• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Foodie Eats
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Instant Pot Magic
  • Gluten-Free Comfort
  • Soup Season All Year
  • Real-Life Dinners
  • Desserts That Deliver
  • About
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Instant Pot Magic
  • Gluten-Free Comfort
  • Soup Season All Year
  • Real-Life Dinners
  • Desserts That Deliver
  • About
×
Home » Instant Pot Magic

Instant Pot Potato Salad (Deviled Egg-Style)

The potatoes and eggs cook at the same time, and the dressing brings that creamy, tangy deviled egg flavor without the extra fuss.

By Gary White
This post may contain affiliate links.
Read my full disclosure here.

Published March 24, 2024. Last modified March 19, 2026 By Gary White

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Instant Pot potato salad image for Pinterest.
Instant Pot potato salad image for Pinterest.

Potato salad should not take as much juggling as it usually does. Most versions have you boiling potatoes in one pot, eggs in another, draining everything separately, and trying to get it all cooled down before the dressing goes in.

This version cuts out the extra work.

Angled close view of deviled egg-style potato salad in a white serving dish with paprika on top.

The Instant Pot cooks the potatoes and eggs at the same time, which is the whole reason this recipe earns its spot. You set up the pot once, let it do its thing, and end up with both parts ready to go without babysitting two burners.

The flavor is what keeps this from feeling like a shortcut recipe. The dressing is deviled egg-style: creamy, tangy, a little mustardy, and rich in the best way. Add in the sweet salad cubes and it lands right in that familiar deli-style zone, only better.

No raw onion crunch. No extra production. Just a solid potato salad that tastes like it was worth the effort.

Why the Instant Pot Makes This Better

The biggest advantage here is not just speed. It is the fact that the potatoes and eggs cook at the same time.

That means less juggling, fewer dishes, and one less thing to think about. Instead of managing separate pots and separate timers, you build the setup once and let the Instant Pot handle the hard part.

It also keeps the process more consistent. The potatoes steam in the basket instead of getting knocked around in a pot of boiling water, and the eggs are ready right alongside them.

The shortcut is in the method, not the flavor. This still tastes like real potato salad. It just gets there with less fuss.

Ingredients

There is nothing complicated here. You have potatoes, eggs, and a creamy dressing built from ingredients that make sense together. The whole thing leans into that deviled egg flavor on purpose, which is what makes this feel different from a basic deli tub version.

And yes, the sweet salad cubes matter. They bring a little sweetness, a little tang, and help give this recipe its specific flavor profile.

Ingredients for Instant Pot potato salad including russet potatoes, eggs, mayo, sweet salad cubes, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper.

How to Make Instant Pot Potato Salad

The process is simple, but the setup matters.

You are not boiling the potatoes directly in the water. Add the water to the pot, then use the trivet and steamer basket to keep the potatoes lifted above it. The eggs sit right on top, which means both parts of the recipe cook at the same time without needing two separate pots.

Cut the potatoes into even pieces so they cook evenly. That is one of the easiest ways to keep the texture right from batch to batch.

Four-step collage showing trivet, steamer basket, diced potatoes, and eggs layered in the Instant Pot for potato salad.

As soon as the cook time is done, move the eggs to an ice bath. That stops the cooking and makes peeling easier. Let the potatoes cool slightly before mixing everything together.

Once the potatoes and eggs are ready, the rest comes together fast. Chop, mix, dress, and taste. The recipe card below has the full step-by-step.

Hard-boiled eggs in an ice bath after cooking in the Instant Pot for potato salad.

The Deviled Egg-Style Dressing

This is what gives the recipe its identity.

The dressing leans into that deviled egg flavor on purpose. It is creamy, tangy, a little mustard-forward, and built to coat the potatoes without turning soupy. The chopped eggs do part of that work, but so do the rest of the mix-ins.

The sweet salad cubes are a big part of it too. They bring that familiar sweet-tangy bite that makes the whole thing feel finished. This is not just mayo stirred into potatoes. It is built to taste like deviled egg potato salad.

And yes, no raw onion crunch. That part is deliberate.

Four-step collage showing dressing, chopped eggs, sweet salad cubes, and potatoes being mixed for Instant Pot potato salad.

How to Make This Potato Salad with Egg on the Stovetop

No Instant Pot? You can still make this. The dressing and the final result are the same. It is just a longer path to get there.

Potatoes: Cut them into even chunks and boil in salted water until fork-tender. Drain and let them cool slightly.

Eggs: Hard boil them separately, then move them straight to an ice bath and peel once cool enough to handle.

From there, you follow the rest of the recipe the same way. Same dressing. Same finish. More time and one extra pot.

The stovetop version still works well. It just gives up the biggest advantage of this recipe, which is cooking the potatoes and eggs at the same time.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This is a good make-ahead recipe. It actually gets better after a few hours in the fridge. The dressing settles in, the flavor comes together, and the potatoes hold up well.

Make ahead: You can make it up to 24 hours in advance. Store it covered in the fridge and give it a stir before serving.

If it looks a little dry after chilling overnight, stir in a small spoonful of mayo before serving.

Storage: Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Do not freeze it. Mayo-based potato salad does not come back well once thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this like Walmart’s deviled egg potato salad?

Honestly, kind of, but better. Walmart’s version has that same creamy, mustardy, deviled egg-style flavor, which is probably why people keep buying it. This recipe hits a similar note, but it tastes fresher, you control the ingredients, and there is no raw onion crunch getting in the way. If that deli flavor is what you are after, this gets you there in a better way.

Do I need a trivet for the eggs in the Instant Pot?

You need the trivet and steamer basket setup to keep the potatoes up out of the water. The eggs can sit right on top of the potatoes, so they do not need a separate rack of their own. The important part is keeping the setup true to the recipe so the potatoes steam properly instead of boiling at the bottom of the pot.

What kind of potatoes work best?

I use Russet potatoes on purpose. A lot of potato salad recipes lean on waxy potatoes for firmer chunks, but Russets give this version a softer, fluffier texture that works really well with the deviled egg-style dressing. They break down just enough to make the salad feel creamy without turning to mush, especially if you cut them evenly and do not overmix.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, and it is actually better that way. A few hours in the fridge helps the dressing settle into the potatoes. Up to 24 hours ahead is the sweet spot.

Can I make this without eggs?

You can, but it changes the character of the recipe. The eggs are not just there for looks. They help build the deviled egg flavor and add texture throughout the salad. Without them, it is still potato salad, but it is not really this one.

Why sweet salad cubes instead of regular relish?

Because they give this recipe its specific flavor. Sweet salad cubes bring sweetness, tang, and texture without taking over the dressing. That flavor is part of what makes this recipe feel a little closer to a deli-style deviled egg potato salad.

Recipes for Your Easter Table

  • Green Beans with Bacon and Potatoes
  • Collard Greens
  • Cornbread Dressing
  • Baked Mac and Cheese
  • Banana Pudding with Meringue

This is one of those side dishes that makes sense the second you do it once.

The Instant Pot handles the potatoes and eggs at the same time, the dressing pulls everything into that creamy deviled egg-style lane, and the whole thing comes together with a lot less effort than the usual route.

Make it once and you will not go back to two pots.

If you make it, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out.

📖 Recipe

Close overhead view of creamy deviled egg-style potato salad topped with paprika in a white dish.

Instant Pot Potato Salad (Deviled Egg-Style)

This Instant Pot potato salad cooks the potatoes and eggs at the same time, then gets tossed in a creamy deviled egg-style dressing with sweet salad cubes.
4.92 from 25 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cooling: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 278kcal
Author: Gary White

Ingredients 

  • 3 lbs. russet potatoes peeled and cut into ½-inch chunks
  • 1 cup water
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1½ cups mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sweet salad cubes
  • 1 Tbsp. yellow mustard
  • 2 tsp. sea salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. paprika for garnish

Instructions

  • Add water and set up the pot. Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside. Set a steamer basket on top of the trivet, then add the potatoes to the basket. Place the eggs on top of the potatoes.
  • Pressure cook. Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. When the cook time is done, quickly release the pressure.
  • Cool the eggs. While the potatoes and eggs cook, prepare an ice bath. Transfer the eggs to the ice bath as soon as they come out of the pot. This stops the cooking and makes them easier to peel.
  • Drain and cool the potatoes. Pour the cooked potatoes into a colander and let them drain well. Set them aside to cool slightly.
  • Make the dressing. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet salad cubes, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
  • Chop the eggs and mix. Peel the cooled eggs and roughly chop them. Add them to the bowl with the dressing, then gently fold in the potatoes until everything is evenly coated.
  • Chill and serve. Transfer the potato salad to a serving dish, sprinkle with paprika, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Overnight is even better.

Video

Notes

  • No Instant Pot? Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, and hard boil the eggs separately. Then follow the rest of the recipe as written.
  • Make ahead: This potato salad gets even better after a few hours in the fridge.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Do not freeze. Mayo-based potato salad does not thaw well.

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 559mg | Potassium: 415mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 530IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag us Today!Mention @thefoodieeats or tag #TheFoodieEats!

More Instant Pot Magic

  • Bowl of vegetable beef soup with potatoes, carrots, green beans, and bread slices on the side
    Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
  • A hearty bowl of Instant Pot chicken chili, featuring tender chicken and beans, topped with cheese, sour cream, and avocado.
    Instant Pot Chicken Chili
  • Arroz con pollo inside Instant Pot
    Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo
  • Closeup of Instant Pot shrimp and grits in white bowl.
    Instant Pot Shrimp and Grits

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angel's roadie

    April 14, 2017 at 11:04 am

    What are "sweet salad cubes"? That one has me baffled.

    Reply
    • Chef Gary

      April 14, 2017 at 11:16 am

      It's kinda like pickle relish, but sweet instead of dill. But not actually like the sweet relish. Very mild, slightly sweet. Instead of that bold dill taste.

      http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mt.-Olive-Sweet-Salad-Cubes-24-oz/10290681

      Reply
    • Amy

      February 24, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      I believe it was to read "sweet pickles". Had me going too. lol

      Reply
      • Gary

        February 25, 2019 at 2:38 pm

        Hi Amy. For this recipe we use sweet salad cubes as seen here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1V8853/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_OoeDCb1CZV7B8

        Reply
  2. BONNIE J USSERY

    April 15, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    My preference is dill cubes/relish instead of sweet. I always use the dill in all my salads such as chicken, etc. It's just my taste preference but otherwise a great recipe.

    Reply
  3. Sarah Yaus

    May 25, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    Why do you need so many eggs??? 3 dozen.....really?? Also, I have never heard of sweet salad cubes before! Very confusing recipe for something that should be so simple.

    Reply
    • Chef Gary

      May 25, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      Why so many eggs? Because that's the way my mom always made it. And sweet salad cubes are in every grocery store next to the relish. You've just never looked for them. What's wrong with being different? Otherwise, all recipes would be the same 🙂

      Reply
      • James

        June 29, 2018 at 1:06 pm

        5 stars
        The recipe calls for 12 eggs (one dozen) and 3lbs (3 pounds potatoes)

        Reply
    • Cristie

      May 28, 2018 at 5:26 pm

      This is old but it only calls for 12 eggs not 3 dozen!

      Reply
      • Chef Gary

        May 29, 2018 at 12:11 pm

        Yeah, I rewrote the recipe - with a downsized version.

        Reply
  4. Wendy

    May 25, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    Looks like I'll be serving this up soon.

    Reply
  5. Dianne

    May 28, 2017 at 10:15 pm

    I love this. How can I cut it down to just a coupe portions - there is only one of me.

    Reply
    • Carroll

      August 11, 2019 at 1:32 am

      Put your cursor on the "16" (number of servings) and a slide bar will appear. Just move the marker to the left or right to change the number of servings.

      Reply
      • VT

        March 27, 2020 at 11:32 pm

        I don't see where it shows number of servings on the recipe I see.

        Reply
        • Gary White

          March 28, 2020 at 7:13 am

          It's in the gray portion of the recipe card, under the "print" "pin" "rate" buttons. This recipe has 16 servings. 🙂

          Reply
  6. Becky

    January 30, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    5 stars
    I love egg salad and I love potato salad, this was the perfect blend of both! It was hard to stop eating it!

    Reply
  7. Brian

    March 04, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    5 stars
    Made a batch this morning for some BBQ this evening and my wife is in heaven. She said it's the best potato salad she's ever had.

    Could not find the sweet salad cubes at 3! grocery stores so use normal relish instead.

    But I get the feeling I'll be making it often so I'll keep an eye out or even do a quick Amazon order for some.

    Reply
    • Chef Gary

      March 06, 2018 at 10:13 am

      That's awesome! It's an adaptation of the potato salad my mom has been making my whole life. I'm surprised you couldn't find the sweet salad cubes. I've never had a problem finding them, even at Walmart. Where do you live? I'm now wondering if it's a regional thing. I'm in Florida.

      Reply
      • Krista

        August 09, 2018 at 1:40 pm

        I’m in rural Alberta, Canada and I have never seen or heard of Sweet Salad Cubes. I’m assuming I could use relish instead?

        Reply
        • Chef Gary

          August 10, 2018 at 7:35 am

          Yes, sweet salad cubes are a form of sweet relish. They're just cut larger to add extra crunch to salads. But they have the same flavor.

          Reply
          • Debbie

            June 29, 2019 at 11:37 pm

            5 stars
            No sweet salad cubes here in California so I just use sweet pickles and chop the heck out of them. Love me some chunks of sweet pickle in my potato salad, also you can never have to many eggs. Love this recipe.

  8. Cristie

    May 28, 2018 at 5:25 pm

    I don’t have a steamer basket for my instant pot. Can I do it without?

    Reply
    • Chef Gary

      May 29, 2018 at 12:12 pm

      I know you can cook the potatoes directly in water, not sure about the eggs in the IP.

      Reply
      • Stephanie

        July 03, 2020 at 5:17 pm

        I crack my eggs into a bowl and place directly over potatoes to cook in the IP. Then use a pizza cutter to “chop” the eggs when cool. Great time saver if you’ve already cleaned your prep area.

        Reply
  9. Dianna

    February 18, 2019 at 2:09 pm

    This recipe sounds yummy! I can't wait to try it!

    Reply
  10. Denise

    April 21, 2019 at 3:19 pm

    5 stars
    Made this today. It's a hit. Love it. Having with Easter Ham and collard greens.

    Reply
  11. Bigfoot

    June 29, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    4 stars
    Sorry, it needs celery, onions,dill relish cubes, more mustard, and maybe some jalapeno powder.

    Reply
    • Gary White

      June 30, 2019 at 10:13 am

      Not if you don't like those things. Lol...

      Reply
    • Clara Bowman

      March 26, 2020 at 7:53 pm

      Maybe yours does but this isn't YOUR recipe. Just movealong and makeyour own.

      Reply
    • Lisa

      May 25, 2020 at 6:44 pm

      Really? Post your own (completely different) recipe instead of telling this person to add your ingredients to HIS recipe

      Reply
  12. Lo

    August 19, 2019 at 10:14 am

    Did I read correctly in replies
    The original recipe had 3 dozen eggs??
    Wow!

    I also learned an easy way to cook eggs in the IP is to crack them into a IP safe bowl
    And place them in that way creating a cooked “egg loaf” you then just chop up
    You could possibly layer that container in over the potatoes and cook them together eliminating the peeling the eggs 😉

    Reply
    • Gary White

      August 19, 2019 at 10:54 am

      Well, I also downsized the recipe quite a bit. There are also 3xs as many potatoes. It was enough to feed a small army! But the ratio is still the same.

      Reply
      • Johnnie

        October 28, 2019 at 3:35 pm

        Do you peel the potatoes first?

        Reply
        • Gary White

          October 31, 2019 at 10:40 am

          Yes. And cut them up.

          Reply
  13. Taletta Wilson

    April 06, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    I have messed up potato salad more times than I can count, but this one was spot on and will be my go to from here on out! Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Heather

    May 25, 2020 at 9:32 pm

    I was so excited to read “I want absolutely no crunch” because that is what has always stopped me from liking potato salad,,, but then you went and threw pickles in it! How is there no crunch with the sweet salad cubes?

    Reply
    • Gary White

      May 26, 2020 at 9:51 am

      You can substitute the sweet relish for the sweet salad cubes to minimize the crunch. However, compared to onion and celery, the slight crunch of sweet pickles is barely noticeable. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Dom

    May 29, 2020 at 10:43 am

    When you say mayo, are you using real mayo or miracle whip? I'd love to try this recipe but want to get it right.

    Reply
    • Gary White

      June 01, 2020 at 8:32 am

      I'm definitely not speaking of Miracle Whip, not a fan. I prefer Hellmans or Dukes.

      Reply
  16. Denise

    July 03, 2020 at 5:24 pm

    Will all of the potatoes and eggs fit in a 6 quart instant pot?

    Reply
    • Gary White

      July 03, 2020 at 7:31 pm

      Yes.

      Reply
  17. RichV

    July 04, 2020 at 12:07 pm

    Thank you once again, Gary. I've been wanting to stop buying this at the grocery.

    Reply
  18. Cindi

    July 28, 2020 at 7:54 pm

    wow... i have not tried it yet but since it is the way i make my own... except i do use onions and celery... so i know how gooooood it is... have been loving it for years... ty for sharing with the world...

    Reply
  19. Alex

    January 20, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    For the sweet salad cubes, have you tried to use Bubbies' pickles? I think they would taste better here because they're naturally-fermented kosher dill pickles.

    Reply
    • Gary White

      March 04, 2021 at 8:22 am

      I have not tried them or even heard of them before.

      Reply
  20. Scarlett

    May 11, 2021 at 12:15 pm

    5 stars
    This is very nearly my recipe except the relish which I had never heard of. But having found it easily in my grocery I tried it and voila, new secret recipe!

    Reply
  21. Mary Whitt

    June 29, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    4 stars
    What are sweet salad cubes?

    Reply
    • Gary White

      June 30, 2021 at 9:53 am

      There's a full description both in the post and notes of the recipe.

      Reply
  22. Raquel

    June 30, 2021 at 2:47 pm

    5 stars
    Huge hit! I did add finely chopped celery. I like a little more texture. My family said I need to make it this way all the time.

    Reply
  23. Donna Schafer

    August 28, 2021 at 10:48 pm

    5 stars
    I've made this twice and it is delicious! Big hit! No sweet salad cubes here in southeast Michigan (disappointing, because I could get them in VA when I live there). Anyway, I just diced up sweet pickles. ONE NOTE: The printed version of the recipe says to place potatoes into a colander and drain completely, whereas your post says to place them on a baking sheet to cool. You may want to update the printed version.

    Reply
    • Gary White

      September 15, 2021 at 3:59 pm

      Thank you so much for the feedback and heads up!

      Reply
  24. Heidi

    July 06, 2024 at 6:40 pm

    5 stars
    I'm a bit of a potato salad snob but this is this best recipe that I've seen in quite some time quick and easy and very tasty❣️

    Reply
  25. Kari

    August 13, 2024 at 11:38 am

    5 stars
    I’ve made this four or five times now, and everyone loves it. I use sweet relish and drain it really well (didn’t the first time, and it was more soupy than we like, but we still ate it!). Will probably be making a batch weekly going forward! Thank you.

    Reply
  26. Krista

    June 07, 2025 at 5:29 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! So easy and turned out perfect!

    Reply
4.92 from 25 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Meet Gary

I'm Gary... husband, dad, recipe developer, and comfort food nerd. I believe in real food for real life. This blog? It’s where I share the recipes my family actually eats. Simple, soulful, and full of flavor. My goal is simple: help you cook food worth making again. More about me...

As Seen On

Parade Delish Greatist

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Recipes
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Instant Pot Magic
  • Gluten-Free Comfort
  • Soup Season All Year
  • Desserts That Deliver
  • Real-Life Dinners
  • Southern & Soul Food
  • Slow Cooker & Air Fryer
  • Vegan-ish

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure

Newsletter & Contact

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates
  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 The Foodie Eats

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.