Old Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe - Whole Lotta Yum (2024)

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Creating an authenticGerman mustard potato saladis easier than you think! Made withred potatoes, olive oil, white wine vinegar,and of course,mustard, this potato salad makes anideal side dishwhen you don't want a mayo-based potato salad. Seasoned with salt and pepper, and ready to go inunder 30-minuteswhen served warm, this recipe with mustard is aWHOLE LOTTA YUM!

Old Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe - Whole Lotta Yum (1)

Our Mustard Potato Salad Recipe is the best!

Summertime is the perfect time for salads of all varieties. Not only are they quick and easy to create, but they are also super versatile.

In our home though, German potato salad with mustard is more than just another salad to serve with burgers or brats. For our family, German potato salad is a connection to my husband's heritage and his father is from Germany. In fact, every time we see him, he makes a variation of this classic German potato salad for us to all enjoy.

And now, using my own German mustard potato salad recipe, I can recreate that same dish for our family.

A perfect summertime dish, mustard potato salad can be served either warm or cold. With just a few ingredients, you can easily whip this up in no time!

We love to serve German mustard potato salad alongside air fryer brats or oven-baked brats and sauerkraut for a complete German-style meal.

  • One word - summertime! German potato salad is always a great dish for any summer evening whether you are cooking at home or attending a BBQ.
  • Super versaitile, you can make your salad ahead of time and serve it cold or create it when you need it because this dish works just as well served warm.
  • Our mustard potato salad recipe is the perfect potato salad option for those trying to follow paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan lifestyles!
  • The mix of vinegar and mustard create a potato salad that is not overly creamy like traditional mayo-based salads.

If you are looking for even more perfect for summer side salads then look no further than our bacon curry coleslaw, Mexican street corn salad, broccoli cauliflower salad, and roasted beet salad!

On Keto? Grab our FREE keto foods list here OR Snag our Keto Binder HERE

Ingredients you'll need

Your vegan mustard potato salad recipe needs just a few ingredients and a few minutes of your time. However, you will be rewarded with this different twist to a classic American dish.

Old Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe - Whole Lotta Yum (2)
  • red potatoes - cut into 1" chunks
  • sea salt
  • olive oil
  • white wine vinegar
  • stone-ground mustard
  • chives - chopped

Variations

  • Red Potatoes - Yukon gold potatoes or colored potatoes will also work well in this salad.
  • Stone-ground mustard - While stone-ground is our preferred mustard for this salad, you can also use dijon.
  • Chives - Fresh dill can also be used, or a 50/50 dill/chives blend.
  • White Wine Vinegar - Feel free to experiment with other types of vinegar.

How to make Mustard Potato Salad

Old Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe - Whole Lotta Yum (3)

One of the best parts of this summertime recipe - no oven! The only appliances you will be needing today to make your potato salad are your stove and your refrigerator.

1. Prep

Make the mustard dressing by combining the oil, vinegar, and mustard in a medium-sized bowl.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Chop your potatoes into 1" chunks aiming to be as uniform as possible (this helps with even cooking of your potatoes).

2. Cook

Once your water has come to a boil, add the potatoes and the salt.

Bring the water back to a boil and cook for 8 minutes, or until your potatoes are fork-tender.

Drain the potatoes.

3. Assemble

After draining your potatoes, immediately toss them with vinegar, oil, and mustard mixture you made earlier.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Let the salad cool for a few minutes then mix in the chives.

Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for several hours.

Enjoy! Serves 4.

Tips and Tricks

  • Be sure to cut your potatoes as evenly as possible to ensure even cooking.
  • You can serve your vegetarian German potato salad either warm or cold.
  • Be sure to add the dressing immediately to the warm potatoes, you want the dressing to soak into the spuds.
  • Because this dish does not contain mayo, you are good leaving this out at a BBQ or event.
Old Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe - Whole Lotta Yum (4)

Serving ideas

We love to keep things authentic and serve our German potato salad with another classic German staple - brats! Whether we are going for crockpot brats and sauerkraut, beer brats on the stove, or making brats and peppers in the oven, pairing them with this potato salad with mustard is always a great combination!

FAQs

Does this need to chill before serving?

No, not this one at least. German potato salad is meant to be served warm. However, you can serve it cold, and the extra time in the fridge allows the flavors to blend. If you are serving your mustard potato salad cold, we recommend allowing it to chill for 2+ hours.

Can This Recipe Be Doubled?

Absolutey! It's super simple to double or even tripple this recipe to feed a crowd - just make sure your pot for boiling the potatoes is large enough (or use more than one).

Should German potato salad be served warm or cold?

The beautiful thing about German potato salad is that it's super versatile. Traditionally, it's served warm, which is a wonderful change if you're used to the chilled American-style potato salad. The warmth really brings out those hearty flavors, especially the tangy vinaigrette and crispy bacon bits – yum! But hey, if you've got leftovers or you prefer it cold, go for it! It tastes fantastic chilled from the fridge too.

What if I add too much mustard?

If you find your potato salad is a little too tangy from using a powerful mustard, you've got a few options. You could add more potatoes if you have them on hand. They'll soak up some of that extra mustardy kick. No extra spuds? Try adding a bit more vinegar, oil, or both. It can help to balance out the flavors. A bit of sugar or sweetener could also help mellow out the mustard. But remember, go easy – you don't want to swing too far the other way and end up with a sweet salad! Trial and error is key, so have a taste as you go until you're happy with the balance.

More Salad Recipes

Looking for more salad recipes?

  • Roasted Beet Salad
  • Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad
  • Bacon Curry Coleslaw

Please leave a review if you make our recipe! We love feedback from readers, plus it helps others too.

Come connect with us on Instagram! Be sure to tag us (wholelotta.yum) when you make a recipe. You can also find us on Facebook, and Pinterest.

Old Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe - Whole Lotta Yum (5)

German Potato Salad Recipe with Mustard

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 7 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

A warm German mustard potato salad recipe that's mayo free and refreshing. Perfect for a BBQ or with brats and kraut. The potato salad is also vegan, diary free, gluten free, and sugar free.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb red potatoes, cut into 1" chunks
  • 1 Tbsp+ sea salt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoon stone ground mustard
  • 4 tablespoon chives, chopped

Instructions

  1. Make the mustard dressing by combining the oil, vinegar, and mustard in a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  3. Chop your potatoes into 1" chunks aiming to be as uniform as possible (this helps with even cooking of your potatoes).
  4. Once your water has come to a boil, add the potatoes and the salt.
  5. Bring the water back to a boil and cook 8 minutes, or until your potatoes are fork-tender.
  6. Drain the potatoes and immediately toss with the vinegar, oil, and mustard. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Let the salad cool for a few minutes then mix in the chives. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for several hours. Garnish with more fresh chives or fresh parsley. Enjoy! Serves 4.

Notes

Be sure to cut your potatoes as evenly as possible to ensure even cooking.

You can serve your vegetarian German potato salad either warm or cold.

Be sure to add the dressing immediately to the warm potatoes, you want the dressing to soak into the spuds.

Because this dish does not contain mayo, you are good leaving this out at a BBQ or event.

Nutrition Information

Yield 4Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 347Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 0mgSodium 174mgCarbohydrates 46gFiber 5gSugar 4gProtein 7g

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Old Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe - Whole Lotta Yum (6)
Old Fashioned German Potato Salad Recipe - Whole Lotta Yum (2024)

FAQs

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

And by the way, be sure to use white (boiling) potatoes for potato salad; they do a better job of holding their shape. Baking potatoes, such as russets, will fall apart. Pull the potatoes out of the water as soon as they're tender. This will keep them from overcooking and falling apart.

What is the history of German potato salad? ›

“Where did the German potato salad originate?” 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.

What not to do when making potato salad? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Potato Salad
  1. Using The Wrong Type of Potato.
  2. Not Starting The Potatoes in Cold Water.
  3. Cooking Potatoes in Unseasoned Water.
  4. Undercooking or Overcooking The Potatoes.
  5. Not Dressing The Potatoes at The Right Time.
  6. Our Favorite Potato Salad Recipes.

Is it better to boil potatoes whole or cut up for potato salad? ›

Drop a whole russet into the pot and by the time the outside has cooked through, the inside will still be raw. Larger potatoes should be cubed to ensure they cook evenly (peeled first if desired). Smaller potatoes tend to have thin skins and can be boiled whole, no peeling required.

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

What Is German Potato Salad? Unlike mayonnaise-based American potato salads, German potato salad is tossed in a vinegar-based dressing made with bacon drippings. It is usually served warm instead of cold, but some people prefer to serve it at room temperature.

Why do Germans love potatoes so much? ›

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? ›

Can you freeze German potato salad (no mayo/dairy)? A: Without mayonnaise, a vinaigrette flavored potato salad such as the traditional German potato salad can be placed in the freezer.

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

There's no reason at all, so my advice is to leave the skins on. The skin on a potato adds a nice texture and flavor to the potato salad and it's also the healthiest part.

What is French potato salad made of? ›

Ingredients
  1. 9 Yukon Gold potatoes.
  2. ½ cup vegetable oil.
  3. ¼ cup tarragon vinegar.
  4. ¼ cup beef consommé or vegetable broth.
  5. ¼ cup chopped green onions.
  6. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
  7. 1 teaspoon salt.
  8. 1 teaspoon ground black pepper.

Why is my potato salad hard? ›

If you overcook them, the result is a mushy, grainy mess. And if you undercook them, you end up with crunchy (not in a good way) potatoes. It's a delicate balance to achieve soft, tender potatoes for that just-right potato salad texture.

How do you make potatoes not fall apart? ›

To further prevent potatoes from falling apart, try using waxy potato varieties like red potatoes or Yukon Gold. These types tend to hold their shape better when boiled. Additionally, avoiding overcooking and handling them gently when straining will help maintain their integrity.

Why are my potatoes falling apart? ›

If your potatoes have been growing in very dry soil, the potatoes themselves will have a fairly low moisture content when harvested. What this then means is that when the potatoes are build they absorb more water and fall to pieces quite quickly.

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