Ethiopian Potato Salad Recipe

Craving a vibrant and dairy-free potato salad? This recipe recreates the sensational Ethiopian potato salad I discovered at Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant in Washington, D.C.! A copycat recipe made easy, it's perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and weeknight meals. Enjoy the zesty flavors of perfectly seasoned potatoes, with an optional kick of jalapeño (easily omitted for kid-friendly versions). Best served chilled for maximum freshness and flavor.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Calories 158.8 kcal
Protein 5g
Rating 4.8 (12 Reviews)
Ethiopian Potato Salad 61

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Ethiopian Potato Salad

  • 3 lbs Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup Grapeseed Oil
  • 1 white onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh flat leaf Italian parsley, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, or to taste
  • 1 green jalapeño pepper, minced
  • 1 tablespoon berbere spice, or to taste

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Ethiopian Potato Salad? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Ethiopian Potato Salad

  1. Boil the cubed potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. While the potatoes are cooking, gently sauté the red onion in a tablespoon of olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes. If using, add the minced jalapeño during the last minute of cooking.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled potatoes, sautéed onions and jalapeños (if using), cilantro, lemon juice, remaining olive oil, salt, pepper, and berbere spice.
  4. Gently toss to coat all the potatoes evenly with the dressing.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more berbere spice for extra heat or more lemon juice for extra tang.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. The salad tastes even better if chilled for a few hours or overnight.
  7. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

0 g

Sugar

7g

Fat

3g

Carbs

7g