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 make a potato salad Jamie Oliver? ›

Method
  1. Gently boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and leave to cool slightly.
  2. Whisk the mustard with the vinegar and slowly add the olive oil. ...
  3. Slice the cooked potatoes in half and dress with the shallot and parsley vinaigrette.

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

Taste of Home Deputy Food Editor James Schend suggests adding a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to the water before it comes to a simmer, which will help create a “crust” on the potatoes. This way, they'll be less likely to fall apart.

What is the history of German potato salad? ›

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. Cuisine doesn't recognize countries borders so who knows for sure.

Can I freeze German potato salad? ›

Can You Freeze German Potato Salad? German potato salads freeze better than their mayonnaise-based counterparts. Freeze the (completely cooled) potato salad for up to three months, then thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven.

How to make potato salad with Mary Berry? ›

For the salad, combine oil, mustard, sugar, and vinegar in a large bowl. Add the hot potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and set aside to cool. After that, you can mix in the mayonnaise, spring onions, radishes, and celery. Adjust the seasoning to your taste and add the remaining lemon juice.

How to make potato salad Martha Stewart? ›

Directions
  1. Put potatoes in a large pot of salted water; bring to a boil. Cook until just tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain; let cool.
  2. Stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and dill; season with salt and pepper. Peel potatoes; cut into 1-inch chunks. Fold into mayonnaise mixture.
Feb 25, 2021

Should I cut potatoes before boiling 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.

Why does my potato salad taste bland? ›

Forgetting To Salt The Water

Just as you would with pasta, seasoning the water is the only way to flavor the potatoes themselves. The vegetable absorbs the water it's cooked in, so if you just boil them in unseasoned water, you'll end up with tasteless taters that no amount of mayo, herbs, or bacon bits can help.

Should potatoes be cool before adding mayonnaise? ›

Some people say potato salad tastes better the next day. Even if you're not in that camp, you need to allow about one hour for the potatoes to cool before adding the mayonnaise.

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

There are two main differences between American and German Potato salads. American potato salad is usually tossed in a mayonnaise-based dressing and served cold. German potato salad is tossed in a vinegar-based dressing and is traditionally served warm (but you can totally serve it cold too! It's still delicious!).

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.

How do Germans eat potatoes? ›

Here are some general guidelines:
  • Boiled potatoes: Boiled potatoes are a common side dish in Germany. ...
  • Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes are often served as a side dish with meat and gravy or with sausages. ...
  • Roast potatoes: Roast potatoes are a popular side dish in Germany, particularly during the colder months.
Feb 13, 2023

Can I reheat German potato salad? ›

To reheat it in the oven, place the potato salad in a baking dish covered with foil and bake for about 10-15 minutes at 350º or until warm. To reheat it in the microwave, place it in a microwave safe bowl and heat it for 1-minute at a time, stirring in between each increment, until warm.

What makes potato salad go bad? ›

Blame it on the bad bacteria that grow rapidly when food remains in the danger zone between 40°F and 140°F for more than two hours. 2 This means that potato salad made without mayo isn't exempt from these time and temp guidelines. Bottom Line: When stored safely, fresh potato salad should keep for up to five days.

How long will potato salad last in the refrigerator? ›

According to StillTasty.com, prepared potato salad—whether homemade or store-bought, dressed with vinegar and oil or mayonnaise—will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to five days if stored properly.

What goes bad first in potato salad? ›

But the truth is, mayonnaise isn't your main concern when it comes to spoilage. The actual culprit is the potatoes. Yes, it's true! The humble, reliable potato is a hotbed for bacterial growth if improperly stored after cooking.

Is it OK to make potato salad the day before? ›

Yes, and PLEASE do, chilling your salad will only make it more flavorful! You can make the Potato salad 1 or 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I often make my potato salad the night before serving for best results.

What is potato salad dressing made of? ›

Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in large glass or plastic bowl. Add potatoes, celery and onion; toss. Stir in eggs. Sprinkle with paprika.

How long does homemade potato salad last in the fridge UK? ›

Potato salad will keep very well in the fridge for 2-3 days. So you can easily make it in advance and enjoy it as a side dish or, spiced up for lunch.

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