Description
Hearty German potato salad sparkles with tangy bacon vinaigrette, celebrating traditional flavors from Bavaria’s countryside. Crisp potatoes and savory bacon create a delightful side dish you’ll savor at summer gatherings or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes:
- 2 pounds (900 grams) waxy potatoes (Yukon Gold or red potatoes)
Meat:
- 6 slices bacon, diced
Seasonings and Dressing:
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
Instructions
- Prepare potatoes by thoroughly scrubbing them, maintaining the rustic skin for traditional flavor. Submerge in a generously salted water bath, bringing to a rolling boil for 15-20 minutes until easily pierced with a fork.
- Carefully drain potatoes and allow slight cooling. Slice into uniform quarter-inch medallions or compact cubes, preserving their hearty texture.
- Transform bacon into crispy morsels using a large skillet over medium heat. Extract golden-brown fragments with a perforated utensil, reserving the rich rendered fat.
- Introduce diced onions into the sizzling bacon drippings, sautéing until they become translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Lower flame and incorporate vinegar, water, mustard, sugar, seasoning, creating a vibrant, tangy foundation. Simmer briefly, extracting caramelized remnants from skillet surface.
- Gently fold warm potatoes into the aromatic dressing, ensuring complete flavor absorption. Integrate crisp bacon bits and freshly chopped parsley for verdant brightness.
- Allow salad to harmonize for 10-15 minutes, enabling ingredients to meld. Present warm or at ambient temperature for optimal German culinary authenticity.
Notes
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best texture and ability to hold their shape during cooking.
- Leaving potato skins on adds rustic authenticity and extra nutrients to the salad.
- Cook bacon until perfectly crispy to provide a delightful crunch and smoky flavor throughout the dish.
- Warm dressing is key to helping potatoes absorb maximum flavor, creating a more delicious and cohesive salad.
- For a lighter version, reduce bacon quantity or use turkey bacon as a healthier alternative.
- Replace bacon with smoked paprika or caramelized mushrooms for depth of flavor.
- Fresh herbs like chives or dill can be fantastic substitutes or additions to parsley.
- Make ahead by preparing components separately and combining just before serving to maintain optimal texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 164 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg