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    Home » Vegetarian

    German Potato Salad with Apple and Gherkins

    Published: Jul 28, 2016 · Modified: Mar 7, 2022 by Marita · 3 Comments

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    Apples and potatoes are a popular combination in German recipes. Therefore, it is unsurprising that you will find a version of their popular German potato salad recipe with apple and gherkins (or pickles as they are known in the US) .  A deliciously simple, nutritious, and yet surprisingly substantial salad this recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or a filling side dish.

    German Potato Salad on a White Plate. Around there is some cut up apple, a jar of Ghekins and some unpealed potatoes

    Why Potatoes with Apples and Gherkins/ Pickles?

    …” I can hear the unbeliever shout in disbelief? Well, let me tell you why potatoes and apples are a great combination. The combination of the potatoes with the apple and gherkins/ pickles create an unbelievable delicious sweet and sour salad. The apple adds some interest to the texture by providing some extra crunch which is contrasted by the soft texture of the potato. The gherkins add the sourness – which makes this such an exciting combination.  

    How to serve this salad?

    This salad goes well with a variety of dishes. As the apple adds that little freshness to this dense salad, I think of it as the perfect summer potato salad.

    In Germany, we would serve it at BBQ’s, buffets with sausages, or simply with a slice of bread during Abendbrot (German dinner time).

    This German Potato Salad is served chilled.

    On top top you see a chopping board with cut up apples. Some raw potatoes and a jar of gherkins. In the middle of the picture is a white plate with potato salad

    Which apple variety to use for this salad?

    I would recommend using tart apples for this potato salad. Here is a list of tart apple varieties:

    • Braeburn
    • Cox
    • Granny Smith
    • Bramley

    How to make German Potato Salad with Apple and Gherkins

    This recipe is great to prepare in advance. I like to make it the night before, to give the flavour enough time to infuse. Let’s get started:

    Ingredients for 4 people

    • 1 kg / 35 oz potatoes
    • 2 tsp Dijon mustard (affiliate link)
    • 3 tsp caster sugar
    • 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz liquid from your pickled gherkin jar
    • 4-5 medium-sized gherkins
    • 1 tart apple
    • 50 ml white wine vinegar
    • 100 ml 3.4 fl oz sunflower oil
    • 1 large white onion finely chopped
    • 5-6 spring onions
    • Some chopped herbs such as chives (optional)
    • salt and pepper to season

    Recipe Steps

    1. Boil the potatoes in water with a pinch of salt until soft (about 10-15 min depending on the size of your potatoes).
    2. While the potatoes are boiling, peel and chop the onion finley. Combine the mustard (affiliate link), sugar, gherkin liquid, vinegar, and chopped onion in a jar. Screw on the lid and shake thoroughly to create the vinaigrette.
    3. Peel the apple and chop into little (1 cm) chunks cube the gherkin/pickles.
    4. While still warm, peel of the skin and chop the potatoes in about 1 cm wide slices.
    5. Place the potatoes, apples and gherkins into a larger bowl.  Pour over the vinaigrette and mix carefully with a wooden spoon. Leave the warm potatoes to rest in the vinaigrette. This will help the potatoes to absorb the flavour.  Season with salt and pepper. I recommend you leave the salad in the fridge for at least 4 hours for the flavours to develop. Alternatively, you can also leave it to rest overnight.
    6. Before serving stir in the chopped spring onions and garnish with chopped herbs.
    German Potato salad with Apples

    How to store this potato salad?

    Cover the salad and leave it in the fridge. It should stay good up to 3 days.

    Here are more German Salad Recipes with Apple

    • German Egg Salad with Apple
    • Cucumbers and Radish Salad with Apple
    • German Pasta Salad
    • German Apple Streusel Cake

    For a potato salad recipe using mayonnaise, I would recommend trying this Amish Potato Salad Recipe.

    Here is also a refreshing slaw salad using kale and apple. Apple Kale Slaw by Sabrine Currie.

    Did you try this recipe?

    Please leave a rating or make a comment below. I would love to hear from you. You can send me an e-mail or comment on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

    Why not share our Facebook Group - Homemade German Food & Recipes. Here we chat about German Food and share recipes.

    German Potato salad with Apples

    German Potato Salad with Apple and Gherkins

    Marita
    An authentic German potato salad recipe where apples and gherkins are the star ingridients.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Resting time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 25 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine German
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 313 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 kg potatoes 35 oz
    • 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 3 teaspoon sugar
    • 100 ml liquid from your pickled gherkin/ pickle jar 3.4 fl oz
    • 4-5 gherkins (pickles in US) medium-sized
    • 1 apple
    • 50 ml white wine vinegar 1.6 fl oz
    • 100 ml sunflower oil 3.4 fl oz (or any other vegetable oil)
    • 1 large white onion finely chopped
    • salt and pepper to season

    To serve

    • 5 spring onions finley chopped
    • 2 tablespoon fresh herbs optional (for example parsley or chives)

    Instructions
     

    •  Boil the potatoes in water with a pinch of salt until soft (about 10-15 min depending on the size of your potatoes).
    • While the potatoes are boiling, peel and chop the onion finley. Combine the mustard, sugar, gherkin liquid, vinegar, and chopped onion in a jar. Screw on the lid and shake thoroughly to create the vinaigrette.
    • Peel the apple and chop into little (1 cm) chunks cube the gherkin/pickles.
    • While still warm, peel of the skin and chop the potatoes in about 1 cm wide slices.
    • Place the potatoes, apples and gherkins into a larger bowl.  Pour over the vinaigrette and mix carefully with a wooden spoon. Leave the warm potatoes to rest in the vinaigrette. This will help the potatoes to absorb the flavour.  Season with salt and pepper.
    • I recommend you leave the salad in the fridge for at least 4 hours for the flavours to develop. Alternatively, you can also leave it to rest overnight.
    • Before serving stir in the chopped spring onions and garnish with chopped herbs.
    • Serving suggestion: as a side of grilled sausage and meat

    Nutrition

    Calories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 4gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gSodium: 41mgPotassium: 802mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 235IUVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword German potato salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Filed Under: Salad, Soups, Salads & Light Meals, Vegetarian

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gabriela

      June 17, 2021 at 1:15 pm

      5 stars
      I love that this potato salad isn’t swimming in mayonnaise a definite must try.

      Reply
    2. Jeannie

      June 17, 2021 at 2:48 am

      5 stars
      The recipes looks easy and I havent tried the combo of apples and potatoes. I would like to try that!

      Reply
    3. Gregory Halpen

      June 16, 2021 at 11:53 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! This sounds so good! I am loving the idea of potato salad without Mayo. Which I love but I’m loving this one especially with the pickles. Yum!!

      Reply

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    Hi - I'm Marita!

    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. I love making German recipes and exploring the cultural history behind each dish.

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