Kartoffelsalat (German Potato Salad with Mustard Dressing)

Kartoffelsalat in this style is a warm-dressed German potato salad, more tangy and savoury than creamy. Waxy new potatoes hold their shape after boiling, then absorb a hot dressing of vegetable stock, white wine vinegar and mustard, giving the slices a glossy texture and well-seasoned centre rather than a heavy coating. Soft sautéed onion adds sweetness, while parsley keeps the finish fresh. Served at room temperature, it is a practical side for sausages, schnitzel, grilled vegetables or simple everyday meals, and it improves after a short rest as the dressing settles into the potatoes.
Cuisine style German home-style side dish
Flavor profile Tangy • Savoury • Mustard-led
Techniques Boiling • Sautéing • Warm dressing
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Meal prep friendly • Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Bright, balanced dressing: White wine vinegar and Dijon mustard give the salad its sharpness, while hot vegetable stock softens the acidity and helps coat the potatoes evenly.
  • Warm potatoes absorb more flavour: Slicing and dressing the potatoes while warm allows the stock-based dressing to soak in rather than sit on the surface.
  • Works warm or at room temperature: The salad does not rely on mayonnaise, so it holds well for serving alongside grilled meats, schnitzel, sausages or vegetarian mains.

Get the most out of this recipe

Timing notes

  • Let it stand before serving: A 15-minute rest after dressing gives the potatoes time to absorb the stock, vinegar and mustard.
  • Best served at room temperature: Chilling dulls the seasoning, so bring the salad out of the fridge before serving and refresh if needed.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose waxy potatoes: New potatoes or other waxy varieties hold their shape after boiling and slicing, giving the salad a clean, firm texture.
  • Adjust the tang: If the dressing tastes too sharp, add a little more hot stock; if it tastes flat, add a small splash of vinegar and a pinch of salt.

Authenticity notes

  • A stock-and-vinegar style: Many German potato salads use a warm broth and vinegar dressing rather than mayonnaise, giving a lighter, sharper finish.
  • Classic serving partners: This style of Kartoffelsalat is commonly served with sausages, schnitzel or other simple savoury mains.

Make-ahead tips

  • Make it in advance: The salad can be refrigerated for up to 3 days once completely cooled.
  • Refresh before serving: Bring to room temperature, then loosen with a splash of warm vegetable stock and adjust the salt if the potatoes have absorbed the dressing.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Put the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water and add 1 tsp of the salt. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 12 to 18 minutes until a knife slides in easily. Drain well and leave to steam-dry for 2 minutes.
  2. While the potatoes cook, finely dice the onion and roughly chop the parsley. Set both aside.
  3. Warm the sunflower oil in a small saucepan over a medium heat, then cook the onion for 6 to 8 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the hot vegetable stock, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, black pepper and the remaining 1 tsp salt, and bring just to a simmer.
  4. As soon as the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them if you like, then slice into a mixing bowl. Pour the hot dressing over and gently fold until everything is glossy and well coated. Leave for 15 minutes so the potatoes soak up the flavour, then fold through the parsley.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Dress the potatoes while they are still warm; this is what helps the salad absorb the tangy stock and vinegar.
  • If the salad looks dry after standing, loosen it with a splash of hot vegetable stock and fold gently.

Substitutions

  • Replace white wine vinegar with red wine vinegar for a deeper, slightly fruitier tang.
  • Replace Dijon mustard with whole-grain mustard for a coarser texture.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Bring back to room temperature before serving; if needed, refresh with a small splash of warm vegetable stock and a pinch of salt.

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Kartoffelsalat (German Potato Salad with Mustard Dressing)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 50min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: German
  • Allergens:
    Mustard
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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