The 13 Best Potato Salads, According to My German Friends

I was surprised by some of their picks.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

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Published May 25, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
bowl of olivier potato salad on a table

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

It doesn't matter what or where you're eating in Germany, potatoes are sure to be on the table. They can be served simply boiled, mashed, pan fried, as dumplings, or potato salad. Potato salad is one of the most common preparations, and throughout my years of living here, I've encountered various regional types—as well as strong opinions about whether potato salad should be with vinegar only, mayo only, or a mix. I figure if anyone can be considered a potato salad expert, gained through years and years of eating potato salads, it's a German.

So I gathered a few of my friends and asked them to help me create a list of the very best potato salads on our site, and I have to say, I was surprised by some of their picks. There are the classic potato salads of course, but also more interesting ones and simple secret ingredients that can give any potato salad recipe that special something. I hope you find a new favorite and see this as that yearly reminder to whip up a potato salad for your next potluck or barbecue.

  • German Potato Salad

    A bowl of potato salad on a blue napkin with a fork, ready to eat
    Coco Morante

    "For this recipe, I make sure to use waxy potatoes, the smaller the better. The baby red potatoes I used in the photos are about six to a pound, and they steam in just 20 minutes. You can use creamer or fingerling potatoes instead if you like—those will cook even faster!" —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

  • Julia Child's Potato Salad

    Stirring Julia Child's potato salad

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "Julia's trick is as simple as saving some of the potato cooking liquid to stir back into the salad." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

  • Sicilian Potato Salad

    Sicilian potato salad in a bowl with serving utensils and next to a glass of water

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    "This Sicilian-inspired version isn’t your creamy classic. Instead, it’s bright and colorful, thanks to a combination of baby potatoes, green beans, and cherry tomatoes. A simple oregano vinaigrette ties it together, and quick-pickled red onion and lots of briny olives ensure it’s extra vibrant." —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

  • My Mom's 1-Ingredient Upgrade: Bacon Fat

    bowl of potato salad

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    "By adding the bacon fat, you can get away with using way less mayonnaise than a traditional potato salad, which makes for the perfect texture. Toss the potatoes in the fat while they're still warm so they soak up the fat. " —Molly Adams, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 5 of 13 below

  • Gamja Salad (Korean Potato Salad)

    Korean-style potato salad in a bowl next to a table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

    "The salad’s creamy texture comes from roughly mashing the potatoes and mixing them with mayonnaise and boiled eggs. The creaminess is punctuated by bites of crunch from cucumber and carrot, which also add a bit of color." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Provencal Potato Salad

    Provencal Potato Salad

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "The secret ingredient of the dressing is the anchovy paste. If you are familiar with the bliss that anchovies can bring to a salad dressing, you'll know why it's included." —Elise Bauer, Founder

  • Olivier Potato Salad

    bowl of olivier potato salad on a table

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "While some versions of this recipe call for pickles, I prefer to mix in fresh dill which adds a bright, herbal flavor to the salad." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • 1-Ingredient Upgrade: Pickle Brine

    Rest of the Chives Sprinkled Onto the Sour Cream & Onion Potato Salad

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    "Take this tip even further and boil the potatoes in a mixture of three parts water and one part pickle brine." —Grace Elkus, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 9 of 13 below

  • Ranch Potato Salad

    bowl of ranch potato salad, and in the background, a platter wtih more and a glass of water

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "I used Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning (the packet that says “salad dressing”). If you want to use a different brand, such as Trader Joe’s ranch seasoning, add it to taste. Remember that the sour cream and mayonnaise mixture should taste very flavorful and maybe even a little too salty. Once it’s tossed with the potatoes its flavor will be toned down quite a bit." —Megan Scott, Senior Editor

  • Martha Stewart's French Potato Salad

    Martha Stewarts Warm Potato Salad

    Simply Recipes / Robin Asbell

    "Slice each warm potato into 1/4-inch slices and place it in the bowl with the vinaigrette. Gently toss to coat and let the warm potatoes soak up the flavors. This simple trick ensures that the potatoes will be more flavorful because they soak up the dressing while warm." —Robin Asbell, Recipe Developer

  • 1-Ingredient Upgrade: Yellow Mustard

    bowl of southern potato salad

    Simply Recipes / Getty Images 

    "Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, and other herbs and spices before dressing the potatoes so that you can taste the dressing and adjust seasonings, ensuring that you achieve the right balance of flavors." —Stephanie A. Ganz, Recipe Developer

  • Carla Hall's Potato Salad

    bowl of Carla Hall's pototo salad

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "When I heard that Carla Hall makes a potato salad using pickle brine, I knew I needed to try it. Her recipe uses pickle brine and olive oil as the main dressing ingredients. I like vinegar-based potato salads, and since pickles get their punchy flavor from that tart liquid, I was excited about this new twist." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 13 of 13 below

  • Dad's Potato Salad

    A bowl of potato salad ready to eat

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "We're using Russets in this recipe, which is why it is called “Dad's potato salad”, as my Dad always told my Mom that Russets where the best potatoes for potato salad." —Elise

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