Print Recipe ♥ Save Recipe Get Recipe Card - $1

Southern German Potato Salad (no mayo) – Kartoffelsalat ohne Mayo

This southern German kartoffelsalat is the one I didn’t grow up with: tangy vinegar-broth dressing and bacon. Mega Lecker!

Ingredients:

• 2 lb (908 g) potatoes, washed and unpeeled
• 1 tbsp (15 g) butter
• 5 oz (142 g) bacon, diced
• ¾ cup (115 g) finely diced onions
• 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
• ¼ cup (60 ml) white wine vinegar, or to taste
• 1 tsp (5 ml) mustard, or to taste
• ½ tsp (3 g) salt, or to taste
• ¼ tsp (0.3 g) black pepper, or to taste
• ¼ tsp (0.5 g) celery seeds (optional)
• sugar, to taste
• 2 tbsp (6 g) finely chopped chives

Instructions:

1. Put the potatoes in a large pot, cover them with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on their size. The potatoes are done when they can be pierced easily with a knife, but do not overcook them. Drain, rinse under cold water to cool slightly, and peel. Cut into ⅛- to ¼-inch slices and put them into a large serving bowl.
2. Make the dressing while the potatoes are cooking. In a saucepan, melt the butter and cook the bacon and onions until the bacon fat is rendered and the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Mix in the broth and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and celery seeds, if using.
4. Pour the hot dressing over the potatoes and stir gently. Let the salad rest for 30 minutes. Gently stir the salad and taste to check seasonings. Add sugar and additional salt, pepper, vinegar and/or mustard, if needed.
5. Garnish with chives and serve.

Notes/Hints:

• Use waxy potatoes such as red potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes.
• Makes a great accompaniment for German sausages or Kasseler.
• Try the northern Germany potato salad with mayo and see how different that is.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Recipe updated on January 9, 2026