The Ultimate Creamy German Potato Salad (Kartoffel Salat) with Bacon & Eggs
This incredibly delicious German potato salad is a true classic, versatile enough to be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or chilled. The secret to its exceptional flavor lies in marinating the warm potato slices in a rich, creamy dressing, allowing them to thoroughly absorb every aromatic note. Once infused, these tender potatoes are combined with chopped hard-boiled eggs, savory crispy bacon, and fresh chives, creating a symphony of textures and tastes. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a culinary experience that will quickly become one of your go-to potato salad recipes!
Why This German Potato Salad (Kartoffel Salat) Stands Out
What makes this particular German Potato Salad recipe so unique and utterly delightful compared to others? The magic happens when the dressing is introduced to the potatoes while they are still warm. This crucial step allows the porous warm potatoes to generously soak up all the rich, savory, and tangy flavors of the marinade. The result? Every single bite is a burst of perfectly seasoned goodness, ensuring a consistent and robust taste that sets this salad apart.
The creamy dressing itself is a masterpiece, crafted with a base of luscious mayonnaise and elevated by the subtle warmth of curry powder and the vibrant depth of paprika. The fresh, mild zing of chives cuts through the richness, adding a refreshing counterpoint that brightens the entire dish. Despite its sophisticated flavor profile, this creamy German potato salad is surprisingly easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced home cooks.
As the summer grilling season approaches, or any time you need a comforting yet exciting side dish, this Kartoffel Salat is poised to be a star. Its versatility—being delicious both warm or cold—means it’s perfect for backyard BBQs, picnics, potlucks, or as a hearty accompaniment to any meal. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this incredibly flavorful and easy-to-make German potato salad!
This exceptional recipe has been thoughtfully adapted from the popular Dutch food blog lekkerhappen, ensuring a tested and loved culinary experience.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Kartoffel Salat
To create this authentic and deeply flavorful German Potato Salad, you’ll need a selection of high-quality ingredients that combine to form its distinctive taste and texture. You can find the precise measurements for each component in the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this blog post. Let’s dive into what makes each ingredient essential:
- Potatoes: For ultimate convenience and speed, this recipe calls for pre-cooked potato slices. However, if you prefer to prepare them from scratch, select floury potatoes such as Russet, Doré, King Edward, or Maris Piper. These varieties break down slightly when cooked, allowing them to absorb the dressing more effectively. Begin by peeling your chosen potatoes and slicing them uniformly to about ¼ inch (or ½ cm) thick. Cook these slices until tender, just as you would the pre-cooked ones, but anticipate they will require a little longer – typically about 10 minutes more – to reach perfect doneness. The key is to add them to the dressing while still warm!
- Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are a must for this creamy salad, adding a rich texture and savory depth. If you’re new to the art of perfect hard-boiled eggs, I’ve got you covered! Check out my detailed guide on how to prepare perfect hard-boiled eggs for a foolproof method. Remember to always rinse them under cold water immediately after cooking; this not only stops the cooking process but also makes peeling the skin remarkably easy.
- Spring Onions: These delicate onions offer a sweeter and mellower flavor compared to their more pungent regular counterparts. The green parts typically have a more intense, fresh onion flavor, while the white parts are milder. I personally love to mix both for a balanced taste, but feel free to adjust to your preference – using only the whites for a milder note or just the greens for a bolder kick.
- Mayonnaise: The backbone of our creamy dressing, mayonnaise provides a luxurious richness and a silky texture that coats every potato slice beautifully. Choose a high-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor.
- Curry Powder and Paprika Powder: These two spices are the heart of the dressing’s unique flavor accent. Curry powder brings a warm, complex, and aromatic note, while paprika adds a subtle sweetness and a beautiful reddish hue, enhancing both taste and visual appeal. Using a sweet or smoked paprika can further deepen the flavor profile.
- Chives: For that essential fresh, mild oniony taste without the sharpness of traditional onions, finely chopped chives are indispensable. They contribute a vibrant green color and a delicate herbaceous lift to the salad.
- Bacon: Crispy, salty bacon strips are a non-negotiable addition. Their smoky, crunchy texture provides a fantastic contrast to the soft potatoes and creamy dressing. Fry bacon strips in a skillet until they are beautifully brown and irresistibly crispy, then crumble them to mix into the salad for a burst of savory flavor in every bite.
Crafting Your Creamy German Potato Salad (Kartoffel Salat)
Preparing this exquisite Creamy German Potato Salad is a straightforward process, ensuring a delicious outcome even for those new to cooking. For a convenient, printable version with a detailed step-by-step description, please refer to the recipe card found at the very end of this blog post.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a generously sized mixing bowl, combine the creamy mayonnaise, aromatic paprika powder, savory curry powder, and season with a touch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until they are thoroughly blended and smooth, creating a harmonious base for your salad. This ensures every spice is evenly distributed for maximum flavor.
- Add the Eggs: Carefully peel your hard-boiled eggs, then slice them into small, bite-sized pieces or dice them evenly. Gently fold these prepared eggs into the dressing in your salad bowl. They will add a wonderful richness and protein to the mixture.
- Incorporate Fresh Elements and Bacon: Next, introduce the vibrant sliced spring onions and the fresh, mild chives into the bowl. Finally, add the star ingredient – your crispy, perfectly fried bacon bits. These elements bring a burst of freshness, a subtle oniony zest, and that irresistible smoky crunch that defines this German potato salad.
- Marinate Warm Potatoes: Cook your potato slices until they are tender when pierced with a fork, then drain them completely. Crucially, let them stand without a lid for just 2 minutes after draining to allow some steam to escape, preventing a watery salad. While still warm, add these potatoes to your salad bowl. Gently, yet thoroughly, stir the mixture, ensuring every single piece of potato is beautifully coated with the creamy, flavorful dressing. The warmth of the potatoes is key here, allowing them to absorb the dressing’s flavors deeply.
- Serve as Desired: Your delicious German Potato Salad is now ready! You can serve it immediately while it’s still warm for a comforting experience, or allow it to cool completely before serving. This salad is equally fantastic enjoyed chilled, making it a versatile option for any occasion.
This German Potato Salad is an absolute joy to serve alongside a variety of main courses. It’s especially phenomenal with summer BBQ fare! I love pairing it with my Pork Satay with Peanut Sauce, classic Sweet Spare Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce, or a gourmet Luxe Hamburger with a Bun! Its creamy texture and rich flavor complement grilled meats beautifully. Enjoy every delightful bite!
To really make your salad pop, garnish it generously with some extra fresh spring onions and a sprinkle of those irresistible crispy brown bacon bits right before serving. This adds visual appeal and an extra layer of texture.
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📖 Recipe
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs, hard-boiled, peeled
- 3 spring onions, sliced into small strips
- 2 tablespoons chives , chopped
- 4 oz. bacon , strips, fried until brown and crispy
- 2½ pounds potatoes, slices
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, paprika powder, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the dressing is smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated.1¼ cup mayonnaise, 2½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon curry powder, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt
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Peel the hard-boiled eggs and slice them into small cubes or pieces. Carefully add these to the salad bowl with the dressing.4 eggs
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Next, add the sliced spring onions, chopped chives, and the crispy fried bacon bits to the bowl, ready to be combined with the potatoes.3 spring onions, 2 tablespoons chives, 4 oz. bacon
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Cook the potato slices until they are fork-tender. Drain them thoroughly and then let them rest in the empty pot without a lid for 2 minutes to release excess steam.2½ pounds potatoes
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Immediately add the warm potato slices to your salad bowl with the dressing and other ingredients. Give it a good, gentle stir to ensure every piece of potato is thoroughly coated with the delicious marinade.
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Serve the salad warm for a comforting side, or allow it to cool completely to enjoy as a refreshing cold salad. Both methods offer a fantastic flavor experience!
Notes
2. Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs: Achieve ideal hard-boiled eggs by following my step-by-step guide: How to Prepare Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs. After cooking, immediately rinse them under cold water. This stops the cooking process and significantly aids in easy peeling, preventing frustration.
3. Storage Guidelines: Proper storage is key to enjoying your German Potato Salad for days.
- Refrigerator: This delicious creamy potato salad will keep wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For optimal flavor and texture, allow it to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving, or gently warm it if you prefer it hot.
- Freezer: Due to its mayonnaise base and potato content, this salad is not suitable for freezing. Freezing will alter the texture of the potatoes and cause the mayonnaise to separate, resulting in an undesirable consistency.
4. Nutritional Value: The provided nutritional value is an estimate per serving, based on a total of eight servings for the entire recipe. Please note that these values can vary depending on specific ingredient brands and preparation methods.
Nutrition
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More Delicious Side Dishes & Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of this creamy German Potato Salad, you’ll be delighted to explore more of our complementary side dishes and hearty meals. From other potato variations to fresh salads, these recipes are perfect for expanding your culinary repertoire.
- Baby Dutch Potato Salad with Herbs
- Smoked Chicken Potato Salad (Lighter Version)
- Chicory Salad with Apple, Walnuts, and Raisins
- Baked Spanish Tortilla with Bacon & Gruyere