There’s nothing like a classic potato salad to bring the flavor at your next picnic or potluck. But if you’re looking for something a little different, this red skin potato salad is just the recipe for you. With capers, parsley, and a tangy yogurt-mayo dressing, this flavor-packed recipe is anything but traditional.

Summertime is perfect for potato salad, and this red potato salad recipe is the perfect way to mix things up. The potatoes are cooked to perfection, and the yogurt-mayo dressing is light and tangy.
Add in some fresh parsley and capers, and you’ve got a flavor-packed salad that’s sure to be a hit.
So whether you’re looking for a new potluck dish or just want to change up your picnic menu, this red skin potato salad is a great option. Give it a try today!
Ingredients for Red Skin Potato Salad with Capers
Dressing
- Yogurt: Use plain yogurt for the dressing. I like to use Greek yogurt, but any type of plain yogurt will work.
- Mayonnaise: This recipe uses a combination of mayonnaise and yogurt, which makes for a light and tangy dressing. If you want, you could use all mayonnaise.
- Lemon juice and zest: The lemon juice and zest add a nice brightness to the salad.
- Apple cider vinegar: This gives the dressing a little bit of tanginess.
- Grainy mustard: I like to use a grainy mustard for this salad, but you could also use Dijon mustard.
- Red pepper flakes: These add a little bit of heat to the salad. If you don’t like spice, you can omit them.
- Salt and pepper: Be sure to season the dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
Salad
- Red potatoes: I like to use red potatoes for this salad because they hold their shape well when cooked. You could also use Yukon gold potatoes.
- Capers: Capers add a nice salty flavor to the salad. If you don’t like capers, you could omit them or use olives instead.
- Parsley: I like to use fresh parsley in this salad, but you could also use other herbs like basil or oregano.
- Scallions: The scallions add a nice onion flavor to the salad.
Tips and Tricks
- If you’re not a fan of mayonnaise, you could use all yogurt in the dressing.
- If you want a little bit more tanginess, you could add more lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to the dressing.
- If you want a little bit more spice, you could add more red pepper flakes or use a hotter mustard.
- If you’re not a fan of capers, you could omit them or use olives instead.
- If you want to change up the herbs, you could use basil or oregano instead of parsley.
How to Make Red Skin Potato Salad
To make potato salad with capers, start by whisking together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
Then, cook the potatoes in a large pot of salted water for 12-15 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl.
Next, add the scallions, capers, parsley, and yogurt dressing to the potatoes.
Toss everything together until well mixed. Serve the potato salad chilled or at room temperature.
Variations
- Artichoke Pesto Potato Salad: Omit the capers, dressing, and parsley and instead add one can of Reese artichokes, 8 ounces steamed green beans and ½ cup prepared pesto.
- Make Roasted Red Potato Salad by posting the potatoes for 35 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Make it a meal by adding 8 ounces of cooked bacon or cooked shredded chicken.
- If you don't have plain yogurt, sour cream makes a great substitute. Alternatively, you can also use additional mayonnaise.
FAQs
Are red potatoes good for potato salad?
Yes, red skin potatoes are ideal for use in potato salad. They are a waxy potato that is small and round with a thin edible skin.
How long can you store red skin potatoes?
Red skin potatoes will last approximately three weeks when stored in the pantry.
How do you make potato salad with red potatoes?
You can make Red Skin Potato Salad in the same way you would make potato salad with russet potatoes. You can either boil or steam the potatoes and proceed as usual.
How long do you cook red potatoes for potato salad?
The cooking time for red potatoes will depend on the size of the potatoes you are cooking. Small red skin potatoes that have been halved will take about 15 minutes to cook through when boiled. You know they are done when they are fork-tender.
Can you leave the skin on for potato salad?
Absolutely! This is one reason why I love using red potatoes in potato salad.
Red Skin Potato Salad with Capers
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ red onion finely chopped
- 1 lemon juice and zest
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon grainy mustard
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Salad
- 20 ounces baby red potatoes scrubbed and halved
- 4 scallions chopped
- ¼ cup capers
- ¼ cup parsley chopped (or marjoram)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, mayonnaise, onion, lemon juice, lemon zest, apple cider vinegar, mustard and red pepper flakes. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until tender. Drain.
- Transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Add scallions, capers, and parsley.
- Toss with yogurt mixture. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Looking for more ways to make Red Skin Potato Salad? Try these variations!
- Artichoke Pesto Potato Salad: Omit the capers, dressing, and parsley and instead add one can of Reese artichokes, 8 ounces steamed green beans and ½ cup prepared pesto.
- Make Roasted Red Potato Salad by posting the potatoes for 35 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Make it a meal by adding 8 ounces of cooked bacon or cooked shredded chicken.
- If you don't have plain yogurt, sour cream makes a great substitute. Alternatively, you can also use mayonnaise.
Jennifer Van Huss
I bet that tastes fabulous! Capers have a real unique and strong flavour so I bet it bounces out of the cream sauce!! I can't wait to try it!
Nancy L.
Looks soooo delish! I just ran out of capers the other night. My son is crazy for lemon caper chicken. This potato salad looks amazing. I'm going to make it and try this brand of capers, too! They look better than the capers I used. 🙂
Terri Steffes
I would love this Wendy! I love capers! Such a perfect taste for salads of all kinds. I could eat them out if the jar, too!
Ricci
I am caper OBSESSED!! I will definitely be trying this recipe sometime soon!! YUM!!
Up Run for Life Healthy Lifestyle Blog
I haven't ever heard of capers so I had to look it up. Its hard to say if I have ever had them in a dish when eating out or not.
I love love red potatoes (tiny yellow ones are good too). It has been a very long time since I have had homemade potato salad. We will have to give your recipe a try.
Melissa Dixon
Wow this sounds really good. I need to make this for the weekend for sure!
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations
This looks really super delicious. I love a good potato salad recipe. I am going to have to give this a try. I love the idea of using Red Skin Potatoes.
Marissa Zurfluh
This is so great for picnics! And this is just in time!
Serena Hale
Red potatoes are some of my favorite and I honestly think at times it can be dressed up better than regular white potatoes. The capers are a first for me in potato salad but it looks so good.
Lynndee
I don't think I've ever had capers before in a dish before. I am definitely going to give your recipe a try. I love a good salad and that looks delish!
Heather
This looks wonderful! I've never cooked with capers at home but would love to. This recipe looks easy and perfect for spring. It's a favorite season for backyard grilling in Arizona - this potato salad would be an excellent side!