German Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

  • Potato Salad
  • Red Potatoes
  • Summer

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.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated February 14, 2022

WRITE A REVIEW

Trending Videos

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

  • 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
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.)

Starch Madness 2022

Couch Potatoes

Hot Potatoes

Small Potatoes

Potaytoes Potahtoes

    French Fries
    Latkes
    Aloo Paratha
    Pierogi
    Aloo Gobi
    Masala Dosa
    Rösti
    Gamja Bokkeum
    Fried Papas Criollas
    Poutine
    Caldo Verde
    Ajiaco
    Colombian Salt-Crusted Potatoes
    Darphin
    Shoestring Fries
    Wedges
    Crispy Roast Potatoes
    Baked Potato
    Classic Potato Salad
    Potato and Chorizo Tacos
    Hash Browns
    Greek Lemon Potatoes
    German Potato Salad
    Crispy Smashed Potatoes
    Potato Hash
    Home Fries
    Fondant Potatoes
    Pommes Anna
    Erdäpfelsalat
    Causa
    French-Style Brown Butter Potatoes
    Potato Chips
    Aloo Samosa
    Patatas Bravas
    Aloo Tikki
    Tortilla Española
    Croquettes
    Tater Tots
    Doughnuts
    Fried Potato Mochi
    Papri Chaat
    Potato Pizza
    Pommes Dauphine
    Crispy Duck Fat-Fried Fingerlings
    Potato Skins
    Knish
    Salchipapa
    Mashed Potatoes
    Gratin
    Shepherd's Pie
    Gnocchi
    Potato-Leek Soup
    Lyonnaise
    Tartiflette
    Pommes Purée
    Pommes Aligot
    Hotdish
    duch*ess
    Fully Loaded Vegan Baked Potato Soup
    Skordalia
    Crispy Mashed Potato Casserole
    Hasselback Gratin
    Brandade
German Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between American and German potato salad? ›

There are two main differences between American and German Potato salads. American potato salad is usually tossed in a mayonnaise-based dressing and served cold. German potato salad is tossed in a vinegar-based dressing and is traditionally served warm (but you can totally serve it cold too! It's still delicious!).

Can you freeze homemade 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 to keep potatoes from falling apart when making potato salad? ›

Taste of Home Deputy Food Editor James Schend suggests adding a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to the water before it comes to a simmer, which will help create a “crust” on the potatoes. This way, they'll be less likely to fall apart.

Who makes canned German potato salad? ›

Read's brand canned German potato salad.

What is German salad made of? ›

This is a warm potato salad, German-style! Slices of boiled potato are tossed in a warm, tangy-sweet bacon vinaigrette while hot so they absorb the flavour. They're then showered with crispy, golden bacon bits and hit with freshness from dill and green onion.

What type of potatoes do Germans use? ›

In German supermarkets, bags of mehlig kochende potatoes often have a blue label. The best-known varieties in Germany include: Adretta, Aula, Freya, Gunda (pictured top), Karat, Libana, Lipsi, Melina and Naturella.

How many days does potato salad last in the refrigerator? ›

According to StillTasty.com, prepared potato salad—whether homemade or store-bought, dressed with vinegar and oil or mayonnaise—will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to five days if stored properly.

What makes potato salad go bad? ›

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.

What is the best type of potato for potato salad? ›

Waxy potatoes are generally considered the best for classic potato salad because they retain their shape, you don't have to peel them, and they have a smooth texture. People who prefer a creamy potato salad that soaks up dressing like a sponge, though, opt for a starchy potato.

Should you peel potatoes before boiling for potato salad? ›

Drop a whole russet into the pot and by the time the outside has cooked through, the inside will still be raw. Larger potatoes should be cubed to ensure they cook evenly (peeled first if desired). Smaller potatoes tend to have thin skins and can be boiled whole, no peeling required.

Is it better to boil potatoes whole or cut up for potato salad? ›

Unpeeled potatoes.

The thin skins are usually tender after cooking and add color to the potato salad. Dice unpeeled potatoes into uniformly-sized pieces. Place in cold water, bring to a boil, then simmer until tender.

Should I wait for potatoes to cool before making potato salad? ›

Yes, if your potato salad is a cold salad, as most are, allow the cooked potatoes to cool to room temperature before adding the dressing and other ingredients.

What is the history of German potato salad? ›

American style “German Potato Salad” originated from German immigrants based upon the German Kartoffelsalat. But the true origin of this recipe may be southern Poland. Cuisine doesn't recognize countries borders so who knows for sure.

Which is the most famous potato dish in Germany? ›

Pan-fried potatoes don't get much better than Bratkartoffeln, a German comfort food that is commonly enjoyed around the country. The dish consists of parboiled or boiled potatoes, sliced (in chunks, wedges, rounds, you name it), and pan-fried until they develop a mouthwatering golden-brown crust.

Where did the German Butterball potato come from? ›

The German Butterball potato was first introduced by David Ronniger in 1988. Ronniger Potato Farm, nestled in the northeastern corner of Moyie Springs, Idaho, is home to over two hundred varieties of potatoes. Ronniger was a grower proficient in varieties that were first made popular in pre-19th century Europe.

What do German potatoes taste like? ›

Description/Taste

The flesh is a vibrant yellow to gold and is firm, waxy, and dense. When cooked, German Butterball potatoes have a creamy and tender flesh that takes on a smooth consistency and offers a rich, buttery flavor.

What is the difference between German and Amish potato salad? ›

It's worth remembering that Amish potato salad does share many similarities with other styles. Southern-style potato salad usually includes the sweet pickle mentioned above but less sugar and no vinegar. German potato salad also uses vinegar but in a sauce as an alternative to the mayo-slash-mustard base.

What is the difference between German Butterball potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes? ›

The German Butterball variety is a yellow potato with a medium round shape. You can differentiate a German Butterball from other yellow varieties like Yukon Gold by the texture of its skin. German Butterballs have thin skin with a flaky texture and the appearance of fine webbing that covers the whole potato.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 5912

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.