German Potato Salad Recipe – A Tangy and Savory Side Dish

March 29, 2025

Whip up a traditional German potato salad for a tangy and savory twist at your next gathering. Start by boiling waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds until they're just tender. Fry thick-cut smoked bacon to crispy perfection, keeping the drippings for a flavorful dressing. Whisk together apple cider vinegar, sugar, and mustard in the bacon fat for that signature tanginess. Combine the potatoes with crumbled bacon and warm dressing. Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a bright finish. This dish is best served warm and pairs wonderfully with grilled meats. Explore more details to perfect your culinary creation.

Key Components: Vinegar and Bacon

savory vinegar bacon dish

When it comes to crafting the perfect German potato salad, vinegar and bacon are your best allies. The tangy bite of vinegar complements the savory, crispy bacon, creating a dynamic flavor duo.

You'll want to choose a high-quality vinegar, like apple cider or white wine, to enhance the salad's taste. As for bacon, its smoky richness adds depth and a satisfying crunch.

Don't forget to render the bacon fat, as it becomes a liquid gold dressing when whisked with vinegar.

Here's what you'll need to keep in mind:

  • Vinegar Choice: Opt for apple cider or white wine vinegar.
  • Bacon Quality: Thick-cut, smoked varieties work best.
  • Balance Flavors: Achieve the perfect tangy-salty blend.
  • Bacon Fat: Use it wisely for extra flavor.
  • Seasoning: Adjust with salt and pepper to taste.

Use Waxy Potatoes Only

When making a German potato salad, you should stick to waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Red Bliss for the best results.

These varieties hold their shape and offer a creamy texture that complements the tangy vinegar and savory bacon. To achieve perfect tenderness, boil them until just fork-tender, ensuring they don't fall apart when mixed.

Best Potato Varieties

For a truly authentic German potato salad, choosing the right type of potato is essential, and waxy varieties are your best bet. When you're on the hunt for the perfect potato, look for varieties like Yukon Gold, Red Bliss, or Fingerlings.

These potatoes have a low starch content and hold their shape beautifully after boiling, ensuring your salad has the perfect balance of firmness and tenderness.

Yukon Golds offer a buttery taste that complements the tangy dressing well. Red Bliss potatoes are readily available and bring a subtle sweetness to the dish.

Fingerlings, with their unique shape, add visual interest and a nutty flavor. By selecting one of these waxy varieties, you'll elevate your German potato salad to a new level of deliciousness.

Texture and Flavor Benefits

Selecting the right potato variety lays the groundwork for achieving the ideal texture and flavor in your German potato salad.

You'll want to choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold, Red Bliss, or Fingerling. These potatoes hold their shape beautifully after cooking, preventing your salad from becoming mushy. Their firm texture pairs perfectly with the tangy dressing, providing a satisfying bite each time.

With waxy potatoes, you'll enjoy a subtle, buttery flavor that complements the savory ingredients in your salad.

Their ability to absorb the dressing's tangy notes without overpowering the dish guarantees a balanced taste. By using waxy potatoes, you'll create a German potato salad that's both flavorful and visually appealing, keeping your guests coming back for more servings.

Cooking Techniques Explained

To achieve the perfect German potato salad, master the cooking techniques for waxy potatoes. These potatoes, such as Yukon gold or red potatoes, hold their shape well and have a creamy texture, making them ideal for salads.

Start by washing them thoroughly but don't peel them; the skin adds flavor and nutrients.

Boil them in salted water until they're just tender when pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to overcook; you want them firm enough to slice without falling apart.

Once cooked, drain and let them cool slightly before cutting into bite-sized pieces.

Mix gently with your vinegar-based dressing to enhance the tangy flavor. Handling them with care guarantees they maintain their delightful texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

guided process explanation

German Potato Salad Recipe

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Potatoes
    • Description: Start by cooking the potatoes.
    • Tools/Ingredients: 2 pounds of waxy potatoes (such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes), large pot, water, salt.
    • Steps:
    • Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water.
    • Add a pinch of salt to the water.
    • Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
    • Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the potatoes until they're tender but not falling apart (about 15-20 minutes).
    • Tip: Avoid overcooking the potatoes to prevent them from becoming mushy.
  2. Cook the Bacon
    • Description: While the potatoes are cooking, fry the bacon until crispy.
    • Tools/Ingredients: 6 slices of bacon, skillet.
    • Steps:
    • Place the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat.
    • Cook until the bacon is crispy, turning occasionally for even cooking.
    • Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to drain excess fat.
    • Tip: Save the bacon fat in the skillet for the dressing.
  3. Make the Dressing
    • Description: Prepare the warm dressing that will coat the potatoes.
    • Tools/Ingredients: 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, skillet with bacon drippings.
    • Steps:
    • In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, add the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and Dijon mustard.
    • Whisk the ingredients together over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture begins to thicken slightly.
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Tip: Keep stirring to prevent the sugar from burning.
  4. Combine Ingredients
    • Description: Mix the potatoes, bacon, and dressing together.
    • Tools/Ingredients: Cooked potatoes, cooked bacon, prepared dressing, large mixing bowl.
    • Steps:
    • Drain the cooked potatoes and let them cool slightly before cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
    • Crumble the cooked bacon into small pieces.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm potatoes, crumbled bacon, and the warm dressing.
    • Toss gently to verify the potatoes are well coated with the dressing.
    • Tip: Handle the potatoes gently to maintain their shape.
  5. Add Final Touches
    • Description: Finish the salad with fresh herbs for added flavor.
    • Tools/Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or chives.
    • Steps:
    • Sprinkle the chopped parsley or chives over the salad.
    • Toss gently to incorporate the herbs.
    • Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or vinegar as desired.
  6. Serve
    • Description: Serve the salad while still warm for the best flavor.
    • Tools/Ingredients: Serving dish.
    • Steps:
    • Transfer the salad to a serving dish.
    • Serve immediately while the salad is warm, or let it sit at room temperature for a bit before serving.
    • Tip: German potato salad is traditionally served warm, but it can also be enjoyed at room temperature.

Enjoy your homemade German Potato Salad!

Gather Necessary Ingredients First

Before diving into the cooking process, make certain you have all the ingredients ready for a traditional German potato salad.

First, gather about two pounds of small, waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds.

You'll need six slices of bacon for that savory touch.

Prepare half a cup of finely chopped onions and one tablespoon of Dijon mustard for a kick.

Grab a third of a cup of apple cider vinegar to bring in tanginess and a quarter cup of chicken broth to enhance flavor.

Don't forget two tablespoons of sugar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Finally, have a handful of chopped fresh parsley on hand for garnish.

Having these ingredients ready guarantees a smooth cooking experience.

[DIRECTIONS]:

Boil Potatoes Until Tender

Patience is essential as you commence on the journey to boiling your potatoes to perfection.

Begin by selecting medium-sized potatoes, preferably Yukon Gold or red, for their creamy texture. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt.

Place the potatoes in a large pot, ensuring they're covered with about an inch of water.

Add a generous pinch of salt to the pot; this enhances the flavor as the potatoes cook.

Turn the stove to medium-high heat and bring the water to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cover the pot with a lid.

Simmer for 15-20 minutes, checking for tenderness with a fork. They're done when the fork easily pierces through.

Drain and let them cool slightly.

Calorie Count Per Serving

When considering the calorie count per serving of German potato salad, it's important to recognize that this dish is generally more calorie-dense than its American counterpart, primarily due to the use of ingredients like bacon and vinegar-based dressings. You'll find that a typical serving might contain between 200 to 300 calories, but it's always best to check your recipe specifics.

Here's a quick breakdown to help you visualize:

Ingredient Calories (approx.)
Potatoes 110
Bacon 42
Vinegar Dressing 20

These are just estimates, but they give you a good idea of where the calories are coming from. Keeping portion control in mind can help you enjoy this flavorful dish without overindulging. Enjoy your tangy and savory side!

Conclusion

You've mastered the art of making a tangy and savory German potato salad. You've chosen only the best waxy potatoes, letting them soak up that delicious vinegar and bacon goodness. You've followed step-by-step instructions, ensuring each bite is perfectly balanced. You've created a side dish that's not only tasty but also mindful of calorie count. Enjoy your culinary creation, savor the flavors, and relish the satisfaction of sharing this delightful dish with others!