German Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

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By

Joshua Bousel

German Potato Salad Recipe (1)

Joshua Bousel

Joshua Bousel is a Serious Eats old-timer, having started sharing his passion for grilling and barbecue recipes on the site back in 2008. He continues to develop grilling and barbecue recipes on his own site, The Meatwave, out of his home base of Durham, North Carolina.

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Updated February 14, 2022

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German Potato Salad Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Browning the onions in the bacon fat adds depth to the finished salad.
  • Fresh parsley and chives balance the earthiness of the potatoes and onions.

Barbecue sides can be as much of an art as slow smoking meat itself. It's confounding to me then why so many joints treat sides as an afterthought, thinking it's ok to serve sorry items like bland mayo-drenched potato salads alongside masterful pieces of beef and pork. I know the meat is the main attraction, but there's something to be said for a more robust meal, one that is only enhanced by seriously delicious sides like this German potato salad.

What's commonly referred to as "German potato salad" in the United State has its origins in Southern Germany. There, mayo is dropped in favor of vinegar and oil, and the whole thing is laden with crispy bacon. It just so happens that this combo of salty smoked meat and tangy vinegar is a perfect complement to American barbecue.

For this recipe, I like to use a waxy variety of potatoes rather than starchy since they hold their shape better when mixed with bacon, sautéed onions, vinegar, and mustard. Traditionally it's finished with a dose of parsley, but because I find too much parsley starts to overpower and taste a little bitter, I add a mixture of parsley and chives to give the right amount of freshness with a bonus light oniony flavor.

Now this is a side worthy of a seat next to a stack of fatty brisket. The tartness of the vinegar and slight bite of mustard flavor the potatoes well. Add to that the smoky bacon and slightly sweet onions, and the usual bases of barbecue flavor are covered. This potato salad fits seamlessly into a barbecue meal and offers a nice change when you need a break from chomping down on meat alone.

August 29, 2013

Recipe Details

German Potato Salad Recipe

Active35 mins

Total35 mins

Serves6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

  • 1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1/2-inch dice

  • 3/4 cup finely minced yellow onion (about 1 small)

  • 1/3 cup white vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons white sugar

  • 1 tablespoon whole grain Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon freshlyground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

  • 1 tablespoonfinely chopped fresh chives

Directions

  1. Place potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt in a large pot and cover with cold water until water level is 1 inch above potatoes. Set over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until a paring knife can be inserted into potatoes with no resistance, 10-15 minutes. Strain potatoes and set aside.

    German Potato Salad Recipe (3)

  2. While potatoes are cooking, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving as much rendered fat in the pan as possible. Pour out all but about 3 tablespoons of fat from pan.

    German Potato Salad Recipe (4)

  3. Add onions to pan with bacon fat and cook over medium heat until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

    German Potato Salad Recipe (5)

  4. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, sugar, mustard, 2 teaspoons of salt, and pepper to make the dressing.

    German Potato Salad Recipe (6)

  5. Place potatoes, bacon, onions, parsley, and chives in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss gently to combine. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then serve immediately while still warm.

    German Potato Salad Recipe (7)

Read More

  • Serious Entertaining: A Bavarian-Style Alpine Feast
  • Potato Salad
  • Red Potatoes
  • Summer
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
342Calories
14g Fat
37g Carbs
17g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories342
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g17%
Saturated Fat 5g23%
Cholesterol 37mg12%
Sodium 1143mg50%
Total Carbohydrate 37g13%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 17g
Vitamin C 22mg110%
Calcium 29mg2%
Iron 2mg9%
Potassium 1063mg23%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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German Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is German salad made of? ›

For German potato salad, sliced potatoes are tossed with bacon, sautéed onions, fresh herbs, and a mustardy white wine dressing. It's a nice change-up from the classic mayonnaise-based version, and you can serve it warm or chilled.

What is amish potato salad made of? ›

This Amish Potato Salad starts off with a sweet, creamy dressing that gets drizzled over all the potato salad classics – celery, boiled eggs, onions, and sweet pickle relish. This is a great summer side dish and a nice change from the usual. That sweet dressing is a bit different, but oh so good!

Can you reheat German potato salad? ›

To reheat it in the oven, place the potato salad in a baking dish covered with foil and bake for about 10-15 minutes at 350º or until warm. To reheat it in the microwave, place it in a microwave safe bowl and heat it for 1-minute at a time, stirring in between each increment, until warm.

What are the most popular potatoes in Germany? ›

Vorwiegend Festkochend potatoes (red strip) have a medium level of starch, and the peel easily bursts during cooking. They are moderately damp, fine-grained and a little bit drier after cooking than the waxy sorts. This is the most often used potato in Germany because it can be used in most recipes.

What do Germans eat for vegetables? ›

As far as vegetables go, green beans, broccoli, peas and cabbage are staples at the German dinner table. Vegetables are often boiled, stir fried or come from the oven, to keep them slightly chewy.

What are the key ingredients in German food? ›

Whilst there are regional variations in food culture, most German recipes focus heavily on bread, potatoes, and meat, especially pork, as well as plenty of greens such as types of cabbage and kale. Cake, coffee, and beer are all highly popular elements of German cuisine too - which will be good news to most!

What is Russian potato salad made of? ›

This is no ordinary potato salad. This salad consists of potatoes, turkey hot dogs, pickles, scallions, hard-boiled eggs, and sweet peas. All of the ingredients are finely chopped and dressed with mayonnaise.

Can I freeze German potato salad? ›

Can You Freeze German Potato Salad? German potato salads freeze better than their mayonnaise-based counterparts. Freeze the (completely cooled) potato salad for up to three months, then thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven.

How many days can you eat leftover potato salad? ›

Blame it on the bad bacteria that grow rapidly when food remains in the danger zone between 40°F and 140°F for more than two hours. 2 This means that potato salad made without mayo isn't exempt from these time and temp guidelines. Bottom Line: When stored safely, fresh potato salad should keep for up to five days.

Can I freeze potato salad for later use? ›

Store leftover potato salad in a ziplock plastic freezer and squeeze out as much air as possible without squishing the potato salad. Use within three months of freezing. A warm potato salad will fare better because you can heat it back up, but cold, defrosted potato salad is a lackluster version of its former self.

What is the most consumed vegetable in Germany? ›

Conscious eating is trendy, and not just in the context of Veganuary. The consumption of fresh and processed vegetables in Germany has once again gone up last year - to a total of 109 kg per capita.

What is potato called in Germany? ›

Kartoffel (German for potato) is a derogatory slang term used by other cultures to describe Germans. It is also used in a humorous way and as a self-denomination.

What is German field salad? ›

Field salad (Valerianella locusta), known as feldsalat in German, is used like lettuce in salad. It is also famously known as Rapunzel Lettuce, after the vitamin-rich food that cost a peasant family their only daughter in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.

What lettuce is popular in Germany? ›

One of the most popular salads in Germany is the iceberg lettuce. Iceberg lettuce tastes very fresh for a long time long due to its tight and well-hydrated leaves.

What is the white German vegetable? ›

The Beloved Tradition of Germany

White asparagus is a unique vegetable that is grown underground, shielded from sunlight to prevent the production of chlorophyll. This gives it a distinctive pale color, which is highly prized by Germans.

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