Berlin-style German potato salad, or Berliner Kartoffelsalat, is a tangy, savory potato salad made without mayonnaise. Warm sliced potatoes are tossed with a vinegar and oil marinade, tender boiled onions, chopped gherkins, parsley, and a hint of caraway for a classic German side dish with bright, pickle-forward flavor.
Unlike creamy American potato salad, this German potato salad is lighter, sharper, and especially good with grilled sausages, schnitzel, roast pork, fish, sandwiches, or a summer Grillabend spread. It can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled, making it a practical make-ahead dish for picnics, BBQs, and German-style meals.
What Is Berliner Kartoffelsalat?
Berliner Kartoffelsalat means Berlin-style potato salad. It is a regional German potato salad made with boiled potatoes and a tangy vinegar-based marinade rather than a heavy mayonnaise dressing. This version includes boiled onions and gherkins, which give the salad a savory, slightly sweet, pickle-like flavor.
German potato salads vary widely by region. Some are creamy, some are broth-based, and some are dressed with vinegar and oil. Berlin-style potato salad is especially useful as a side dish because it pairs well with sausages, grilled meats, fried fish, and cold supper spreads.
Berlin-Style Potato Salad vs. Southern German Potato Salad
German potato salad changes from region to region. Southern German potato salad is often made with warm potatoes, broth, vinegar, mustard, onions, and sometimes bacon. Berlin-style potato salad leans into a vinegar and oil marinade with boiled onions and gherkins, giving it a sharper, pickle-forward flavor.
Both styles are usually less creamy than American mayonnaise-based potato salad and both pair beautifully with sausages, schnitzel, pork, fish, and grilled foods.
Potato Salad Berlin Style (Berliner Kartoffelsalat)
Ingredients
- 2-1/4 lb potatoes
- 1 large onion
- 3/8 cup vinegar
- salt and pepper
- 1/8 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp chopped parsley
- 2 gherkins
- caraway seeds
- 2 tbsp oil
Instructions
Prepare the potatoes:
- Boil potatoes in their jackets with the salt and the caraway until they are tender. Peel and slice into pieces while still warm. Place potatoes in a large salad bowl.
Prepare the marinade:
- Boil diced onions, gherkins, salt, pepper, vinegar and oil with a little water until the onions are tender. Season generously and pour over the potatoes. Mix together and then let it cool for 2 hours. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Sprinkle the salad with parsley and serve.
Notes
What to Serve with Berlin-Style German Potato Salad
Serve Berliner Kartoffelsalat with:- Bratwurst
- Bockwurst
- Frankfurters
- Currywurst
- Schnitzel
- Roast pork
- Fried fish
- Herring
- Grilled chicken
- German cucumber salad
- German radish salad
- Rye bread or pumpernickel
- Pretzels
- A German Grillabend or BBQ spread
A Tangy Side for German Grillabend
Because this potato salad is dressed with vinegar and oil instead of mayonnaise, it is especially good next to rich grilled foods. The gherkins and onions cut through sausages, pork, schnitzel, and fried fish, while the potatoes make it satisfying enough for a full meal. Add it to a summer Grillabend table with bratwurst, mustard, pickles, cucumber salad, rye bread, and cold drinks.Easy Substitutions
- No gherkins? Use German pickles, dill pickles, cornichons, or bread-and-butter pickles for a slightly sweeter version.
- No white wine vinegar? Use apple cider vinegar, German herb vinegar, or mild distilled vinegar.
- No caraway? Leave it out or use a small pinch of celery seed.
- Want more richness? Add a spoonful of mustard or a little warm broth to the marinade.
- Want a smoky version? Add crisp bacon or smoked ham, though this will make it less traditional for this version.
- Want it vegetarian or vegan? This recipe is naturally vegetarian and vegan if using plant-based ingredients.
How to Store German Potato Salad
Store leftover potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving and refresh with a splash of vinegar or a little oil if the potatoes have absorbed too much dressing.Can You Make Berlin-Style Potato Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes. This potato salad is a great make-ahead side dish because the warm potatoes absorb the vinegar and oil marinade as they rest. Make it several hours ahead or the day before serving, then taste and adjust the seasoning before bringing it to the table.FAQ Section
What is Berlin-style potato salad?
Berlin-style potato salad, or Berliner Kartoffelsalat, is a German potato salad made with boiled potatoes, onions, gherkins, vinegar, oil, parsley, and caraway seeds. It is usually made without mayonnaise.
Is German potato salad served warm or cold?
German potato salad can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled, depending on the recipe and region. This Berlin-style version tastes best after resting for about 2 hours so the potatoes absorb the marinade.
Does Berlin-style potato salad have mayonnaise?
No. This version is made with a vinegar and oil marinade instead of mayonnaise, making it tangy, light, and ideal for sausages, BBQ, and picnics.
What potatoes are best for German potato salad?
Waxy potatoes such as Yukon Gold, red potatoes, fingerling potatoes, or small new potatoes work best because they hold their shape after boiling and slicing.
Why do you pour the marinade over warm potatoes?
Warm potatoes absorb the vinegar and oil marinade better than cold potatoes, giving the salad deeper flavor.
What do gherkins add to potato salad?
Gherkins add crunch, tang, and a slightly sweet pickle flavor that balances the potatoes and onions.
What do you serve with Berlin-style potato salad?
Serve it with bratwurst, currywurst, bockwurst, schnitzel, fried fish, roast pork, German cucumber salad, pretzels, rye bread, or a summer Grillabend spread.
Can I make German potato salad ahead of time?
Yes. Berlin-style potato salad can be made several hours ahead or the day before. Stir and adjust the seasoning before serving.
