Authentic Bavarian Potato Salad
Delight in the traditional flavors of Bavaria with this hearty potato salad recipe, lovingly passed down through generations. This dish harmonizes the earthiness of red potatoes with the tang of vinegar, the sweetness of sugar, and the crunch of crispy bacon, all enriched with a creamy sauce. The key to this recipe lies in the careful preparation of the bacon and half-and-half mixture. Allow it to bubble and foam without stirring, letting the essence of the bacon permeate the cream, and ensuring a beautifully blended dressing that won't separate. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or as a comforting side dish, this salad is best served at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
8-12
Servings
267
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Red potatoes
5 lbs (Cooked until tender, peeled, and diced)
Onion
1 large (Diced)
Vinegar
1 cup (White or apple cider vinegar)
Sugar
1 1/2 cups (Granulated sugar)
Salt
to taste (Kosher or sea salt preferred)
Pepper
to taste (Freshly ground black pepper)
Bacon
3 lbs (Diced, raw)
Half-and-half
1 pint (For creamy dressing)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the red potatoes in salted water until they are tender but not mushy. Drain and let cool slightly.
2
Once cooled, peel and dice the potatoes into bite-sized pieces and transfer them into a large mixing bowl.
3
Add the diced onion, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the potatoes. Gently mix everything together to combine well without breaking the potatoes, then set aside for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.
4
In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, pour off half of the bacon grease, leaving the rest in the skillet.
5
To the remaining bacon in the skillet, add the half-and-half. IMPORTANT: Do not stir the mixture at this stage! Allow it to cook on medium heat until foamy and bubbling, which will take about 4-5 minutes.
6
Once the bacon and half-and-half mixture is foamy, carefully pour it over the potato mixture. Gently stir to combine, ensuring the potatoes are well coated.
7
Serve the potato salad at room temperature or slightly warm. It is crucial not to heat the mixture to the boiling point to preserve the vinegar’s flavor. Enjoy this delightful dish as a comforting side for any occasion!
Nutrition Information
17g
Fat
21g
Carbs
6g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Bavarian Potato Salad?
It is a traditional German side dish that harmonizes red potatoes with vinegar, sugar, crispy bacon, and a creamy dressing.
Which potatoes are best for this recipe?
Red potatoes are recommended for their earthiness and ability to hold their shape when diced.
How many pounds of potatoes are needed?
The recipe calls for 5 lbs of red potatoes.
How should the potatoes be cooked?
Cook the potatoes in salted water until they are tender but not mushy, then peel and dice them.
Should I peel the potatoes?
Yes, the instructions suggest peeling the potatoes after they have cooled slightly from boiling.
What size should the potato pieces be?
The potatoes should be diced into bite-sized pieces.
What kind of onion is required?
The recipe uses one large diced onion.
What type of vinegar can I use?
You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
How much vinegar is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of vinegar.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
This recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar.
Can I use sea salt?
Yes, kosher or sea salt is preferred for this dish.
What kind of pepper is recommended?
Freshly ground black pepper is recommended to taste.
How much bacon is used?
The recipe calls for 3 lbs of raw, diced bacon.
How should the bacon be cooked?
Cook the diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it is crispy.
Do I keep all the bacon grease?
No, you should pour off half of the bacon grease and leave the rest in the skillet.
What kind of cream is used for the dressing?
The recipe uses 1 pint of half-and-half to create a creamy dressing.
Why shouldn't I stir the half-and-half and bacon?
Allowing it to bubble without stirring lets the bacon essence permeate the cream and prevents the dressing from separating.
How long does the cream mixture cook?
It should cook on medium heat for about 4-5 minutes until it is foamy and bubbling.
Why let the potato mixture sit for an hour?
Allowing it to sit for at least one hour ensures the flavors of the vinegar, sugar, and onions meld together perfectly.
How should I combine the ingredients?
Gently stir the mixture to ensure the potatoes are well coated without breaking them.
At what temperature should I serve this salad?
It is best served at room temperature or slightly warm.
Why shouldn't I boil the salad?
It is crucial not to heat the mixture to the boiling point to preserve the vinegar’s flavor.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
No, this recipe contains 3 lbs of bacon and is not vegetarian.
How many people does this recipe serve?
The recipe yields approximately 8 to 12 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 267 calories.
How much fat is in each serving?
There are 17g of fat per serving.
How much protein does it contain?
Each serving provides about 6g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 21g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this a traditional family recipe?
Yes, it is described as a traditional Bavarian recipe lovingly passed down through generations.
For what occasions is this dish suitable?
It is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, picnics, or as a comforting side dish.