You know what I hate about potato salad. Mayo. For some reason I just do not like potatoes and mayo together. Especially when the potato salad is smothered in mayo. Yuck. But one day I heard of this idea of bacon grease in place of mayo. Apparently its called a German Potato Salad, and I am here to say it’s dang good. I mean, I have nothing against mayo, I use it in my Egg Salad and Chicken Salad, but I only like it homemade and I just don’t think anything can beat the bacon on this salad. I guess you’ll have to try it to know! 
When my friends at Whole 30 explained on their site why potatoes should be part of one of the strictest elimination diets I know of (Whole 30), I realized they probably have some health benefits. I mean heck, I’ve heard the Irish lived solely on potatoes for years. Also my 83 year old grandmother swears by them, and she and my grandpa are pretty much the healthiest people that I know. 
This Whole30 German Potato Salad is pretty simple to make, and it’s a perfect side dish for almost any dinner. I think it could be a great addition to Thanksgiving Dinner, because it can be served hot. I’m thinking this plus turkey could be really good. I also like that I was able to put my fresh herbs to use in this recipe. I have been growing rosemary, and if you know rosemary then you know it grows like crazy! It grows so much that my roommate and I were considering giving it to our friends. If you are looking for something to use your rosemary try this chicken dish. It would probably go great with this German Potato Salad!
- 2.5 lbs potato (red or russet)
- 6 pieces of bacon
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
- 3 Tablespoon rosemary, chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 Tablespoon green onions, chopped
- Scrub the potatoes well. Place in a large pot and add water just to cover. Heat to a boil, and then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when punctured with a fork.
- Drain the water, and cube the potatoes into approximately equal size.
- Meanwhile in a nonstick skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until crispy. Remove bacon onto a plate with a paper towels, pat dry and crumble the bacon. Leave bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add the vinegar, dijon, salt and pepper to the bacon grease. Bring to a low boil for 1 minute, then add garlic, stirring. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl mix the cubed potatoes, crumbled cooked bacon, bacon dressing, rosemary, olive oil and green onions. Serve hot or cold.
Amy-Lyn says
Oh. Good. Golly. This looks so good! I will be making it soon, that’s for sure and certain! 🙂
Monica Bravo says
🙂 yay! Let me know how you like it.
Amy-Lyn says
Well, well, well….this was so gosh darned good! Good isn’t a sufficient word, it was amazing! Even my non-potato salad eating kids ate it up! Thanks for such a great recipe, bravo (for paleo) 🙂
Wendy says
I may make this for LSU tailgating this weekend but with sweet potatoes! Thanks!
Monica Bravo says
Oh yum!! Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Tiana Ringo says
Have you tried it yet? I can’t eat regular white potatoes and am curious how this would work with white flesh sweet potatoes.
German Potato Salad - YUMMY! says
Hi Monica. I agree with you about mayo and potatoes. Mush on mush. I love German potato salad and appreciate you sharing this delicious recipe. Thank you! For those who may wish an alternative recipe, please see http://www.potatogoodness.com/german-potato-salad/
Monica Bravo says
Thanks for the alternative!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
I am starting the whole 30 plan this Wednesday to clean up my system a little before the holidays and I’m so insanely happy right now to find this recipe. German potato salad is one of my favorites and I just made some homemade sugar free bacon this past weekend so making this recipe Wednesday night!! Yummy in my tummy! lol! Anyhow, love your site and will be coming back for more recipes 🙂
Monica Bravo says
That’s awesome! Good luck with your Whole30, they can be tough but worth it!! And thanks for all the compliments 🙂
Gloria says
It’s SO GOOD. This is the best side dish I’ve ever made. I am literally obsessed.
Monica Bravo says
Thanks so much Gloria! Glad you liked it.
Heather B says
This is really good! We hate rosemary so I subbed thyme and added capers. I will definitely make this again and again.
Monica Bravo says
That sounds really good too! Thanks for sharing.
rayna says
My husband is not a fan of the traditional creamy mayo-based potato salad, but when we were in Poland a few summers ago he happily ate a potato salad very similar to this recipe, so I knew I had to try this, especially since I am also a Whole 30er for life and am always looking for new recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Needless to say, we all enjoyed it, including my picky 2 yr old. I added a little extra ACV to increase the “tang” factor. Thanks for a wonderful addition to my summer repertoire. And I can’t wait to just make the dressing alone for salads. Bravo!
Monica Bravo says
Thanks for sharing your experience!! I am so glad you all enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Neen says
I know what ypu mean. I love potatoes and love mayo but something about them together just doesn’t work! This sounds like a great alternative.
Monica Bravo says
Totally! Great, hope you enjoy it.