If you’re on the hunt for a fresh, creamy, and utterly satisfying side dish, you’re going to adore this Vegan Potato Salad with Avocado and Herbs Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of tender baby red potatoes, luscious avocado, and vibrant herbs that come together in a way that feels both indulgent and wholesome. Trust me, once you try it, this potato salad will become your go-to for BBQs, potlucks, or just a cozy family dinner!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy & Flavorful: The avocado-based dressing makes it rich without needing dairy.
- Easy & Quick: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for last-minute gatherings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better after chilling, so prep early with no stress.
- Healthy & Vegan: Packed with fresh herbs, veggies, and plant-based goodness everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Choosing fresh, quality ingredients really makes a difference in this Vegan Potato Salad with Avocado and Herbs Recipe. The baby red potatoes hold their shape beautifully, and the fresh herbs add an irresistible brightness. I always recommend ripe avocados for the creamiest dressing—avoid underripe ones or the flavors just won’t pop.
- Baby red potatoes: Their waxy texture keeps them firm and flavorful after boiling.
- Green onions: Gives a gentle kick and freshness; I use both whites and greens for layered flavor.
- Ripe avocados: The star that creates a luscious, creamy dressing without mayo overload.
- Fresh parsley: Adds an herbaceous lift that brightens the entire salad.
- Vegan mayonnaise: Adds tang and a touch of richness while keeping it vegan.
- Tarragon sprigs: Offers a subtle anise-like flavor that’s a refreshing twist.
- Capers: Little bursts of briny flavor that cut through the creaminess.
- Seasoned salt: A simple way to layer in balanced seasoning easily.
- Celery rib: Adds crunch and subtle bitterness to balance creamy textures.
- Sliced radishes: Optional garnish for peppery bite and beautiful color contrast.
Variations
I love how versatile this Vegan Potato Salad with Avocado and Herbs Recipe is—you can tweak it to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Whether you want it more herb-forward or with a little extra tang, there’s room to play!
- Add fresh dill: I sometimes swap parsley with dill for a lighter, fragrance that reminds me of summer picnics.
- Spicy kick: Sprinkle in some smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne—I’ve found my family really digs the little heat.
- Swap capers for olives: When I crave a Mediterranean vibe, chopped green or Kalamata olives work beautifully instead of capers.
- Use sweet potatoes: For a naturally sweeter spin, I’ve used roasted sweet potatoes, which create a heartier salad.
How to Make Vegan Potato Salad with Avocado and Herbs Recipe
Step 1: Cook Your Potatoes to Tender Perfection
Start by placing your halved baby red potatoes in a large saucepan and covering them with water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer uncovered for about 8 to 10 minutes. You want them just tender—easy to pierce with a fork but not falling apart. Once done, drain them immediately to avoid overcooking. This simple timing is key to making sure every bite has a lovely texture that holds up against the creamy dressing.
Step 2: Blend the Creamy Avocado Herb Dressing
While the potatoes cook, chop the green onions, separating the white parts from the green. Toss the green parts into a blender along with the ripe avocados, fresh parsley, vegan mayonnaise, tarragon sprigs, drained capers, and seasoned salt. Blend everything until silky smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. This creamy dressing is the magic that elevates the potato salad from ordinary to unforgettable.
Step 3: Toss & Chill for Maximum Flavor
Once your potatoes have cooled slightly, transfer them into a large bowl. Add the finely chopped celery and the reserved white parts of the green onions. Pour your creamy avocado herb dressing over everything and gently toss until every piece is coated lovingly. Cover and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour; this resting time lets all the flavors meld beautifully — and trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Step 4: Garnish & Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle sliced radishes and extra fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and a hint of crunch. I absolutely love this finishing touch; it gives the salad a fresh, inviting look and that final bite of peppery crispness.
Pro Tips for Making Vegan Potato Salad with Avocado and Herbs Recipe
- Don’t Overcook Potatoes: Keep an eye on cooking time to avoid mushy potatoes—they should be fork-tender but still firm.
- Use Ripe Avocados: Waiting until your avocados are perfectly ripe makes the dressing creamier and more flavorful.
- Chill to Build Flavor: Refrigerate the salad at least an hour before serving so the herbs and dressing permeate every bite.
- Add Crunch Just Before Serving: Add celery and radishes at the end to keep their fresh crispness intact.
How to Serve Vegan Potato Salad with Avocado and Herbs Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep garnishes simple and fresh—more parsley and those colorful sliced radishes are my go-tos. Sometimes I’ll add a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky note, or even thinly sliced chives for a gentle onion kick. These make the salad look vibrant and add a little extra flavor dimension.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled veggies, a crisp green salad, or smoky BBQ jackfruit. I often serve it alongside baked tofu or tempeh for a complete vegan meal that feels both fresh and hearty.
Creative Ways to Present
For special gatherings, I’ve served this potato salad in hollowed-out mini bell peppers or in delicate lettuce cups for a bite-sized appetizer vibe. It’s also lovely layered in a clear glass bowl so the colors of the potatoes, herbs, and radishes shine through—great for making a centerpiece out of your dish!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge. Because the dressing is avocado-based, I find the salad best enjoyed within 2 days before the avocado starts to lose its vibrant color and freshness. Just give it a gentle stir before serving again.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this Vegan Potato Salad with Avocado and Herbs Recipe. The texture of the avocado dressing and cooked potatoes changes when frozen, which can lead to a watery or grainy consistency. Instead, enjoy it fresh or refrigerated.
Reheating
This salad is best served cold or at room temperature. If you want a slightly warm potato salad, let it come to room temp before serving, but avoid microwaving as it can affect the creaminess and freshness of the avocado dressing.
FAQs
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Can I use regular mayonnaise instead of vegan mayo?
Absolutely, if you’re not strictly vegan, you can swap vegan mayo for regular mayonnaise. Just keep in mind it may slightly change the flavor and richness, but the salad will still be delicious.
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What type of potatoes work best?
Baby red potatoes or other waxy potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape well after boiling. Starchy potatoes like russets tend to fall apart and become mushy.
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How do I keep the avocado from browning?
Using ripe but fresh avocados and covering the salad tightly helps limit browning. Also, the lemon or seasoned salt in the dressing can act as a natural preservative to slow oxidation.
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Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, the salad tastes even better after it chills for at least an hour. Just prepare it up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Vegan Potato Salad with Avocado and Herbs Recipe turned out—it’s creamy, fresh, and so much more exciting than your average potato salad. When I first tried this combo, it blew me away how ingredients as simple as avocado and herbs could totally transform the dish. I promise, once you dig in, it’ll be that recipe you keep coming back to again and again. So go on, give it a try, and invite your friends and family to enjoy a vegan twist on a classic that truly shines.
Print
Vegan Potato Salad with Avocado and Herbs Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Potato Salad is a creamy, flavorful, and refreshing side dish perfect for gatherings and make-ahead meals. It combines tender baby red potatoes with a rich avocado-based dressing, enhanced by fresh herbs, capers, and a touch of seasoned salt. Topped with crisp radishes, this salad is a satisfying vegan alternative to traditional potato salad.
Ingredients
Potatoes and Vegetables
- 2 pounds baby red potatoes, halved
- 4 green onions (white and green portions separated)
- 1 celery rib, finely chopped
- Sliced radishes for topping
Dressing
- 2 medium ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- 1/2 cup sprigs fresh parsley, stems removed
- 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 3 tarragon sprigs, stems removed
- 2 teaspoons capers, drained
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Instructions
- Cook Potatoes: Place the halved baby red potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover them completely. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the potatoes uncovered for 8-10 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Prepare Dressing Ingredients: While the potatoes are cooking, finely chop the green onions, reserving the white portions separately. Add the green portions of the onions to a blender along with the peeled and pitted avocados, fresh parsley sprigs, vegan mayonnaise, tarragon sprigs, capers, and seasoned salt.
- Blend Dressing: Cover and blend the dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Combine Salad: Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and transfer them into a large mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped celery and the reserved white portions of the green onions to the potatoes. Pour the blended dressing over the potato mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Before serving, garnish the potato salad with sliced radishes and additional fresh parsley for a crisp and colorful finish.
Notes
- This salad is best served chilled and can be made up to a day in advance, making it ideal for parties and gatherings.
- Use baby red potatoes for their creamy texture and tender skin; however, Yukon gold potatoes can be a suitable substitute.
- The avocado-based dressing adds creaminess without using eggs or dairy, keeping the salad fully vegan.
- Adjust seasoned salt or capers to taste if you prefer a saltier or tangier dressing.
- Adding radishes just before serving ensures a fresh, crunchy texture contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: 235
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 295mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg