Hot German Potato Salad
This cozy Hot German Potato Salad Recipe is infused with bacon, onions, and a touch of mustard, creating a delicious blend of sweet, tangy and smoky flavors!
Comforting German Potato Salad
The first time I ever tasted German-style potato salad was at an Octoberfest street fair years ago. As I walked down the street I smelled an intoxicating aroma of bacon mixed with something tangy.
The fragrance seemed to pull me toward a large cast iron kettle filled to the brim with potatoes, onions, and bacon. I asked the attendant for a serving of whatever-that-is, and she genuinely seemed concerned that I was unfamiliar with german potato salad.
Never had I tasted potato salad that was so rich and tangy with a hint of sweetness… Plus this authentic german potato salad was warm, not cold, like the potato salads I was used to.
Although I love making classic chilled potato salads through the spring and summer, the moment the kids are back in school I immediately switch over to this classic German Potato Salad Recipe loaded with crispy bacon, sweet onions, fresh parsley, and tons of tang! Unlike classic potato salad, this German-style potato salad does not use a mayonnaise-based dressing. The dressing is made with apple cider vinegar and dijon mustard, with a few other ingredients, to create a tangy and light vinaigrette sytle dressing!
Ingredients You Need
- Potatoes – use small potatoes with mixed colors
- Bacon – for a crispy, savory flavor
- Sweet Onion – in slices or diced
- Apple Cider Vinegar – for a tangy flavor
- Whole Grain Dijon Mustard – will add loads of flavor
- Granulated Sugar – to balance everything out
- Chopped Parsley – for a bit of herbs
- Salt & Pepper – to taste
How to Make German Potato Salad
Place the potatoes in a large pot of water. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook until fork tender, about 6-10 minutes. Then drain off the water. Chop the soft potatoes into bite-size pieces.
Meanwhile, place the bacon in a large saute pan or deep skillet. Set over medium heat and cook until the bacon is red-brown. Then pour off half the bacon grease and add the onions. Sauté until the onions are soft and starting to caramelize around the edges.
Whisk apple cider vinegar, water, whole grain dijon mustard, and sugar to make the tangy dressing. Then pour the chopped potatoes into the pan. Toss everything well to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed. Toss in the fresh parsley and serve warm!
Tips & Tricks
- Use any potatoes you have on hand! From russets to yukon gold potatoes to red potatoes, you can truly use any kind of potato you prefer in this recipe.
- Use the bacon grease! Make sure to only pour half of the bacon grease out of the pan. You need to keep some of it for a lovely added flavor!
- Don’t worry about peeling the potatoes! I like to simply clean the potatoes and keep the skin on. If you are using very large potatoes, it is probably best to dice them into smaller pieces prior to boiling them, or else boiling them will take a very long time!
Serving Suggestions
I could honestly eat this classic German potato salad on its own, but you can serve it along with so many other meal options, too! Try pairing it as a side dish with some of my other favorite recipes like:
- Maple Mustard Chicken
- Oven “Fried” Turkey Breasts
- Apple Stuffed Baked Ham
- Grilled Pork Chops with Carolina BBQ Sauce
- Slow Cooker Spiced Apples
- The Best Broccoli Salad
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Frequently Asked Questions
American potato salad usually contains mayo, celery, onions, and sometimes boiled eggs! German potato salad is completely different. In fact, the only thing that they have in common is that they are made from potatoes. German potato salad is seasoned with mustard, vinegar, and fresh herbs like parsley. It is usually served hot or room temperature instead of cold!
To store any leftovers of hot potato salad, place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days! Simply reheat in the microwave or on the stove before serving.
Looking for More Salad Recipes to Try? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad
- Best Ever Potato Salad
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Best Macaroni Salad
Hot German Potato Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds new potatoes (I used mixed colors)
- 1 pound bacon, chopped
- 1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Whole Grain Dijon Mustard
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a large pot of water. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook until fork-tender, about 6-10 minutes. Then drain off the water. Chop the soft potatoes into bite-size pieces.
- Meanwhile, place the bacon in a large saute pan. Set over medium heat and cook until the bacon is red-brown. Then pour off half the bacon grease and add the onions. Saute until the onions are soft and starting to caramelize around the edges.
- Add the apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup of water, Dijon mustard, and sugar. Whisk to combine. Then pour the chopped potatoes into the pan. Toss well to coat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed. Toss in the fresh parsley and serve warm!
can you make this the day before?
Hi Jess,
Yes, you can! Just rewarm it on the stovetop before serving.
Great recipes.
What a nice potato salad!
I have not had a delicious German Potato Salad in years! This looks so good!
Love potato salad! This looks fantastic!
Oh I can smell this through the computer. Yum!
Looks like a great side for a BBQ!