Indulge in a culinary delight that will take your taste buds on an adventure. Today, I bring you a unique twist on the traditional German potato salad that will leave you craving more. I’ve experimented with various ingredients and found a perfect balance of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a light, tangy dressing to create a vegan version of the classic potato salad that will leave you wanting more. I assure you that this salad will be the talk of the town at your next cookout!
If you want to complement this salad with other vegan dishes, I recommend trying the vegan coleslaw or a roasted vegetable medley. Both recipes complement the tanginess of the German potato salad perfectly and will provide a diverse range of flavors for your taste buds to relish. Adding mayonnaise to the salad will give it a smooth and creamy texture that will delight all your senses.
So, let’s start with this easy and delicious vegan German potato salad that will steal the show at any gathering or make for a light and scrumptious lunch.
What is German salad made of?
The classic German salad comprised either creamy dressing made up of mayo, Greek yogurt, or milk; or simple ones made with oil and vinegar. While most German salads include Pasta and some kind of meat, many cater to vegetarian needs and are made up of potato, lettuce, vegetables, and fruit. You can also add cheese and eggs to them as per preference.
German potato salad Vs. American potato salad?
The major difference between American and German potato salad is the temperature at which they are served. American potato salad is served cold, and German potato salad is generally served warm. Another main difference is that the American Potato Salad has a creamy dressing made out of mayo, while the German salad has a tangy vinaigrette and olive oil-based dressing.
Why Would You Like German Potato Salad?
- This salad is lower in calories than all the traditional German potato salads. You can enjoy the same delicious taste without the added fat.
- Traditional German potato salads often contain a lot of salt, making them high in sodium. At the same time, there is a significant reduction in sodium content in this salad.
- German potato salad is highly cost-effective. It Is much less expensive than other traditional recipes; this makes it an excellent choice for those on a budget.
- German potato salad without bacon is a vegan-friendly option everyone can enjoy easily.
- You can serve this salad in warm or cold weather, making it an excellent choice for any meal. It can also be customized with various ingredients, such as herbs and spices, to make it a unique dish.
Ingredients
For Salad
- 3 pounds of red potatoes
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 large red onion
- 3 large pickled cucumbers
- ¼ cup of fresh parsley
- Chives and dill for garnishing
For Salad Dressing
- ¾ cup of apple cider vinegar
- 50 ml milk
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Sugar
- ¼ cup of Olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground pepper according to taste
Ingredients Notes
- White potatoes: You can also use white potatoes, but red potatoes taste better than white. And if you love potatoes, check out my favorite Devilled egg potato salad, Air-fryer baked potatoes.
- Onions: This recipe may contain three different types of onions, yellow, red, and green. They are all finely chopped, peeled, and diced. You need to soak these onions in water for an hour and add sugar, salt, and vinegar into the water, which helps take away the bitterness of the onion. Check out these best bowls for chopping salad.
- Picked Cucumbers: Finely cut pickled cucumbers into small pieces as per your choice. If you love cucumber or need a keto diet vegan diet, check out our best Chinese smashed cucumber salad.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: If you don’t have apple cider at home, use white or champagne vinegar. All these different types of vinegar enhance the flavor in the same way.
- Olive Oil: You can use olive oil or canola oil instead of vegetables if you have access.
- Salt and Pepper: Use powdered pepper and salt according to your taste; you can add some salt later if you find it less.
- Garnish: You need to use parsley or chives for garnishing; most people also use dill, which tastes good.
- Lemon: You can also add lemon above the garnish to give it a touch of brightness.
- Mustard: You can use Dijon or other mustard; whatever you prefer will taste the same.
- Shallot: If you want, you can substitute shallot with green onions.
Expert Tips to Make the Best German Potato Salad Without Bacon
- When making a German potato salad, you must check the type of potato you use. It would help if you used firm boiling potatoes, and these potatoes make the salad thick and perfect for eating.
- Boil the potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes, not more than that; otherwise, they will become extra soft and complex for you to eat.
- If you want to give your recipe a different tart flavor, add half a tsp of Dijon mustard, water, and vinegar.
- You can cut the potatoes into ¼ inches of slices without dicing. You can also go for round potatoes to enhance the look of your salad.
- Go for cider vinegar instead of red or white, as it tastes better for this recipe.
- Add some mayo on top of the salad to add a creamy and perfect texture to your salad.
- Slice the potato before boiling it, saving you time for peeling and cooling.
How To Make German Potato Salad Without Bacon?
Here is a step-by-step guide for you to make the best German potato salad without bacon;
Step 1: Boil the potatoes
Take a medium-sized pot and fill it with water, turn on the flame, and place the pot on the flame. Peel the potatoes and cut them. The shape you want can be round, half, or square. Add the potatoes to water and let them boil for 10-12 minutes; depending on their size, use a fork to check if they are tender or not. Drain the potatoes, save them in a bowl, run them under cool running water, and put them aside for some time to let them cool down.
Step 2: Prep the Produce:
While the potatoes are boiling, you can prepare the mix added to the potatoes. Take onions and chop them finely.
Add them to a bowl full of water with some salt and sugar.
Chop the shallots, dill, and pickled cucumber finely as well.
Step 3: Make the Potato Dressing
Add oil, milk, apple cider vinegar, pepper, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl using an hand mixer. (I prefer using Cuisinart hand Mixer).
Mix them all well so that all the ingredients turn into a creamy texture.
Step 4: Assemble the Ingredients
Take a serving bowl and combine all the ingredients, including the potatoes, shallots, cucumber, and dill, and add the toppings. Squeeze a lemon on top of the ingredients to make it more tempting.
Step 5: Add Mayo (Optional)
Add mayo to the salad before the garnishing products if you have mayo in the house. This mayo will make the salad creamier and more delicious to eat
How To Store German Potato Salad Without Bacon?
I highly recommend indulging in this delectable salad as soon as it’s ready; however, if you cannot enjoy it immediately, fret not! This salad stays fresh for a few hours after preparation, making it the perfect companion for parties and picnics. However, if you happen to have leftover, store the German potato salad in an airtight container and adequately cover to preserve its freshness is crucial. Pop the container into the refrigerator for 5 to 6 days, and you’ll still be able to savor its delightful flavors.
You can even prepare this salad one day before or beforehand and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve it. It will save you ample time on the event day and ensure you can enjoy your culinary creation stress-free.
How To Freeze German Potato Salad Without Bacon?
German potato salad contains oil and vinegar instead of mayo and other creamy elements, making it possible to freeze. It will help to put the salad in an airtight container in the freezer, which can hold up to 4 to 5 months.
When you want to take it out, mix some oil, and they are as good as new. But you should know that this potato salad is unsuitable for freezing as it might lose its texture and flavor when put in the freezer.
Reheating Instructions
For reheating, you can microwave them for 1 minute, and they will regain moisture. If you don’t want to microwave, mix a splash of oil before eating.
Alternative Ingredients You May Try for Variation
German potato salad without bacon is a versatile dish, and you can alternate some of the ingredients; you need to ensure that there is bacon involved in this recipe. Some of the alternative ingredients include;
- 1 small and finely diced shallots
- 1 tsp of caraway seeds
- 1 lemon juice
- 2/3 cup hot vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- Chives or celery for garnishing
- 9 oz of canned white beans
- 500g of cured herring
Alternative Recipes
You can take this potato salad to parties, picnics, and other barbeque get-togethers. This salad is perfect for making for the communal table as you can also make this without mayo and bacon; there is no problem with spoilage and people being vegetarian. Some of the other dishes with whom you can serve this delicious German potato salad include;
- Healthy Baked Beans
- Italian Pasta Salad with Dressing
- Kidney Beans Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Vegan Pasta Salad
- Salami Pasta Salad
- Sausage and Vegetable Skewers
- Veggie Burgers
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Creamy Chickpea and Potato Salad
- Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
It is best to serve German potato salad at room temperature. You must wait and let the salad gain room temperature; then, you can serve it. Nonetheless, it’s a delicious way to enjoy this classic dish, and I encourage you to experiment with different temperatures and serving styles to find what suits your palate best.
Eating the potato salad the same day you make it is best, but if you have to store it in the refrigerator, you can only eat it within 5 days. That, too, will change the flavor and texture of the salad. After this time, the ingredients become soggy and inedible and can cause food poisoning. In short, you need to avoid a week-old potato salad.
German Potato Salad Without Bacon
Ingredients
For Salad
- 3 lb red potatoes
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 large red onion
- 3 large Cucumbers
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- Chives and dill for garnishing
For Salad Dressing
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- 50 ml milk
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Sugar
- ¼ cup Olive oil
- Salt and powdered pepper according to taste
How to Make?
- Boil the potatoes after cutting them into boxes. Drain the water and take out the potatoes. Ensure these potatoes are tender before taking them out.
- Make the mix for the potatoes, cut the onions, pickles, cucumber, and other ingredients into a bowl, and add salt and another seasoning.
- Mix oil, vinegar, apple cider, and mustard in a bowl and whisk the dressing well.
- Now, mix all the ingredients and add the dressing on top. Squeeze a lemon on the top.
- You can also add mayo to make the dressing creamy if you like.
