Heartwarming German Potato Salad with Bacon
This Heartwarming German Potato Salad with Bacon is a deliciously comforting dish that brings the flavors of traditional German cuisine right to your table. A delightful amalgamation of tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and sautéed onions, this salad is tossed in a flavorful dressing that beautifully balances the richness of the bacon and the acidity of cider vinegar. While it may stray from the classic vinegar-forward recipes, it is still packed with flavor thanks to generous amounts of paprika and fresh parsley, ensuring every bite is bursting with taste. Ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or as a hearty side dish, this salad is best enjoyed warm, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Potatoes
2 1/2 lbs (peeled and cubed or unpeeled)
Bacon
1/2 lb (fried until crisp and crumbled)
Vegetable Oil
9 tablespoons (used for dressing)
Cider Vinegar
7 tablespoons (used for dressing)
Onions
2 large (finely chopped and sautéed)
Parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
Paprika
to taste (used for seasoning)
Salt
to taste (used for seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (used for seasoning)
Worcestershire Sauce
1 dash (used in dressing)
Instructions
1
Begin by peeling the potatoes, if desired. Boil them in salted water until tender, then drain and either cube or slice into a large mixing bowl.
2
In a skillet, fry the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon, allowing it to drain on a paper towel and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
3
Using the same skillet with the bacon drippings, sauté the finely chopped onions until they are translucent and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
4
Pour off excess bacon grease from the skillet but do not wash it. Place the pan back on the heat and prepare the dressing by combining vegetable oil, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Heat for about 5 minutes over low heat to allow the flavors to meld.
5
In the bowl of potatoes, add the crumbled bacon, sautéed onions, chopped parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
6
Pour the warm dressing over the potato mixture and toss thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients and flavors.
7
Let the salad sit at room temperature for a few hours or ideally all day to allow the flavors to deepen and mingle.
8
When ready to serve, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat the salad for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heartwarming German Potato Salad with Bacon?
It is a comforting dish featuring tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and sautéed onions tossed in a warm dressing of cider vinegar and vegetable oil.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
How many ingredients are required?
There are 10 main ingredients: potatoes, bacon, vegetable oil, cider vinegar, onions, parsley, paprika, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
What kind of potatoes should I use?
You can use 2.1/2 lbs of potatoes, either peeled and cubed or unpeeled, depending on your preference.
How should the potatoes be cooked?
Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender, then drain and cube or slice them.
How much bacon is needed for this salad?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of bacon.
How is the bacon prepared?
The bacon should be fried until crisp and then crumbled into bite-sized pieces.
What role do the onions play in the recipe?
Two large finely chopped onions are sautéed in bacon drippings until translucent to provide a fragrant base for the salad.
What type of vinegar is used for the dressing?
The recipe uses 7 tablespoons of cider vinegar.
What oil is used in the dressing?
Nine tablespoons of vegetable oil are used to create the salad dressing.
Is there a special sauce added to the dressing?
Yes, a dash of Worcestershire sauce is added to the dressing for extra depth of flavor.
How long should the dressing be heated?
The dressing components should be heated over low heat for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What seasonings are used for the potatoes?
The salad is seasoned with paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
Is fresh parsley included in the recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley is added to the potato mixture.
How should the ingredients be combined?
Add the bacon, onions, and seasonings to the potatoes, then pour the warm dressing over the top and toss thoroughly.
Why should the salad sit before serving?
Letting the salad sit for a few hours or all day at room temperature allows the flavors to deepen and mingle.
How do I reheat the German potato salad?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat the salad for approximately 15 minutes.
Should the salad be served warm or cold?
This specific German potato salad is best enjoyed warm.
Can I leave the potato skins on?
Yes, the recipe notes that potatoes can be unpeeled if desired.
Is this recipe suitable for potlucks?
Yes, it is considered an ideal dish for family gatherings and potlucks.
What makes this version different from classic German potato salad?
It may be less vinegar-forward than some traditional recipes but is packed with flavor from paprika and fresh parsley.
What temperature should the oven be for reheating?
The oven should be set to 350°F (175°C).
How do you prepare the onions?
They should be finely chopped and then sautéed in the same skillet used for the bacon.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is peeling and boiling the potatoes in salted water until tender.
Do you wash the skillet after frying bacon?
No, you should use the same skillet with the drippings to sauté the onions and heat the dressing.
How many onions are used?
The recipe requires 2 large onions.
Is the dressing poured cold over the potatoes?
No, the dressing should be warm when it is poured over the potato mixture.
What is the texture of the bacon?
The bacon should be fried until crisp before being added to the salad.
Can I use a different type of oil?
The recipe specifies vegetable oil for the dressing.
What provides the acidity in the dish?
The cider vinegar provides the necessary acidity to balance the richness of the bacon and oil.