German Potato Salad with Cucumber
This German Potato Salad with Cucumber is a mayo-free side dish featuring a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or alongside your favourite protein!
Summer calls for a potato salad that actually holds up at the picnic table, and this traditional German version is exactly that. No mayo, no heaviness, just tender potatoes and crisp cucumber tossed in a tangy mustard vinaigrette with softened onions and fresh chives. It’s the kind of side dish that gets better as it sits, which makes it perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and lazy summer lunches eaten outside. Lighter than the classic creamy versions, it works just as well warm from the pot as it does cold from the fridge the next day. This is the potato salad your whole family will keep asking for all summer long.
Lighter Version (Mayo-Free)
Forget mayo and forget big heavy cream; this salad needs a bit of broth and a standard mustard dressing. You heard me! A dressing with the usual mustard, oil and vinegar, so simple! A lot already cuts calorie intake, since half the potatoes are replaced with cucumbers, and the dressing gives it a lovely kick without all the mayo or heavy cream you often see in potato salads. The contrast between the crunchy cucumber and soft potato texture makes this salad interesting! A medley of textures!
A German Thing
In Southern Germany, this salad is found in every beer garden, restaurant, supermarket, and even at the butcher. Kids love this salad, so it’s a great salad to bring to a birthday party, picnic, potluck, or even camping. Serve it cold and let it marinate for at least an hour before serving. It’s one of those salads that gains flavour in the fridge. Germany has many different types of ‘Kartoffeln Salat,’ some eaten warm with bacon bits, others with bologna meat, etc. I prefer this version cold, but many restaurants serve it warm.
The Potato Choice
Choose a potato that holds together well once cooked but is not too waxy, as the dressing will slide off. So stay away from waxy and starchy varieties; aim for the all-purpose, middle-type potato. Keep the potato skin on when boiling; it helps preserve its minerals and vitamins and prevents it from absorbing too much water, which would make it mushier. A little trick I’ve learned in cooking school is to peel the hot potato with a paper towel; don’t wait until it cools down (check the video). It slides right off.
German Potato Salad with Cucumber
Ingredients
- 6 potato medium size
- 1 cucumber English type
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 200 ml vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 handful chives finely chopped
- salt and pepper
Dressing
- 120 ml olive oil
- 120 ml cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp mustard (Mittleshaft) white wine, Dijon or whole-grain mustard are great alternatives
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Boil the potato until tender for about 20 minutes.
- Make the dressing by adding all the ingredients to a small bowl and mix.
- In a small pot, soften the onion with a bit of olive oil, at medium-low heat until translucent for 5 minutes.
- When the onion is dry, and no liquid is coming out, add the vegetable broth and cook for two more minutes. Cool and reserve.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, peel them and cut them into small pieces.
- Cut the cucumbers into half moons, add to the potatoes.
- Add the softened onions and dressing to a big bowl and mix.
- Add the chopped chive on top.
Video
Notes
- The Best Potato: Use an all-purpose potato (like Yukon Gold) that holds its shape. Avoid overly starchy or very waxy varieties so the dressing clings perfectly without the salad becoming mushy.
- Marination is Key: This salad is a “make-ahead” hero. Let it sit for at least one hour before serving; the potatoes will absorb the broth and dressing, making it even more flavourful.
- The Perfect Temperature: This versatile German classic is just as delicious served warm right after mixing as it is served cold from the fridge the next day. It’s a great “fresh” option for any season!
Nutrition
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Did You Make This Recipe?
Share your thoughts on it! Leave a comment or share a picture and tag me @littlenomadsrecipes on Instagram.
This has my mouth watering. I will be making this over the summer months!!
This is a very simple but interesting recipe. I would have never thought to pair cucumber with potatoes. The flavor and texture profile is pretty interesting. I am going to try this recipe; will share on my FB page. Thanks for sharing.
This recipe looks so tasty! I’ve had the traditional German potato salad, but I love the idea of making it with cucumbers. They are my favorite, and I can imagine how refreshing this tastes!
Yum! I am not a fan of mayo and therefore never eat potato salad. I love this recipe without even trying it! The mix of textures is right up my alley!
Will definitely try this recipe. My family loves potato salad and have never tried it this way. Thanks for sharing.
Ooh this looks yummy! Going to give this a go. I love the idea of cucumber – I do potato salad with celery slices and the crunch just works!!
Gotta love a good potato salad. Great recipe and easy to follow. I like the variations too. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds delish! Very refreshing. Looking forward to making this one!
I love that you posted this recipe! We are currently stationed in southern Germany for another year… and this salad is very popular!
Yum! Definitely worth trying this.
This looks so good! I love potato salad but haven’t had it with cucumbers before, even though I enjoy cucumbers just as much. Will have to try out this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
This German potato salad sounds delicious and looks quite easy to make. I love potato salad but I’ve never had one like this so I will have to give it a try.
this looks delicious i have always wanted to try and make it and this has given me the push i needed
Made this the last time my parents dropped by for dinner and it was a hit all round our table. They even asked for the recipe!
I love how many variations there are of German potato salad. My family is German and I am not familiar with this version but it was so delicious and much lighter than the version I grew up with.
This salad made a tasty side for some grilled chicken breasts. The cider vinegar adds just the right amount of tanginess.
It would be helpful to use one measuring format (cups vs ml).
on it, sorry!
As a child, a German friend brought her potato salad w/cukes to dinner & I was in love ❤️ I tried my own copycat versions but they were just “not it.” This recipe “hit the spot 💥 Thank you for the memories & the excellent recipe 😋
I must say, Germans make a lot of excellent potato salads! I’m glad I could bring back some precious memories for you.
Just found the recipe and pulled out my potato from its assignment for this week to make this, highly unusual combination FOR ME, salad. And loved it! Its refreshing ( though not cold yet), very tasty and it’s not going to last 😂
I thought it was a strange combo at first too—but it actually makes so much sense! The creamy potatoes paired with the crunchy, juicy cucumber and that flavourful broth-based dressing are a perfect match. In Germany, this salad is often served warm, but I personally prefer it cold—try both and see what you like best!
Hallo net voor 2 personen recept gemaakt maar is 240ml olie en 240ml azijn niet veels te veel???
Nee hoor, dat is niet te veel!
Geef het gewoon een kans. De bouillon zorgt ervoor dat alles verzacht wordt en de smaken goed intrekken.
Can’t wait to try!