German boiled potatoes are a traditional side dish.

Germans are known for their love of potatoes. There are two different basic preparation methods that are used for most of the German potato dishes.
Peeled and boiled in hot salt water (Salzkartoffeln) or boiled with the skin on (Pellkartoffeln).
How are German boiled potatoes called in German?
The popular side dish is called "Salzkartoffeln". "Salz" is the German word for salt.
How to pronounce "Salzkartoffeln"?
Listen to this audio file to hear how to say "Salzkartoffeln" in German.
To make Salzkartoffeln, I generally use Yukon Gold. It is the closest kind of potato that I know in the US that reminds me of German potatoes.
It is a wonderful all-purpose potato with the perfect level of starch to hold its shape when boiled without skin.
German Boiled Potatoes
To make Salzkartoffeln, I generally use Yukon Gold. It is the closest kind of potato that I know in the US that reminds me of German potatoes.
It is a wonderful all-purpose potato with the perfect level of starch to hold its shape when boiled without skin.
How to make German Salzkartoffeln Video Tutorial
Authentic German Boiled Potatoes Recipe
Recipe

German Potato Side Dish Salzkartoffeln
Ingredients
- 1 pound of firm potatoes i.e. Yukon Gold, Red Bliss, Carola, Inca Gold, Rose Gold etc.
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Cold water
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes and then peel them.
- Make sure you cut off any bad parts.
- Rinse potatoes and cut into equal sized pieces to make sure they will cook evenly.
- Add the potatoes to a medium sized pot.
- Cover them with cold water and add the salt.
- Put the lid on and bring to a boil, then lower to medium heat and boil for about 10 to 20 min.
- Use the point of a sharp knife to check if they are done. Make sure you don´t overcook them.
- Pour out the water and let them steam out in a strainer or directly in the pot.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Tip
Salzkartoffeln are the perfect side to goulash, rouladen and all other dishes with a lot of gravy.
Renée Oppenheim Handwerk says
My mother was from the state of Hesse. We had Salzkartoffeln with every dinner. With pasta, with rice, with potato salad, with french fries. It didn’t matter we had Salzkartoffeln with every dinner.
Angela Schofield says
Thank you for sharing your memories, my father was the same way. He loved his Salzkartoffeln 🙂
HERIBERT OBSER says
When there was no gravy for the Salzkartoffeln, then my mother just used some butter sautéed in some bread crumbs. And don't forget the Petersilie!!
Angela Schofield says
Oh yes, so good. Your mother must be a wonderful cook.