Vegan German Potato Salad
This warm and tangy vegan German potato salad swaps mayo for a zesty vinegar-mustard dressing, sautéed onions, and smoky plant-based bacon. It’s easy, quick, and packed with flavor—perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or weeknight dinners that need a little more on the side.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes leave skins on for rustic flair or peel if desired
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion ~1 cup; yellow or red; finely diced; sub with shallots
- 6 tablespoons white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1½ - 2 tablespoons sugar or maple syrup; to taste
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¾ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 4-5 tablespoons vegan bacon bits or chopped tempeh bits, coconut bacon, or mushroom bacon
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro; chopped plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup chives or green onions; chopped
Optional add-ins
- ½ cup diced dill pickles or cornichons
- 1 tablespoon pickle brine if using pickles
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes: Add chopped potatoes to a pot of salted water. Boil until fork-tender, about 10–12 minutes. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
- Sauté the onion: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until soft and just golden—about 5 minutes.
- Make the dressing: Turn heat to low. Add the vinegar, Dijon, sugar, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it just start to bubble—then turn off heat.
- Assemble the magic: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the potatoes straight into the pan with the warm dressing. If things are looking a little dry, add a splash of veggie broth or water.
- Finish it off: Stir in parsley and bacon bits and adjust seasoning to taste. Top with more bacon bits. Serve warm for that classic vibe, or let it hang out at room temp.
Notes
Yukon Golds hold their shape but soak up flavor. Red potatoes are also a good choice.
Sliced radishes or chopped pickles add a fun punch.
Add liquid smoke (¼ tsp) to the dressing for extra depth if you skip the bacon bits.
Nutritional information is only an estimate.
Use crispy chickpeas or try vegan bacon, such as Light Life Smart Bacon or the Light Life Bacon Tempeh. For homemade bacon, try Baked Tempeh Bacon. For extra flavor, cook the vegan bacon in a little oil until crispy, then remove it and sauté the onions in that same bacon-infused oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 578mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
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