Summary:
German potato salad is served warm and not cold, and includes crispy bacon and vinegar. It’s an easy and authentic recipe that originates from southern Germany.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks (about 6 cups)
- 12 ounces bacon 14 slices, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 sweet onion chopped
- 1/2 cup
white vinegar - 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons
white sugar - 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- fresh parsley or dill for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add the potato chunks to a pot, and fill it up with enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the potatoes into a colander, and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Add bacon pieces to a 4-quart or larger pan (I used a 12-inch 5-quart pan). Turn the heat to medium. Cook until most of the bacon pieces start to crisp, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add chopped onions to the same pan with the bacon, stirring well. Cook over medium heat until the onions brown and the bacon is crispy to your liking, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While waiting for the onions and bacon to cook, prepare a small bowl and add vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix the ingredients together. When the onions and bacon are done, pour the mixture into the pan. Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Add potato chunks to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook until everything is heated and mixed, about 5 minutes, frequently stirring so that the potatoes get coated with everything else.
- Serve warm with parsley or dill sprinkled on top.
NUTRITION
485 kcal/serving
There are two kinds of German potato salad — the northern German potato salad has mayo and is served cold (like the American potato salad) and the southern German version is served warm or hot and includes vinegar for a tangy taste. Use waxy potatoes and not starchy potatoes so that the potato chunks keep their shape after cooking. Waxy potatoes are firmer and hold up better after cooking, and include varieties like Yukon Gold (used here) and red potatoes. Starchy potatoes are appropriately named and so have a lot of starch, including Russet and classic Idaho potatoes.
PHOTOS
NOTES & TIPS
There are two kinds of German potato salad — the northern German potato salad has mayo and is served cold (like the American potato salad) and the southern German version is served warm or hot and includes vinegar for a tangy taste. Use waxy potatoes and not starchy potatoes so that the potato chunks keep their shape after cooking. Waxy potatoes are firmer and hold up better after cooking, and include varieties like Yukon Gold (used here) and red potatoes. Starchy potatoes are appropriately named and so have a lot of starch, including Russet and classic Idaho potatoes.
You nailed it!!! This is fantastic, tastes like my mom’s potato salad- she was a German from Russia. Thanks for sharing.
I’m from one of the most southern points in Germany near Lake Constance, and our traditional potato salad is actually pretty much just sliced, cooked potatoes (still warm) with diced onions, vinegar and hot chicken broth, just enough so it tastes right. Top it off with salt and pepper to taste and voila!
Love this. Thanks for sharing, Jeannine!