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German Potato Salad

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German potato salad is loaded with plenty of bacon and a zingy vinaigrette is the perfect side dish to so many meals. You can enjoy it warm or chilled. It is simple to make too!

Large serving bowl filled with German potato salad with chunks of red potatoes, bacon, chives, and dill.

This simple German style potato salad is a great side dish all year long. It is best served warm or at room temperature and is isn’t loaded down with dressing. 

Don’t let that make you think it isn’t flavorful though. It has a little zing and plenty of bacon!

We live in a town that has a lot of German heritage. It’s one of those old river towns that boasts a church and a tavern on every corner.

Bowl of boiled diced potatoes topped with vinegar, salt and pepper.

That may be a slight exaggeration, but there are parts of town where it’s not too far off! Our family also has a lot of German heritage.

So it’s no surprise that one of the matriarchs of the family a few generations back was famous for her German potato salad. Everyone wanted the recipe, but she was always coy with the details.

bacon, onion and mustard vinaigrette in saucepan for german potato salad.

Can you guess why? Because she never made it herself!

She got it from a local deli. Talk about the ultimate rouse!

You won’t have to stage your own cover up like she did. You can really make your own!

Most German potato salad in our area is made with sliced potatoes.  I opted to dice them this time because I thought it would look more like “potato salad.”

german potato salad with bacon and onion vinaigrette.

It really doesn’t matter which way you choose to go, it’s delicious either way. Next time I am slicing them though, it just feels more right!

What is German Potato Salad

If you’ve never had German potato salad, it’s potatoes dressed in a simple vinaigrette with plenty of onion and bacon. I really love fresh chives and dill on it too. 

The dill really adds something, so don’t skip it if you can avoid it! Though if you don’t have any, it will still be good without.

It is great alongside a good German sausage and is usually served warm or at room temperature. My husband and I both agree that the leftovers are perfectly good straight from the fridge too!

Just remember potatoes love seasoning, so be generous with the salt and pepper. Be sure to give it a taste and add more if necessary.

dinner plate with braised cabbage pork loin and german potato salad

You can serve it with German braised red cabbage and bacon wrapped pork loin like we did for a feast. The best part is you don’t have to fake it!

Does your family have any “secret” recipes like ours?

More great potato side dishes:

Bacon ranch potato salad is like a mix between potato salad and a loaded baked potato with a bit of ranch dressing for good measure. It is always a hit and is a fun twist on the classic picnic salad.

Cheesy potatoes with bacon is another great option. Soft buttery potatoes are baked with plenty of cheese and bacon to make a perfectly popular side.

Sour cream and chive new potatoes are easy to make and go perfectly with almost any entrée. They would be right at home on your plate at family dinner or for a holiday mashed potato upgrade.

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Large serving bowl filled with German potato salad with chunks of red potatoes, bacon, chives, and dill.

German Potato Salad

Carlee
This simple German potato salad is a great side dish all year long. It is best served warm or at room temperature and is isn’t loaded down with dressing. Don’t let that make you think it isn’t flavorful though. It has a little zing and plenty of bacon!
4.88 from 8 ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 153 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 2 pounds red potatoes or any waxy variety
  • 6 slices bacon
  • 1 small onion
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar divided
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
  • salt and pepper
  • fresh dill and chives for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Wash potatoes and dice or slice them. Boil in salted water for about 10 minutes or until cooked though. Drain well and place in a large bowl.
    2 pounds red potatoes
  • Sprinkle potatoes with 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat and set aside.
  • Cook bacon until crisp. Remove from pan, leaving remaining drippings, and chop into small pieces.
    6 slices bacon
  • Dice onion and cook until soft in the reserved bacon drippings. Stir in the chicken stock and remaining 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil.
    1 small onion, ½ cup chicken stock
  • Remove from heat and stir in bacon and mustard.
    2 teaspoons prepared mustard
  • Toss potatoes in hot dressing. Garnish with dill and chives and serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 153kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 6gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 232mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
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Recipe Rating




Anonymous

Wednesday 29th of August 2018

That potato salad i gorgeous! Potato dishes of any kind are pretty much my weakness. It's so good with the bacon.

Carlee

Saturday 8th of September 2018

I am a sucker for potatoes too. I love them just about any old way! Thanks!

Carlee

Tuesday 28th of August 2018

We do too! Thank you!

Debbie

Friday 24th of August 2018

Hi Carlee, I'm not a fan of regular potato salad, I'm not a huge fan of mayonaise, but this Greman potato salad soounds far lighter and nicer. It's just a shame we only have one more lot of potatoes to dig up (I've really enjoyed our potatoes this summer)...Our family doesn't have any secret recipes, but I'm thinking it's not a bad idea!

xx

Carlee

Sunday 26th of August 2018

We have been getting lots of potatoes in our weekly produce boxes, so we have been upping our potato consumption lately!

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies

Thursday 23rd of August 2018

My husband has never had German Potato Salad! I really need to make this so he can try it. Loved the story about the secret deli recipe ;)

Carlee

Sunday 26th of August 2018

I suppose we all have different reasons for keeping certain "recipes" secret! ;-)

Amy

Tuesday 21st of August 2018

Pretty sneaky of your great grandmother. I guess that if she was able to get away with it, she was pretty smart! Thank you for the recipe.

Carlee

Sunday 26th of August 2018

She did get away with it for quite a number of years I'm told!