Some recipes earn their place on the table by being simple, thrifty, and comforting all at once, and this one does exactly that. Passed around at potlucks and family gatherings for generations, this Midwestern-style favorite leans on a handful of everyday ingredients to create something cozy and memorable, with that wonderful sweet-tangy flavor that keeps folks coming back for another spoonful.
This dish fits right in beside baked ham, bratwurst, roast chicken, or pork chops, and it is especially nice with crisp green beans, buttered cabbage, or a simple cucumber salad to balance the richness. For church suppers, holiday dinners, or casual family meals, I like to serve it warm right from the cooker with extra black pepper on the side and a basket of soft dinner rolls nearby.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Hot German Potato Salad
Servings: 8
Ingredients
3 lb red potatoes, sliced
8 slices thick-cut bacon
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
Directions
1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a plate, crumble it, and reserve about 1/4 cup of the bacon drippings in the skillet.
2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon drippings and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until softened. Stir in the apple cider vinegar and sugar, and cook just until the sugar dissolves.
3. Layer the sliced potatoes in the slow cooker, then pour the warm onion mixture over the top. Sprinkle in the crumbled bacon and gently toss everything together as evenly as you can.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart. Gently stir once or twice during cooking if needed.
5. Serve warm straight from the slow cooker or spoon into a serving bowl. Give it a gentle stir before serving so the dressing coats every bite.
Variations & Tips
For extra tang: If your family likes a sharper sweet-and-sour flavor, add an extra splash of apple cider vinegar near the end of cooking and stir gently before serving.
For picky eaters: Chop the onion a little finer so it softens right into the dressing and blends more smoothly with the potatoes.
To keep the potatoes intact: Slice the potatoes evenly and avoid over-stirring, especially once they are tender, so the salad stays hearty instead of turning mushy.
Make-ahead tip: You can cook the bacon and onion mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it separately, then assemble everything in the slow cooker when you are ready to start cooking.
Serving for potlucks: Keep the slow cooker on the warm setting for serving, and give the salad a light stir now and then so the dressing stays well distributed from top to bottom.