Authentic German potato salad made with an amazing bacon vinaigrette, straight from Mom’s recipe box! This warm potato salad is a summer sensation!
German potato salad
A photo can only hint at all the wonderful things going on in this German potato salad. It turned out perfectly, with all the right warm-tangy-savory-crispy elements in perfect balance. It comes from my mom’s recipe box where, I have to say, the salad section is a little lean! I’m guessing a salad had to be pretty good for her to save it, and this one definitely is. Even though mom was strictly in the mayo based potato salad camp, my dad would have grown up with this vinegar and bacon version, so it made regular appearances on our backyard picnic table. It’s phenomenal, I’ll be making it again on the 4th of July for sure.
did you know?
German potato salad, known as kartoffelsalat, is a staple in German cuisine. Warm potato salad with a bacon and vinegar based dressing is from southern Germany and is known as warmkartoffelsalat. It’s a highlight of Oktoberfest and beer garden menus, and just like we do, Germans enjoy warm potato salad with barbecues and outdoor grilling.
lets break it down: German Potato Salad ingredients
salad
- potatoes
- I used Goldust® Klondike potatoes, similar to Yukon gold. Look for large similar shaped potatoes so they’ll cook evenly.
- bacon
- I cooked up 1/2 pound of bacon but of course as we all know the amount of bacon that actually makes it into a recipe is in inverse proportion to the cook’s willpower. Adjust accordingly 😉
- celery
- red onion
- parsley and chives
- salt and pepper
warm bacon dressing
- bacon grease
- cider vinegar
- brown sugar
- celery seed
- Dijon mustard
making warm German potato salad step by step
- Peel potatoes, halve lengthwise, and cook until just tender.
- Meanwhile cook bacon and reserve some of the grease for the dressing.
- Slice the hot potatoes and combine with onions, celery, and crumbled bacon.
- Make hot dressing and drizzle all over salad.
- Toss gently and serve with fresh herbs.
helpful tips and secrets for German potato salad
Use similar sized potatoes, and peel them before cooking. I also slice them in half lengthwise before cooking them to make the process quicker.
Don’t sauté the onions and celery in the hot dressing. This is the classic method but I say don’t do it! I love the little bit of crunch from the raw veggies, it works so well with the soft potatoes.
Use a light hand with the dressing. The dressing in this recipe is just right for 3 lbs of potatoes. In too many German potato salads there is too much soupy dressing and the vinegar flavor overpowers everything. If you prefer a ‘wetter’ German potato salad, just make a little extra dressing.
Don’t worry if you can’t serve this warm. The salad cools off very quickly after you add the hot dressing, so room temperature will be just fine. The main benefit of the hot dressing is that it soaks right into the potatoes.
Serving leftovers: if you want to rewarm a serving of cold salad, you can microwave it briefly to revive it.
a few variation ideas
- Use red skinned potatoes and leave the peels on.
- Add some diced Granny Smith apples for a juicy hint of sweetness and lots of crunch to your German potato salad.
- Add roasted garlic for an unexpected but wonderful flavor that complements the bacon.
- Add some chopped dill pickles and add a bit of pickle juice to the dressing for an extra layer of flavor and crunch.
- Top with wedges of cooked egg for an even more satisfying salad.
- Use lots of fresh dill instead of parsley and chives.
- Add hot sauce or chili flakes for a little heat.
looking for a vegan German potato salad?
Try using a plant based bacon like Morningstar Farms Veggie Bacon Strips, and use olive oil in place of the grease.
the bottom line
I tell you what…this stuff is gooooood. The soft edges of the potato drink in that amazing dressing with its characteristic twang, and the whole package is pretty perfect. My recipe has helped banish the memory of those gloppy tubs of supermarket German potato salad from my mind forever.
If you’re looking to get in touch with your German heritage, or just love German food, try some of my other recipes like Sauerbraten (German pot roast) or German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe). I make German Pfeffernusse (German Spice Cookies) every Christmas, and now that we’re located in Wisconsin we’re loving Baked Brats in Caramelized Sauerkraut and Slow Cooked Cider Brats with Apple Onion Relish all year long.
more summer sides to try
- Curried Couscous Salad
- Mediterranean Bean Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Caesar Kale Slaw
- Chopped Asparagus Salad Recipe
- Mediterranean Artichoke Salad
German Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 3 lbs thin skinned waxy potatoes*
- 1/2 lb bacon
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp coarse salt
- 1 tsp celery seed
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 cup finely chopped celery
- 1 cup minced red onion
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 1 Tbsp snipped chives
- fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and halve them lengthwise. Cover with cold water and add a tablespoon of salt. Cook until just tender but not soft or falling apart. Check with the point of a sharp knife.
- While the potatoes cook, fry the bacon until crisp. Reserve the grease. Drain the bacon on paper towels and then finely chop or crumble and set aside.
- In a small saucepan mix 1/4 cup of the reserved bacon fat, the vinegar, sugar, salt, celery seed and Dijon mustard. Whisk to combine and keep warm over a very low heat. Note: taste the dressing to adjust any of the ingredients. Remember the vinegar taste will mellow out once you mix it with the warm potatoes.
- Drain the potatoes and thickly slice while still hot. Don't worry if they are a little soft and starting to fall part, just scrape it all into a large serving bowl along with the celery, onion, and crumbled bacon. Toss gently with the hot bacon vinaigrette.
- Top with the fresh herbs, and some fresh cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.
I’m wondering if this already fabulous recipe would be improved at all by adding caraway seeds?
Absolutely add them if you love that flavor, they’d go well with this salad. Dill seed would also work.
This German Potato Salad recipe from The View from Great Island sounds absolutely amazing! The combination of tender potatoes, tangy vinegar, and smoky bacon creates a flavorful and hearty salad. The presentation is visually appealing, with the warm potato salad beautifully garnished and ready to be enjoyed. The preparation process appears to be a perfect balance of flavors, with the potatoes absorbing the tangy dressing while still maintaining their texture. It’s a recipe that celebrates the comforting and satisfying nature of German cuisine, promising a delightful and flavorful side dish. Perfect for those looking for a unique twist on traditional potato salad that will impress their guests and add a touch of international flair to their meal!
Wow, I couldn’t have said it better myself, thanks Madalaine!
Perfect. I have been searching for a good German Potato Salad for a long time. My sister-in-law makes one very similar, but said she doesn’t really use a recipe. I used tiny whole potatoes and quartered them without peeling because I had them. I also used green onions because my brother-in-law can’t eat red onion. I will be making this again soon!
Glad you loved this Sandy ~ I also sometimes make it with small new potatoes and don’t peel them, it turns out great. And yes, masses of green onions are so good in this salad!
Love German potato salad. We have with Easter dinner. The vinagery dressing pairs nicely with the richness of baked ham.