Vegan German Potato Salad with Cucumber and Dill

A vegan German potato salad? Yes, please! Who would have thought that in the meat-heavy German cuisine you will find such a gem of a recipe?  Easy to prepare, satisfying and refreshing. This easy German potato salad (Kartoffelsalat) with cucumber and dill is perfect when you need an uncomplicated dish. 

We love to have this salad at BBQs, buffets or as a simple refreshing lunch. 

What is German Potato Salad? 

German cuisine is full of potato salad recipes. As the name suggests it is a salad which mainly consists of boiled potatoes. 

Potato salad has been part of Germany’s food culture since the 17^th century. There are thousands of different potato salad recipes in Germany. The main differences are that some are made with and without mayonnaise. 

In the south of Germany, Bohemia and Austria, the recipes tend to use a dressing made from broth, oil and vinegar. (See the Swabian Potato Salad for example) When people refer to a “German style potato salad” they normally mean these potato salad recipes without mayonnaise. (See the Northern German Potato Salad for example)

However, in the north of Germany potato salad with mayonnaise is very popular. 

There is no such thing as one canonical German potato salad recipe. I challenge you to come to Germany and try as many salads as you can. They will all taste different, as there are so many ways of making them.

What is potato salad called in German?

Potato salad in German is called “Kartoffelsalat”. It is pronounced “Car-toff-ell-salat”. However, as with most dishes in Germany there are specific regional variations. Here are the most common ones: 

• Bavaria und Austria: Erdäpfelsalat
• Francia : Bodaggnsalod (Nürnberger Raum), Örpflsaloud, Grumbernsalod (Unterfranken)
• Schwabia: Grombierasalad
• Upper Swabia: Hadepfelsalat
• Rhineland: (Äd)äpelschlot
• Oberlausitz: Abernsuloat
• Mecklenburg: Tüftensalat
• Eifel: Krumpernzalot

[Source: Wikipedia Kartoffelsalat]

Is this Vegan German Potato Salad Healthy? 

Happy to say it is! Not only is this salad vegan it is also gluten free! The salad dressing made from broth and vinegar is a lot lower in calories as the salads made with mayonnaise. Unfortunately, a teaspoon of mayo is never enough, you will need half a jar of mayo for salad this size. So choose healthy german potato salad made with oil and vinegar if you want to reduce fat. 

Potatoes are full of vitamin B, C, iron, calcium and magnesium. There are so many health benefits of potatoes you can read up here. [Healthline: Potatoes 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects]

Cucumber is also naturally low in calories and adds some freshness to the salad. Radishes are full of vitamin K, C, iron and calcium. [Healthline: Are radishes good for you?]

What does this salad taste off?

This German potato salad has a sweet and sour taste to it. The cucumber adds freshness, whereas the radishes give it a little sharp bite. I think it’s the best ever potato salad! 

So why wait - let’s get started! 

How to make potato salad with cucumber and dill 

Ingredients:

• 1 kg / 35 oz waxy potatoes 
• 1 onion (about 120 g/ 4.5 oz) 
• 150 ml / 5 fl oz vegetable broth
• 1 cucumber
• 5 radishes (about 100 g / 3.5 oz)  
• 2 tablespoon fresh finely chopped dill / use more if you are using dried dill as the flavour is weaker 
• 1 teaspoon sugar 
• 4 tablespoon sunflower oil / or other vegetable oil 
• 4 tablespoon white wine vinegar / or you can use cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Recipe Steps

1. Wash the potatoes and then boil them with the skin on for 20 minutes in saltwater. 
2. In the meantime, peel and finely dice the onion. Heat 2 tablespoon of sunflower oil in a pan and fry the onions until translucent. 
3. Pour the vegetable stock (affiliate link)/broth into the pan and boil with the onions on medium heat for about 10 minutes. 
4. Remove from the heat and season with salt, pepper, sugar and white wine vinegar. 
5. Once the potatoes are boiled you can peel them while still warm. 
6. Slice the potatoes into 1 cm wide slices and place into a large salad bowl. 
7. Peel the cucumber and slice it in half lengthways. Cut into fine slices. Wash the radishes and cut them into fine slices. 
8. Add the vegetables to the potatoes and pour over the warm dressing. Mix well and add in the two tablespoon of dill. 
9. Add salt and pepper to taste. Now leave to rest for a minimum of one hour, so the potatoes can soak up the dressing. It is ideal to leave it to rest in the fridge overnight.

How to serve this salad?

This German potato salad is meant to be served cold. There are recipes for warm potato salads, but this is meant to be a refreshing light salad. 

What goes with this homemade German Potato Salad?

Short answer? Almost everything but let me give you some suggestions. 

This potato salad with cucumber and dill can be eaten on its own or as a main course. Maybe with a slice of rye bread on the side. 

Potato salad is a popular side for many German dishes. Here are a few: 

• Wiener Schnitzel 
• Puten Schnitzel (Turkey Schnitzel)
• Frikadellen (German meat balls) 
• Bratwurst 
• Bavarian Weisswurst 
• Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes)

Storage Instructions

Can I make this Vegan Potato Salad ahead of time?

Yes this recipe is perfect for a big BBQ or buffet. I think this salad tastes best when you leave it to rest in the fridge overnight. 

How long does this salad stay fresh in the fridge?

I would suggest consuming this salad within 3 days of making it, if it lasts that long.

Can I freeze German Potato Salad?

I would advise against freezing this salad. Technically it should be possible but taste wise it is a NO NO! When defrosted the potatoes become a little soggy and soft. Also the taste changes. It becomes soggy. 

If you made too much potato salad it is a way better option to give a portion to friends or neighbours or combine it with different other dishes (see above) so it does not get too boring.

More German Salad recipes you might be interested in:

• German Potato Salad with Apple
• Egg Salad with Apple
• German Pasta Salad (Nudelsalat)
• Cucumber and Radish Salad with Apple

This post was first published in May 2014 and updated in May 2021.

More German Potato Salads

Recipe

Vegan German Potato Salad with Cucumber and Dill

Marita

A easy vegan potato salad made with cucumber, radishes and dill. This salad is seasoned with a oil and vinegar vinegarette, and so is also lower in fat than potato salads made with mayonaise.

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Resting Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine German

Servings 4 people

Calories 328 kcal

Ingredients

  

0.25x0.5x1x2x

• 1 kg waxy potatoes  35 oz
• 1 white onion about 120 g/ 4.5 oz
• 150 ml vegetable broth/ stock 5 fl oz
• 1 cucumber
• 5 radishes about 100 g / 3.5 oz
• 2 tablespoon fresh chopped dill use more if you are using dried dill as the flavour is weaker 
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 tablespoon sunflower oil other vegetable oil 
• 4 tablespoon white wine vinegar alternativley use cider vinegar
• salt and pepper

Instructions

 

• Wash the potatoes and then boil them with the skin on for 20 minutes in salted water. 
• In the meantime, peel and finely dice the onion. Heat 2 tablespoon of sunflower oil in a pan and fry the onions until translucent. 
• Pour the vegetable stock/broth into the pan and boil with the onions on medium heat for about 10 minutes. 
• Remove from the heat and season with salt, pepper, sugar and white wine vinegar. 
• Once the potatoes are boiled you can peel them while still warm. 
• Slice the potatoes into 1 cm wide slices and place into a large salad bowl. 
• Peel the cucumber and slice it in half lengthways. Cut into fine slices. Wash the radishes and cut into fine slices. 
• Add the vegetables to the potatoes and pour over the warm dressing. Mix well and add in the two tablespoon of dill. 
• Add salt and pepper to taste. Now leave to rest for a minimum of one hour, so the potatoes can soak up the dressing. It is ideal to leave it to rest in the fridge overnight.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 201mgPotassium: 1297mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 152IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg

Keyword German Potato salad with dill, German potato salad with oil and vinegar, Vegan German Potato Salad, Vegetarian German Potato Salad

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