Description
Hearty German potato salad brings rustic Alpine flavors straight to your kitchen, celebrating traditional Bavarian cuisine with tangy bacon and herbed potatoes. Comfort meets zest in this classic side dish you’ll crave at summer gatherings and cozy winter meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) red potatoes, scrubbed and diced
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
Dressing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) water
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1 gram) black pepper
Garnish Ingredient:
- 1 tablespoon (3 grams) fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare potatoes by placing diced pieces in a spacious pot, fully submerging them in water. Season with a pinch of salt and bring to a rolling boil. Cook until potatoes yield easily when pierced with a fork, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- While potatoes are cooking, render chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until achieving a crisp, golden texture. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the flavorful drippings in the pan.
- Sauté diced onions in the remaining bacon fat, stirring occasionally until they become soft, translucent, and slightly caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.
- Create the tangy dressing directly in the skillet by adding vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture briefly, ensuring sugar completely dissolves and flavors meld together.
- Incorporate the drained potatoes and crispy bacon into the skillet, gently folding to ensure even coating with the warm dressing. Heat the mixture thoroughly for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to integrate.
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch. Serve immediately while the salad remains warm and aromatic.
Notes
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best texture and ability to hold their shape during cooking.
- Dice potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor in every bite.
- Reserve some bacon fat for extra flavor, but drain excess to keep the dish from becoming too greasy.
- Customize the salad’s tanginess by adjusting the vinegar ratio – apple cider vinegar works beautifully for a softer, sweeter profile.
- Make this dish vegetarian by substituting bacon with smoked paprika or tempeh bacon for a similar smoky essence.
- Prepare ahead by cooking potatoes and bacon in advance, then quickly reheat and dress just before serving to maintain optimal temperature and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, gently reheating to preserve the potatoes’ tenderness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg