Bavarian Inspired Potato Salad
This Bavarian-inspired German potato salad is made with tender potatoes, crisp cucumber and a tangy mustard vinaigrette. With no mayo and just a handful of simple ingredients, it's an easy side dish for schnitzel, sausages, BBQs and summer meals.
I grew up on with potato salad swimming in mayo and as a kid, mayo was not on my top list of favorite foods, so I rarely ate the salad. As I got older, I enjoyed it more, but it was never something I thought about or specifically looked forward to eating. Well, that all changed in Bavaria this summer. We were sitting on the crowded patio of a cute little restaurant in Bamberg, Germany and with my main dish there was a side of a tangy vinaigrette potato salad with cucumbers. I loved it. It was fresh and light with the dressing but still hardy from the tender potatoes. The cucumbers added such a great crunch and freshness. As a kid, I had had pickles and relish in my salad but this slight change, made a world of difference for me.
The salad is just a few ingredients, but it really comes together as just a simple but well-rounded dish. It is a perfect addition to your BBQ, picnic or just about any meal. Also, since there is no dairy, it can be out of the fridge a bit longer than its mayo-based version. This version also tends to be lower in calories and fat and potatoes are naturally gluten free.
Kartoffelsalat is potato salad in German and the first written recipe came about in the 18th century when the potato really started to gain popularity. Potatoes were cheap, filling and easy to grow. Different regions of Germany have different ways and ingredients they use to make a salad.
This dish can be eaten warm, room temperature or chilled depending on your preferences. It is so versatile you can pair it with just about any protein you like but I recommend a nice sausage or Schnitzel.
Ingredients
- 5 – 6 medium size potatoes
- 1 English cucumber
- 1 onion diced
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil potatoes in salted water
- With a bit of oil olive, saute diced onion until translucent, about 5 mins
- Add broth to the onions, cook a few more minutes until reduces a bit
- Set onions aside to cool
- Cut cucumbers into half-moon shapes and put in colander letting excess water drain
- Make dressing but combining olive oil, vinegar and mustard in a small bowl.
- Let soft potatoes cool and chop into bite sized pieces
- Add onion/broth to potatoes
- Add cucumbers and dressing to potatoes mixture.
- Add salt and pepper
- Mix and
- ENJOY!
Notes
Cheers!
Watch the Recipe
See exactly how I make this Bavarian-inspired potato salad at home. It's light and tangy with tender potatoes, fresh cucumber and a simple vinaigrette instead of the heavy mayo dressing I grew up with.
Tips for the Best German Potato Salad
This is a simple recipe, but a few little things make a difference.
- Let the cucumbers drain before adding them so they don't water down the dressing.
- Cook the potatoes until they're tender but still hold their shape.
- Give the onions a few minutes to soften before adding the broth.
- Let the potatoes absorb some of the onion and broth mixture before adding the rest of the dressing.
- Taste before serving and add more salt, pepper or vinegar if needed.
- Don't be afraid to make it ahead. The flavors get even better as everything sits together.
What to Serve with German Potato Salad
One of the reasons I love this potato salad is how easy it is to serve with just about anything. In Germany, it's a natural side for sausages or schnitzel, but it's also great with grilled chicken, pork or anything you're making for a summer BBQ.
You can serve it warm, at room temperature or chilled, which also makes it an easy dish to bring to a picnic or cookout.
And if you're making our Authentic Wiener Schnitzel Recipe, this is exactly the kind of potato salad I'd serve alongside it.
More Recipes You Will Love
Here are a few more European recipes inspired by our travels:
Planning a Trip to Bavaria?
This recipe takes me straight back to that summer afternoon in Bamberg, but there's a lot more to Bavaria than the food. We've spent time in Würzburg and Bamberg, visited Munich and traveled through the region several times on our road trips around Europe.
If you're planning your own trip, check out our Würzburg Travel Guide, Bamberg Travel Guide and our Bavaria podcast episode for more of our favorite places, restaurants and things to do.
