GERMAN POTATO SALAD with a warm bacon vinegar Dijon dressing!

German potato salad is a no-mayo, vinegar-based potato salad that's traditionally served warm. Baby red potatoes are gently tossed with a tangy, and savory bacon Dijon dressing that's seriously amazing. It's perfect for potlucks, parties, barbecues, and of course, Oktoberfest!
Whenever I want to switch up my classic potato salad routine- this authentic German potato salad with a tangy sweet dressing is a wonderful alternative. It's perfect for when you'd like a vinegar-based, no-mayo potato salad, but with extra oomph. And that's all thanks to the deliciously warm bacon vinaigrette, similar to the bacon Dijon dressing in my favorite sautéed carrots recipe.
I first enjoyed German potato salad (many times over) when I lived in Heidelberg, Germany in college, and I've been a fan ever since. Traditionally, this "meat and potatoes" recipe combines baby red potatoes with ham or speck (German bacon) and it's served warm. But I think it's equally tasty served cold for potlucks and summer cookouts!
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► TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Prep the onion, parsley, and garlic
01:42 Slice the bacon
02:00 Boil the potatoes and cook the bacon
03:00 Saute the onions and whisk together the dressing
04:30 Slice the potatoes while still warm
05:35 Toss together the potatoes, bacon, parsley, and dressing before serving
06:27 Taste test
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#germanpotatosalad #potatosalad #saladrecipe

[@Downshiftology]

Let's take a vote - are you team American potato salad or German potato salad?? And if there should be another contender, let me know! ;) xo - Lisa

[@crystledurant1634]

German for sure! My aunt is German, her parents have an accent and everything. Her German potato salad is the best thing ever!!

[@C_C_SEA]

🇩🇪

[@grace7701]

Like thrm equally, but that said there are so many versions of potato salad here in the US depending on what state or region you are from. It definitely not a one type type of thing. I enjoy a mustard style southern style, but hands down is my families that has been made for 3 generations. I do also enjoy a good German style one as well....and if bacon is not in traditional German potato salad, it should be, we Americans love our bacon and bacon makes everything better! 😋

[@kateharrop4905]

American, but I haven't tried the German yet. Have you tried to make the Amish version of potatoe salad, yet?

[@barbn.5249]

I like the German one, BUT it's different here in Munich. Oil, vinegar, onions, cornichons. No bacon. And with thin slices of potatoes

[@kirasakuya7580]

Fun fact: Depending on where you are in Germany, ppl will consider a mayo-based potato salad normal and this kind of recipe really weird^^ I only got to know this kind of recipe a few years ago and fell in love with it instantly. Highly recommend rosemary + thyme for herbs!

[@Downshiftology]

Love the idea of adding rosemary and thyme for this! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@katkatkat5]

Yes I'm from Frankfurt and have never seen a recipe like this. Would totally make it though!

[@34muggsy34]

@@katkatkat5 Fascinating! So Americans have been calling this German Potato Salad but in reality we made that up? I'm German btw and kept thinking of my ancestors making this recipe!! :)

[@JC_923]

I've lived in the North of Germany for 7 years and have never seen potato salad without mayonnaise. Would definitely try this one though

[@tr7zw]

Yea, near Frankfurt, dont think I've ever seen a potato salad like that.

[@ravenscache9590]

my grandmother from Germany made this however it also had green beans added. thanks for the recipe as I lost hers

[@beautyforashes2230]

I love that potato salad too, it's a specialty in the German Rhineland-Palatinate region where I live. I still use my grandmother's recipe she got from her mother and so on down the line. I cook the potatoes and then peel and slice them. I don't add quite as much mustard to the dressing (about 1/4 tsp. dried mustard) and no garlic, but of course that's all to taste! I make a LOT of dressing and bind it using a little flour that's stirred into the onion and bacon mix to make a roux, enough dressing to cover most of the potato slices (they soak it up and what they don't soak up is delicious eaten with a spoon). You don't want to stir or toss potato slices of course, else they'll break. My grandmother's hack for that was to let them soak in the marinade in one bowl for 20 minutes, then she'd gently tilt them into a second bowl and let them soak another 10 minutes, then back into the first bowl. I also add a trace of nutmeg, which is so wonderful with potatoes. I don't add any parsley for that touch of green, I use chopped chives and lots of them. It's normally eaten warm or at room temperature and is ideal for heating up in the microwave. Delicious! I won't touch mayo-based potato salads because German potato salad truly is the bomb.

[@Downshiftology]

Thanks so much for sharing tidbits of your grandmother's recipe! ❤️ And yes, German potato salads are definitely where it's at!

[@beautyforashes2230]

@@Downshiftology You're so welcome! It's our favorite, especially during grilling season. :)

[@mrkattm]

My paternal grand mother made it very similar to your's. Although she was of polish decent, her potatoa salad was widely known in the german communities where I grew up in michigan and was considered among the best there was.

[@beautyforashes2230]

@@mrkattm I bet it was! Grandmothers are just the best cooks, IMO. :)

[@freddymclain]

...enjoyed watching `the chef enjoy her creation. don't see enough of that.

[@helenwoodill8209]

Looks awesome!!!!!

[@ambercrombie789]

My Dad was stationed in Wurzburg in the late '60s. We never had a bad meal. Lived in a small village named Rossburg (sp), north of Wurzburg. could not get enough of these. I've tried to replicate without success. Thank you so much. // German people were so gracious to us. It was wonderful.

[@ChiliPepperMadness]

Looks soooo good!

[@kimberlymartin7640]

I love this German potato salad--and omg the bacon adds a nice crunch!

[@Downshiftology]

The bacon makes this extra tasty!

[@MB-xl8nx]

Thank you for posting! My Dad loves German potato salad, can’t wait to share this recipe with him and cook it together. Always a great job Lisa❤

[@Downshiftology]

Aw, I hope both you and your Dad love this recipe ❤️

[@annettegustafson1435]

Ok. This is SO, SO good. Absolutely love it!

[@misfithamster]

please do another seasonal meal prep series!! I’ve done them a million times! 💗

[@Downshiftology]

Keep your eyes peeled! ;)

[@dawnf2z1]

I’m going to try this over the weekend! Thanks for sharing your delicious recipe. Loved the cheerful ending!

[@graziam.7268]

Excellently delicious recipe! Thank you so much Lisa 🥰

[@Downshiftology]

Of course! Hope you love this salad.

[@heathersoper6923]

That Does Look GOOD!!!

[@dajanaspaargaren9060]

German from Bavaria living in Chicago here. You recipe is very good, my Mom taught me to use warm vegetable broth, about half a cup, and to pour it over the salad before serving. This will give it more flavor and make it nice and warm. Auf Wiedersehen😊

[@erictheshark9045]

Yes, we germans love these kind of salad! 🤩

[@blulamont]

Oh my gosh! I can't wait to try this! 💛💛💛

[@caroledwards3289]

Beautiful, delicious, and so instructional. Thank you. ❤

[@Downshiftology]

Enjoy this new recipe Carol!

[@ThePurposefulNest]

Right on time! I need a no-mayo potato salad recipe for this year's 4th of July spread.

[@Downshiftology]

Perfect timing. Hope everyone loves it at your July 4th celebration 😊

[@user-oy1fj6vq8f]

I cannot wait to make this! Looks DELICIOUS! Great tips also. I was thinking about making my potato pieces smaller until you talked about how they will disintegrate so Thank You!

[@Downshiftology]

Excited for you to try this! You can make them a tad smaller, just not too small.

[@oliviatheresa]

It's funny how some Germans are saying in the comments this is not German potato salad and some Germans are saying it is lol.....looks wonderful!!!!!!

[@sabrinajeffs5322]

German potato salad is my favorite! This looks amazing!🤤

[@Downshiftology]

Thanks Sabrina!

[@krom820]

Oh WOW. I cannot wait to make that!!

[@cpp8227]

I like both kinds of potato salad! This one, rather than a mayo-based one, will be great for outdoor gatherings! Thanks for sharing!

[@Downshiftology]

It will surely be a summertime staple! And also for the holidays 😉

[@amlach6148]

I like this version of German Potato Salad…reminds me of my German Grandma 😀👍

[@buttercupsnailbox]

I love German potato salad. I can't wait to try this recipe.

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

Looks so good!

[@Chacharoyal]

Love this recipe

[@eatwithcandy7147]

Cannot wait to try to make this🎉 🎉🎉 Thanks for a great recipe

[@Downshiftology]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@danwhiteman2529]

Made your German potato salad over the weekend and it was a big hit! But, the best was having the leftovers the next morning with two eggs on top, delicious.

[@Downshiftology]

So happy you loved it, Dan!

[@camillah398]

Tried this yesterday and it was fantasticly fresh. Thank you for a good recipie.

[@Downshiftology]

Glad you enjoyed this German potato salad!

[@heatherd9340]

This looks delicious! Can't wait to try it

[@Downshiftology]

Hope you love it Heather!

[@EnchantedCosmos]

I literally can’t wait to make this !

[@Downshiftology]

You're going to love this potato salad! 😊

[@billietanney3556]

I've been looking for a German potato salad, and you made my day! Just in time for a birthday party

[@Downshiftology]

Wow, just in time! 😂 Hope this completes your birthday spread.

[@b00mer1980]

@@Downshiftology So sorry to say that, but we never put Bacon into the potato salad... and the potatoes are too big... and we would peel them... Funny recipe, and I'm sure, really great, but absolutely NOT german...

[@kitchenmom]

@@b00mer1980 I'm german (schwabia) and yes we do bacon.

[@kendratai]

I just made this with leftover roasted potatoes, absolutely delicious!

[@Downshiftology]

Glad this recipe worked out great Kendra!

[@tamarahastings6562]

Yum!! Totally making this! Thanks Lisa!

[@Downshiftology]

Hope you love it Tamara!

[@burtbakerack1110]

Made it. Loved it. Great job!

[@Downshiftology]

So happy you enjoyed it, Burt!

[@nataliedanken7826]

I am from Germany and I don’t know, where you have this recipe from.🤣 Never ever heard of a potatoes salad like this, will give it definitely a shot. Looks soooo good 😋 I know one from Munich, wich is my husband’s favorite. Potatoes with bacon and broth. Served on every birthday in our home and it‘s always a „Homerun“ 😉 Maybe you salad can replace it 🤤

[@Downshiftology]

Hope you enjoy my version! And yes, there's many different takes on a German potato salad, haha! www.tastingtable.com/926829/what-makes-german-potato-salad-different-from-american/

[@Muslmaus]

Yes, there are different versions of potatoe salad in Germany - but none with so much bacon! Your version is surely very tasty - but definitely NO “german potatoe salad”! Many greetings from Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪 ❣️

[@annettegustafson1435]

Thank you so much. My grandparents were from Germany and I always loved the warm potato salad. Now I can make it, too. Theirs had tiny bits of red in it. Not sure if it was pimento or red bell pepper

[@neekola1]

Made it! Ate it! Love it!

[@Downshiftology]

Glad you enjoyed this potato salad!

[@susangaida321]

Yum Lisa!!! thank you so much 💕🙂

[@Downshiftology]

Enjoy Susan 😉

[@taiven.lechevalier]

Looks great! I’m gonna try it! Thank you.

[@MadameX_]

Yum! German potato salad for the win!

[@faithwalker5196]

Looks delicious!

[@bhallmark3390]

I haven’t had this in YEARS! Yours looks so good…😋

[@Downshiftology]

Your reminder to make it 😉

[@ursulasmedly1572]

My grandparents were from Neunkirchen and Schoneshof, so I’m definitely in the German potato salad camp.

[@Cookups]

Looking so delicious 😋

[@eileenjobson1226]

Never met a potato I didn't like!! Love this recipe ~ video is an excellent presentation and easy to follow Definitely trying this recipe :)

[@heathersoper6923]

I Must do this!!!

[@judybesse4058]

Looks delicious!!!!!!❤

[@Downshiftology]

Enjoy!

[@Bleufacez]

Use tongs to hold the potatoes while cutting. You can also take the potatoes out with tongs one by one into a strainer or bowl (maybe the one you will store the salad in so less dishes to wash) before draining and put them back in the hot pot. A bit more work but safe rather than risk being burned. Tongs are super essential in my kitchen, I use it for everything.

[@ellenradford8582]

Oh my gods! I seriously love this salad and haven't had it in years!!

[@Downshiftology]

This is your sign to make it now! 😂

[@ellenradford8582]

@@Downshiftology I think you are correct! I did feel that boink on the back of my head😅

[@GodisAlliEverNeeded54]

Looks good have to try.

[@haanimely981]

Definitely wanna try

[@cupcake50jh]

Looks amazing perfect to pair with fish.

[@sandralauersdorf6268]

I absolutely want to try this recipe!

[@Downshiftology]

Can't wait for you to try this one Sandra!

[@kaitcohen]

I made this for my housewarming party over the weekend. It was a very easy recipe to follow and the result was so delicious. It makes for great leftovers with a side protein and vegetable.

[@Downshiftology]

Glad this worked out great for your housewarming party! Also, congrats on your new house 😊

[@kaitcohen]

@@Downshiftology thank you so much! first time home owner over here. I will be making your budget friendly meal plan next week ;)

[@Faithfulsophie]

I lived in Germany for two years so I am very excited to make this!

[@Downshiftology]

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it!

[@WonderCle]

Yessss palese! After a trip in German i tried and tried so many recipes taken from German websites. I look forward to try this one!

[@Downshiftology]

Can't wait for you to try this recipe then! Let us know how you like it 😊

[@Qlee911]

Yummy makes me hungry 😋

[@DanHoppe007]

I like to make the meals that you supply on this platform. I also have one of your cookbooks. I will definitely try this very soon. My semi truck stomach is ready to devour that recipe. Thank you so much.

[@Downshiftology]

Excited for you to try this potato salad next Dan!

[@allieg.1656]

I'm from Germany we put mayonnaise in our potato salads and pickles never heard of bacon before

[@Downshiftology]

I also have a classic potato salad with mayo, but this version is a vinegar-based one 😉

[@ellenradford8582]

It is called that cause we Americans have it with the bratwurst in October fest. We love to name things the we make foreign names...better than vinegar based potato salad.

[@_J.F_]

@@ellenradford8582 I think you are probably right. I have come across many American recipes with foreign names that have absolutely nothing to do with that foreign name. A bit like kosher salt, which is basically just cooking salt made from pure sea salt, and not a certified kosher (Jewish) salt unless you buy it in a specific shop that sells actual certified kosher food items. Makes it a little confusing sometimes 🤣

[@grace7701]

Americans love bacon, bacon makes everything better 😅❤🥓😋

[@stillwaters7730]

I grew up with both versions we are from West Virginia. My grandma made them perfectly, and I didn't like this version when I was young, lol now I LOVE IT!

[@MIngegneri]

We always had both mayo-based potato salad and German. This is close with my grandmother's recipe (brown sugar not honey). I make this a couple of times in the summer.

[@renatalauffer8812]

I made this yesterday and it was so good. The only thing is that I didn't have apple vinegar so I used a bit of orange juice instead and it worked great! Thanks for the recipe!

[@Downshiftology]

Glad this turned out great Renata! And if you have a chance, I'd greatly appreciate a review on the website for the recipe. Thanks so much 😊

[@aroura15elementanne32]

German potatoes salad is so good I thought I was being original when I made German potatoes salad with balsamic vinegar then I saw on a German recipe Chanel doing the same thing 😂 ..

[@agnesdp1855]

I love potato salad in any style. This one looks absolutely delicious - I mean, everything tastes better with bacon, right? Will definitely give this one a try.

[@donnaschindlbeck7457]

German potato salad for the win!😋

[@Downshiftology]

I agree!

[@yensiskos]

I always want to try new ways of mixing spices, while I was hesitant about it with the bacon fat and honey, I must say this potato salad came out so so good! Thank you Lisa once again for another amazing recipe! 🤤 😊

[@wanda01141]

How come I've never heard of this?? Look so bomb! I might cut my potatoes before I cook them and not sure yet I might add a tiny bit of sugar but I can't wait to try this!!

[@debanda4504]

Yum

[@sabines.4271]

Many Germans eat this warm potato salad on Christmas Eve with Wiener sausages and then the presents are unwrapped. But of course you can eat it all over the year. Love your channel and the recipes. Greetings from Munich

[@Downshiftology]

Thanks for sharing Sabine! This is one everyone should make for the holidays then 😉

[@barbn.5249]

Really, with bacon and wedges of Potatoes? I never have seen that here in Germany. In which region of Germany do you live?

[@sabines.4271]

@@barbn.5249 wundert mich, die Frage. In Berlin und insbesondere in den östlichen Bundesländern kommt dieser Klassiker in jedem 2. Haushalt an Heiligabend auf den Tisch

[@AlyC92]

@@sabines.4271in den östlichen Bundesländern? Ich kenne diese Art Kartoffelsalat nur aus dem Süden Deutschlands. Ich habe im Norden oder Osten ausschließlich Mayo/Joghurt-Kartoffelsalat gesehen

[@marinalessig6683]

@@barbn.5249 I think Sabine just wanted to introduce, that potato salad and sausage is a classic Christmas dish. I don’t think she wanted to say, that it’s this particular potato salad in this video. Though living in Germany all my live I never saw a variation with bacon, and unpeeled potatoes, but there are a lot of variations of potato salad in Germany (and Austria). I know potato salad with sausage as Christmas dish all over Germany, with variations with vinegar dressing, mayo dressing, wedges and slices, with and without cucumber and apples, warm and cold. And I think it’s great that there’s so much variety!

[@Chacharoyal]

Im gonna try it

[@johnsmart964]

Thanks for this lovely recipe, I will look forward to trying this one, you are certainly a great encouragement to us all. Maybe if you use tongs to hold on to the hot potatoes it would save you the discomfort. I was wondering why you use specifically Kosher salt as opposed to another variety?

[@martinmartel8727]

My husband watched the video with me and said "this is what I want for Father's Day!!" I'll add some boiled eggs and spinach to make it more like a meal, ahah YUM!!

[@Downshiftology]

The perfect meal for Father's Day! Hope you enjoys this recipe 😊

[@analiamaguire5837]

I made a variation of this recipe, since I lacked the exact ingredients….OH MY 😋!!!!

[@user-rg6gu4wg6w]

thanks for your video

[@Downshiftology]

Hope you enjoy!

[@laurieparente3425]

Looks delicious! Your recipes are always a pleasure. Plus Your videos are always well edited to be very enjoyable to watch. t.y.

[@Downshiftology]

Thanks so much for the feedback Laurie! Hope you love this new german potato salad recipe.

[@NN-qj1ki]

I lived in Walldorf (B-W) very close to Heidelberg (visit every year)- and the Kartoffelsalat ( mit eier u. gurke) never contained Dijon/ Bacon,...but your recipe sure sounds "lecker"and it looks like a lot of folks from Bayern consider it authentic to their region, never had this style in Baden-Wuerttemberg/ Swabia though. Looks good, will try :)!

[@JonathanFrazer-qm1oc]

Also great with scallions for the green, rather than parsley

[@Downshiftology]

Scallions are another great option!

[@whatifitnt]

Wishing my Daddy was still here... I’d love to know if his German Ma made this for him... along with her head cheese and sauerkraut 😋 Thanks for sharing... now off to the kitchen 💃🏻 💖

[@smeag9280]

Looks good!! I can’t handle cutting hot potatoes, plus the skin will start slipping off. I’ll cut them first and then boil.

[@kitchenmom]

As a German, I have to say it looks delicious. I have to point out that we peel our potatoes after boiling. 😁 It's crazy, we have a real obsession with potato salad. There is the north part of our country that makes creamy and the south makes a vinegar dressed one. If you keep the salad for the next day (if there are leftovers) you can add a little broth to freshen it up.

[@Downshiftology]

Thank you! And yes, there's many variations on potato salad, even within Germany. :)

[@marinalessig6683]

You get the vinegar potato salad variation often with thinly sliced cucumber. I think that’s very refreshing in summer. And I have to agree, I never got a potato salad in Germany where the potatos aren‘t peeled ;-) I haven’t ever had bacon in my potato salad, but I tried your recipe for lunch and I think it’s a delicious variation. Thank you for this recipe!

[@jillgiachino8086]

Thanks, 👍👍👍👍👍

[@margacunningham2408]

My mom was from Stuttgart she never made her warm potatoe salad that way. I will have to try your way!

[@Downshiftology]

Let me know how you like this version 😉

[@margacunningham2408]

I know we slice the potatoes not in cubes.

[@kl8132]

when it comes to food I love all things german. We lived in germany for 9yrs and I fell in love with the food. I can't wait to try this. I'm curious would turkey bacon be ok to switch out? I'm trying to minimize fats.

[@Downshiftology]

Can't wait for you to try this! And yes, you can use turkey bacon if you'd like.

[@marieparks9168]

I've always put ripe olives in my German potato salad but the rest is the same, love it cold too

[@mamakrabbe6674]

In Deutschland gibt man keine Oliven in den Kartoffelsalat. Weder im Süden noch im Norden!

[@josephunlimited]

Looks yummy

[@Downshiftology]

Just wait til you try it! 😉

[@josephunlimited]

@@Downshiftology oh

[@motled]

YUM! 💗

[@Downshiftology]

Hope you enjoy! 😊

[@kevincinnamontoast3669]

Very accomplished chef,lol.

[@sandyrose4829]

At home if its just me I will do the German version (I grew up with a German OMA/ grandmother in the home so we were eating a version of this) .. If its a event with a group I will make both as some people don't care for Mayo, such as my adult son. I do a mayo version as I live in the South and it has dill pickles cut up (not relish) into it so again more influence from my German relatives.

[@debarnold5019]

I am on both teams. I have a mayo based dressing that you actually cook and it's the only one I make. But my German grandma always made the German variety.

[@user-sc1xh4vo7p]

Can you serve the GPS cold at al picnic? It seems it might feel greasy.

[@larrygallagher9255]

I lived in Germany as a military-brat. They use dill instead of parsley -- adds a nice flavor. Other than that your recipe is just like the one I have.

[@Downshiftology]

Love the idea of using dill! Thanks for sharing.

[@aislingc2492]

just made this - think i slighty over did the potatoes, but its still tastes amazing, had to try some and its hard not to keep going....will enjoy these later. How long will they keep in the fridge? thanks for these amazing no-mayo recipies

[@Downshiftology]

Glad you enjoyed this dish! It will keep for 4 to 5 days in the fridge.

[@dars957]

I’m in!!! 😂 🤤

[@LogansInnerChef]

Delicious looking 🔥

[@brendajackson294]

I married into a family with German immigrants. They did not use the honey or mustard. Just vinegar and sugar. Really good alternative to the typical mayonnaise version.

[@maryglover8283]

❤️

[@johndoerichardson6868]

Is this served hot/warm or cold/refrigerated?

[@Downshiftology]

This is meant to be served warm.

[@donnamarsh3474]

Looks better than American. Going to make this week.❤

[@Downshiftology]

Hope you love it Donna!