Traditional German Potato Salad Recipes
What is the best Kartoffelsalat recipe?
We have more than one authentic German potato salad recipe. After all, Kartoffelsalat is a traditional German food, therefore you will find different recipes throughout Germany. Kartoffelsalat is a favourite side dish of the German cuisine.
There is some sort of "war" going on whether traditional German potato salad should be made with mayonaise, or with vinaigrette. People of northern Germany prefer the mayo version, while in the south vinaigrette is used. Of course, there is no "right" or "wrong" answer, it is just a matter what people are used to.
When is potato salad traditionally eaten?
Kartoffelsalat is a must to have at a grill party! You will find it also on menues at beergardens and at any place that serves short snacks.
Potato salad goes with all kind of sausages, fish and Schnitzel. In southern regions it is also part of a mixed salad served with a main dish.
When I was a kid, we had potatoe salad with sausages on Christmas Eve. This is still common in some families and regions.
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German potato salad recipe with vinaigrette
This is my basic Kartoffelsalat receipe which my husband loves best. The photo above shows the result of this recipe.
Ingredients for approx. 3 servings
- 10 medium sized potatoes
- 1 large onion, diced
- 6 pickled gherkins, sliced
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp liquid from the pickled gherkins
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 2-3 tablespoons sunflower oil
- salt and coarsely grounded pepper
Directions
Peel the cooked potatoes and slice them, see the tips section in the right column
Put all other ingredients in a shaker, mix thoroughly
Don't use too much salt, you can always add more
Pour the vinaigrette over the potatoes and mix carefully
Wait at least 2 hours until you serve this tasty potato salad at room temperature.
You can modify this recipe to suit your taste. Ingredients that harmonise with this recipe are boiled eggs and diced ham.
To add more moisture to the salad, use 1/8 l plain broth instead of the tablespoon water for the vinaigrette.
German potato salad recipe with bacon
The version with bacon is also another favourite. You can serve it warm or cold. If you want to eat the salad warm, cook the potatoes on the same day.Ingredients for approx. 3 servings
- 10 medium sized potatoes
- 2 onions, diced
- 150 g bacon, sliced
- 4 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1/4 litre (1 cup) plain broth
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- salt and coarsely grounded pepper
Directions
Peel the cooked potatoes and slice them
Fry bacon and onions in the oil
Add the broth and vinegar, boil the mix up once
Add mustard, pepper and salt, mix throroughly
Pour the onion/bacon broth over the potatoes
Let the salad rest for at least 20 minutes.
German potato salad recipe with mayonnaise
This is a very rich salad, and it tastes very nice.
Ingredients for approx. 3 servings
- 10 medium sized potatoes
- 2 onions, diced
- 3 boiled eggs, diced
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons gherkin liquid
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- salt and coarsely grounded pepper
Directions
Peel the cooked potatoes and slice them
Mix potatoes, diced onions and eggs
Put all other ingredients in a shaker, mix thoroughly
Season with salt and pepper
Mix the sauce with the potatoes
Let the salad rest for at least 1 hour
Modify this recipe with sliced radish, ham or even diced apples.
I used to be fairly inventive and added nearly everything I found in the fridge to my potatoe salad. However, these days I prefer a basic and traditional German potato salad recipe.
Rita's tips for best results:
- Use only firm-cooking (festkochend) potatoes of about the same size
- Cook them in their jacket with 1 teaspoon salt a day before you prepare the salad
- Peel the potatoes the next day (just before you make the salad)
- Don't add all the recommended liquids like broth or water immediately. Depending on how moist you want your salad, you can add more later.
