Potato Salad Is 10x Better When You Use This Classic Frozen Item As Your Base

Potato salad is a favorite at cookouts and summer potlucks for its refreshingly cool and creamy flavors. However, not everyone loves the effort involved in peeling, cutting up, and boiling potatoes, even with an easier peeling method. If you're one of those people, those days are over. Frozen tater tots, beloved by kids and adults alike, provide the perfect substitute for whole potatoes while bringing the same delicious, starchy flavor — and more.

You can make tater tot potato salad with all your usual ingredients, except you'll swap the potato base for these crunchy additions. The tater tots should be baked until nicely golden and soft on the inside; smashing them flat halfway through their cook time makes them even toastier. The crispier they are, the better they'll hold up underneath the dressing. 

Prep your dressing ahead of time and refrigerate it, or whip it up while the tots are baking, then toss them in it and serve. Mayonnaise and mustard are staple condiments, but the acid is interchangeable; splash in apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or another acid to your liking. This dish is best eaten immediately, so if you're cooking a big meal, start preparing this one last. If the finished tots sit for too long, they'll soak up the dressing and become soggy. Eat the tots warm or chilled, but don't leave them in the fridge for more than an hour or two to avoid sogginess. We've got a few other tips, as well, for perfecting this crunchy take on potato salad.

The best tater tot potato salad starts with the right foundational ingredient. If you don't already have them on hand, make sure you buy the highest-quality store-bought tater tot brand to achieve the perfect crisp and flavor combinations; overly seasoned tots might overpower or clash with other ingredients like dill, parsley, and onions. Most freezer tots have their own salt, so taste a few before deciding how much to add. You can salt your tots, the dressing, or both for extra flavor. 

Cooks have put countless spins on classic potato salad, so add hard-boiled eggs for a softer bite to balance the crispy tots, or incorporate celery for freshness. Those who love a tangy note can fold in chopped dill pickles or sour cream, or use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. This tater tot potato salad is good eating when paired with barbecue foods like hot dogs, grilled chicken, and hamburgers. But if you follow a meat-free diet, you can make this dish vegan by creating homemade mayonnaise with aquafaba or tofu for the dressing. Whether you make this potato salad with classic flavors or season it with Old Bay for Mid-Atlantic flair, tater tots are a winner every time.