I’m a huge fan of a proper Bavarian-style lunch, and down here in Southern Germany, there’s one dish that’s always on the table in summer: Swiss sausage salad.
It tastes like a sunny cycling tour followed by a stop at a traditional beer garden – refreshing, hearty, and just what you need after a day outdoors.
Of course, it’s served with a slice of fresh crusty bread and, ideally, a cold Radler (that’s beer mixed with lemonade). And if you want to take it to the next level? Add some pan-fried potatoes on the side. Yum!
The Best Bread to Go With It: My Yogurt Bread
Looking for a crusty homemade bread to serve with your swiss sausage salad?
You’ve got to try my yogurt bread recipe! It takes a bit of time, but the result is beyond delicious – and the perfect companion for this sausage salad.
Swiss Sausage Salad – What You’ll Need
This easy Swiss sausage salad is made with just a few ingredients, but it delivers big on flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lyoner sausage (also known as bologna or knackwurst) – cut into thin strips, alternatively you can use frankfurter sausages
- Emmental cheese – also cut into strips
- Onion – very thinly sliced (this part really matters!)
- Pickles – and don’t forget to save a generous splash of the pickle juice – that’s my secret tip!
- Fresh parsley – chopped
- White wine vinegar
- Neutral oil (like sunflower or rapeseed)
- Mustard – preferably medium spice
- Salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar
Dressing Tip: Pickle Juice for the Win
All you need to do is slice everything into thin strips and make a quick vinaigrette with the vinegar, oil, mustard, salt, pepper, sugar – and a generous dash of that pickle juice! It gives this salad this amazing refreshing dressing aka tangy kick, perfect for these hot summer months!
And I always finish this salad with fresh chopped parsley – but a colleague once suggested using lovage (also called Maggi herb) instead, and I have to say: it works beautifully too! But I will stick to my parsley though.
Swiss Sausage Salad – A Classic Summer Dish from Southern Germany
Just a heads up: I use grams and Celsius degrees in all my recipes, as I’m based in Germany.
Equipment
- 1 bowl
Ingredients
- 400 g Lyoner Sausage Frankfurter also works
- 200 g Emmentaler
- 200 g gherkins
- 1 whole white onion
- 1 sprig fresh parsley
Dressing
- 4 EL oil sunflower oil
- 3 EL White wine vinegar
- 2 EL pickle water from your gherkins
- 1 EL mustard
- 1 pinch sugar
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Slice sausage, cheese, pickles and onion into thin strips400 g Lyoner Sausage, 200 g Emmentaler, 200 g gherkins, 1 whole white onion
- Mix oil, vinegar, mustard, pickle juice, salt, pepper and sugar to make the dressing.4 EL oil, 3 EL White wine vinegar, 2 EL pickle water, 1 EL mustard, 1 pinch sugar, salt and pepper
- Combine everything in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and let sit for 10 minutes.1 sprig fresh parsley
- Serve with bread or pan-fried potatoes.
Nutrition
The nutritional values are automatically calculated – I use them as a rough guide myself when I want to keep track.
Disclaimer
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Why You’ll Love This Sausage Salad
So simple, so good – this dish is perfect for hot summer days, when you want something cold, salty, and satisfying.
And best of all: it’s no-cook, super quick, and always a hit – whether as lunch, a light dinner, or a side dish at a BBQ.
love,
Sabrina 💛
