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Home » Sides » German Potato Salad (no Mayo)

Published: May 30, 2021 · Modified: Sep 4, 2022 · by Lexa · 16 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

German Potato Salad (no Mayo)

This modern interpretation of a traditional German potato salad (Kartoffelsalat) is made with crispy bacon and pan fried potatoes coated in a sweet and sour dressing. It is a potato salad that is best served warm and is a perfect side for grilled meats and many other main courses.

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4.98 from 47 votes
Small bowl with German Potato Salad and two bowls blurred in the background this to try later
German Potato Salad with Bacon and made from Fried Potatoes

The original traditional version of this German potato salad is made from warm boiled potatoes and a sweet and tangy dressing with onions and crispy fried pork belly fat dice. This pork belly used in Germany for this traditional side dish is not exactly like the bacon popular in North America. It is pure white fat from the belly of the pork, which when fried leaves only small gold brown crispy pieces. The melted fat is an essential part of the dressing and contributes to the smooth consistency of the vinaigrette, but it also prevents the potatoes absorb all the liquid and become soggy.

Since I moved to Canada, I only came across this type of cured pork belly fat at certain Eastern European grocery stores. Therefore, I diverted to the more popular bacon slices. I further gave this recipe my individual twist by frying the potatoes to add the roasted flavor and by adding freshly chopped parsley at the end.

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  1. Here's what you need
  2. How to make a German Fried Potato Salad
  3. How to serve it
  4. German Potato Salad
  5. Explore my other German Recipes

Here's what you need

This is what you will need to make this authentic German potato salad with bacon and a tangy-sweet dressing. Detailed measurements can be found on the bottom of the page in the recipe card 👇.

All ingredients for A German Style potato salad are shown here

Potatoes - The potatoes should be boiled and cooled down. Leftover potatoes from the previous day are perfect to use for this salad made from fried potatoes. Choose a potato with a medium starch content, just enough to thicken your sauce without falling apart. My go-to for this side is an all-purpose potato like the Yukon Gold.

Sliced Bacon - Pick whichever is your favorite. As mentioned above, pure cured pork belly fat would be the traditional ingredient but I used a standard sliced bacon to make this salad.

Olive Oil - The Potatoes absorb a lot of oil when being pan fried. I used olive oil in addition to the bacon fat. You can use whichever frying oil you have available.

Onion - I used red onions, as it adds a nice touch of color and I enjoy the sweet flavor. You can use yellow onion, sweet onion, Spanish onion or even green onion. If you use green onions, make sure to add them at the end since they are best consumed fresh.

Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar 🍎, white wine vinegar, raspberry vinegar or white distilled vinegar. Choose what you have available or whichever is your favorite. I used Apple cider vinegar for this salad. I would not recommend Balsamic Vinegar.

Sugar – Since this is a traditional family recipe, I use regular refined sugar. I haven’t tried to use brown sugar or other sweeteners. If you’d like to substitute, I would recommend a sugar or sweetener that does not have a strong unique flavor, like honey.

Water, Salt & Pepper – The water will literally water the dressing down and balances all flavors. The potatoes will absorb most of the liquid. Salt and pepper are self-explanatory 😉

Parsley - The chopped Parsley will add a fresh note to this salad. It is not a must, but I'd definitely recommend to try it. Dill, cilantro or chives could be used instead or just a little bit of all of the above.

How to make a German Fried Potato Salad

German potato Salad in a bowl
  1. Prepare the Dressing - Mix the vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar in a bowl large enough to fit in and mix 1 kg of potatoes. Then, add the lukewarm water and stir thoroughly to ensure that salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
  2. Fry the Bacon - Cut the bacon slices in small pieces and set them aside. Next, chop the onions into medium-small pieces. Place a large pan on the stove and set to high heat. Add the bacon first.
  3. Fry the Potatoes - When the bacon fat starts melting, add the olive oil. Next, give the sliced potatoes into the pan and gently stir. The secret to well fried and crispy potatoes is to let them fry in the pan without moving them around too much.
  4. Stir again when the potatoes on the bottom of the pan start to turn golden. Then let them fry again until the potatoes on the bottom become crispy.
Instructions Step 1 to 4 - German Potato Salad Recipe
  1. Now add the onions and keep frying. Reduce the heat if the colour turns too quickly.
  2. Remove from the heat - When the majority of the potatoes have become golden and crispy and the onions are translucent, remove the pan from the heat and let everything cool down for 5-10 minutes.
  3. Mix with the Dressing - When slightly cooled, give the warm potato, bacon and onion mix into the bowl with the dressing and mix everything well. The dressing will thicken from the starch in combination with the warmth of the potatoes and cooling bacon fat.
  4. The Parsley - Lastly, fold in the freshly chopped parsley and serve while warm!
Instructions Step 5 to 8 - German Potato Salad Recipe

How to serve it

This warm potato salad is a perfect side for grilled meats, Authentic German Schnitzel, German meat patties (Frikadelle) and many other mains.

This salad is best served warm. If you have leftovers, store it in the fridge and gently warm it up on a low setting in the microwave or on low heat on the stovetop. I would not recommend freezing this salad.

Another great side dish is my grandmother's German Cucumber Salad, or if you are looking for a different style of potato side, my Ginger Infused French Potato Gratin.

If you are a fan of German cuisine, check out my other authentic German Recipes or you can find more inspiration for German Food by browsing Feedspot's list of the 35 Top German Food Blogs, Lexa's Recipes included 🤗.

20 plates with German potato salad and German Meat patties
Enjoy!
20 plates with German potato salad and German Meat patties

German Potato Salad

Prevent Sleep Mode
Author: Lexa
This modern interpretation of my grandmother's traditional German potato salad (Kartoffelsalat) is made with crispy bacon and pan fried potatoes coated in a sweet and sour dressing. It is best served warm and is a perfect side for grilled meats and many other different main courses.
4.98 from 47 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine German
Servings 6 servings
Calories 435 kcal

Tools

  • Large Pan (non-stick)

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 lbs Potatoes (boiled and cooled down)
  • 5 oz sliced bacon
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 medium red onion (chopped)
  • ⅓ cup vinegar (Apple cider or other white vinegar)
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup water (lukewarm)
  • 3 tablespoon flat parsley (chopped)

Instructions

Prepare the Dressing

  • Mix the vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar in a bowl large enough to fit in and mix 1 kg of potatoes.
  • Add the lukewarm water and stir to ensure that salt and sugar are completely dissolved.

Fry Potatos, Bacon and Onions

  • Cut the bacon slices in small pieces and set aside. Next chop the onions into medium small pieces.
  • Place a large pan on the stove and set to high heat. Add the bacon first.
  • When the bacon fat starts melting, add the olive oil. Next, give the sliced potatoes into the pan and gently stir. Make sure not to stir too much or else the potatoes will fall apart. The secret to well fried and crispy potatoes is to let them fry in the pan without moving them around too much.
  • Stir again when the potatoes on the bottom of the pan start to turn golden. Then let them fry again until potatoes on the bottom become crispy.
  • Now add the onions and keep frying. Reduce the heat if the colour turns too quickly.
  • When the majority of the potatoes has become golden and crispy, remove the pan from the heat and let cool down for 5-10 minutes.
  • When slightly cooled, give the warm potato, bacon and onion mix into the bowl with the dressing and mix well. The dressing will thicken from the starch in combination with the warmth of the potatoes and cooling bacon fat.
  • Lastly, fold in the freshly chopped parsley and serve while warm!

NUTRITION FACTS

Calories: 435kcal (22%) | Carbohydrates: 32g (11%) | Protein: 3g (6%) | Fat: 33g (51%) | Saturated Fat: 11g (69%) | Cholesterol: 22mg (7%) | Sodium: 436mg (19%) | Potassium: 687mg (20%) | Fiber: 4g (17%) | Sugar: 6g (7%) | Vitamin A: 173IU (3%) | Vitamin C: 34mg (41%) | Calcium: 28mg (3%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Keywords Fried Potato Salad, German Potato Salad, Hot German Potato Salad, Kartoffelsalat, Potato Salad with Bacon, Specksalat, Warm Potato Salad
Tried this recipe? Show me how it turned out!Mention @Lexas_Recipes or tag #lexas_recipes!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Oscar says

    July 01, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    5 stars
    The crispy bacon with the potatoes hit the spot. My whole family loved it. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Jeri says

    July 01, 2021 at 7:01 pm

    5 stars
    I made this potato salad as a side when I grilled ribs, and it was amazing!! It was so delicious and full of flavor! My kids hate mayo/salad dressing so they never eat the regular cold potato salad I usually make, but they absolutely loved this one and asked me to make it again. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
  3. Lara says

    July 01, 2021 at 4:56 pm

    5 stars
    My kids don’t like traditional Potato Salad, but this serves warm German version is a winner

    Reply
  4. Emily Flint says

    June 21, 2021 at 11:31 am

    5 stars
    This was amazing! My guy lived in Germany for a few years and always talked about the "right" potato salad. Well, he loved this one and we will definitely be making it again.

    Reply
    • Alexa says

      June 24, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      Fantastic! Thanks for this amazing feedback!

      Reply
  5. Beth Sachs says

    June 20, 2021 at 5:53 am

    5 stars
    Such a hearty and delicious potato salad. The whole family loved it!

    Reply
    • Alexa says

      June 24, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      Thanks so much Beth!

      Reply
  6. Jac says

    June 20, 2021 at 5:19 am

    5 stars
    I used veggie bacon and we all loved this dish! The fried potatoes were amazing. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Alexa says

      June 24, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      What a great idea! I'm glad you were able to make it meatless and enjoyed it!
      You can also always leave the bacon out and add some more olive oil 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jacqueline Meldrum says

    June 20, 2021 at 4:44 am

    5 stars
    You had me at potatoes! I absolutely love potato salad!

    Reply
    • Alexa says

      June 24, 2021 at 8:08 pm

      Me too! Thanks Jacqueline!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy says

        July 01, 2021 at 10:31 pm

        5 stars
        I have never had German Potato Salad and this sounds amazing because it has bacon in it and the potatoes are fried. Gotta try this.

        Reply
  8. Adrianne says

    June 20, 2021 at 12:54 am

    5 stars
    Bacon and potatoes and I am in!! This looks like a great side dish that would work well for some many recipe! Did you say crispy bacon...I'm coming over!

    Reply
    • Alexa says

      June 24, 2021 at 8:07 pm

      Thanks Adrianne! Always welcome 😉

      Reply
  9. Bozena Jusic says

    June 13, 2021 at 7:34 am

    5 stars
    Amazing, we love it.

    Reply
    • Alexa says

      June 24, 2021 at 8:07 pm

      Thanks so much for your feedback Bozena!:)

      Reply
4.98 from 47 votes (37 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I'm Lexa!

Welcome to my blog, I am so glad you are here! I am Lexa, a German national, living in Toronto with a passion for delicious and healthy food. I am happy to share my favourite recipes with you, hoping to inspire you for your day-to-day cooking or a stay-in date-night.

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