Tangy Sour Cream and Chive Potato Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing potato salad with a creamy, tangy sour cream dressing brightened by fresh chives and a splash of lemon juice. This american-inspired salads ready in about 30 minutes pairs small red potatoes, sour cream, mayonnaise into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 6 American cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Wash and quarter 2 lbs small red potatoes. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to medium heat and simmer for 15-18 minutes until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
  2. Step 2: Drain the potatoes and transfer to a large bowl. Let cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Gently fold the sour cream dressing and 3 tbsp chopped fresh chives into the cooled potatoes until evenly coated. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tangy Sour Cream and Chive Potato Salad take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Tangy Sour Cream and Chive Potato Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep small red potatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tangy Sour Cream and Chive Potato Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Tangy Sour Cream and Chive Potato Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Tangy Sour Cream and Chive Potato Salad?

American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.