Swabian Potato Salad

Name: Swabian Potato Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: german
Ingredients: 2 pounds (900 grams) yukon gold potatoes; 1 small white onion; 3/4 cups (180 ml) beef broth; 3 tablespoons (40 ml) white wine vinegar; 1.5 tablespoons dijon mustard*; kosher salt to taste; 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

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This Swabian potato salad is bursting with fresh and tangy flavors! Served warm with a vinegar and broth-based dressing, this easy potato salad is the perfect side dish for picnics, cookouts and all of your favorite German fare!

After spending a year in a small German town nestled in the heart of the Swabian Forest, I came to love a lot of wonderful regional dishes, including this delicious Swabian Potato Salad (Schwäbischer Kartoffelsalat)! Perfect for feeding a crowd, this German potato salad is made with a vinegar-based dressing and topped with chopped chives!

And if you’re looking for more Swabian specialites, make sure to check out our Maultaschen (Spinach and Meat Dumplings) and Käsespätzle (Cheese Spaetzle).

Potato salad in serving bowl with chopped chives.

Recipe Ingredients

This Swabian potato salad recipe is an excellent alternative to the mayo-based potato salads that are more common in the States. It’s lighter, super refreshing and can be made with mostly pantry ingredients!

Yukon Gold potatoes: To make this Swabian potato salad recipe, you’ll need waxy potatoes, such as Yukon Gold. Stay away from starchier varieties, such as Russet, as they tend to fall apart too easily.
White onion: White onion adds a slight sharpness and subtle sweetness to the potato salad.
Beef broth: While I almost always prefer chicken broth for cooking, this is one recipe where the depth of beef broth really shines!
White wine vinegar: The vinegar adds tangy notes and a bit of freshness to the potato salad. Apple cider vinegar and red wine vinegar can be used as substitutes in equal proportions.
Dijon mustard: I’ve tested this recipe with various types of mustard and prefer Dijon. That being said, stone-ground mustards and spicy brown mustard also work well in this recipe.
Salt: If your potato salad tastes a little flat, chances are you just need a bit more salt. Be generous in this recipe!
Vegetable oil: Vegetable oil helps to distribute and enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.
Chives: Chopped chives add a pop of color and fresh flavor to this Swabian potato salad. Green onions can be used as a substitute.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Start by boiling the potatoes in salted water until tender. Allow the potatoes to cool slightly, then peel with your hands (the skin should come off quite easily) and slice into thin rounds.

Vinegar, broth, chopped onions and dijon mustard in small saucepan.

Step 2: Now it’s time to make the Swabian potato salad dressing! Combine the finely diced onion, beef broth, white wine vinegar and dijon mustard in a small saucepan. Season generously with salt and bring to a slight boil. As soon as the mixture begins to boil, pour it over the sliced potatoes.

Sliced potatoes marinating in vinegar, broth, mustard and onions.

Step 3: Cover the potatoes and let them marinate in the dressing for at least half an hour to absorb the flavors.

Step 4: Right before serving, stir in the vegetable oil and chopped chives. Adjust the vinegar and salt to taste. Make sure not to add the vegetable oil any earlier as it will prevent the potatoes from absorbing the delicious dressing.

How To Store Leftovers

Leftover Swabian potato salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can enjoy the leftover potato salad cold or allow it to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.

If you’d like to reheat the leftovers, you can microwave it in short bursts. I recommend heating it just enough to take the chill off, but not any longer as this can alter the texture of the potato salad.

Spoon in bowl of potato salad scooping up vinegar-based dressing.

Recipe Variations

Looking to mix it up? Here are some of our favorite additions and substitutions to this Swabian potato salad recipe:

Bacon or speck: Adding a bit of crispy crumbled bacon or speck is one of our favorite ways to add a flavor boost to this recipe.
Use your favorite mustard: If you can find a German-style mustard, you can definitely use it in place of the Dijon! Other great options are spicy brown mustard or a coarse stone-ground mustard.
Switch up the vinegar: I prefer white wine vinegar for its mild flavor, but apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar or even a good white vinegar would work just as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I serve with Swabian potato salad?

If you want to serve your schwäbischer kartoffelsalat as part of a German meal, I highly recommend jägerschnitzel – crispy pork cutlets smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce! But it’s also one of our go-to side dishes any time we grill out. Swabian potato salad is the perfect accompaniment to grilled sausages, pork chops or even steak!

Do you serve Swabian potato salad warm or cold?

This potato salad is excellent both warm and cold! I tend to serve the potato salad at room temperature the day I make it, and then enjoy leftovers cold.

How do I know when the potatoes are done boiling?

The boiling time will heavily depend on the size of your potatoes. Insert a fork or knife into a potato. If it slides in easily and releases with little resistance, the potatoes are ready. If not, continue boiling.

How do you peel boiled potatoes?

Once the potatoes have been boiled, allow them to cool just enough so that they’re comfortable to handle. Then you can easily remove the peel with your hands.