Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with The Idaho Potato Commission and Society Culinaria. All opinions expressed are honest and my own, as always!
Summer is right around the corner… and along with that comes lots of barbecues and outdoor fun. Our table wouldn’t be complete without one of the most popular side dishes of all, a refreshing and tasty Brazilian Potato Salad!
Although there is more than one version of potato salad in my home country of Brazil, I gave this one the name “Brazilian Potato Salad” because this type is really the standard: mayonnaise-based (as opposed to oil/vinegar based) and with both herby and acidic notes.
The easy and refreshing recipe that you are about to see is the type of Brazilian potato salad that I grew up eating… a family recipe made basically from cubed boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, lime juice, olives, garlic, onions, and fresh herbs. Diced hard-boiled eggs is the optional ingredient because they can either be added or left out, according to one’s preference. 🙂
Brazilians love to accompany grilled meats (churrasco) with potato salad. In fact, oftentimes multiple different mayonnaise-based versions of potato salad are available on the salad bar of a typical Brazilian steakhouse (churrascaria): usually one version similar to ours but with diced, hard-boiled eggs added, as well as another type with potatoes, pineapple, raisins and apples, and sometimes a third type with potato, carrots, green beans, and peas. Hot dogs are another favorite item to pair potato salad with.
Whichever country you are from or whatever your family traditions, Idaho® potatoes provide 27 different varieties that you can choose from to spruce up old favorites.
Idaho® potatoes are versatile and can be incorporated in different ways into summer salads and other dishes. Don’t believe me? Check out The Idaho Potato Commission website to delight your senses and get great recipes and ideas for your next summer cookout.
Also try our Brazilian Potato Salad… It’s guaranteed to be a hit!
Stay cool and have a fun summer!
Brazilian Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 2.2 pounds Idaho® potatoes well washed, peeled, and cut into 1-inch cubes, 1 kg
- 1 pinch salt plus enough to taste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 clove of garlic minced and mashed into a paste
- 1/4 large white onion finely grated
- 1/2 cup good-quality chopped olives (I used Kalamata olives but you can use green olives, if desired), plus 3 whole olives to garnish salad
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley if desired
- 3 tablespoons chopped green onions plus more to garnish salad
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 2 large hard-boiled eggs chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a large pot with enough water to cover by several inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, add a good pinch of salt, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for about 8-10 minutes or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain in a colander but do not rinse them. Transfer potatoes to a large bowl and drizzle with vinegar. Set aside and let cool down completely.
- In a separate large bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic, grated onion, chopped olives (green olives are usually used in this dish although I used Kalamata olives for mine), mint, cilantro (or parsley), green onions, salt and pepper to taste. Only if desired, combine the chopped hard-boiled eggs (in this case, stir in an additional 1/4 cup of mayo into the mixture). Add cool potatoes to the mayo mixture, stirring gently to combine. Chill for 1 to 2 hours or more before serving. Garnish top of the Brazilian potato salad with whole olives and chopped green onions. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
1. For this recipe, use either Idaho® Yukon Gold potatoes (a medium-starch potato which is the most similar to the type of potatoes used to prepare potato salad in Brazil) or Idaho® Russet Burbank potatoes (the variety that I used to make this Brazilian potato salad). The choice between these 2 varieties depends on what you are looking for and local availability. 2. STORAGE: Don't leave potato salad out for more than two hours (or one hour, if temperature is above 90 degrees). Refrigerate any leftovers in a covered container.
Abbe @ This is How I Cook
June 11, 2015 at 12:19 pmLooks great Denise! I’m always on the lookout for anything with potatoes! Love the herbs and lime juice in this!
Kathleen
June 11, 2015 at 12:28 pmDenise,
This sounds amazing….can’t wait to make it for my family!
Little Cooking Tips
June 11, 2015 at 12:43 pmThis is such a wonderful potato salad Denise! The best part is, you can make some of this ahead and serve it in a BBQ gathering.
Loved your combo, simple ingredients that pair so well with each other.
Since we’re planning a BBQ for tomorrow, this looks like the way to go:)
Have a beautiful weekend ahead!
Panos and Mirella
xoxoxo
Ash-foodfashionparty
June 11, 2015 at 1:41 pmAbsolutely yumminess there Denise. WE enjoy a good salad, you’ve added all great fresh ingredients. Perfect side for the summer cookouts.
xx
Chris Scheuer
June 11, 2015 at 2:22 pmI’ve never had potato salad with olives but it sounds wonderful as do all the other ingredients. Such a delicious combination of flavors!
Deb|EastofEdenCooking
June 11, 2015 at 7:53 pmThe addition of lime juice and the fresh, bright herbs make this Potato Salad so inviting! And yes, I agree potatoes are very versatile!
Julia Al Arab
June 12, 2015 at 7:14 amThat salad sounds really delicious! I love Kalamata olives in anything, the additions you made takes the salad to a whole new level of deliciousbess!
Daniela
June 12, 2015 at 1:40 pmThis is such a crowd pleaser for grill parties, love the addition of olive, the perfect final touch!
Mi Vida en un Dulce
June 12, 2015 at 2:21 pmOMG, this potato salad looks amazing!!!
marcela
June 13, 2015 at 9:46 amThe salad looks so yummy! I love potato salads so much! Thanks for the recipe!
Coffee and Crumpets
June 14, 2015 at 1:44 pmI love potato salad! Love the herbs in this and the fact it has acidic and Mayo flavours!
Anna @ shenANNAgans
June 18, 2015 at 12:38 amBrazilian spud salad sounds nearly as tasty as the Aussie version. 🙂
Love the addition of the zest and fresh ingredients, the lime and cider vinegar would make it pop. Mmmm.
Kate
June 23, 2015 at 7:19 amThis looks so good! I love, love, love potato salad, but never thought of using lime juice, yum!
Denise Browning
June 23, 2015 at 8:45 amHi, Kate! Both the lime juice and mint leaves give this potato salad a very refreshing taste. I hope you give it a try. Thanks for stopping by.
Nusrat Azim
June 29, 2015 at 8:30 pmA five-star-studded-rated recipe, as always 🙂
Happy to have a happy-potato salad recipe. Looks like all those fresh ingredients are tap-dancing in that sparkling bowl.
Awesome photos. Thank you. Love.
Anna
January 15, 2016 at 3:16 amOh My, so many thanks, Denise! I’m from Latvia and here people are kinda bit crazy about the potatoes 🙂 Naturally, many varieties of potato salad is a must-have side dish on barbecue parties during our short summer and in any family gathering all year through. But the it’s basically a one traditional recipe that varies a bit, but this is an excellent opportunity to give the so well loved potato a completely fresh twist! Once again, many thanks!
Denise Browning
January 15, 2016 at 7:40 amHi, Anna! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you try and enjoy this family recipe of mine. Brazil is a very large country, full of sub-cultures. This is why there are variations depending on the region and which group of immigrants influenced the cuisine of a particular state or region. Have a wonderful day!
Tina
June 24, 2016 at 10:47 amHi there!
My husband is Brazilian, and we like to do churrasco all the time in the summer. I’ve always enjoyed the Brazilian style potato salad at Brazilian steakhouses, but never thought of making it at home – I usually just would make rice and beans and mohlo. Last week, I finally decided to try the potato salad, and chose to your recipe. It is FABULOUS! The husband LOVED it. I was somewhat concerned that the olives might be overpowering, but the balance of flavors was absolutely perfect. I used the Yukon Gold potatoes, by the way.
I’m not even going to bother trying any other recipes – this one is amazing and will be my new go-to Brazilian potato salad recipe. I am looking forward to trying other recipes on your site. Obrigada!
Denise Browning
June 24, 2016 at 10:56 amTina:
You made my day!!! I am so thrilled you have enjoyed this potato salad recipe. It has been a family fave for years and I was really happy to share it with y’all. Thank you for stopping by and leave your feedback. Thank you also for your kind words and the carinho. I hope you get a chance to try and enjoy several of our other Brazilian recipes. Wishing you and your husband a delicious weekend! Um abraco. xx
Tina
July 1, 2016 at 3:17 pmI am glad I made your day. We had some friends over last weekend when we did the Brazilian BBQ. These same friends are having us to their home tomorrow for an American BBQ and guess what they requested I bring? Your fabulous Brazilian potato salad! So I’ll be making it for a third time now. Lol!
Denise Browning
July 1, 2016 at 9:23 pm🙂 🙂 🙂 Have a very Happy 4th of July!!!
Ashley mellie
October 21, 2016 at 10:26 pmI made this recipe tonight with my fiancée. It is glorious! And the amount of salad is great! We will be enjoying this as a side for the next week! BEST POTATO SALAD EVER. This is the only potato salad receipe I will EVER make!! nothing compares!
Denise Browning
October 22, 2016 at 12:31 pmAshley:
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this potato salad! Your feedback is quite an endorsement. You really made my day! I hope you continue to make our salad… Have a delicious weekend!
Royce
April 23, 2019 at 1:24 pmBy far the best potato salad that I have ever had. My family and friends loved it so much that I intend to make it again for our next get-together.