German Potato Salad Recipe: Hearty Sausage and Egg Classic 2026

German potato salad is a hearty classic built on boiled potatoes, and it works just as well with or without sausage. The combination of ingredients is simple, yet deeply satisfying, and it is ideal for summer when served well chilled and made ahead of time.

There is no single authentic version of this regional dish. Some cooks use mayonnaise, others yogurt or a vinaigrette, and some add apple or even bacon. The sausage is not always present either, though it is the ingredient that best characterizes this salad here. The one constant across every version is the potato, always present.

For this version, cooked German sausages sold in a glass jar are ideal, but Frankfurt sausages from any supermarket work perfectly well too. The potatoes are mixed with the dressing while still warm so they soak up all the flavor and turn out juicy and savory.

Ingredients for German Potato Salad

This makes 2 generous main-course servings.

• 30 g mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 350 g potatoes
• 120 g cooked German sausages
• 40 g onion
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 30 g pickled gherkins

How to Make German Potato Salad Step by Step

1. Make the dressing

First, prepare the dressing by mixing 30 g of mayonnaise with 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon of chopped chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Boil and dice the potatoes

Next, wash and boil 350 g of whole potatoes for about 20 minutes, or until a knife tip slides in without resistance. Let them cool slightly, then peel and cut them into cubes.

3. Mix the potatoes with the dressing

Mix the potatoes with the dressing while they are still warm.

4. Cut the sausages, onion and egg

Slice 120 g of cooked sausages into rounds. Chop 40 g of onion, slice 1 hard-boiled egg into rounds, and dice 30 g of pickled gherkins.

5. Combine everything, chill and serve

Mix the potatoes with the sausages, onion, egg and pickles. Let the salad cool in the refrigerator, then serve.

Tips for the Best German Potato Salad

Choose the right sausage

Cooked German sausages sold in a glass jar are the ideal choice, but Frankfurt sausages are an easy and widely available substitute. Either way, slice them just before mixing so they stay moist.

Dress the potatoes while warm

Mixing the warm potatoes with the dressing lets them absorb all the flavor and keeps them juicy and savory. Let the salad rest so the flavors come together.

Make it ahead

This salad is at its best made in advance and served well chilled, which makes it a great option for summer meals. Feel free to adapt the dressing to your taste, with yogurt or a vinaigrette instead of mayonnaise.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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