Warm Potato Salad with Bacon and Onion Recipe
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This Warm Potato Salad with Bacon and Onion Recipe is a simple, savory, and tangy German-style potato salad loaded with crisp bacon, red potatoes, and onion, all tossed in a warm bacon vinaigrette. There’s no mayo or eggs, making it a perfect side for summer cookouts, camping trips, potlucks, or an easy family supper.
Since sharing my Mama’s Southern Potato Salad years ago, I knew I needed to create my own version for the “other” potato salad – this savory, bacon-y potato salad, so very similar to the one I loved so much during our travels to Germany. This Warm Potato Salad with Bacon and Onion checks all the boxes: it’s comforting yet light, loaded with mouthwatering flavors, and easy to make with simple ingredients. Since it has no mayonnaise or eggs, it travels great and tastes even better as the flavors come together. Whether serving on a camping trip, at a potluck, or at a family dinner, this one is always a hit!
This recipe brings back great memories of our visit to Germany – those tasty, vinegar-based potato salads served warm as sides to other regional favorites like pretzels and sausages. I’ve recreated that warm German potato salad with my own touch using my Stone House Seasoning for that ideal savory flavor. My family enjoys it with grilled chicken, burgers (especially Bart’s Best Hamburgers), and more. It’s a tasty go-to for summer gatherings because it works so great outdoors.
Why You’ll Love This Warm Potato Salad with Bacon
- No Mayo, No Eggs: Great for traveling to potlucks, picnics, days at the beach, camping, and more.
- Tangy and Savory Taste: Crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and a warm bacon vinaigrette result in flavorful German-style potato salad everyone loves.
- Easy; Ready in about 30 minutes: Simple ingredients and easy steps make it perfect for weeknight dinners or a last-minute side.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Even better taste as the flavors meld. Reheat gently if needed.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Pairs deliciously with grilled meats, sausages, or your favorite Southern main dishes.
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Red potatoes
- Bacon – Cooked crispy and chopped
- Red onion
- White vinegar
- Water
- Granulated Sugar
- Stone House Seasoning
How to Make Warm Potato Salad with Bacon
Step by Step Instructions
- Boil red potatoes until they are fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and cut into large wedges into a large bowl. For the last 15 minutes or so, while the potatoes are cooking, cook the bacon until crispy. Then, using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the skillet and add it to the large bowl filled with your potatoes.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet with the bacon grease and cook until just tender. Remove the onion from the skillet with a slotted spoon and add it to the bowl with the potatoes and bacon.
- Make the Dressing: Add the bacon drippings that remain in the skillet to white vinegar, water, sugar, and Stone House Seasoning. Cook until it has thickened.
- Pour warm dressing mixture over potatoes, bacon, and onions.
- Toss it all together with the dressing until well coated, then serve warm.
While my first love for potato salad will always go to my Mama’s Southern Potato Salad recipe, which I gobbled up since I was a child, this recipe surely satisfies my craving for that warm, German potato salad I enjoyed on my trip.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
- Make-Ahead: Prepare the potatoes, bacon, and onions up to 1 day ahead; Store in the fridge. Store the warm dressing separately and gently reheat everything together just before serving for the best results.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a small splash of water or vinegar to help the dressing loosen on the salad. Stir and serve warm.
More Favorite Side Dishes and Salads
Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze
I have many more side dish recipes for all types of entertaining and celebrations, or for enjoying with your family supper!
Here’s my Warm Potato Salad with Bacon and Onion recipe. I hope it becomes a new favorite at your table! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know when you try it!
xo, Robyn
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Warm Potato Salad with Bacon and Onion Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds red potatoes
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and diced
- 1/2 medium red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Stone House Seasoning
Instructions
- Boil red potatoes until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and cut potatoes into wedges. Add to a large bowl for mixing.
- In a large skillet, add diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon and add to potatoes.
- Add diced onion to skillet and cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon and add to potatoes and bacon.
- Combine vinegar, water, sugar, and Stone House Seasoning in a small bowl. Pour into skillet with the bacon drippings and cook until it thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Pour over potatoes and toss until all ingredients are well-coated. Serve warm.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: Prepare the potatoes, bacon, and onions up to 1 day ahead; Store in the fridge. Store the warm dressing separately and gently reheat everything together just before serving for the best results.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a small splash of water or vinegar to help the dressing loosen on the salad. Stir and serve warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Can you freeze the potatoes to save prep time? Then defrost and put together the recipe?
I’ve never frozen the potatoes for this recipe, Deborah, but you can freeze potatoes. If freezing the potatoes, don’t cook them completely. They should still be slightly firm. When ready to make the salad, thaw them in the refrigerator. I would then follow the recipe and boil them until fully cooked according to the recipe.
Even my German Oma (grandma) would have loved this Robyn! I was always taught to add a big bunch of fresh flat leaf parsley & a teaspoon of celery seeds to my German potato salad but I loved yours much more. PERFECTION!
Thanks so much, Rachelle. It really means a lot that you think your German grandmother would have loved my recipe. xo
I probably make my salad more like your mom , I add chopped pickles and I don’t cook the onion or the dressing .I just mix it in a bowl and than add it to the potatoes . I’ve never use the seasoning but will be anxious to try it . Thank you for the new recipe .
Thanks, Regina! Hope you like this!
I just love this. I tried it for my last camping trip and it was simply delicious.
I have one question. Is it okay to make the salad with other kinds of potatoes?
Thanks for the great recipe, Robyn. 😀
Thanks, Luna Regina!
Yes, you can use other potatoes. I have just found that we like the taste and texture of the red potatoes best!
Thanks for the tip!
This recipe sounds fabulous! How much celery seeds do you add to your dressing? You mention it when reading how to make the recipe but do not show it in the actual recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Pat,
I’m sorry I have now corrected the post; the recipe was correct. Sorry if this was confusing. Hope you like the recipe!
Warm Potatoe and Bacon salad.
What is Stonehouse seasoning. I live in Canada and have never heard of it. What would be a substitute?
Thanks in advance for your reply
Donna,
Stone House Seasoning is a recipe of mine. I’ve included the link here to the recipe and there is also a link in my Warm Potato Salad recipe. Hope you like it!