Home » Recipes » German Recipes » Fleischsalat (German Meat Salad)

Fleischsalat (German Meat Salad)

Fleischsalat Is a Classic German Recipe – Here’s How To Make It!

Looking for a hearty and meaty German lunch option? German meat salad – called Fleischsalat in German – is for you!

Made from fresh wurst and loaded with chopped pickles, this creamy meat salad gets its signature taste from its liberal use of mayonnaise!

Often eaten on bread or a fresh bun, it’s something you’ll find in German supermarkets and especially at the butcher shop!

white bowl of pink Fleischsalat on wooden cutting board with cloth behind
Our creamy Fleischsalat recipe turned out really well!

Aside from being a popular brunch/lunch food, Fleischsalat can also play a role in a German dinner.

Lisa’s family eats Fleischsalat with boiled potatoes for a filling and easy dinner.

On top of that, this Fleischsalat is used as an ingredient in our super creamy German potato salad.

Keep in mind that Fleischsalat is different from Wurstsalat. The main difference is that Fleischsalat is made with mayo to be creamy while Wurstsalat is made with a simple vinaigrette as the dressing.

Fleischsalat on slice of bread with bowl in the background
Spread Fleischsalat on fresh bread, take a bite, and let us know what you think!

German Fleischwurst vs North American Bologna

When making this Fleischsalat recipe, the meat you use – and the country you are in – is a big factor in determining the final taste of the meat salad.

This is because different countries will have different versions of similar meats.

If you are in North America, you could use widely available bologna for this recipe. However, German “Fleischwurst” (bologna) tastes different than North American bologna.

To get close to how the original would taste in Germany, we often use Italian Mortadella for this recipe when making it in North America.

North American Bologna and mortadella are similar products by consistency – Mortadella has more pork fat chunked throughout the meat blend – but the taste is a bit different.

If you have a European deli close to where you live, you might be able to get actual German bologna (Fleischwurst). If not, you can try it with mortadella to get a taste similar to German Fleischwurst or with classic North American bologna which will still be tasty.

How to Make German Fleischsalat – Step by Step Instructions

If you want to whip together some tasty Fleischsalat, you can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post with the exact measurement.

And if you’d like to see the recipe process photos so you can follow along step-by-step, you can check them out below.

This way, you can have a look to see if your German meat salad looks like ours did!

cutting italian mortadella into slices on plastic cutting board on counter
Cut the meat into slices.

First, cut the mortadella or German bologna into slices. Of course, you can also buy already sliced wurst.

pieces of cut mortadella in white bowl on counter
Cut the meat into thin strips.

Then cut the meat into thin strips. Exactly how thin or thick you cut them depends on your personal preference, but we would recommend not cutting them too thick!

Place the strips of meat into a medium-sized bowl.

bowl of chopped onions pickles and mortadella on counter
Chop the onions and pickles.

Now finely chop the onion if you decide to use one. We like the taste but not that same people don’t like the taste of raw onion. Make sure to chop it very fine so you don’t find large onion chunks in the salad later.

Also chop 4-5 baby dill pickles into small cubes. We use baby dill pickles since they are the closest to pickles you would get in Germany.

Add the chopped pickles and onion to the bowl with the wurst.

bowl of chopped meat and pickles with mayonnaise on counter
Add the mayo, pickle juice, and spices.

Finally, add the pickle juice, mayo, sugar, salt, and pepper.

Fleischsalat mixed in white bowl with spoons on counter top
Mix, mix, mix.

Mix everything together using two spoons. If the consistency is not creamy enough for you, you can add a little bit more mayo.

Now the important part: Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for at least one hour.

This will allow the flavors to develop – the meat salad will taste much better after sitting for at least an hour (in our opinion).

Before serving, taste the Fleischsalat again and add more spices to taste.

Serve the meat salad, as a spread on a bun or slice of bread – or as a side to boiled potatoes.

bowl of german Fleischsalat on wooden cutting board with pickles behind
This Fleischsalat is ready for a bun or slice of thick cut bread!

Storage Tips

Since this meat salad contains mayonaise, it is important that you store it in an container with a lid in the fridge and use it within 2-3 days.

This salad is eaten cold so you don’t have to worry about reheating it.

We wouldn’t recommend freezing the meat salad as this can greatly alter its taste and texture. Instead, only prepare the amount you plan on consuming.

Related Recipes

For more German salad recipes check out these top dishes. Some are served cold, some are served hot, and others are classic tastes you want around the dinner table!

white bowl of pink Fleischsalat on wooden cutting board with cloth behind

Fleischsalat (German Meat Salad)

German Meat Salad – or Fleischsalat – is a classic lunchtime choice. Made from cuts of wurst mixed with chopped pickles, this salad – smothered in mayonnaise – is creamy, crunchy, and perfect on a slice of bread!
4.52 from 33 votes
Print Pin Save
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces German bologna, (alternatively American bologna, or mortadella)
  • 1 small onion, optional
  • 4-5 baby dill pickles
  • 2 tablespoons pickle juice
  • 6 tablespoons mayo
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cut the bologna or mortadella into slices (if it isn’t already sliced). Then cut the slices into thin strips. Place the cut meat into a medium-sized bowl.
  • Finely chop the onion (optional) and the baby dill pickles. Add them to the bowl.
  • Finally, add the pickle juice, mayo, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  • Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for at least one hour to allow the flavors to mingle. You can also prepare the Fleischsalat the night before.
  • Before serving, taste the meat salad again and add more spices to your liking.

Notes

  • There is a difference between German "Fleischwurst" and North American bologna. If you have a European deli close by or a well-stocked international section at your grocery store, try buying German bologna. Of course, you can also make this recipe with classic North American bologna. Mortadella also works well – just keep in mind that the taste will be slightly different but still tasty when using something other than German bologna!
  • This recipe makes approximately 3 1/2 cups of meat salad.
  • Fleischsalat is often eaten on a fresh bun for brunch or lunch. In Lisa’s family, Fleischsalat is also sometimes eaten with boiled potatoes for a simple but filling meal.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 1551mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g

This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.

Course Breakfast + Brunch
Cuisine German
Author Recipes From Europe
Don’t miss out!
Subscribe to Recipes from Europe!

Get updates on the latest posts and more from Recipes from Europe straight to your inbox. 

Invalid email address

27 thoughts on “Fleischsalat (German Meat Salad)”

  1. 5 stars
    My approach isn’t authentic – but it is tasty. I use leftover pot roast (beef) with pickles, onion and mayo. I do appreciate this recipe for the proportions recommended, thank you!

    Reply
    • That does sound tasty – thanks for sharing, Alice! I think it can be a lot of fun to experiment with recipes, giving them a different twist and making them our own…it doesn’t always have to be the authentic version (as long as we don’t claim it’s authentic).

      Reply
    • 5 stars
      That is very German of you, very authentic!

      This is the sort of recipe that everybody has their own variation of, and that is a great way of turning leftovers into something different.

      Reply
  2. 5 stars
    Love this recipe. As an American the thought of “meat” salad was a bit foreign to my husband but he absolutely adores this dish. My mother origin from Nørge but lived in Germany for years and she made this all the time growing up. All ingredients from German deli, Wurst Meatloaf, German Thomy Mayo & Thühne pickles and the Brötchen rolls she always served with this. We like making this for a cold-chilled summer lunch or diner, when it’s too warm to want hot meal. So simple and quick to throw together. I think it’s well worth to track down original ingredients from German deli. We’ve substituted American sourced ingredients and while good it’s not same. Takk for posting

    Reply
    • Mange takk for your comment, Ingebjørg! I can see why the thought of a meat salad would be foreign… if I hadn’t grown up with it, I’d likely feel similar. That’s awesome that you have a German deli close to you! I also really like Fleischsalat with boiled potatoes in the summer when I don’t feel like cooking a big meal. /Lisa

      Reply
  3. I just made your recipe for the first time. It tastes just great. Of course where I live I don’t have access to anything better than bologna. I just used thick sliced bologna. Tried to find a ring of bologna but could not. So, we take what we have available. Don’t put down a country for not having what you want. Make adjustments. I have done it for years. Do miss my authentic Llyoner or Fleischkäse at times, but quickly re-adjust and enjoy what I do have. Greetings 🙂

    Reply
  4. I’ve been eating this since I was little, one of my favorite dishes besides Schaschlik. I do not use American bologna or pickles. It gives this salad a totally different flavor. I usually buy my sausage at a Russian or Polish Deli. One of the brands they carry is Schaller. I usually buy a mix of Lyoner, Baby bologna, Jagd Wurst and Gelb Wurst if they have it. The pickles I buy are Hengstenberg , they carry these and also Sauerkraut at Big Lots. Much cheaper than ordering from Amazon.

    Reply
    • Thanks for your comment Roswitha! It’s awesome that you have a European deli with such a good selection close to you. We used to have one as well but unfortunately it closed so now we use what we have available. /Lisa

      Reply
  5. Here is an awesome recipe: make the Fleischsalat with Leberkäse. Let it sit in the fridge.
    Now make a delicious schnitzel, chicken or pork schnitzel, and spread the Fleischsalat on top. Goes really well with a cool german beer. Guten Appetit

    Reply
  6. I been using crackle bologna for my fleischsalat it has a good taste to it
    Has anybody ever added sour cream and Mayo together delicious
    Nextime you make German potatoes salat ate some fleischsalat to it

    Reply
    • Thanks for sharing Erika! I always make extra Fleischsalat, too, just so I can add some to potato salad (that’s how my mom’s side of the family always makes their potato salad). I’ve never tried adding sour cream in addition to mayo though – sounds interesting, I might try it next time!

      Reply
  7. 4 stars
    Yum! If you’re in Australia you can buy Parisa at any continental deli instead of Fleischwurst, it’s pretty close. Our family add boiled egg as well! Delicious in a crusty roll.

    Reply
  8. Mortadella is never used to make Fleischsalat…..get to a German deli if you could and buy Leberkaese…..I make this all year long, both Fleischwurst and Wurstsalat…..in a pinch, buy bologna, but remember, German bologna is quite different from the garbage you get here in the USA…

    Reply
    • Thanks for your comment, Karen! I would also never use Mortadella to make Fleischsalat or Wurstsalat in Germany. However, here in North America it can be quite difficult to find authentic German Fleischwurst for some people since not everyone has access to a European deli. So, we wanted to give people options. As you mentioned, North American bologna tastes quite different from German bologna and if we had to choose between Mortadella and North American bologna, we would choose Mortadella (since it’s less processed) if we didn’t have access to authentic options. We mention most of this in the post – but Leberkäse might be a good alternative for some people as well so thanks for that!

      Reply
      • 5 stars
        Personally I love making it I’m sure it’s fresh that way. Experimenting with different choices is fabulous and creates wonderful alternatives.

      • 5 stars
        I just finished making some I used Boar’s Head Baloney, Mayo, Plain whole milk yoghurt, onion, salt and white pepper and Kühne Barrel Pickles, Big Lots here in Texas carries them

    • There is nothing in the states like Fleischwurst/Leberkäse or Lyon. Here in Germany they use either Fleischwurt or Lyon.. Have lived here for 24+ yrs and married to a Germany for 23.. Machts gut

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating