THE arrival of warmer weather means many people will be swapping hearty dinners for lighter meals.

From barbecues to picnics, the trusty potato salad often makes up a key part of these spreads.

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Potato salad is a staple for summer meals Credit: Alamy

Addind a 35p kitchen staple when boiling potatoes helps to keep them firm Credit: Getty

But while potato salad is a seasonal staple, many home cooks still struggle with the same problem – potatoes turning crumbly, grainy or falling apart completely once mixed with dressing.

To help, Gousto chef Sophie Nahmad has revealed the simple kitchen hack that keeps your boiled potatos perfectly firm and flavourful every time.

And all you’ll need to grab from your cupboard is a splash of vinegar.  

Sophie said: “Adding a splash of vinegar to the water when boiling potatoes helps them hold their shape and keeps the texture smooth and firm.

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“It slightly strengthens the outer layer of the potato as it cooks, which means the pieces stay intact instead of breaking down when you toss them through dressing.

“That’s especially important for potato salads and warm-weather dishes where you want clean, glossy potatoes rather than a mushy texture.

“It gives you that restaurant-quality finish at home.”

The trick works particularly well in cold potato dishes, picnic salads and barbecue sides, where overcooked potatoes can quickly become soft or grainy after chilling.

Gousto recommends adding around one tablespoon of white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or distilled vinegar to a large saucepan of water before boiling.

With a bottle of distilled vinegar costing as little as 35p, it works out at a very affordable hack.