Authentic German Potato Salad

See how to make traditional vinegar-based potato salad with crumbled bacon. See more

READY IN 50 mins

Authentic German Potato Salad

Read Reviews (446)

"This is my mother's recipe. Everyone, German or not, loves it. It is easy to double the recipe as well. I often bring it to potlucks, and we also have it at home on special occasions. There are usually no leftovers, but if there are, they don't last long!" — SCHOOLBEE123

Directions

Place the potatoes into a pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Drain, and set aside to cool.
Place the bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry until browned and crisp, turning as needed. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add onion to the bacon grease, and cook over medium heat until browned. Add the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper to the pan. Bring to a boil, then add the potatoes and parsley. Crumble in half of the bacon. Heat through, then transfer to a serving dish. Crumble the remaining bacon over the top, and serve warm.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 30 mins
COOK 20 mins
READY IN 50 mins

Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Jul 29, 2006

I am German, 100%. I have been eating German Potato Salad almost all my many, many years. I've cooked many German Potato salads myself. I cooked this one today and my spouse and guests raved about it. We all agree it is better than what is served in our authentic German restaurants/German societies. I also cooked "Wisconsin Bratwurst" from Allrecipes. Opened up a jar of Aunt Nellie's red cabbage to go along with all this. What a feast!!!Vundabar!!!

—Joe G.

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Sep 12, 2008

Sorry, but this is not authentic. I am German and even live there. We never use peeled potatos, just cook whole potatos, peel them pretty hot, cut and mix them with the sauce. Then they soak it up well when still hot. This is also too less sauce, we make a mix of hot broth and put in the vinegar/oil/salt/pepper/onion and pour it over the potatos. Broth as much as you need to make it moist and lightly creamy, depends on the potatos.. between half up to one cup and season it well so the salad doesnt get bland. And no.. not so much sugar. Max. 1 tablespoon. We dont like sweet salat. Add bacon at the end.. or whatever you like. We often put thinly sliced cucumber in it, maybe give it a try. Greets from Bavaria.. :-)

—GRUMBLERXL

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585 Ratings

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Aug 24, 2005

My "authentic" recipe calls for a teaspoon of celery seed, it adds a nice texture...this is my favorite potato salad. You can use the same bacon/onion/vinegar/sugar sauce for spinach or bibb lettuce -- pour the sauce while hot over the greens to create a fabulous "wilted lettuce" salad.

—BELLA232232

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Oct 04, 2007

I have been wanting to make German Potato Salad for years and never knew how. I picked this one and I am so glad that I did! However I used more bacon than called for. I didn't have fresh parsley so I threw in some dried parsley and then I sprinkled in just a little celery seed. I also used white vinegar as called for and not cider vinegar as some other recipes used. It was so good that I will probably never make traditional potato salad again. This is a lot easier too! I printed this and added it to my recipe notebook! This is a keeper! I can't wait to make this for company! If I could have given it more than five stars I would have!

—ROSEMC91

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Jan 03, 2007

We were having a luncheon at the University I work at around Christmas time and everyone was to bring a recipe from their ethnic background. I am German/Irish and I decided to cook something German rather than Irish. I found this recipe and decided to give it a go. The only thing I added was a little celery seed. There was a contest for the best dish brought to this luncheon. Everyone there, about 40/50 people, placed their vote. I was hearing everyone around me talking about how good the german potatoe salad was and to my surprise, I won first place and a $50 gift certificate. So, this recipe is wonderful! I'm making it again tomorrow for another luncheon, but there won't be any prizes this time. Pretty good for someone who never made German potatoe salad before.

—Bethanybean

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Sep 19, 2005

This is my German mom's recipe too, minus the sugar. I also use more water as the potatoes really do soak up a lot of the liquid. This is an amazing potato salad that everyone should try at least once.

—LINDA MCLEAN

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Jun 06, 2007

This was a delicious potato salad! I hate mayo, so I was on the hunt for a potato salad that didn't have mayo in it and found this gem! I made it the night before for a BBQ the next day and just popped it in the oven 30 minutes before we were about to eat to reheat it through. It came out perfectly and not dried out. I also tripled the recipe to feed a dozen people.

—COOKINKELLY

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Jun 18, 2007

My husband doesn't like the traditional egg potato salad, so I had to come up with a potato salad he would like. I figured it must be the eggs and mayo aspect of the recipe that didn't sit well with him. I found this wonderful rendition and he (and the rest of whosenever I make it for) loves it! Especially others who don't normally like potato salad--I can't keep a full dish! Thanks!

—Mochamix

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Nutrition

Calories
183 kcal
9%

Carbohydrates
32.2 g
10%

Cholesterol
10 mg
3%

Fat
3.9 g
6%

Fiber
2.2 g
9%

Protein
5.4 g
11%

Sodium
796 mg
32%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Authentic German Potato Salad

Serving Size: 1/4 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 183
Calories from Fat: 35

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3.9g 6 %
Saturated Fat 1.3g 6 %
Cholesterol 10mg 3 %
Sodium 796mg 32 %
** Potassium 426mg 12 %
Total Carbohydrates 32.2g 10 %
Dietary Fiber 2.2g 9 %
Protein 5.4g 11 %
Sugars 11g
Vitamin A 2 %
Vitamin C 17 %
Calcium 2 %
Iron 6 %
** Thiamin 17 %
** Niacin 26 %
** Vitamin B6 21 %
** Magnesium 9 %
** Folate 8 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.