Are you looking for an amazing German potato salad recipe? Look no further! This recipe is incredibly easy to follow and will result in a delicious, flavorful warm potato salad that your family will love.
This dish is pure comfort good. A delicious side dish that is delicious, hearty, and perfect for a winter meal or a potluck. The best way to serve is warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Through the Generations
I am not sure if this is an authentic German potato salad recipe, but the recipe came from my grandmother. Her father came to the United States by himself from Croatia in the early 1900’s when he was just 13 years old all by himself! I can’t even imagine what it must have been like.
This is the recipe that has been made in our family for generations. It is a family favorite.
What is German potato salad?
It is a hot potato salad is made with potatoes, bacon, onions, and a vinegarette dressing, and it is sure to please any appetite.
What does German Potato Salad Taste Like? Imagine a potato salad that has a tangy apple cider and mustardy tasting dressing that is loaded with bacon and onions. For my husband, it is the grainy mustard and the crispy fried bacon that takes this potato salad side dish over the top. Serve this hot, warm, or even cold for your next family meal.
Ingredients in this Recipe
This recipe uses simple ingredients, which means it is a budget friendly recipe.
Potatoes. I prefer waxy potatoes like a red potato for this recipe. However, I have used potatoes that are on hand such as Yukon gold, and Russet. This recipe will turn out just fine using any potato. Pro Tip. The Russet are starchy potatoes, but they will work. You may have to adjust how much vinaigrette you make as the starchy potato will soak up the liquid.
Apple Cider Vinegar. For me, this provides the prefect tangy salad dressing. However, you can swap this out for white vinegar, rice vinegar, or even a balsamic vinegar. Note, the flavor of the vinaigrette will change.
Bacon. The recipe calls for half a pound of bacon. For us, that is more of the minimum amount of bacon. Quite often, I will add an entire pound of bacon diced into small pieces. There is just something about crispy bacon added to this recipe. Save the bacon grease as that will be used as a base to make the tangy dressing.
Onion. I always have yellow onion on hand and that is generally what I will use for this recipe. However, white onion, red onion, and Vidalia onion will all work wonderfully.
Mustard. Look for a coarse Dijon mustard. This recipe needs the richness of a grainy brown mustard. It also adds a creaminess to the dressing.
Sugar. The granulated sugar balances out the vinegar and mustard.
Salt and Pepper. The salt should be added to the water for cooking the potatoes. It will help add flavor. Another layer of flavoring is to add the salt and pepper to the salad dressing.
This German dish is easy to make and can be tailored to your liking. For example, you can add additional vegetables, such as carrots or peas, or celery for crunch to the salad. Add diced green onions and slices of hard-boiled eggs as a garnish if you wish.
You can also experiment with adding other fresh herbs and minced garlic.
How to Make German Potato Salad
Start by cooking the potatoes. Clean, peel and quarter the potatoes; however, if you prefer, you can make this with the peeling left on. Simply place the cut potatoes in a large pot. Cover with just enough water to cover the potatoes. Make sure to start the potatoes in cold water that is salted.
Boil until tender over medium heat. It should take about 10 minutes of boiling until the potatoes are fork tender.
Drain the cooked potatoes in a colander. Allow them to sit and cool until you can handle them without burning your fingers.
While the potatoes are cooling, prepare the other ingredients.
In a large skillet, fry diced bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Keeping the bacon fat in the pan.
Add diced onion to the bacon drippings. Once they are translucent, add the apple cider vinegar, sugar, coarse Dijon Mustard, salt and pepper.
Finally, slice the potatoes into bite-size pieces and add them to the hot bacon dressing. Add the bacon pieces. Gently toss to coat the potatoes with the hot vinaigrette salad dressing.
Top with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Pro Tip. Perfect for Leftover Potatoes. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover potatoes, and it is sure to please the whole family. Just slice into bite size pieces and add to the skillet and heat through while combining with the vinegar dressing and bacon pieces.
Serve in a large bowl.
Serve as a Side Dish or Main Course
Hot German potato salad can be served as the perfect side dish or a light main course meal. It pairs well with grilled meats or roasted vegetables.
Can You Freeze German Potato Salad?
Since this potato salad has a vinaigrette salad dressing, it can be stored in the freezer. Place in an airtight container and it will stay fresh up to 4 months.
When you are ready to serve, just thaw and reheat.
How long does German potato salad last in the refrigerator?
This side dish should last about 5 days in the refrigerator if sealed in an airtight container.
Potato Salad Recipes
If you prefer an American potato salad with mayonnaise, you need to try this Southern Style Potato Salad Side Dish.
Amazing German Potato Salad Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 3 Pounds Potatoes preferably red potatoes. Peeled and quartered
- 1 Teaspoon Salt add to water for cooking potatoes
- ½ Pound Bacon diced can use a whole pound
- 1 Cup Onion diced
- 1/2 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Coarse Dijon Mustard
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Start by cooking the potatoes. Clean, peel and quarter the potatoes; however, if you prefer, you can make this with the peeling left on. Simply place the cut potatoes in a large pot. Cover with just enough water to cover the potatoes. Make sure that the water is salted and cold.
- Boil until tender over medium heat. It should take about 10 minutes of boiling until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Drain the cooked potatoes in a colander. Allow them to sit and cool until you can handle them without burning your fingers.
- While the potatoes are cooling, prepare the other ingredients.
- In a large skillet, fry diced bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Keeping the bacon fat in the pan.
- Add diced onion to the bacon drippings. Once they are translucent, add the apple cider vinegar, sugar, coarse Dijon Mustard, salt and pepper.
- Finally, slice the potatoes into bite-size pieces and add them to the hot bacon dressing. Add the bacon pieces. Gently toss to coat the potatoes with the hot vinaigrette salad dressing.
- Top with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Can You Freeze German Potato Salad?
Since this potato salad has a vinaigrette salad dressing, it can be stored in the freezer. Place in an airtight container and it will stay fresh up to 4 months.When you are ready to serve, just thaw and reheat.
My family loved this!