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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    How to Make Authentic German Potato Salad

    Published: May 21, 2019 · Modified: Jul 8, 2022 by Gitta Grether-Sweeney · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    German Potato Salad is the perfect dish for picnics and BBQs. The secret ingredients in this recipe are beef broth and Maggi seasoning. The salad is tangy and served at room temperature making it ideal for summer gatherings.

    German Potato Salad

    My mother, one of the best cooks I know, created this family favorite. It is a recipe I loved as a child and my son asks for it now when he visits her.

    The best potatoes to use for potato salad are Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Russet potatoes do not work because they are baking potatoes. The two special ingredients that make this salad tasty are Knorr beef bouillon and Maggi Seasoning. Beef broth is an unusual ingredient in potato salads, but in this case, it adds flavor and moisture. Maggie Seasoning adds a unique flavor. In Germany, Maggi Seasoning is used in meat and soup dishes. However, use it sparingly because of its strong flavor and high salt content. If you would like to learn more about Maggi Seasoning, this blog post from The Spruce Eats provides additional information.

    Picture of Knorr beef bar in a glass jar
    Maggi seasoning in a brown bottle

    The potato salad is easy to make and refrigerated and stays fresh for several days.

    How to make Potato Salad

    Hands peeling potatoes
    Sliced potatoes in a glass bowl

    Boil potatoes. Let them cool slightly. Peel them while they are warm. Slice the potatoes.

    Water in a measuring cup with beef bouillon granules
    Diced onions on cutting board
    Diced white onions on sliced potatoes

    Dissolve the beef bouillon in hot water. Add it to the potatoes. Dice the onions and add them to the potatoes.

    Oil vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and Maggie Seasoning in a measuring cup
    Adding dressing to the potatoes
    Tossing salad in a glass bowl with wood tongs

    Make a vinaigrette and add it to the potatoes and onions. Toss the dressing and onions with the potatoes.

    Diced chives on cutting board
    Potato salad in a glass bowls with wood tongs

    Dice chives and add them to the potato salad.

    Potato salad in a glass bowl.  Decorated with cherry tomatoes

    I like to garnish the salad with cherry tomatoes. The next time you need a side dish for a picnic or BBQ try this recipe. It will be a family favorite!

    Leftovers

    Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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    📋 Recipe

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    German Potato Salad in a glass bowl

    How to Make Authentic German Potato Salad

    • Author: Gitta Grether-Sweeney
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 60 minutes
    • Yield: 10 ½ cup 1x
    • Category: Salad
    • Cuisine: German
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    Description

    Tangy and moist potato salad. A perfect side dish for summer picnics and BBQ's


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
    • 9 ounces Yukon Gold potatoes
    • 2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules such as Knorr (Alternative: ⅔ cup beef broth)
    • 1 cup diced yellow onion
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon Maggi Seasoning
    • 2 tablespoon sliced chives

    Instructions

    1. Thoroughly wash potatoes with a vegetable brush to remove any residual dirt.
    2. Place potatoes in a large cooking pot and add enough water to cover the potatoes.
    3. Bring water to boil and cook potatoes until they are fork-tender, about 20-30 minutes.
    4. Drain water from the potatoes and let them cool for 5-10 minutes or until you can hold them comfortably in your hands without burning your fingers.
    5. Peel the potatoes.
    6. Slice the potatoes into ¼ inch slices and place in a large bowl.
    7. Place beef bouillon granules in a microwave-safe dish or measuring cup. Add ⅔ cup hot water. Place the container in the microwave and heat water until boiling. Take the container out of the microwave and stir until the granules dissolve.
    8. Pour the liquid over the potatoes.
    9. Add the diced onions and stir until combined.
    10. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and Maggi Seasoning. Whisk until well combined.
    11. Pour over the potatoes and combine dressing with the potatoes and onions.
    12. Add chives and toss.
    13. Cover and refrigerate potato salad for 2-3 hours for the flavors to meld together.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ½ cup
    • Calories: 180
    • Sugar: 1.8 g
    • Sodium: 402.2 mg
    • Fat: 11.4 g
    • Carbohydrates: 18.5 g
    • Protein: 2.2 g
    • Cholesterol: 0.2 mg

    Keywords: salad, BBQ

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @gittas_kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #gittas_kitchen

    Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is approximate and calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavored to be as accurate as possible.

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