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Home » Recipes » Potato Side Dishes

Hot German Potato Salad

Published: May 27, 2023 Modified: Aug 9, 2023 by Isabel

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Calling all potato salad lovers: you are sure to fall in love with my Hot German Potato Salad recipe! Serve it warm, hot, or cool at your next BBQ or get-together, and it's guaranteed to be the first side dish to disappear. Ready in just 35 minutes, this simple potato salad recipe is easy to make and so delicious!

german potato salad in a white bowl with a wooden spoon
Jump to:
  • German Potato Salad Recipe
  • German Potato Salad Ingredients
  • How to Make German Potato Salad
  • German Potatoes Tips
  • German Potato Salad FAQs
  • Should I serve German potato salad warm or cold?
  • How to Store German Potato Salad
  • How to Warm Potato Salad
  • What Goes with Potato Salad
  • Potato Salad Recipes
  • German Potato Salad

German Potato Salad Recipe

Typically potato salads are served chilled from the refrigerator, but sometimes it's nice to switch things up and enjoy a delightful warm potato salad served right off the stove top, like my German Potato Salad recipe!

Potato salad is always a hit in my household, especially over summertime served with BBQ. I love making a fresh potato salad to serve with grilled steak, chicken, or even smoked turkey. Out of all my potato salad recipes, German Potato Salad is a favorite of my family. It is totally incomparable!

The warm, freshly boiled potatoes soak up all the flavors of the delectable vinegary dressing. And, topped with crispy bacon bits and fresh dill, this easy German potato salad is so good you'll want to lick the bowl! (My advice is to make enough for seconds - everyone will want more!)

german potato salad in a white bowl up close

German Potato Salad Ingredients

  • Yukon Gold potatoes
  • Bacon strips*
  • Red onion
  • Fresh dill
  • Fresh parsley
  • Chicken stock
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Japanese rice vinegar
  • Vegetable oil

The key to German Potato Salad is the bacon fat. When you cook the bacon to make it, make sure to reserve about 2 Tablespoons of bacon fat to use in the potato salad. You will not believe the flavor this adds to the dish!

ingredients for german potato salad on a white surface

How to Make German Potato Salad

  1. Boil the potatoes in their skin in enough salted water to cover the potatoes, until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Begin checking at 15 minutes, as smaller potatoes could be done sooner. Drain and allow to cool so they can be handled and peeled.
    potatoes in a pot of water
  2. In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain bacon on a paper towel and save about 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Chop the cooked bacon and set aside. While potatoes are cooking, dice onion and chop dill and parsley.
    dicing parsley and onions for potato salad
  3. In a separate bowl, mix chicken stock, sugar, salt, pepper, and both vinegars. Peel potatoes and cut in half, then cut into ¼-inch slices. Place in large mixing (or serving) bowl. Pour the vinegar mixture over the potatoes and stir gently to incorporate. The warm potatoes will soak up dressing.
    mixing potatoes with vinegars in a bowl
  4. Add the bacon, onion and herbs. Add the reserved bacon fat and stir gently again.
    mixing potato salad in a bowl
  5. Let sit for about 5 minutes, then add oil. Start with ¼ and fold in gently. Then add the remaining oil. The mixture will be soupy at the bottom but over the next 15 or 20 minutes, the potatoes will soak it up.
    potato salad in a bowl with two wooden spoons for mixing
  6. If you’ve saved any parsley or bacon bits, sprinkle them over just before serving. German potato salad is best served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
potato salad in a bowl next to a wooden spoon

German Potatoes Tips

  • Make sure to scrub your potatoes well before boiling them. I like to use a potato scrubber for this, but you can also use your hands, dish towel, or paper towel.
  • Start your potatoes off in cold water first before bringing them to a boil. Putting potatoes directly into a pot of boiling water will cause the outsides to cook immediately while the inside will take longer. Starting them off in cold water allows them to cook evenly.
  • Do not let your potato salad sit out for more than 2 hours before being refrigerated. If you aren't serving right away, pop it in the fridge as soon as you make it!

German Potato Salad FAQs

What is the difference between American and German potato salad?

American potato salad is generally mayonnaise-based and served chilled, whereas German potato salad is made with bacon drippings and a vinegar dressing, and served hot or warm.

What does German potato salad go with?

German potato salad is a versatile side dish you can serve with a variety of main dishes. I typically will pair my German potato salad with pork chops, steak, or grilled chicken, though it also pairs well with smoked turkey and ham. If you're planning a BBQ, include the German potato salad!

Should I serve German potato salad warm or cold?

I typically recommend serving this German Potato Salad hot or warm. However, it is also just as tasty and served at room temperature or chilled if it starts to cool down before ready for serving.

How to Store German Potato Salad

  • Store your leftover German Potato Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • I do not recommend freezing potato salad.

How to Warm Potato Salad

  • Microwave: Start with 1 minute at a time, using 50% power, until heated through.
  • Oven: Preheat to 325°F, and cook for 5-10 minutes.
  • As is: Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

What Goes with Potato Salad

  • Smoked Beef Brisket
  • Roasted Tomatoes
  • Grilled Corn on the Cob
  • Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad

Potato Salad Recipes

  • Instant Pot Potato Salad
  • Greek Potato Salad
  • Try more Easy Potato Salad Recipes
  • Mustard Potato Salad
german potato salad with bacon up close

German Potato Salad

Isabel Laessig
Learn how to make German potato salad with creamy potatoes, bacon, onions and fresh herbs! Easy and ready in 35 minutes!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine german
Servings 12 servings
Calories 274 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 bowl for mixing
  • 1 Skillet for cooking bacon

Ingredients
  

  • 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • ½ pound bacon strips reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat
  • 1 small red onion finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped; or 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • ¼ cup chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt I recommend kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¾ cup red wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • Boil the potatoes in their skin in enough salted water to cover the potatoes, until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Begin checking at 15 minutes, as smaller potatoes could be done sooner. Drain and allow to cool so they can be handled and peeled.
    potatoes in a pot of water
  • In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain bacon on a paper towel and save about 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Chop the cooked bacon and set aside. While potatoes are cooking, dice onion and chop dill and parsley.
    dicing parsley and onions for potato salad
  • In a separate bowl, mix chicken stock, sugar, salt, pepper, and both vinegars. Peel potatoes and cut in half, then cut into ¼-inch slices. Place in large mixing (or serving) bowl. Pour the vinegar mixture over the potatoes and stir gently to incorporate. The warm potatoes will soak up dressing.
    mixing potatoes with vinegars in a bowl
  • Add the bacon, onion and herbs. Add the reserved bacon fat and stir gently again.
    mixing potato salad in a bowl
  • Let sit for about 5 minutes, then add oil. Start with ¼ and fold in gently. Then add remaining oil. The mixture will be soupy at the bottom but over the next 15 or 20 minutes, the potatoes will soak it up.
    potato salad in a bowl with two wooden spoons for mixing
  • If you’ve saved any parsley or bacon bits, sprinkle them over just before serving. German potato salad is best served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
    german potato salad in a white bowl up close

Notes

  • Make sure to scrub your potatoes well before boiling them. I like to use a potato scrubber for this, but you can also use your hands, dish towel, or paper towel.
  • Start your potatoes off in cold water first before bringing them to a boil. Putting potatoes directly into a pot of boiling water will cause the outsides to cook immediately while the inside will take longer. Starting them off in cold water allows them to cook evenly.
  • Do not let your potato salad sit out for more than 2 hours before being refrigerated. If you aren't serving right away, pop it in the fridge as soon as you make it!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 274kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 7gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 540mgPotassium: 835mgFiber: 4gVitamin A: 115IUVitamin C: 23.3mgIron: 6.4mg
Keyword German potato salad, german potato salad recipe, german potatoes, hot german potato salad
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  • Author
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Isabel
Isabel
Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
» About Me
Isabel
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About Isabel

Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
» About Me

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Hello! I'm Isabel, aka Family Foodie. I want to be your go-to source for every side dish recipe you need!

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