The Zesty German Potato Salad Recipe Everyone Adores

Crispy bacon bits and tender potatoes make german potato salad a classic comfort dish that delights taste buds.

Mustard and vinegar create a tangy twist on traditional potato sides.

Hearty ingredients combine for a robust meal perfect for gatherings.

Summer picnics or winter dinner tables welcome this versatile recipe.

Warm and zesty flavors dance across each forkful of goodness.

Folks at any meal will appreciate this simple yet satisfying dish.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this delightful german classic.

Why You’ll Love Authentic Old-Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe

• Boost Comfort Flavors: Traditional German potato salad delivers hearty, satisfying tastes that remind you of home-cooked meals and family gatherings.
• Master Culinary Skills: This recipe allows home cooks to explore authentic German cuisine with simple techniques that build confidence in the kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible ingredients like optional sour cream or feta cheese let you personalize the dish to match your taste preferences or dietary needs.
• Quick Weekend Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and casual get-togethers where people crave a delicious side dish that feels special and homemade.

What’s Inside Authentic Old-Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe

• Potatoes: Small potatoes that create the hearty base of this classic German side dish.
• Bacon: Crispy bacon that adds a rich, smoky flavor to the potato salad.
• Onions: Sautéed onions that provide a sweet and savory depth to the recipe.

• Apple Cider Vinegar, Dijon Mustard, Sugar, Salt, Pepper: A tangy and balanced combination that brings the dressing to life with bright and complementary flavors.

• Chives, Sour Cream, Feta Cheese: Fresh chives and optional creamy additions that enhance the texture and provide a final touch of flavor to the potato salad.

How To Make Authentic Old-Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe

Step 1: Boil Potatoes

Select small potatoes and place them in a large pot filled with cold salted water. Bring the water to a rolling boil and cook until potatoes become tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 15-20 minutes. Drain the water and allow potatoes to cool slightly. Slice the potatoes into bite-sized chunks.

Step 2: Crisp the Bacon

Heat a skillet over medium temperature. Add bacon slices and cook until they turn golden and crispy. Remove bacon from the pan and crumble into small pieces. Save about 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the skillet.

Step 3: Sauté Onions

Using the same skillet with bacon drippings, add finely chopped onions. Cook for 5 minutes until onions become soft and slightly translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 4: Whisk Tangy Dressing

• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir ingredients thoroughly and let simmer for 1-2 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 5: Mix Potato Salad

Transfer warm potato chunks to a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot dressing over potatoes and gently toss. Sprinkle crumbled bacon throughout the salad, mixing carefully to prevent potato breakage.

Step 6: Garnish and Enhance

• Sour cream
• Crumbled feta cheese

These ingredients add extra creaminess and depth to the salad.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the German potato salad while warm or at room temperature. This traditional side dish pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or as a standalone comfort food.

Helpful Notes For Authentic Old-Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe

• Boost Potato Texture: Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best consistency and ability to hold their shape during cooking.
• Master Bacon Crispiness: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to render fat evenly and achieve perfect crunchiness without burning.
• Control Dressing Intensity: Adjust vinegar and mustard quantities to balance tanginess according to personal taste preferences.
• Prevent Potato Mushiness: Cut potatoes while still slightly warm and handle gently to maintain their structural integrity during mixing.
• Elevate Flavor Depth: Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop richer, more complex taste profiles.

Tasty Swaps For Authentic Old-Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe

• Vegan Potato Salad: Replace bacon with smoky tempeh or coconut bacon bits, use plant-based mayo or olive oil for dressing, and swap out dairy with cashew cream.
• Herb-Infused Potato Salad: Add fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley to enhance the flavor profile, using roasted garlic instead of raw onions for deeper complexity.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Version: Substitute potatoes with roasted cauliflower florets, maintain the classic bacon and vinegar dressing, and reduce sugar content for a lighter alternative.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Potato Salad: Incorporate kalamata olives, feta cheese, and replace apple cider vinegar with red wine vinegar, adding fresh oregano and lemon zest for a Greek-style transformation.

What Pairs Well With Authentic Old-Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe

• Savor Bavarian Beer Pairing: Crisp wheat beer or amber lager perfectly complements the tangy potato salad, cutting through the richness of bacon and enhancing the dish's savory notes.
• Create Wine Harmony: Riesling or Gewürztraminer from Germany balances the salad's acidity, with slightly sweet undertones that match the vinegar's sharpness.
• Match Protein Partner: Grilled bratwurst or schnitzel creates a classic German meal combination, where the potato salad acts as a zesty, refreshing side that cleanses the palate between meaty bites.
• Elevate Herb Accent: Fresh parsley or additional chives sprinkled on top add brightness and connect the salad's flavors, providing a light, green counterpoint to the hearty ingredients.

Storage Advice For Authentic Old-Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the potato salad cools completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.
• Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain the potato texture and prevent burning. Add a little extra vinegar to revive the dressing's tang.
• Enjoy the potato salad straight from the refrigerator as a cold side dish, which many people prefer for its fresh, tangy flavor profile.

Answers You’ll Want For Authentic Old-Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe

• What makes German potato salad different from American potato salad?

German potato salad is typically served warm, uses a vinegar-based dressing instead of mayonnaise, and includes bacon, creating a tangy and savory flavor profile that sets it apart from the creamy American version.

• Is this recipe considered a traditional German dish?

Yes, this warm potato salad (Kartoffelsalat) is a classic German recipe, especially popular in southern Germany, particularly in Bavaria, where it’s a staple at family gatherings and festivals.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

To make it vegetarian, replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a similar smoky flavor, and use vegetable oil instead of bacon fat when sautéing the onions.

German Potato Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sizzling German potato salad brings tangy bacon and zesty vinegar together in a mouthwatering dance of flavor. Crisp potatoes and smoky bacon create a hearty side dish that connects you to traditional German countryside cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) small potatoes (Yukon Gold or red)

Protein:

• 6 slices bacon

Seasoning and Dressing:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh chives, chopped

Optional Creaminess:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream or crumbled feta cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare potatoes by submerging them in salted cold water in a large pot. Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
2. Drain potatoes and allow to cool slightly, then slice into bite-sized chunks while still warm.
3. In a skillet over medium heat, crisp the bacon until golden brown and fully rendered. Transfer bacon to a paper towel and crumble, reserving 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings.
4. Using the same skillet with reserved bacon fat, sauté finely chopped onions until soft and translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
5. Create dressing by whisking apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper directly into the skillet with sautéed onions. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
6. Transfer warm potato chunks into a large mixing bowl and gently coat with the warm vinegar-onion dressing, ensuring even distribution without breaking potato pieces.
7. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the dressed potatoes and incorporate gently.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped chives and optional sour cream or feta cheese for added creaminess.
9. Serve immediately while warm or allow to rest at room temperature, allowing flavors to develop and meld together.

Notes

• Select small, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best texture and ability to hold their shape during cooking.
• Keep potato pieces uniform in size to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the salad.
• Drain potatoes immediately after cooking to prevent them from becoming waterlogged and mushy, which can ruin the salad’s texture.
• Cook bacon until perfectly crisp for maximum crunch and flavor, but be careful not to burn it, as that can introduce bitter notes.
• Use high-quality apple cider vinegar for a tangy, authentic taste that complements the richness of the bacon and potatoes.
• Adjust sugar and vinegar quantities to balance the sweet and sour elements according to personal preference.
• For a lighter version, substitute turkey bacon or use less bacon and add more herbs for flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg