and fresh. With grilled potatoes, arugula, grilled peppers and onions, feta cheese and a herbed vinaigrette, it's perfect for a barbecue or potluck!
Grilled potatoes are such a revelation: crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Our go-to recipe are these unbelievably crispy grilled potatoes, but another fun way to enjoy them is in a grilled potato salad!
This grilled potato salad is lighter and free from a heavy mayo dressing. Instead it is fresh, loaded with vegetables (onions, peppers, arugula), herbs (parsley, chives), and bright flavors (feta cheese and a tangy vinaigrette).
I think you're going to love this remix!
Reasons you'll โก this grilled potato salad
- it is mayo-free and lighter
- it's fresh and filled with bright flavors
- the grill gives the potatoes a crispy texture and slightly smoky flavor
Ingredient Notes
- Potatoes- red or white; skinned potatoes work great for this recipe as do baby potatoes
- Vegetables- grilled red onion and bell pepper add color and a subtle sweetness to the salad; consider them optional.
- Arugula lightens the salad up and adds a peppery flavor
- Feta cheese- adds a briny, salty pop of flavor; I don't recommend skipping
- Fresh herbs- chives and parsley add bright, herbaceous flavor but can be left out
- Lemon parsley vinaigrette- is sweet, tangy and fully or herby flavor; can be swapped for a simpler white wine vinaigrette
Boil Potatoes Before Grilling
If you place potatoes straight onto the grill raw, they will require a long cook time which leads to them drying out. To get around this, some people will cook in foil packets, which steams the potatoes while they grill.
To get crispy outsides and tender insides, we start by boiling the potatoes for 12-15 minutes, before tossing in oil and finishing them off on the grill. This two-step method may seem like extra work, but the results are well worth the effort in this grilled potato salad!
TIP- boil your potatoes up to 4 days ahead and store in the fridge to cut down on prep time.
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Grilling the potatoes
Grilling the potatoes not only improves their texture by making them slightly crispy on the outside, but also gives a nice charred and smoky flavor to the salad. I highly recommend using a vegetable grilling basket to grill the potatoes as this gives them a crispy texture across the entire surface of the potato, however, you can also place them directly onto the grill.
After tossing in oil and seasoning with salt and pepper, place cut side down on the grill and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until crispy. Using tongs, carefully turn them until they are crispy on all sides.*
Make sure to check the potatoes frequently, as all barbecues have hot spots that may cook quicker.
*the potatoes get crispiest on the cut sides
Making the Lemon Parsley Vinaigrette
This fresh, herbaceous vinaigrette helps lighten up the heaviness that you typically get with traditional potato salad. To make the vinaigrette, you will need a stand or immersion blender.
Combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, lemon juice, dijon, salt, parsley, and a bit of water to thin out. Blend until smooth, and use within 24 hours, as the flavors start to dissipate at this point.
Recipe Tips
Prep Ahead/Meal Prep Tips
- Grilled potato salad may be prepared ahead and not dressed; store in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Note that potatoes and vegetables will soften.
- The dressing may be prepared up to 24 hours ahead and stored in the fridge
- After dressing, the salad should be served immediately as it will not keep
- Potatoes may be boiled up to 4 days ahead and stored in the fridge; when you are ready to grill, cut in half and toss in oil, then grill as directed
Serve with
Grilled potato salad is a great potluck recipe, though you will want to keep the dressing separate until serving. Here are some other recipes that would go great with this grilled potato salad:
- Perfect Grilled Chicken Breast
- Grilled Chicken Wings with Sticky Thai Glaze
- Chili-Rubbed Salmon with Avocado Salsa
- Perfect Juicy Turkey Burgers
- Mushroom and Lentil Bruschetta Burger
More delicious grilled recipes
- 40 Healthy Grill Recipes for Summer
- Balsamic Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan
- Grilled Cauliflower with Jalapeรฑo Lime Butter
- Grilled Broccoli with Lemon & Parmesan
- Grilled Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Butter
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Grilled Potato Salad with Onions, Peppers and Arugula
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs potatoes cut into 1 inch pieces; see note 1
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 red onion sliced into ยผ inch rings; see note 2
- 2 bell peppers sliced into ยผ inch rings
- ยฝ cup feta cheese
- 4 cups arugula
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives chopped
Lemon Parsley Vinaigrette:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice ยฝ a small lemon
- ยผ teaspoon dijon
- 2 tablespoons water
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- ยพ cup parsley loosely packed
Instructions
- Add potatoes to a large pot, cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until a fork can easily go into the potatoes (but not overly soft).
- Drain potatoes and set aside.
- Heat grill to medium high heat. While grill is heating, cut the potatoes in half (for baby potatoes), or in 1 inch cubes (for larger potatoes). Toss in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of sea salt, garlic and black pepper.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the onion slices and bell peppers with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the potatoes (cut side down) over direct heat on the barbecue, and arrange the onion slices and bell peppers over indirect heat.
- Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Check the potatoes and turn if necessary. Check the bell peppers and onions frequently after this. Peppers and onions will need only 3 or so more minutes on the grill (8 min total).
- Continue checking the potatoes every 2 or so minutes, turning frequently until golden and slightly charred. Mine took a total of 8-15 minutes.
- Blend together all vinaigrette ingredients using an immersion blender, and toss with remaining salad ingredients.
- Assemble salad, toss with vinaigrette, and serve immediately.
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Tips:
- boil potatoes up to 4 days ahead
- prepare vinaigrette up to 24 hours ahead
Nutrition Information
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Lori says
Hi Denise,
My husband and I had this salad with our burgers tonight, loved it.
Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Lori, we are so glad to hear that you both enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a rating and review!
Manali@CookWithManali says
What a gorgeous salad! I am in love with all the beautiful colors ๐
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
This is officially the prettiest potato salad I've ever seen! I love potato salad all ways, but it's definitely much healthier without being drowned in mayo! I also love the onions and peppers you added in ๐
marcie says
I don't like potato salad drenched in mayo either, and I love grilling potatoes! This salad is so gorgeous, Denise, and I could eat this entire bowl!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
This is the prettiest potato salad I ever did see! Never thought I would ever say that haha. I'm super excited we are getting a grill in the next few days and this grilled potato salad is happening ASAP.
Denise says
Thanks so much Alyssa! You are going to love grilling...almost no dishes, woohoo!
Medha says
This salad looks amazing! Love the char on the potatoes- so yummy. And I cannot deal with mayo, so that lemon parsley vinaigrette is right up my alley ๐
Denise says
Thanks so much, Medha! The char adds such a nice flavor to the salad ๐
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
What a beautiful salad! I'm not crazy about traditional potato salad so I love this fun twist with the grilled potatoes, onions and peppers. I definitely need to make this soon!
Denise says
Thanks so much, Ashley! It's funny to see how many people aren't a fan of traditional potato salad...glad I'm not alone!
Annie says
Oh grilled potatoes have the BEST flavor!! I can't wait to try this!
Denise says
Agreed! Thanks, Annie!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
I'm anti-mayo so this vinaigrette-dressed potato salad is my JAM! I'm loving this so much, and the grilled potatoes make it even better. YUM!
Denise says
I like mayo, but just not slathered on potato salad, LOL! Thanks so much Rachel!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I don't know why but I've never grilled potatoes before - and these look just fantastic. Will be trying this soon - especially love the addition of arugula! Thanks, Denise.
Denise says
Oh you'll love grilled potatoes...so nice to leave the oven off! Thanks, Geraldine!
annie says
What gorgeous potatoes! I'm so glad you didn't yuck them up with mayo, and every flavor shine.
Denise says
LOL! Thanks so much, Annie!
ami@naivecookcooks says
Omg I am that person too!! I seriously can't even eat a bite of mayo drenched potato salad BUT this!! I can probably eat this for every meal Denise!! ๐
Denise says
Thanks so much, Ami!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
I'm laughing to myself as I'm reading the opening of this post because I have a recipe for mayonnaise-free potato salad and I wrote something like "mayonnaise-scares me". Lol! I think you and I should have a summery picnic together completely sans mayonnaise. This recipe looks amazing. And yes for grilling ALL THE THINGS!
Denise says
No way, didn't that just happen to another post a few weeks ago?! LOL great minds think alike? Thanks so much Liz!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
My husband loves potato salad. But he likes the one that's not so healthy! Your version is one I can get on board with. I'm loving the tender greens and feta! Maybe I can convince hubby this is the way to go!!
Denise says
Thanks so much Jen!