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!

Did potato salad originate in Germany? ›

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 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.

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

What Is German Potato Salad? Unlike mayonnaise-based American potato salads, German potato salad is tossed in a vinegar-based dressing made with bacon drippings. It is usually served warm instead of cold, but some people prefer to serve it at room temperature.

Why are potatoes so popular in Germany? ›

Potatoes were pure gold to the Incas for a long time before King Frederick the Great of Prussia took a liking to them and wanted to introduce them into Germany. King Frederick saw the economic and nutritional value in spuds, so he decided to grow his own potatoes in a nearby village and turn them into a spectacle.

What culture is potato salad from? ›

The earliest known American potato salad recipes date back to the mid-19th century and are rooted in German cuisine, which was introduced to the United States by European settlers. Early American potato salad was made from cooked potatoes that were typically dressed with oil, vinegar, and herbs.

How many days can you eat leftover potato salad? ›

Assuming your potato salad is stored in the refrigerator, the USDA recommends that it be consumed within five days of when it was mad. But keep in mind, five days is intended as the absolute maximum and this rule only applies if the salad was held at a temperature below the danger zone range the entire time.

Can you eat homemade potato salad the next day? ›

Just like regular potato salad you have up to five days to consume it, if stored properly. Is it safe to eat week-old potato salad? The USDA doesn't recommend consuming potato salad that's more than five days old.

Can you leave potato salad out overnight? ›

The typically accepted range for room temperature is 68-74 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the FDA, perishables, such as mayonnaise-based potato salad, fall under the "two-hour rule" and should be refrigerated after two hours.

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 is Germany's national dish made of? ›

A popular German dish is Sauerbraten which is considered one of the country's national dishes. It is essentially a German pot roast and is made with beef, veal, or venison as the main meat.

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? ›

You may be able to find asparagus throughout the year, but the stalked vegetable has a peak when it's particularly delicious. Asparagus is generally bought in three varieties: green, which is most popular in the UK and the US; white, which is preferred by Germans; and Italian-developed purple.

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