Looking for the best Authentic German Potato Salad recipe, just like Grandma used to make? The vinegar-based potato salad you love, but without bacon and it's vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free! Served warm or cold, this easy side dish still packs all the zesty & smokey flavor with the help of homemade coconut bacon!
Potato salad is the side dish of the summer. Some may say pasta salads reign supreme, but if you ask me, I think potatoes will always have a slight edge. Potatoes are cheap, filling, perfect for feeding a hungry crowd, a perfect gluten-free carb, they're just a fantastic go-to! There are so many ways to make a good potato salad, so many variations, however, many of the traditional potato salads fall short of being allergy-friendly and fit for special diets. Take the German Potato Salad for instance. While it doesn't use mayo, it does contain bacon (so it's not vegan) and flour to thicken the vinegar dressing (so it's not gluten-free).
Ingredients in authentic German potato salad
Potato salad, in and of itself, is a German invention. However, the most widely associated "German" variation is that of southern Germany. The traditional ingredients in a southern German potato salad include red potatoes, bacon, vinegar, onions, mustard, salt, pepper, a pinch of sugar, and sometimes a bit of flour to thicken. If you're not a fan of mayo-based potato salads, then this vinegar-based one is just the thing!
How to make vegan German potato salad
Authentic German potato salad isn't too hard to tweak and make vegan, gluten-free, allergy-free, and paleo! The number one ingredient we need to swap out is the bacon. What's a vegetarian to do? Coconut bacon! If you've been a longtime reader, you know how much of a fan I am of eggplant bacon, but that won't work well in this potato dish. The dehydrated eggplant bacon will become soggy due to the vinegar, potatoes, and overall consistency of potato salad. That's why we use crunchy coconut bacon instead!
What you need:
- Red-Skin Potatoes
- Shallots
- Coconut Bacon
- White Vinegar
- Sweetener
- Black Pepper
- Salt
- Smoked Paprika
- Dijon Mustard
- Fresh Parsley
- Pickle Juice (the secret ingredient!)
Potato salads are super easy to actually put together and that's still true for this one! You'll just need to do some prep work beforehand to make the coconut bacon, but of course, you always have the option to use an allergy-free storebought version too (this one is soy-free. Please read labels carefully since most vegan coconut bacon contains soy!)
How to assemble the salad:
- Boil or steam your cubed potatoes.
- Chop your shallot and parsley.
- Whisk together your vinegar dressing on the stove.
- Toss everything together, including the coconut bacon, and serve warm or place it in the fridge to serve it chilled!
Should you serve it warm or cold?
Some people like their German potato salad warm, hence the bacon, but many also like it served cold or chilled from the fridge. I think it depends on the season. If you're making this during Oktoberfest in the winter, then serving it warm and fresh without cooling the potatoes down, seems like a good idea. However, if you're making the potato salad for a typical summer BBQ or cookout, then I'd go for the classic cold serving of the summer side dish. I love having it all marinate overnight, letting the flavors develop, so cold is my choice. So if you're making it ahead of time for a big potluck, go cold! If you're making it for dinner and don't have time to wait, go warm! (Either way is delicious!)
How long does German potato salad last?
Since this German potato salad recipe does not use any bacon, we have extra time on our side! (Woohoo for vegan recipes lasting longer!) There's no mayo or eggs either, which could spoil easily, and this potato salad is vinegar-based so that adds to the longevity! This potato salad will last a good week if stored properly in a closed container in the fridge. If you're taking it out for a potluck or serving at a gathering, keep it chilled, if it goes warm and you place it back in the fridge hours later...don't. Even though it's plant-based, room temperature potato salad that's been out for 2+ hours is not safe to eat. Bacteria still grow between 40°F - 140°F.
Can you use any potato?
If you don't have red potatoes, you can use white or yellow potatoes. Any of the small, waxy, creamy, thin-skinned potatoes are fine. Red skin is the classic choice, however. If you want to make your life even easier, you can cheat with your potato boiling and buy one of these nifty steam bags you can find at the grocery store (I may or may not have done this...)!
To peel or not to peel
...that is the question. As you can see, I don't peel my potatoes. That's food waste, y'all! There is fiber and nutrition in the skin, so keep the skin on! If you peel them, then why use red-skin potatoes? While you can, you're just making more work for yourself if you peel the potatoes!
More potato salad recipes:
Authentic German Potato Salad
Authentic Vegan German Potato Salad (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)
Looking for the best Authentic German Potato Salad recipe, just like Grandma used to make? The vinegar-based potato salad you love, but without bacon and it's vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free! Served warm or cold, this easy side dish still packs all the zesty & smokey flavor with the help of homemade coconut bacon!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
- 4 Cups (2lbs) Cubed Red Potatoes (steamed or boiled)
- ¼ Cup Minced Shallots
- ¼ Cup Homemade Coconut Bacon (or storebought)
- ¼ Cup Fresh Chopped Parsley
Vinaigrette:
- ½ Cup White Vinegar
- 1 TB Pickles Juice
- 2 Tsp Erythritol (or preferred granulated sweetener)
- 1 Tsp Whole Grain Dijon Mustard
- ½ Tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Cube your potatoes and boil or steam them until fork tender.
- In a bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.
- In a skillet, add your minced shallots and the whisked together vinaigrette, over medium heat.
- Allow things to saute for about 5 minutes and remove from heat.
- Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl, add the vinaigrette, parsley, and coconut bacon. Toss together.
- Serve right away as a warm dish or allow everything to cool before storing in a closed container in the fridge to chill.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Keywords: potato salad, german potato salad, potatoes, coconut bacon, paleo, grain-free, whole 30, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, fish-free, sesame-free, meatless, kid-friendly
Potatoes are my life's blood. I'm German and Irish to that just means potatoes make up a large portion of my body composition (and diet). But really, who doesn't love a good potato salad? Perfect for us celiacs, great for grain-free/paleo eaters, and with a few modifications, any potato salad can be perfect plant-powdered fuel for vegans and the food allergic!
So tell me:
+ Will you serve it warm or chilled?
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Sabrina C
I'm going to add this recipe to my son's birthday pool party coming up. I think this one will be a hit.
Rebecca Pytell
Great, enjoy!
Cassie Webber
My grandma makes some amazing potato salad, but this looks very good and simple as well! I love the homemade coconut bacon. I will definitely have to try that. Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
German potato salad is one of the best!
Miz Helen
We love German potato salad and this recipe looks delicious!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is a classic!
Jo Ann McLellan
I made this to have with dinner tonight! We had it with bratwurst and sautéed cabbage. I totally did a little happy dance when I took my first bite of this German Potato Salad! So good 😘
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Ashley F
This sounds like such a delicious dish! Can’t wait to try it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad you think so, Ashley.
Tatyanna
I love a good potato salad! I'll have to bookmark this recipe for later.
xx Tatyanna
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Never met a potato salad I didn't like!
Toni
Such a great vegan potato salad recipe!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is a fantastic swap for the classic!
Arun
I am on a restricted diet due to autoimmune conditions. Though I am lucky that potato doesn't trigger my symptoms . So I am always on look for potato recipes. This looks really yum and easy to make. I am so grateful that you shared this. Can't thank you enough.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
My body does well with potatoes as well.
Cindy
I love potatoes and potato salad! This vegan recipe is great. I can’t wait to try it. 😊
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, Cindy.
Cherie Marquez
This sounds delicious, will need to try this next for dinner - will add to my paleo diet! Thanks for sharing
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a great side dish year-round!
Brittany Limberakis
Potato salad is one of our favorite dishes in the summer! I’ll definitely give this a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is such an essential!
megan beaver
This German Potato Salad sounds delish. When I'm hosting a party I have a few vegan and gluten-free options just in case. I will have to try this recipe soon.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Everyone and anyone will love this potato salad!
Nipa
I'm not vegan, but I don't eat pork so I'll have to check out coconut bacon! xo Nipa
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Such an easy recipe!
Ericka c
I'm going to make this recipe and get back to you on how the family likes it. I love the part about being Gluten Free.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'd love to hear your results!
Adriana Renee
I love potatoes more than anything. Would love to try this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Favorite food for sure!
Jordan | Read. Eat. Repeat.
I don't think I've ever tried a German potato salad before. Sounds delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The smokey zesty flavors are great!
Sam
Looks delicious and comforting X
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Potatoes are always comforting!
Annaliese
I feel like lots of salads are ideal for summer- potato salad included! What a great vegan take!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Take anything and just add the world salad to it 😉
Laura Allen
I love potato salad, on all levels! This recipie looks so incredible and I NEED and MUST make this! Thank you so much for sharing!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! Potato salads are always GOOD!
Blake
OMG this looks so delicious. My daughter loves to make things. I think I am going to have her do this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Make things?