Bacon-Filled Hot German Potato Salad Recipe - Unsophisticook (2024)

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This hot German potato salad recipe is totally the BEST summer side dish. Guests will flip for the tangy apple cider vinegar & grainy mustard dressing, along with the crispy fried bacon bits. Serve it hot, warm, or even cold at your next cookout!

Bacon-Filled Hot German Potato Salad Recipe - Unsophisticook (1)
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Hot German Potato Salad

School’s out, soccer tryouts are in the books (successfully, yay!), and we’ve got one more day to go in our community garage sale — and then I am D-O-N-E, DONE.

It’s been a hectic few weeks, but I’m looking forward to hauling everything that doesn’t sell to the donate drop-off, followed by a cookout with friends to celebrate the start of summer!

LOW KEY is the theme for this gathering, because frankly, I have zero bandwidth for anything else at this point. We’re talking grilled brats, my family favorite German potato salad recipe, and maybe I’ll ask my girls to make some of these simple individual veggie cups that are always a BIG hit.

Beyond that, I’ll pick up some beer and, perhaps, a pound cake and fresh berries for dessert and call it a day.

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Grilled Smithfield Brats + Yuengling Lager

The key to keeping a simple menu fresh and exciting is always in the details. Along with the German potato salad ingredients, we opted to pick up several packages of Smithfield Yuengling Traditional Lager Bratwurst sausages and buns. And of course, we also grabbed several 6-packs of Yuengling Traditional Lager to pair with them…

I mean, they go hand-in-hand, right? Each Smithfield brat is made with premium cuts of pork and a special blend of sweet and savory spices, then infused with real Yuengling Traditional Lager. A cold bottle of Yuengling lager to wash them down is practically a requirement.

I especially love these brats because you can forget about boiling them in beer before grilling them. Toss these babies right on the grill, and they come out juicy and flavorful every time!

Wanna try them for yourself? Smithfield Yuengling bratwurst sausages are available at your local Kroger. I always find them in the freezer case, but be sure to check the meat case as well. And if all else fails, the butcher counter always knows where they’re at.

Bacon-Filled Hot German Potato Salad Recipe - Unsophisticook (3)

Authentic German Potato Salad Recipe With Bacon

Now let’s switch gears to the recipe for German potato salad I mentioned. You’re definitely going to want to try this amazing side dish!

What is German potato salad? Oh, boy, if you’ve never had an authentic German potato salad, you are in for a TREAT… It’s very different kind of potato salad compared to the creamy potato salads you’re probably used to.

Known as Kartoffelsalat in German (or as my Hungarian great-grandmother would have called it, Krumplisaláta), it’s basically a fried potato salad. Hot red potatoes are tossed with a warm vinegar-based dressing that’s both sweet and tangy, thanks to a combination of apple cider vinegar, a little bit of sugar, and some coarse Dijon mustard.

Oh, and did I mention it’s filled with BACON?! Because it IS — lots and lots of crispy fried bacon pieces. PLUS the bacon fat is incorporated into the tangy dressing, as well. How can you go wrong with a bacon-filled warm potato salad recipe?

And if the smoky bacon wasn’t enough to get your attention, maybe learning just how easy my recipe for German potato salad is to make will…

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How To Make German Potato Salad

Let’s start with the fact that you don’t even need to peel the potatoes! For best results, I like to use small red potatoes in this recipe. These thin-skinned waxy potatoes can be cooked whole or quartered in the case of larger ones.

Simply boil the potatoes until tender in just enough water to cover them (or steam them in your Instant Pot!). Then drain them in a colander. Allow the boiled potatoes sit until they’ve cooled just enough that you can handle slicing them into bite size chunks without burning your fingers off.

The luscious warm bacon dressing can be prepared in a large skillet while the potatoes are cooking. It’s simply a mixture of fried diced bacon, diced yellow onions cooked in the remaining bacon grease, some apple cider vinegar, sugar, coarse Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper.

Finally, the cooked still warm potatoes get tossed with the hot bacon dressing. This helps the tender red potatoes soak up all of the zingy flavor from the tangy vinegar dressing. Add in a healthy handful of chopped fresh parsley for subtle bright flavor and a pop of color, and it’s ready to serve!

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Hot Cold Or Warm German Potato Salad?

There’s a bit of debate over whether the best German potato salad should be served hot, warm, or cold… Traditionally, German potato salad recipes are served hot or warm. But I say go with whatever works for YOU!

Freshly prepared German hot potato salad is totally amazing. But it’s often not practical to keep it hot at a gathering. If you have access to an outlet, a crock pot set on warm does the trick well. Though if not, no worries!

This potato salad is still super tasty warm, room temperature, or even cold. And since German-style potato salad is a vinegar-based potato salad without mayo in it, you don’t need to worry about spoilage in the summer heat! You know, like you do with a traditional American potato salad.

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What To Serve With Bratwurst Sausages

If you’ve never been sure what to serve with bratwurst sausages at your cookouts, I can wholeheartedly recommend this easy German potato salad recipe. And I highly suggest doubling it, because it definitely WILL NOT LAST.

The combination of warm German potato salad and Smithfield Yuengling bratwursts, paired with the subtle sweet caramel flavor of an icy cold Yuengling lager, will knock your next cookout out of the park. Prost!

P.S. Don’t for one second think that this recipe for German potato salad is only good as a summer side. It’s a perfect side dish to make year round! We serve it with this pork and sauerkraut recipe every year on New Year’s Day and AND pretty much all year long…

Bacon-Filled Hot German Potato Salad Recipe - Unsophisticook (7)

Bacon-Filled Hot German Potato Salad

Yield: 10 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

This hot German potato salad recipe is totally the BEST summer side dish. Guests will flip for the tangy apple cider vinegar & coarse Dijon mustard dressing, along with the crispy fried bacon bits. Serve it hot, warm, or even cold at your next cookout!

Ingredients

  • 2.5-lbs. medium red potatoes, quartered
  • 1 tablespoon salt, divided
  • 1/2-lb. bacon, diced
  • 1 heaping cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon coarse Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Place the quartered potatoes in a large pot and fill with enough cold water to just cover them.* Add 2 teaspoons of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until easily pierced by a fork, about 12-15 minutes. Drain the hot potatoes and set aside to cool slightly. When they are still warm but can be easily handled, cut into small pieces.
  2. While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the bacon vinaigrette. Place the diced bacon in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook bacon until browned and crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside. Leave the bacon drippings in the frying pan.
  3. Add the diced onions to the pan, and cook over medium heat until they turn translucent and start to brown. Add the vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, and pepper to the sautéed onions. Bring to a boil.
  4. Add the bite size potato chunks and bacon to the pan, and toss to coat. Turn off the heat and and fold in the chopped parsley.
  5. Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot (but warm and cold are fine, too).

Notes

*Instant Pot German Potato Salad

This recipe for German potato salad can also be made in your Instant Pot. Place the trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot insert and dump in the quartered red potatoes. Pour in 1.5 cups of water, and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Do a 5-minute NPR, and then vent any remaining steam.

After the potatoes are done cooking, you can make the warm dressing on the stovetop. Or set the Instant Pot to sauté and pick up with Step 2 to prepare the warm bacon dressing in the insert.

Storage: leftover German potato salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 231Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 1073mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 11g

Have you tried this recipe?

Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag it @unsophisticook and hashtag it #unsophisticook!

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Find Smithfield Yuengling Bratwurst Sausages

You can purchase Smithfield Yuengling Bratwurst at your local Kroger. Be sure to follow @SmithfieldBrand and @YuenglingBeer for more ideas to #grilloutchillout this summer!

If you like this traditional German potato salad, you might also enjoy these other cookout side dish recipes:

  • Easy Macaroni Salad With Egg
  • Hungarian Creamy Cucumber Salad
  • Easy Orzo Salad For A Crowd
  • Crockpot Baked Beans
  • Broccoli Slaw with Ramen

Did you make this recipe?
Tag @unsophisticook on Instagram and hashtag it #unsophisticook.

Bacon-Filled Hot German Potato Salad Recipe - Unsophisticook (2024)

FAQs

What is German salad made of? ›

German Potato Salad Ingredients

Bacon: Bacon (and its grease) adds tons of meaty flavor to the hearty German potato salad. Onion: An onion, cooked in bacon grease, lends even more complexity and flavor. Vinegar: White vinegar adds tanginess that cuts through the richness from the potatoes and bacon.

What is the history of German potato salad? ›

American style “German Potato Salad” originated from German immigrants based upon the German Kartoffelsalat. But the true origin of this recipe may be southern Poland. Cuisine doesn't recognize countries borders so who knows for sure.

Is German potato salad high in cholesterol? ›

This serving contains 1 g of fat, 3 g of protein and 25 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 10 g sugar and 2 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate. German potato salad, german potato contains 0 g of saturated fat and 0 mg of cholesterol per serving.

How to make potato salad martha stewart? ›

Directions
  1. Put potatoes in a large pot of salted water; bring to a boil. Cook until just tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain; let cool.
  2. Stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and dill; season with salt and pepper. Peel potatoes; cut into 1-inch chunks. Fold into mayonnaise mixture.
Feb 25, 2021

What is the difference between American and German potato salad? ›

There are two main differences between American and German Potato salads. American potato salad is usually tossed in a mayonnaise-based dressing and served cold. German potato salad is tossed in a vinegar-based dressing and is traditionally served warm (but you can totally serve it cold too! It's still delicious!).

Who makes canned German potato salad? ›

Read's brand canned German potato salad.

What is German field salad? ›

Field salad (Valerianella locusta), known as feldsalat in German, is used like lettuce in salad. It is also famously known as Rapunzel Lettuce, after the vitamin-rich food that cost a peasant family their only daughter in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.

Why do Germans love potatoes? ›

According to legend, King Frederick II of Prussia believed in the economic and nutritious value of potatoes. He tricked local farmers into planting more of the so-called apple of the earth by posting soldiers around the potato fields to protect them. It worked — highly valued goods taste even better.

Can I freeze German potato salad? ›

German potato salad is more freezer-friendly than its American counterpart. Since this dressing is vinegar-based instead of mayo-based, it does hold together better.

What is the name of a German potato? ›

The bright red skinned and white fleshed Pontiac is a popular waxy potato. It can be difficult to peel because of its relatively deep eyes. It is excellent for boiling and salads. Kartoffel (German for potato) is a derogatory slang term used by other cultures to describe Germans.

Can I eat potatoes if I have high cholesterol? ›

Potatoes are rich in soluble fibre, which can be consumed by high cholesterol patients without any confusion. Consuming potatoes not only maintains the cholesterol level, but the body also gets many health benefits. Consumption of potatoes in cholesterol is safe only if you consume it properly.

Can you eat potato salad if you have high cholesterol? ›

Potatoes are loaded with nutrients including fiber, vitamin C and potassium – they're also free of fat and cholesterol. No matter which recipe you choose, potatoes are often accompanied by good-for-you veggies and herbs like celery, onions, carrots, parsley, dill and basil.

Is potato salad good for your gut? ›

Cold cooked potatoes are great for your gut health because they contain resistant starch which help feed the beneficial bacteria.

How to keep potatoes from falling apart when making potato salad? ›

Don't Undercook (or Overcook) the Potatoes

Poke them with a fork after the water has boiled for 5 minutes (or, if steaming, after 15 minutes). Don't wait until they fall apart when pierced with a fork.

Why don't you peel potatoes for potato salad? ›

The skin on a potato adds a nice texture and flavor to the potato salad and it's also the healthiest part.

What is potato salad dressing made of? ›

A common potato salad dressing typically consists of a mixture of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Some variations may also include ingredients like chopped onions, celery, pickles, or fresh herbs like dill or parsley.

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