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German Potato Salad

- SERVES
- 8
- COOK TIME
- 30 Min
German Potato Salad isn't creamy like some of the traditional American potato salads you may be used to, but that doesn't mean it isn't as delicious! Our German Potato Salad has a sweet vinegary base and includes tasty ingredients like bacon, onion and fresh parsley.
What You'll Need
- 4 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
- 8 slices bacon
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
What to Do
- In a large pot of boiling water, cook potatoes 10 to 15 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain, place in a large bowl, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until browned and crisp, turning as needed. Remove from pan, crumble, and set aside.
- Add oil and onion to bacon grease and cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Stir in vinegar, water, sugar and salt; bring to a boil. Gently stir in potatoes and parsley.
- Add half of bacon to potato mixture and heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Remove to a serving dish, sprinkle remaining bacon over top, and serve warm.
Notes
- The potatoes in German Potato Salad are usually sliced, rather than cubed, but you're the boss...make whatever shape your gang prefers.
- We've got even more yummy potato salads for you to check out in our collection of Fantastically Easy Potato Salads!
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Nutritional InformationShow More
Servings Per Recipe: 8
- Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
- Calories 359
- Calories from Fat 155
- Total Fat 17g 27 %
- Saturated Fat 4.3g 22 %
- Trans Fat 0.0g 0 %
- Protein 6.6g 13 %
- Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
- Cholesterol 15mg 5 %
- Sodium 517mg 22 %
- Total Carbohydrates 45g 15 %
- Dietary Fiber 5.7g 23 %
- Sugars 11g 0 %
crosario1964 8229549
Mar 05, 2021
Made a half batch because it's just me and my husband. Seems a bit bland. Will tweak it next time.
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gailpdalton1964 7088254
Jun 18, 2020
We like it a it more flavorful. Boil,skin and dice potatoes. One med chopped onion. Garlic powder to taste. One bottle of Italian dressing. Pepper to taste and let set over night. I usually drain most of the oil in dressing, thats my choice, but can be left on. This is gone in no time at our house
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diva2085
Sep 28, 2018
I love this salad, I always saute celery with the onion and add some flour before mixing with potatoes.
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joeruyle 5955049
Sep 28, 2017
When living in Germany in the early 70's the head cook at our local favorite restaurant taught me to make a number of the menu items. Since I strongly dislike mustard this potato salad was a must learn. The only difference between what you have here and how it was done in the Swabish (west central) region of Germany is the sugar which was not added there. Their potato salad is like American BBQ in that it varies from region to region.
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soulm8sus 6401928
Dec 30, 2016
I might try this for New Year Day dinner with the family but I prefer my potatoes grated.
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mond171488 8178650
Sep 29, 2015
I love that potato salad,one out many I make!I add a little bit of olive oil at the end.
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grannyblu
Sep 29, 2015
I use celery seed and parsley in my German potato salad gives it color and flavor!
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mlouwag 9299448
May 19, 2014
I was given arecipe from my German neighbors that I love and they put in caroway seeds and apple juice and little brown sugar. I also put in a grated apple and some of the bacon fat. It is great. If you don't want to use the juice you can use a little beer. Its really good.
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berndmiyako 5265872
Jan 28, 2014
Saxon Potato Salad :Cook,peel,slice Russet Potatoes,fry small Bacon Pieces,boil Egg,slice,cube one Pickle and one Apple ! Add Mayonnaise,Vinegar,Oil,Salt and Pepper to Taste,Capers optional,don't forget to add the Bacon Grease for extra Flavor,Amounts of Ingredients vary according to Taste,mix well,set aside for a few Hours to let Taste soak in,eat at Room Temperature with a nice fried "Knackwurst". Bon Appetite,Bernie
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BunnieDahlin
Jan 24, 2014
This is pretty much the same recipe from my husband's German family. I use red potatoes which I boil with the skins on, cool, peel and slice. I like to add warm to the dressing so the potatoes will absorb all that good bacon flavor. No one has said they added hard cooked eggs, perhaps this was added according to the family's preference or it depended on the region the family came from. I do add hard cooked eggs. I belong to a German based Lutheran church and on various occasions will take this potato salad to Church Suppers and always get rave reviews.LOL
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doloreseleeson 3927811
Sep 28, 2017
Whenever I have had this or made it, it was done with unpeeled sliced red skin potatoes just like yours only no eggs.
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Pankygirl
Sep 06, 2013
Just made this again.I have several recipes for this salad.I used this one,tweeked it a bit,my husband loved it.Even took some to work in his lunch.
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hildegard1945 9275549
Sep 06, 2013
I am from Germany and my parents never put sugar in the german potato salad , plus my mother always put 1/3 cp. of chicken broth over the potatoes after slicing them into a bowl
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MareUT
Sep 28, 2015
My Bavarian aunt made hers very similarly. No sugar and broth. It wasn't always chicken broth, though. She used whatever broth was available from the rest of the meal she was preparing.
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teggy65 2119219
Sep 06, 2013
For really good German Potato Salad you have to start with red potatoes, boiled, cooled thoroughly, pealed then sliced. Also we omit the salt because bacon has plenty and remove the onions and celery before you add the vinegar, sugar etc. My husband likes it when I add just a dash of garlic powder. (Use fresh just opened vinegar, not one that's been you cub board for as long as you can remember. Use that once for cleaning your kitchen floors and the coffee pot.) BTW, I'm 2nd generation German American and I'm going by what my grandmother brought over with her from Frankfurt on the Mein. I have requests to bring this to every gathering.
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kramer144
Sep 06, 2013
What? No bacon fat?
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SASSYANGIE
Sep 06, 2013
I agree. That is the secret to good, authentic German Potato salad.
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walshhouse9569 6983296
Jul 13, 2013
we never measured because my mom never did so like girls they learned from them so this is the first time I can give friends the recipe without guessing This really a good recipe
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lorettalarue 2268377
Sep 16, 2011
have arched evey cookbook I could get my hands on looking for MY grandma's German Potato Salad...this is the FIRST time I have found it in print. We use more onion so this may need a little tweaking but that is OK with me...it was one of those recipes you just had to learn by trial and error. After 60 years of marriage my Mom still has my Dad "taste test" it to get it just right. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
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ferned44 9567008
Jun 27, 2011
I have made this salad for years, as I ate it for at least once a week made by my american born German grandmother. she was the youngest of 5 girls, the 1st girl born on board the ship within the 12 mile limit. I drizzle oil on warm sliced potatoes, add parsly, finely chopped onion and than vinegar and sugar. Love it
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