German Potato Salad • authentic recipe! (2024)

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Authentic German potato salad made with an amazing warm bacon vinaigrette, straight from Mom’s recipe box!

German Potato Salad • authentic recipe! (1)

German potato salad

A photo can only hint at all the wonderful things going on in this German potato salad. It turned out perfectly, with all the rightwarm-tangy-savory-crispyelements in perfect balance. It comes from my mom’s recipe box where, I have to say, thesaladsection is a little lean! I’m guessing a salad had to be pretty good for her to save it, and this one definitely is. Even though mom was strictly in themayo based potato saladcamp, my dad would have grown up with this vinegar and bacon version, so it made regular appearances on our backyard picnic table. It’s phenomenal, I’ll be making it again on the 4th of July for sure.

German Potato Salad • authentic recipe! (2)

did you know?

German potato salad, known as kartoffelsalat, is a staple in German cuisine. Warm potato salad with a bacon and vinegar based dressing is from southern Germany and is known as warmkartoffelsalat. It’s a highlight of Oktoberfest and beer garden menus, and just like we do, Germans enjoy warm potato salad with barbecues and outdoor grilling.

German Potato Salad • authentic recipe! (3)

lets break it down: German Potato Salad ingredients

salad

  • potatoes
  • bacon
    • I cooked up 1/2 pound of bacon but of course as we all know the amount of bacon that actually makes it into a recipe is in inverse proportion to the cook’s willpower. Adjust accordingly 😉
  • celery
  • red onion
  • parsley and chives
  • salt and pepper
German Potato Salad • authentic recipe! (4)

warm bacon dressing

  • bacon grease
  • cider vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • celery seed
  • Dijon mustard
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how to make warm German potato salad

  1. Peel potatoes, halve lengthwise, and cook until just tender.
  2. Meanwhile cook bacon and reserve some of the grease for the dressing.
  3. Slice the hot potatoes and combine with onions, celery, and crumbled bacon.
  4. Make hot dressing and drizzle all over salad.
  5. Toss gently and serve with fresh herbs.
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helpful tips and secrets to making German potato salad

Use similar sized potatoes, and peel them before cooking. I also slice them in half lengthwise before cooking them to make the process quicker.

Don’t sauté the onions and celery in the hot dressing. This is the classic method but I say don’t do it! I love the little bit of crunch from the raw veggies, it works so well with the soft potatoes.

Use a light hand with the dressing. The dressing in this recipe is just right for 3 lbs of potatoes. In too many German potato salads there is too much soupy dressing and the vinegar flavor overpowers everything. If you prefer a ‘wetter’ German potato salad, just make a little extra dressing.

Don’t worry if you can’t serve this warm. The salad cools off very quickly after you add the hot dressing, so room temperature will be just fine. The main benefit of the hot dressing is that it soaks right into the potatoes.

Serving leftovers: if you want to rewarm a serving of cold salad, you can microwave it briefly to revive it.

a few variation ideas

  • Add some chopped dill pickles
  • Top with wedges of cooked egg.
  • Use dill instead of parsley and chives.
German Potato Salad • authentic recipe! (7)

the bottom line

I was all set to start peeling another batch of potatoes when I began to slice mine and realized that they were fairly soft. I figured I boiled them a few minutes too long for the defined slices I was aiming for. But I tell you what…this stuff is gooooood, just as is. The soft edges of the potato drink in that amazing dressing and the whole package is pretty perfect. So as far as I’m concerned this recipe is a big success. (It’s helped banish the memory of those gloppy tubs of supermarket German potato salad from my mind forever.)

German Potato Salad • authentic recipe! (8)

more summer sides to try

  • Melon Salad with Chile and Lime
  • Berry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
  • Thai Mango Salad
  • Lemon Couscous Salad
  • Mediterranean Artichoke Salad

German Potato Salad • authentic recipe! (9)

German Potato Salad

5 from 8 votes

Warm German potato salad is Old World comfort food!

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Prep Time:10 minutes minutes

Cook Time:20 minutes minutes

Total Time:30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Peel the potatoes and halve them lengthwise. Cover with cold water and add a tablespoon of salt. Cook until just tender but not soft or falling apart. Check with the point of a sharp knife.

  • While the potatoes cook, fry the bacon until crisp. Reserve the grease. Drain the bacon on paper towels and then finely chop or crumble and set aside.

  • In a small saucepan mix 1/4 cup of the reserved bacon fat, the vinegar, sugar, salt, celery seed and Dijon mustard. Whisk to combine and keep warm over a very low heat. Note: taste the dressing to adjust any of the ingredients. Remember the vinegar taste will mellow out once you mix it with the warm potatoes.

  • Drain the potatoes and thickly slice while still hot. Place in a large serving bowl along with the celery, onion, and crumbled bacon. Toss gently with the hot bacon vinaigrette.

  • Top with the fresh herbs, and some fresh cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

*Try to choose potatoes of similar size so they’ll cook evenly.

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Course: Salad

Cuisine: German American

Author: Sue Moran

Keyword: bacon, German, potatoes, salad, summer

Nutrition

Calories: 268 kcal · Carbohydrates: 34 g · Protein: 7 g · Fat: 12 g · Saturated Fat: 4 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g · Trans Fat: 0.04 g · Cholesterol: 19 mg · Sodium: 799 mg · Potassium: 852 mg · Fiber: 4 g · Sugar: 4 g · Vitamin A: 130 IU · Vitamin C: 36 mg · Calcium: 40 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Did You Make This?We love seeing what you’ve made! Tag us on social media at @theviewfromgreatisland for a chance to be featured.

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German Potato Salad • authentic recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is a traditional potato German salad? ›

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 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!).

Which is the most famous potato dish in Germany? ›

Kartoffelsalat is a traditional German potato salad hailing from the region of Swabia in Southern Germany. It typically consists of boiled and sliced potatoes, chopped onions, beef broth, white vinegar, oil, mild German mustard, sugar, and pepper.

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.

What is German potato 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 eat? ›

In German supermarkets, vorwiegend kochende potatoes are often labeled in red. Well-known varieties include: Bolero, Christa, Désirée, Finka, Gala, Hela, Maja and Saskia.

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 are mashed potatoes called in Germany? ›

Kartoffelbrei m

I make mashed potatoes with milk and butter. Ich mache Kartoffelbrei mit Milch und Butter.

How do Germans eat potatoes? ›

Here are some general guidelines:
  • Boiled potatoes: Boiled potatoes are a common side dish in Germany. ...
  • Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes are often served as a side dish with meat and gravy or with sausages. ...
  • Roast potatoes: Roast potatoes are a popular side dish in Germany, particularly during the colder months.
Feb 13, 2023

What is the most consumed vegetable in Germany? ›

The tomato is the most beloved vegetable in Germany. The average German eats about 57 pounds of them each year.

What is the most popular junk food in Germany? ›

Fast food in Germany
  • German fast food is much more than just burgers and fried chicken! ...
  • Die Bratwurst (grilled sausage) ...
  • Die Currywurst (sausage in curry sauce) ...
  • Die Pommes (chips) ...
  • Ein halbes Hähnchen (half a grilled chicken) ...
  • Der Döner (doner kebab) ...
  • Did you know? ...
  • Links.

What is the most iconic German food? ›

Of all these regional and national dishes, Germany is most famous for Currywurst, sausages, pretzels and Black Forest Gateau, but as you can see, there is plenty more to German cuisine than just these.

Why do Germans love potatoes so much? ›

According to legend, King Frederick II of Prussia believed in the economic and nutritious value of potatoes. He tricked local farmers into planting more of the so-called apple of the earth by posting soldiers around the potato fields to protect them. It worked — highly valued goods taste even better.

What is a traditional German meal? ›

Check out our list of 20 traditional German dishes that you need to try when you travel there.
  • Königsberger klopse. ...
  • Maultaschen. ...
  • Labskaus. ...
  • Sausages. ...
  • Currywurst. ...
  • Döner kebab. ...
  • Schnitzel. ...
  • Käsespätzle.

What is the German potato story? ›

The story of the potato's arrival in Germany goes like this: Old Fritz intended to introduce the potato, but the farmers did not want this strange crop they had never heard of. So Old Fritz used a bit of cunning. He installed a royal potato field and sent heavily armed soldiers to guard it.

Does Walmart have German potato salad? ›

Great Value Warm German Style Potato Salad is made with real potatoes and has a delicious sweet and tart Bavarian taste. This potato salad delivers mouthwatering, authentic German flavors. It is perfect for dozens of occasions whether it be a summer barbecue or a romantic picnic at the park.

What do Germans eat with brötchen? ›

However, here are some traditional ways that Germans eat their Brötchen: for breakfast: you can find fresh bread rolls in every bread basket on German breakfast tables. Germans cut them in half horizontally, smear butter on them, and top them with jams, honey, quark, sliced cheese, or cold cuts.

What is the meaning of Kartoffelsalat? ›

noun. salad made from chopped boiled potatoes.

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