Warm German Potato Salad

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Warm German potato salad is tangy, sweet, and loaded with crispy bacon pieces. Make this recipe for dinner or your next family gathering!

Bowl of warm potato salad with bacon

Hot potato salad is delicious year-round and is a great side dish for just about any meal. It’s typically served warm, but it’s just as good at a cooler temperature for hot summer days.

While different regions of Germany have their own unique versions, this potato salad recipe comes from Southern Germany.

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This version has become well known in America thanks to several famous restaurants, and it’s now what people think of when they hear German potato salad.

Close up: cooked potatoes with onion, bacon, and fresh parsley

Difference between regular and German potato salad
Typically what you find at a barbecue or potluck is a chilled potato salad that’s made with Russet potatoes and coated with a mayonnaise mixture.
Instead, this is a warm potato salad with bacon that uses waxy potatoes and has a tangy vinegar-based dressing.

Hot potato salad in a white bowl on a red and white striped towel

If you like this German potato salad recipe, try my Loaded Potato Salad.
While it also has a tangy dressing and lots of bacon, it’s served chilled instead of warm.
Plus, it has a fluffy texture and tastes just like a loaded baked potato!

Metal spoon holding warm potato salad

It only takes half an hour to make this warm potato salad with bacon.
Just combine a few simple ingredients with a dressing made from pantry staples.

How to make warm German potato salad

Photo of finished dish titled The Best German Potato Salad

INGREDIENTS
  • Potatoes
  • Thick cut bacon
  • Onion, diced
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Ingredients to make warm German potato salad

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
First, clean and slice the potatoes so they are about ¼” thick. You want them thin enough to cook quickly, but not so thin that they fall apart.
Add them to a pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cook for 6 minutes – they should be fork-tender but still firm.
Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.

Sliced yellow potatoes

Next, dice the onion.

You can do this by hand or with a chopping tool. Or, cut into wedges and pulse a few times in a food processor.

Diced white onion

Slice the bacon strips into 1-inch pieces.

Cook the bacon pieces in a large skillet on medium-high until brown and crisp. Avoid stirring too frequently as this makes it take longer to cook.

Line a plate with paper towels, then transfer the cooked bacon to the plate with a slotted spoon.

Chopped uncooked bacon strips

Now, cook the onions in the leftover bacon grease.

Reduce the heat to medium and saute until lightly browned and translucent.

White onion and bacon grease in a skillet

Stir in the vinegar, water, sugar, and seasonings.

Then, add the boiled potatoes to the pan.

Bring everything to a boil, then simmer for about 7 minutes.

Skillet with cooked onion and boiled potato slices

Next, remove from heat and add the cooked bacon and chopped fresh parsley to the pan.

Mix everything until well combined.

Cooked potatoes and onion in a skillet topped with cooked bacon and chopped parsley

Transfer the hot potato salad to a bowl and serve warm.

Refrigerate any leftover within 2 hours.

Bowl of warm potato salad with bacon with a striped dish towel 

TIPS FOR MAKING POTATO SALAD
  • Boiling the potatoes: Always start with cold water so the potatoes cook evenly. Remember to salt the water so the potatoes have flavor.
  • Tear-free onions: Place the onion in the freezer for about 15 minutes before cutting. This will neutralize the acid that causes eye irritation.

Close up of German potato salad on a white plate

Q&A

What potatoes are best for potato salad?
Waxy potatoes are best for potato salad because they hold their shape well when cooked.
This German potato salad recipe uses Yukon gold potatoes because of their buttery flavor, but they can easily be replaced with red potatoes.
Can I add or substitute other ingredients?
While this recipe is fairly traditional, there are a few adjustments you can make. Here are some ideas:
  • Different types of onion: substitute the white onion with a yellow onion or shallots.
  • Extra flavor: mix in some Dijon mustard and fresh garlic with the other ingredients after cooking the onions.
  • Add texture: throw in some chopped dill pickles at the end for extra crunch.
  • Make it vegetarian: cook the onions in butter or oil and leave out the bacon or replace it with capers.
What goes with warm German potato salad?
This dish is enough to be a meal by itself, or it makes a great side dish for any of the following:
  • Brats and sausages
  • Hamburgers
  • Baked chicken
  • Grilled pork chops
  • Steak
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Keep covered or in an airtight container up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stove just until warmed through.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Sure! Make it up to a day ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Then reheat or let it come to room temperature when you’re ready to serve.
You can also boil the potatoes and cook the bacon ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Reserve the bacon grease in a jar as well.
Then, resume the recipe starting with step 8 to finish the dish before serving.
Bowl of warm potato salad with bacon
5 from 1 vote

German Potato Salad

By: Jen CIncyshopper
Warm German potato salad is tangy, sweet, and loaded with crispy bacon pieces. Make this recipe for dinner or your next family gathering!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Servings: 10 Servings

Ingredients 

  • 3 cup Potatoes
  • 6 slices Thick Cut Bacon
  • 1/2 medium Onion, diced
  • 1/3 cup Cider Vinegar
  • 4 tbsp Water
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • 3/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh Parsley

Instructions 

  • Slice potatoes into 1/4" thick slices.
  • Place potatoes into a pan and fill with enough water to cover them.
  • Boil and cook for 6 minutes.
  • Drain and set aside.
  • Slice bacon into about 1" pieces.
  • Place in a large skillet and cook over medium high until browned and crisp.
  • Remove bacon from grease and place on paper towel lined plate to drain. Set aside.
  • Reduce skillet temperature to medium and add onions.
  • Cook until translucent and lightly brown.
  • Add the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper to the pan.
  • Add potatoes to the pan.
  • Bring to a boil and cook for 7 minutes.
  • Add the bacon and parsley.
  • Transfer to serving bowl and serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 322mg, Potassium: 322mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 42IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

overhead and close up photos titled The Best German Potato Salad

The Best German Potato Salad on a plate and close up on a spoon

plate of warm potato salad with a striped towel titled The Best German Potato Salad

About Jen Cincyshopper

A lover of food and frugal living. A wife to a wonderful hubby, momma to 5 fun kiddos. Welcome to my blog. You will find REAL TASTY RECIPES. Be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media, to never miss a recipe.

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2 Comments

  1. The potato salad looks great and I’m going to feature you at the Happiness is Homemade Link party on Sunday.

  2. 5 stars
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    Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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