🥔🇩🇪 German Potato Salad (Kartoffelsalat)
A traditional German Potato Salad is a flavorful alternative to creamy American potato salad. Instead of mayonnaise, it features warm potatoes tossed with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, tangy vinegar, mustard, and fresh herbs. It’s savory, slightly sweet, and perfect served warm or at room temperature.
6
⏱️ Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: About 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
🛒 Ingredients
🥔 Potato Salad
- 2½ pounds Yukon Gold or red potatoes
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives (optional)
🥓 Warm Bacon Dressing
- ¼ cup bacon grease (from cooking bacon)
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Potatoes
- Wash potatoes and place them in a large pot.
- Cover with salted water.
- Boil for 15–20 minutes until fork-tender but not falling apart.
- Drain and let cool slightly.
- Slice into thick rounds or chunks.
2. Cook the Bacon & Onions
- Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy.
- Remove bacon and set aside.
- Leave about ¼ cup bacon grease in the pan.
- Add onions and cook for 5–7 minutes until soft and golden.
3. Make the Warm Dressing
- Add vinegar, mustard, sugar, broth, salt, and pepper to the bacon grease.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until combined.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity.
4. Combine Everything
- Place warm potatoes in a large bowl.
- Pour warm dressing over potatoes.
- Add bacon, onions, parsley, and chives.
- Gently toss until coated.
5. Rest & Serve
- Let sit for 15–30 minutes so the potatoes absorb the flavors.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Perfect with:
- 🌭 Bratwurst
- 🥩 Grilled steaks
- 🍖 Schnitzel
- 🍗 Roast chicken
- 🥨 Pretzels
- 🥬 Sauerkraut
💡 Tips & Variations
- Use waxy potatoes (Yukon Gold or red potatoes) because they hold their shape.
- Slice potatoes while still warm—they absorb the dressing better.
- Add chopped pickles for a tangy Bavarian-style twist.
- Stir in a little sour cream for a creamier version.
- Add fresh dill for extra German flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, replace bacon grease with olive oil.
🧊 Storage
- Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave.
- Flavor often improves after resting overnight.
🍴 Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fat: 13 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
German Potato Salad is a beloved comfort dish—warm tender potatoes, smoky bacon, tangy vinegar dressing, and fresh herbs combine into a simple side that’s full of traditional German flavor. 🥔✨