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    Home » Recipes » German Salad Recipes

    Swabian Potato Salad

    Published: Feb 21, 2020 · Modified: Aug 22, 2022 by Angela Schofield · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    One of my favorite German side dishes is this Authenic Swabian potato salad.
    It comes as no surprise I am a native Swabian.

    Southern Germans would never consider putting mayonnaise or yogurt in their potato salad. Swabian potato salad is marinated in a flavorful vinaigrette that includes an unexpected ingredient. This special dressing is poured over the potatoes while they are still warm, allowing the dressing to soak in better.

    While vinegar and oil dressings are popular in Southern Germany, creamy mayonnaise and yogurt dressings are popular in other parts of the country. These recipes frequently include unusual ingredients such as gherkins, radishes, eggs, and apples. There are also variations that include fish, ham, and meat bits.

    Swabian potato salad with cherrry tomato garnish as side dish of a German schnitzel with lemon slices on a white plate.

    If you are looking for more recipes from Swabia, check out this authentic Swabian recipe for Spaetzle that are usually served with this creamy, rich Rahm Sauce. This pairing is fantastic; it's a match made in heaven.

    Jump to:
    • Cultural Background - Swabia
    • Ingredients
    • Best Potatoes for Swabian Potato Salad
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • How to Serve
    • Storage
    • Recipe

    Cultural Background - Swabia

    Swabia is a region in Baden-Würtemberg, Germany. The Bundesland (German state) where Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have their headquarters.

    How is Swabian potato salad called in German?

    The delicious Southern German potato salad specialty is called "Schwäbischer Kartoffelsalat" in German. Der Schwäbische Kartoffelsalat (singular m) or die schwäbischen Kartoffelsalate (plural f).

    How to pronounce Schwäbischer Kartoffelsalat in German?

    Click on the play button to learn how to say Schwäbischer Kartoffelsalat in German.

    German bride in dirndl with wedding bouquet.

    Swabians regard the preparation of Swabian potato salad as a kind of holy matter.
    According to an old tale brides are said to have to serve this salad to their future in-laws before the wedding. This test would determine whether the bride's mother-in-law would consider her worthy of marrying her son.

    The true "inventor" of potato salad remains unknown. The oldest recipe in German is said to have come from an Austrian monastery in 1621.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for this delectable salad are so simple that you most likely already have them on hand.

    Swabian potato salad ingredients: waxy potatoes, beef broth, vegetable oil, vinegar, sugar, mustard, onion, salt, and pepper.
    • waxy potatoes i.e. Yukon Gold, Carola etc.
    • onion
    • mustard
    • beef or vegetable broth
    • sugar
    • white wine vinegar
    • neutral vegetable oil
    • salt
    • pepper

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Best Potatoes for Swabian Potato Salad

    Potaoes in a old German style sieve.

    Yellow and red potatoes retain their firmness during cooking due to their waxy texture.
    They are the best option for making tender but firm potato salad that will not fall apart.

    Yellow Potatoes
    Major varieties: Yukon Gold, Yellow Finn, Agata, Santina and Bintje

    Red Potatoes
    Major varieties: Chieftain, Norland, Red La Soda, Pontiac and Ruby

    Instructions

    Your potato salad is only as good as the potatoes you use. Make sure to use excellent potatoes and don't skip the peeling.

    Swabian potato salad step 1: cooking potatoes in a large pot with water.

    Step 1: Place whole, unpeeled potatoes in a large pot. Cover potatoes completely with cold water and bring to a boil.

    Reduce the heat and simmer the potatoes until they are just barely fork tender.

    Swabian potato salad step 2: drained potatoes placed on countertop to cool.

    Step 2: Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly.

    Swabian potato salad step 3: cooking marinade for salad in a small sauce pan.

    Step 3: For the dressing, bring the broth to a boil and chop the onion finely.

    Add the onion cubes, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper and sugar to the broth. Mix well and simmer for a couple of minutes.

    Swabian potato salad step 4: peeling boiled potatoes.

    Step 4: Remove dressing from the heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.

    Peel and cut the potatoes into thin slices while they are still warm.

    Swabian potato salad step 5: slicing peeled potatoes. Large glass bowl with sliced potatoes.

    Step 7: Place the potato slices into a large mixing bowl.

    Swabian potato salad step 6: pouring salad dressing over sliced potatoes in a glass bowl.

    Step 6: Pour the hot broth mixture over them.

    Important: DO NOT MIX! Allow the salad to rest covered for about 1 hour. The potatoes will soak up the majority of the liquid. This will result into the perfect "schlonzig" (wet) Swabian potato salad.

    Step 7: Add the oil and mix carefully. If necessary, season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

    Hint: Allow to marinate at room temperature for a few hours before serving. You can also make the salad ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Before serving, allow the potato salad to come to room temperature. This will take between 30 minutes and an hour.

    Swabian potato salad in a large glass bowl held by hands.

    Variations

    Change the flavor profile with these ideas:

    • Cucumber - for a variation add finely cut, fresh cucumber slices.
    • Chives or green onions - Top salad with finely chopped chives or green onions.

    Equipment

    I enjoy this dish because it takes little time to prepare and produces few dirty dishes.

    • cutting board
    • knife
    • small sauce pan
    • large bowl
    • salad servers

    How to Serve

    This salad is served with schnitzel, meatloaf, Maultaschen, sausages, liver cheese or all kinds roasts in Southern Germany. However, this salad also goes well with fish and seafood dishes. And it will undoubtedly be a hit at any barbecue.

    If served with a meat dish, Swabians traditionally top their salad with brown gravy.

    Storage

    Swabian potato salad is typically served at room temperature. You can let it marinate covered in the fridge overnight. Just remember to set it out for 30 to 60 minutes before serving. It should never be served straight from the refrigerator.

    Recipe

    Cold swabian potato salad with cherry tomato garnish.

    Swabian Potato Salad - Authentic German recipe

    Angela Schofield
    This authentic Swabian potato salad is an excellent side dish to a variety of German traditional dishes and a wonderful addition to any barbecue.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Cooling Time 20 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Salads, Side Dishes
    Cuisine German, Swabian
    Servings 8 portions
    Calories 292 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 pounds waxy potatoes i.e. Yukon Gold, Carola etc.
    • 1 medium onion
    • 2 tsp. mustard
    • 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
    • 1 tsp. sugar
    • 3 tbsp. white wine vinegar
    • 5 tbsp. neutral vegetable oil

    Salt and pepper to taste, I prefer:

    • 1 tbsp. coarse Kosher salt
    • 1 tsp. coarse pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Place whole, unpeeled potatoes in a large pot. Cover potatoes completely with cold water and bring to a boil.
    • Reduce the heat and simmer the potatoes until they are just barely fork tender.
    • Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly.
    • In the meantime, bring the broth to a boil and chop the onion finely.
    • Add the onion cubes, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper and sugar to the broth. Mix well and simmer for a couple of minutes.
    • Remove from the heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
    • While the potatoes are still warm, peel them and cut them into thin slices.
    • Place the potato slices into a large mixing bowl and pour the hot broth mixture over them.
    • DO NOT MIX! Allow the salad to rest covered for about 1 hour. The potatoes will soak up the majority of the liquid.
    • Add the oil and mix carefully. If necessary, season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
    • Allow to marinate at room temperature for a few hours before serving. You can also make the salad ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Before serving, allow the potato salad to come to room temperature. This will take between 30 minutes and an hour.

    Notes

    For a variation, peel and slice 1 cucumber. Add the cucumber at step 9.

    Nutrition

    Yield: 1PortionCalories: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 6gFat: 10gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gNet Carbohydrates: 42g
    Keyword authentic, easy
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More German Salad Recipes

    • Nudelsalat - German Pasta Salad
    • German Green Bean Salad
    • Chicken Salat - Geflügelsalat
    • Potato Salad Rhineland Style

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. laura says

      May 06, 2021 at 10:57 pm

      mine did not seem vinegary enough...so i added some extra lemon juice as well as more vinegar...also added some minced up celery and fresh dill.....sure took a lot of salt...

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        May 13, 2021 at 2:16 pm

        It is always very depending on the vinegar you use. Your additions sound yummy, need to give that a try.

        Reply

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    Angela framed by German landscape

    Guten Tag, I'm Angela,
    Herzlich willkommen! I'm glad you've stopped by.

    It is a joy to share with you some of my all-time favorite authentic German recipes and tell you a little bit about the cultural background of my home country, Germany.

    More about me →

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