This no mayonnaise potato salad with tahini and pomegranate seeds is a great change from standard recipes. Studded with jewels of pomegranate seeds, it both looks and tastes fresh and summery. Perfect for your summer BBQs and potlucks. Vegan too.
A potato salad is a summer staple, simple but so delicious and also so adaptable. Everyone has their own version – we like to keep our potato mayonnaise simple – new potatoes, with a snip of chives and plenty of salt and pepper, and certainly no raw onions! Come summer we keep a bowl of cooked new potatoes in the fridge ready to turn into a potato salad.
If you are bored of the regular mayonnaise dressing based potato salad try this no mayonnaise version inspired by Middle Eastern flavours with a vegan tahini and coriander (cilantro) dressing, finished with a scattering of pomegranate seeds to give it a pretty jewelled finish. Â If you are one of those unfortunate people for whom coriander tastes like soap – substitute a mixture of finely chopped flat leaf parsley and mint.
Tahini; made from ground sesame seeds, is a staple in my kitchen, and has an almost magical property of thickening when you add oil and lemon juice to it, so you can thin it down with water, which makes the dressing far less calorific. it is a staple for dressing in my kitchen.
When making a potato salad it is important to use a good quality new potato.  Small and sweet with a thin papery skin that should easily scrape, or rub away. I always think that they are far better steamed, which preserves and enhances their delicate potato flavour. I use a scrubby dish cloth to prepare my new potatoes, and remember that despite them being new, they take the same time to cook as all potatoes do – somehow I always; perhaps impatiently, expect them to be ready sooner.
The star of this no mayonnaise potato salad are Cornish new potatoes, grown close to the sea, they are the first crop available from the UK mainland. Enjoy the first ones steamed with a sprinkle of salt, and a generous pat of butter, before using them in dishes like this potato salad.
Cornish new potatoes will be available in Tesco stores from the middle of June to the end of July, in 750g packs and as a loose option – both online and instore – go and get some and enjoy them whilst you can.
Leftover fresh coriander can be frozen, then added to curries and dals, or used in my green goddess dressing, or in any of these recipes for leftover coriander (cilantro).
- 500 g Cornish New potatoes , washed and lightly scrubbed to remove some of the skin.
- 1 tbs tahini
- ½ lemon – juiced and zested
- 1 dsp olive oil
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tbs water (or more if needed)
- 1 small bunch coriander
- 2 tbs pomegranate seeds
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Steam or gently simmer the potatoes for about 20 minutes until cooked. Drain and allow to cool.
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Whisk the tahini, lemon juice and olive oil together in a mixing bowl. Add the soy sauce and drizzle in some of the water. Mix, and add more water until the sauce is the consistency of single cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Finely chop the coriander, reserving some of the leaves for garnishing, and stir into the sauce with the lemon zest.
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Once the potatoes have cooled cut into 1cm thick slices, and gently fold a few at a time into the sauce until they are coated.
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Serve the potatoes on a bed of salad leaves, scatter the reserved coriander leaves and pomegranate seeds over.
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Sponsored post.
Mayonnaise Potato Salad with Tahini and Pomegranate commissioned by Branston for Tesco. All opinions our own.
Kip
oh yesss! This is my dream flavour combination for summer.
Helen
I am obsessed with tahini and pomegranate the moment.
Gareth Torrance
Well, this looks absolutely delicious! And the lack of mayo is great!
Helen
It is all too easy to have too much mayo at this time of year.
Sarah Bailey
Oh yum how good does this sound, I am absolutely a fan of potato salad and this sounds like the perfect one for summer.
Helen
I love a potato salad, and it certainly is good to have some twists up your sleeve.
Agata
Very nice twist on the classic potato salad! We will have to try it soon.
Helen
it is nice to ring the changes
Jessica
You are right that everyone has their own version of potato salad. I love potato salad during the summer. This recipe is definitely different and it looks delicious. Going to have to try this.
Helen
The use of tahini makes this version so tasty, certainly worth trying something different.
Rhian Westbury
In all honesty I’ve never been a huge fan of potato salad but perhaps that’s because I am not a mayo fan so this might fair better x
Helen
If it is the mayo that is putting you off, this alternative choice may just be the thing to sway you.
Stephanie Merry
I love the look of this, I’m not the biggest fan of mayonnaise, so I’ll have to try this alternative x
Helen
The tahini is a great choice instead of the mayonnaise, very tasty.
Tanya Brannan
I have only ever had potato salad with the normal mayonnaise! This looks like a great alternative, and those pomegranate seeds make it look really special. I also love the idea of having the first crop with sea salt and butter! Delicious
Helen
The Cornish potatoes make the perfect choice, really delicious.
nicol
never thought you can make a potato salad without mayo! i love tahini too
Helen
I love tahini at the moment, rather obsessed if I’m honest.
Ali Rost
I crave all things potato salad in the summertime. This one looks like such a wonderful alternative to the normally mayo-laden versions found at potlucks. I’m really excited to give it a try this weekend .. we’ve been invited to a neighborhood BBQ and have been asked to bring a side. Thanks so much for another great recipe!
Helen
This version of potato salad would be a great side dish to take to a BBQ.
Patty @pattysaveurs.com
How I love tahini, great salad dressing, love that you replaced mayonnaise by tahini, gives your dressing a delicious nutty flavor!
Helen
I really love using tahini, so good with so many dishes.
Donna Ashworth
this looks absolutely delicious and perfect for summer gatherings!!! I am bookmarking!
Helen
A delicious alternative to mayonnaise laden salads.
Kavey Favelle
Would never have thought of using tahini like this with potatoes, really like the idea. And of course those jewel-like pomegranate seeds are just gorgeous!
Helen
The tahini goes really well with the potatoes, such a good alternative to mayonnaise.
Dannii
We never use Mayo in our potato salad and use yoghurt instead, but I love the idea of tahini for a twist. Pomegranate makes everything better too.
Helen
I love using tahini when I can, so tasty. It is good to find suitable alternatives to mayonnaise.
Tara
Such a unique and beautiful potato salad! Definitely perfect for summer. I just picked up a jar of tahini and this would be a great way to put it to use. I love the pomegranate seeds on top.
Helen
The pomegranate seeds do finish off rather lovely.
Jade Bremner
This looks amazing something that I would defiantly make for a BBQ. I like that it is no mayo as a lot of my family don’t like mayo x
Helen
Not everyone can eat or wants to eat mayonnaise, so it is a good thing to find suitable alternatives. Tahini is a great substitute.
Sarah Ann
I made a traditional potato salad a few weeks ago and it was nice, but I like the sound of this one more – it sounds more adventurous. I’ll pay more attention to what potatoes I use too!
Helen
Traditional potato salad is good, but if you’re looking for an alternative for either a change or dietary needs, using tahini is a great choice.
Lilinha
Yummy, such a delicious salad. I never thought about having pomegranate with potatoes, but it looks delicious!
Helen
The addition of pomegrante seeds finishes off rather lovely, goes well together.
Anosa
What a great alternative to the mayonnaise potato salads. I don’t think I would have thought of replacing my mayonnaise but this looks great and tasty
Helen
Using an alternative to mayonnaise can be great if you’re looking for a change, the tahini works well.
Jessica McDonnell
This potato salad sounds so lovely and exactly what I’ve been looking for to accompany my boring salads lately. i Will definitely be bookmarking this.
Helen
A little change with how we make things can make all the difference.
Louise Smith
This potato salad looks SO good. I’ve been looking for some new things to make for dinner in this heat, so I’ll have to give it a try this next week!
Louise x
Helen
I really enjoy eating salads when the weather is so warm.
The London Mum
I’ve never been keen on the mayonnaise part of a potato mayonnaise so this twist would be perfect for me!
Helen
I love this recipe precisely as it is a change from the mayo heavy versions.