Easy German Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

This German Potato Salad Recipe is packed full of flavor! Crispy bacon, a delicious vinaigrette and plenty of dill. It’s easy to make and ready in no time! Creamy, sweet savory flavors that burst in your mouth!

Easy German Potato Salad Recipe (1)

This potato salad pairs perfectly with my Crispy Chicken Schnitzel Recipe! If you’re looking for more delicious salads, give my healthy Chicken Caesar Salad recipe a go, my Vietnamese Chicken Salad or my Greek Salad. All tasty salads!

Easy German Potato Salad Recipe (2)

German Potato Salad is a mouthwatering salad that combines the creaminess of potatoes with a tangy and savory dressing. It has bacon, onions and vinegar giving it s deliciously bold flavor. Best served warm, it’s the perfect side dish or main!

Why make this recipe!

There are so many things to love about this recipe! From the perfectly cooked potatoes to that tangy salad dressing that soaks in!

  • Potatoes – the boiled potatoes have a creamy texture and are perfectly seasoned!
  • Easy to make! It really takes little effort to put this delicious salad together
  • Great as a side or main!

What’re the right potatoes to use?

It’s important to use the right potato when making potato salad. The best potato for potato salad is a waxy potato like :

Easy German Potato Salad Recipe (3)

  • Red potatoes – the ones I used.
  • Yukon Gold potatoes
  • New potatoes.

Waxy potatoes hold their shape when boiled, give you a nice creamy texture and and taste amazing.

Ingredients You Need To Make German Potato Salad

Note: the whole recipe, including the ingredient quantities, can be found at the bottom of this page – just scroll down to the bottom, or click the ‘Jump to Recipe’ button at the top of this post.

Jump to Recipe

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  • Baby red potatoes – these are the potatoes I used and I love the contrast in color they provide. But you can use Yukon gold or new potatoes.
  • Streaky bacon – the fat that renders out of this bacon provides so much flavor!
  • Red onion – love the sweet flavor you get from these vibrant onions.
  • Apple cider vinegar – this is a slightly sweet and tangy vinegar and perfect for salads.
  • White sugar – granulated sugar works best here.
  • Olive oil – I used extra virgin olive oil.
  • Mustard – use any type you like but I used Dijon mustard. I’ve used English mustard which works as well.
  • Spring onions – also known as green onions.
  • Dill – use lots of this! It adds so much flavor.
  • Salt and pepper – to taste.

How to make German Potato Salad!

Whipping up this mouthwatering potato salad is so easy. Let’s get started!

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  1. Add potatoes to cold water,
  2. Cook until a knife goes through with some resistance. The potatoes will continue cooking once taken out of the water.
  3. Drain from the water
  4. Allow to cool for 10 min before slicing into 3’s or 4’s.

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  1. Slice the streaky bacon long ways
  2. Then chop up.
  3. Place on a cold frypan and place on medium heat
  4. Until the fat renders out and is bubbly

Easy German Potato Salad Recipe (7)

  1. Take the bacon out of the frypan using a slotted spoon and place on plate lined with paper towel.
  2. Add onion into frypan with bacon fat.
  3. Cook for a couple minutes before adding the apple cider vinegar, mustard, sugar and olive oil. Stir until it bubbles and is well combined.
  4. Add the potatoes,

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  1. Dill and spring onion.
  2. Stir until well combined. Serve warm!

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Tips and Tricks For Recipe Success!

  • Use waxy potatoes – waxy potatoes hold their shape and give you a creamy texture once boiled.
  • Cook potatoes until just tender – overcooked potatoes can turn mushy and fall apart.
  • Let the salad rest – for 30 minutes before serving to let the dressing flavors soak into the warm potatoes.
  • For best flavor results – make sure you add the potatoes to the vinaigrette when they’re warm so they can soak in the flavor.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature – also delicious served chilled straight out of the fridge!

Frequently Asked Questions about German Potato Salad

What does it taste like?

German Potato Salad is tangy, salty and savory. The dressing is sweet and tangy and the potatoes, when cooked right, are creamy and delicious.

How do I store this?

Refrigerate German Potato Salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! This salad is great served warm, but still really nice served chilled straight out of the fridge!

How do I know when the potatoes are cooked?

Pierce the potatoes with a fork or knife. If it goes in smoothly with a little resistance, the potatoes are done.

What does the dressing taste like?

The bacon provides a delicious saltiness, the mustard and vinegar provide a tanginess and the sugar provides some sweetness. A perfectly balanced and delicious dressing that soaks into the potatoes and make them so tasty!

Can German potato salad be served cold?

Yes! You can serve it straight out the fridge. You can even re-warm it in the microwave.

Gave this a go? Don’t forget to rate the recipe andleave a comment below! Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok for more great recipes!

What to serve with German Potato Salad!

  • Crispy Chicken Schnitzel

  • Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders

  • Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad

  • Vietnamese Chicken Salad

  • Greek Salad

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @thescranline on Facebook and Instagram!

Easy German Potato Salad Recipe (10)

Easy German Potato Salad Recipe (11)

German Potato Salad Recipe

This German Potato Salad Recipe is packed full of flavor! Crispy bacon, a delicious vinaigrette and plenty of dill. It’s easy to make and ready in no time!

Serves6

5 from 2 votes

Author: Nick Makrides

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: German

Calories: 348kcal

Ingredients

German Potato Salad

  • 2 lb (1 kg) baby red potatoes, washed (see notes)
  • 6 slices (200 g) streaky bacon chopped
  • 1 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup (85 ml) apple cider vinegar (see notes)
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 green onions spring onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp fresh dill or parsley finely chopped

Instructions

Potatoes

  • Add the baby potatoes in a large pot filled with cold water and bring to a boil. Once boiled, sprinkle in 1 tbsp of salt. Reduce to a heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly firm in the center when a knife is inserted into them. They will continue cooking once you take them out. Drain and set aside to cool for 10 minutes before slicing in threes.

Dressing

  • Add the bacon to a large, unheated, non-stick frypan and turn on medium heat. The bacon will release a lot of fat. Continue cooking until golden and slightly crispy, about 3 minutes.

  • Take the bacon out with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with paper towel, leaving the fat behind in the frypan.

  • Add the sliced onion and cook until slightly softened but with a little but of a bite in them, about 3 minutes.

  • Add the vinegar and simmer for a couple minutes before adding the cooked potatoes into the frypan and tossing to coat everything.

  • Add half of the potatoes to a serving plate before sprinkling with 1/2 of the bacon and dill. Add the remaining potatoes and garnish with the remaining bacon and dill. Salad is best served the day its made and typically served warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Potatoes: this recipe needs waxy potatoes that hold their shape after being boiled. Starchy potatoes will turn to mush when you try mixing the salad. I used baby red potatoes. You want your potatoes to be small. If you’re based in America and can’t find these potatoes, use the Yukon gold potatoes, and just thickly slice them once cooked and slightly cooled.

Apple cider vinegar: You can use white wine vinegar in its place.

Storage - Salad is best served the day its made and typically served warm or at room temperature but can also be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to three days.

Nutrition - is based on per serving and this recipe feeds 6 people as a side salad. 2 as a main.

A note on measurements - all ingredients in this recipe are offered in Australian cup measurements and weight measurements. Weight measurements are created by me, in my kitchen here in Melbourne Australia. The best way to get recipe success is to measure ingredients by weight, using kitchen scales.

Nutrition

Calories : 348kcal

Carbonhydrates: 31g

Protein: 8g

Fat: 22g

Saturated Fat: 6g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g

Monounsaturated Fat : 12g

Trans Fat : 0.05g

Cholesterol: 24mg

Sodium: 323mg

Potassium : 816mg

Fiber: 3g

Sugar : 7g

Vitamin A: 83IU

Vitamin C: 15mg

Calcium: 29mg

Iron: 2mg

Nutrition Disclosure

Gave this recipe a go?Mention @thescranline or tag #thescranline!

Easy German Potato Salad Recipe (12)

Nick Makrides

Nick Makrides is an ex Navy (for 7 weeks before I realised it was a major mistake), graphic designer and pastry chef. Although he likes to think of himself as a home, self taught, pop queen baker.

Easy German Potato Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between German potato salad and regular 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 German salad made of? ›

German Meat Salad – known as Fleischsalat – is a popular salad that you can find in most supermarkets and butcher shops across the country. Different from Wurstsalat (see below in this list), this salad is made with sliced meat, pickles, and more covered in mayonnaise.

How to keep potatoes from falling apart when making potato salad? ›

The key is to allow the potatoes to dry and become cold before you make the salad. If you cut hot, boiled potatoes, they tend to crumble. If you wait until they had time to dry (may I suggest laying them out on a plate or casserole dish during this time) and cold, they cut nicer.

Are red or russet potatoes better for potato salad? ›

To keep your salad from falling apart into mush, it's important to use the best potatoes for potato salad. Skip the russet potatoes and use a waxy variety instead, like Yukon gold, red potatoes or fingerlings. Learn more about which types of potatoes you should use for different recipes.

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 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 are mashed potatoes called in Germany? ›

Kartoffelbrei m

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

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 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.

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.

When making potato salad do you cut potatoes before boiling? ›

Dice unpeeled potatoes into uniformly-sized pieces. Place in cold water, bring to a boil, then simmer until tender.

Should you salt the water when boiling potatoes for potato salad? ›

Potatoes without seasoning are bland and flavorless, and salt adds delicious flavor. Potatoes are dense and require time to absorb some of the salt during cooking. That is why the salted water must be concentrated, claims Bon Appétit.

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.

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 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's the difference between salad potatoes and normal potatoes? ›

Salad Potatoes can often be described as “l*ttle Potatoes” or “Small Potatoes” and people mistakenly take them for potatoes too small to be like normal potatoes. However these potatoes are grown specifically for this smaller specification and skin finish.

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