Lemon Dill Potato Salad

This is my go-to potato salad when I’m sick of the same old mayo-heavy versions. The pepperoncini juice and za’atar give it a Mediterranean twist that’s way more interesting than whatever you’d find at a deli.

June Arthurs
January 23, 2026
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Ingredients (~6 servings)

  • 2 lbs gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 red onion, diced
  • 6 pepperoncini, chopped
  • 3 celery ribs, finely diced
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 oz feta, crumbled
  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp pepperoncini juice
  • 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tsp za’atar
  • 3/4 tsp ground sumac
  • 3 Tbsp minced fresh dill
  • 1 Tbsp minced flat-leaf parsley
  • 3/4 tsp sugar
  • kosher salt & freshly cracked black pepper

Boil and Season the Potatoes

Add the potatoes to a medium stock pot and cover with cold water. Add 2 tsp of salt to the water and bring to a boil over medium heat.

Let the potatoes boil until they’re very tender and easily pierced with a fork – this usually takes ~20-25 minutes depending on how big you diced them.

Drain the potatoes into a colander and let them cool. You want them just barely warm when you mix them with the dressing so they don’t turn to mush.

Make the Dressing and Mix-Ins

In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced red onion with the pepperoncini juice and lemon juice. Let the onions sit for 5 minutes – this takes some of the bite out of them.

After 5 minutes, mix in the mayo, sour cream, lemon zest, za’atar, sumac, sugar, dill, and parsley; stir really well until everything’s combined.

Stir in the celery, chopped pepperoncini, and sliced scallions. Season to taste with salt and pepper – I usually start with 1/2 tsp salt and adjust from there.

Toss and Chill

Once the potatoes are just barely warm, fold them into the dressing and mix-ins until they’re really well coated. Don’t be too aggressive or you’ll break up the potatoes.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours – this is when all the flavors really come together.

Right before serving, stir in the feta and sprinkle with more dill, za’atar, and sumac on top.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Lemon Dill Potato Salad

This is my go-to potato salad when I’m sick of the same old mayo-heavy versions. The pepperoncini juice and za’atar give it a Mediterranean twist that’s way more interesting than whatever you’d find at a deli.
prep time20 minutes
cook time25 minutes
resting or cooling time4 hours
total time4 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

Ingredients (~6 servings)

  • 2 lbs gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 red onion, diced
  • 6 pepperoncini, chopped
  • 3 celery ribs, finely diced
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 oz feta, crumbled
  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp pepperoncini juice
  • 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tsp za’atar
  • 3/4 tsp ground sumac
  • 3 Tbsp minced fresh dill
  • 1 Tbsp minced flat-leaf parsley
  • 3/4 tsp sugar
  • kosher salt & freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  • Boil potatoes in salted water for 20-25 minutes until tender.
  • Drain and let cool until barely warm.
  • Marinate diced red onion in pepperoncini and lemon juice for 5 minutes.
  • Mix mayo, sour cream, lemon zest, za’atar, sumac, sugar, dill, and parsley.
  • Add celery, pepperoncini, and scallions to dressing.
  • Gently fold in cooled potatoes until coated.
  • Refrigerate for 4 hours to develop flavors.
  • Before serving, stir in feta and sprinkle with extra dill, za’atar, and sumac.

Notes

Keeps in refrigerator for 4-5 days.