Germany By Food Enthusiasts · 6 min read

National Dish Germany: Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes (Recipe)

Boiled potatoes served with a bowl of creamy herb quark and fresh chives

In this article

Few dishes capture the easy, honest charm of German home cooking quite like Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes. Floury potatoes, cooked in their skins until tender and nutty, meet a cool, creamy quark flecked with fresh herbs such as parsley, chives and dill. It is the sort of meal that feels light yet satisfying, costs very little, and comes together with almost no fuss. Wholesome, fresh and quietly comforting, it is a humble classic worth rediscovering.

About Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes

Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes brings together two simple but flavourful components to create a genuine treat. Boiled potatoes are traditionally cooked in their skins, which gives them a pleasantly nutty taste that pairs beautifully with the creamy quark. The quark itself can be brightened with a selection of fresh herbs like parsley, chives and dill, lending it an aromatic, savoury character. The dish is not only delicious but also healthy and packed with nutrients, which is part of why it has endured as a German favourite.

Ingredients (serves 1–2)

500 g potatoes, for boiling in their skins
250 g quark (low-fat quark works well)
1 bunch fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives, dill)
1–2 tablespoons yoghurt or cream (optional, for a creamier quark)
Salt and pepper, to taste
A squeeze of lemon (optional)

Shopping for the ingredients

To make Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes, you will want fresh, good-quality ingredients. Most of them are easy to find in any supermarket, but a visit to an organic market can be worthwhile for the very best herbs. When buying potatoes, look for a waxy variety, as these hold their shape and offer the perfect texture once cooked. With the quark, pay attention to freshness and to the fat content, depending on whether you prefer a lighter or a richer version.

Preparing the dish

Begin by carefully cleaning the potatoes as you prepare your Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes. It is important not to remove the skin, as it helps the potatoes keep their shape during cooking while preserving their nutrients. While the potatoes simmer, you can make the quark by finely chopping the fresh herbs and folding them through. Don’t forget to season the quark with salt, pepper and, if you like, a squeeze of lemon to intensify the flavours.

Step-by-step instructions

Bring the potatoes to the boil in a large pan of salted water and cook for about 20–30 minutes, until tender.
Meanwhile, wash the fresh herbs well, pat them dry and chop them finely.
Put the quark into a bowl and stir in the chopped herbs, yoghurt or cream, plus salt, pepper and a little lemon juice if using.
Drain the potatoes, let them steam off briefly, then arrange them on plates.
Spoon the herb quark generously alongside the potatoes and serve.

Gluten-free / lactose-free version

Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes is naturally gluten-free, as neither potatoes nor quark contain any gluten. For a lactose-free version, simply use lactose-free quark, which is available in most supermarkets. Plant-based quark alternatives are another good option and offer a similar texture and taste. Just check the label to make sure the products really are marked as lactose-free.

Tips for vegans and vegetarians

For vegans, this dish is very easy to adapt. Instead of quark, you can use a vegan quark or simply seasoned tofu, flavoured with plenty of herbs. To keep things creamy, reach for a plant-based yoghurt made from soya or coconut. When choosing your herbs, opt for fresh, untreated produce, as this strengthens the distinctive flavour of the dish. As a meat-free meal it is already perfectly suited to vegetarians.

More tips and tricks

A few simple tips can make preparing Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes even easier. Use a good potato steamer, for example, to cook the potatoes gently and preserve their nutrients. Prepping the herbs in advance saves time, and a decent chopping board makes the work far more efficient. Experiment with different herbs to discover new flavours and tailor the dish to your own taste.

Adapting the recipe to your taste

One of the best things about Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes is its versatility. You can easily vary the herbs depending on what you have to hand or what you fancy. Add radishes or cucumber to the quark, for instance, for extra freshness and crunch. The dish also takes well to different seasonings and additions such as garlic or paprika, letting you steer it in a whole new flavour direction.

Ingredient substitutions

If you are looking for alternatives, there are plenty of options. In place of quark, you can use Greek yoghurt, which is just as creamy and rich. For something heartier, pair the potatoes with a fiery paprika sauce that gives the dish a special edge — much like the gentle warmth of a Cheese and Leek Soup. With the herbs, you can fall back on dried varieties too, although fresh herbs almost always taste better.

Drink pairing ideas

Many drinks suit Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes and complement its flavours beautifully. A cold beer, especially a pale lager, is a popular choice and sits well with German cooking. For non-alcoholic options, serve a freshly pressed lemon water or a sparkling mineral water with a squeeze of lime. A fruity wine, such as a lightly chilled white, also rounds off the meal harmoniously.

Serving and presentation ideas

Presentation is an important part of any meal, and Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes is no exception. Arrange the potatoes elegantly on a large plate and shape the quark into a small bowl to the side. Garnish the quark with extra herbs or a dusting of paprika to add a splash of colour. A few fresh herbs scattered across the plate make the dish more inviting and bring its aromas to the fore.

A bit of history

Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes has a long tradition in German cooking. Potatoes were introduced to Europe from South America in the 18th century and have been a staple of the German diet ever since. Quark, a fresh dairy product, also has a long history and has been used in various forms across European kitchens for centuries. This pairing is a fine example not only of simple, tasty German cuisine but also of the way old traditions live on in the kitchen.

More recipe ideas

Summary: Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes

All in all, Herb Quark with Boiled Potatoes is a tasty, versatile dish that is simple to make and open to endless variation. It combines the wholesome qualities of potatoes with the aromatic freshness of herbs folded through cool quark. Whether served as a main course or a side, this traditional German dish is always a good choice. Let its simplicity and flavour win you over, and enjoy a genuine taste of German cuisine.