Ingredients
3 cups diced peeled potatoes
4 slices bacon
1 small onion, diced
¼ cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Place the potatoes into a pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Drain, and set aside to cool.
Place the bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry until browned and crisp, turning as needed. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add onion to the bacon grease, and cook over medium heat until browned. Add the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper to the pan. Bring to a boil, then add the potatoes and parsley. Crumble in half of the bacon. Heat through, then transfer to a serving dish. Crumble the remaining bacon over the top, and serve warm.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Waxy potatoes hold their shape best in this salad — avoid starchy russets which can fall apart during heating in the vinegar dressing.
- Bacon fat is the flavor foundation of the dressing; using good-quality thick-cut bacon will give the dish a richer, smokier depth.
- White vinegar provides the signature sharp tang of German potato salad — apple cider vinegar can be substituted for a slightly milder, fruitier flavor.
- Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a mild herbal brightness that balances the richness of the bacon and dressing.
- The sugar in the dressing is essential to achieving the classic sweet-sour balance that defines authentic German-style potato salad.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Potatoes are a good source of potassium and vitamin C, making this dish more nutrient-dense than it might appear.
- Bacon adds saturated fat and sodium, so those monitoring heart health may wish to use turkey bacon or reduce the quantity.
- This recipe contains no mayonnaise, making it lower in total fat than traditional American-style potato salad.
- The vinegar-based dressing is naturally lower in calories than cream or mayo-based dressings while still delivering bold flavor.
- Using fresh parsley provides a small but meaningful boost of vitamin K, which supports bone health.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories224
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat8 g72 g11.11%
- Saturated Fat3 g20 g15%
- Trans Fat0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat3.5 g
- Cholesterol19 mg300 mg6.33%
- Sodium720 mg2300 mg31.3%
- Total Carbohydrate33 g275 g12%
- Dietary Fiber2.5 g28 g8.93%
- Total Sugars10 g
- Added Sugars9 g50 g18%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein6 g50 g12%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)4 mcg20 mcg20%
- Calcium22 mg1300 mg1.69%
- Iron1.2 mg18 mg6.67%
- Potassium520 mg4700 mg11.06%
- Vitamin A85 mcg900 mcg9.44%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)14 mg90 mg15.56%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)0.3 mg15 mg2%
- Vitamin K28 mcg120 mcg23.33%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.12 mg1.2 mg10%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.07 mg1.3 mg5.38%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)2.1 mg16 mg13.13%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.28 mg1.7 mg16.47%
- Folate18 mcg400 mcg4.5%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)0.15 mcg2.4 mcg6.25%
- Biotin2 mcg30 mcg6.67%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.55 mg5 mg11%
- Choline28 mg550 mg5.09%
- Phosphorus115 mg1250 mg9.2%
- Iodine3 mcg150 mcg2%
- Magnesium24 mg420 mg5.71%
- Zinc0.6 mg11 mg5.45%
- Selenium8 mcg55 mcg14.55%
- Copper0.12 mg0.9 mg13.33%
- Manganese0.22 mg2.3 mg9.57%
- Chromium5 mcg35 mcg14.29%
- Molybdenum6 mcg45 mcg13.33%
- Chloride180 mg2300 mg7.83%
