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The Good Hearted Woman

Home Cooking & Cozy Living

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Hot German Potato Salad (Kartoffelsalat)

September 11 By Renée 25 Comments

Sweet, sour and deliciously savory, this traditional Hot German Potato Salad will make your tastebuds go Oom-pa-pa!

My high school German teacher loved food, and often brought in German foods into class for us to try. Frau Müeller introduced us to exotic new-to-us delicacies like Butterkase (pronounced “booter-keh-zuh,” which literally means butter cheese), Kartoffelpuffer (German potato pancakes), and a profusion of buttery Bavarian pastries. However, the one German dish that stood out most to me was her traditional Kartoffelsalat – or Hot German Potato Salad. 

Hot German Potato Salad Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

In America, the earliest written recipes for potato salad appeared the mid-19th century. Culinary historians speculate that the combination of cooked potatoes, oil, vinegar, and herbs was introduced by German immigrants, who had a penchant for rich, sour-sweet combinations.

Hot potato salad, usually made with bacon, onion and vinegar dressing, soon became so closely associated with German immigrants that it was dubbed “German Potato Salad.”

Equally scrumptious hot or cold, German Potato Salad is a deeply satisfying blend of sweet, tangy, bacony goodness. Unlike traditional American potato salad, the German version is completely devoid of anything remotely mayonnaisey. 

Over the years, this recipe has become a family favorite, and is now a time-honored Oktoberfest tradition at our house. It’s very easy to put together, and should be made ahead of time. I usually make it at least a day ahead to allow all the flavors to meld together, and then rewarm it to serve for our big Oktoberfest meal.

PRO TIP: We usually eat the leftovers cold… with our fingers… from the fridge. Because it’s soooo delicious. This makes a great picnic salad, too! 

Recipe Updated September 11, 2019 (Originally published October 2, 2014)
Hot German Potato Salad Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman
5 from 15 votes

German Potato Salad (Kartoffelsalat)

Sweet, sour and deliciously savory, this traditional Hot German Potato Salad will make your tastebuds go Oom-pa-pa!
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Fridge Time (optional)1 d
Total Time1 d 1 hr
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Bavarian, German
Keyword: bacon, potato salad
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 195kcal
Author: Renée | The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs red potatoes any waxy potato will work
  • 6 slices bacon cut into small pieces (Get good, high quality bacon for this!)
  • 1 medium red onion sliced thin
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar or plain vinegar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 tsp celery seed optional
  • salt
  • pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cut potatoes into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes and put them into a medium saucepan. (Leave skins on.)
    Add enough water to cover the tops of the potato cubes.
    Cover and boil about 15 minutes, or until tender but still firm.

While potatoes are cooking:

  • Cook bacon until crisp, remove from pan and set aside, reserving bacon drippings.
  • Saute the onion in the reserved bacon drippings.
  • Turn the heat on the sauteed red onions down to medium low, and add vinegar, sugar, water and celery seed.
    Heat to a simmer and pour over hot potatoes.
    Make sure liquid and potatoes and both very hot when mixed together.
    Add cooked bacon pieces.
    Stir to combine.
  • Salt and pepper to taste, and then put into 2 1/2 qt. casserole dish.
  • Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 325°.

Notes

German Potato Salad is always better the second day! Prepare it ahead of time and simply reheat (or serve cold) when you're ready to serve it.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 27.9g | Protein: 7.6g | Fat: 6.1g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 337mg | Potassium: 624mg | Fiber: 2.2g | Sugar: 10.1g | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Looking for more recipes to add to your Oktoberfest menu? Be sure to try these delicious German recipes:

  • Rotkohl (German Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage)
  • Crispy Sauerkraut Fritters {Easy Air Fryer Recipe}
  • Rye Sourdough Spaetzle with Caramelized Cipollini & Sautéed Mushrooms
  • Easy Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)

 

Hot German Potato Salad Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

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Hot German Potato Salad (Kartoffelsalat)    Hot German Potato Salad

What's on Your Oktoberfest Menu?

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Hot German Potato Salad

Sweet, sour and deliciously savory, this traditional Hot German Potato Salad will make your tastebuds go Oom-pa-pa!

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Crispy Sauerkraut Fritters {Easy Air Fryer Recipe}

These Crispy Sauerkraut Fritters with Bacon, Sausage and Cheese are the perfect appetizer for all your fall
celebrations!

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Rotkohl {German Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage}

Each mouthful of this traditional Prussian Rotkohl {German Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage} is a symphony of smokey, sweetly spiced notes with just a hint of sour for balance.

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Rye Sourdough Spaetzle with Caramelized Cipollini & Sautéed Mushrooms

Perfect for Oktoberfest (or Any-fest!), the recipe for this amazing Rye Sourdough Spaetzle – with Caramelized Cipollini, Sauteed Mushrooms, and Tabasco Shallots – comes to us courtesy of Chef Ryan Mead.

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Easy Apple Strudel {Apfelstrudel}

Fresh, crisp, and sweetly spiced, this Easy Apple Strudel {Apfelstrudel} is fancy enough for the most elaborate Oktoberfest menu, yet simple enough for any night of the year.

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Filed Under: 30-Minute Meals, Oktoberfest Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes Tagged With: bacon, German, Holidays, onions, potatoes

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