French Potato Salad is a fresh and light potato salad covered in the most amazing vinaigrette with fresh herbs. A great alternative to the usual potato salad!
A DELICIOUS FRESH HERB VINAIGRETTE
I absolutely adore potato salads so I thought I would come up with a fresh take that is inspired by French style salads. The vinaigrette for this salad turned out amazing. It is so fresh tasting and combined with the creaminess of the potatoes, it is not only delicious but satisfying! I am so pleased with how this turned out!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
No. It does help to use a waxy potato like a red potato or Yukon gold potato. They are less likely to soak up all the dressing like a russet potato would.
The fresh herbs are the star of the show here. This is a true summer potato salad and it takes advantage of the fresh summer herbs. This just will not taste the same with fried herbs.
You can substitute with a small sweet onion. Shallots are usually located near the fresh garlic in the produce section of your grocery store. Shallots have a very mild onion and garlic flavor which makes it perfect for this salad as it doesn't overpower the other flavors.
This is best eaten right after it's made. Potatoes will continue to soak up the dressing the longer it sits so keep this in mind when you store leftovers. It won't be as "wet" when you aren't eating it freshly made.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Potato salad will stay fresh for 1-2 days. Let sit out a room temperature for a little while before eating. Do not microwave to warm up as it will brown the fresh herbs. Do not freeze.
Absolutely! Use about ½ pound of cooked and crumbled bacon to the final dish and stir.
This salad is different from a mayonnaise based potato salad. It can be left out for longer without turning bad. However, I would not recommend leaving it out longer than 4 hours.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- little potatoes or baby potatoes
- extra virgin olive oil
- white wine vinegar
- dijon mustard
- fresh Italian parsley
- fresh chives
- fresh tarragon leaves
- fresh thyme leaves
- shallot
- garlic
HOW TO MAKE FRENCH POTATO SALAD:
Fill a large stock pot halfway with water and place over high heat. Slice potatoes lengthwise.
Once water boils, add a tbsp. salt, then add in sliced potatoes. Once potatoes are cooked until fork tender, drain well and allow to cool.
While potatoes are boiling, begin making the vinaigrette. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, white vinegar and mustard.
Whisk until emulsified.
Then add in fresh herbs, shallot and garlic.
Whisk again until combined.
Toss vinaigrette with cooled potatoes. Serve at room temperature.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
French Potato Salad (+Video)
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds little or baby potatoes
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh tarragon leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Fill a large stock pot halfway with water and place over high heat. Slice potatoes lengthwise.
- Once water boils, add a Tablespoon of salt, then add in sliced potatoes. Once potatoes are cooked until fork tender, drain well and allow to cool.
- While potatoes are boiling, begin making the vinaigrette. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, white vinegar and mustard. Whisk until emulsified.
- Then add in fresh herbs, shallot and garlic. Whisk again until combined.
- Toss vinaigrette with cooled potatoes. Serve at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Potato salad will stay fresh for 1-2 days. Let sit out a room temperature for a little while before eating. Do not freeze.
- This is best eaten right after it's made. Potatoes will continue to soak up the dressing the longer it sits so keep this in mind when you store leftovers.
- It does help to use a waxy potato like a red potato or Yukon gold potato. They are less likely to soak up all the dressing like a russet potato would.
- In the video, the potatoes are boiled then cut which differs from the written recipe. You can do it either way.
- If your potatoes are on the large side, you may want to quarter than rather than just slicing.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: January 2016
Updated & republished: July 2021
Virginia Stratford
Love trying your recipes and we have become huge fans of these little taters!!!
Mollie Johnson
This salad was awesome, thank you!
Brandie (The Country Cook)
So glad you enjoyed it Mollie and took the time to come back and tell me.
Angela
This French Potato Salad recipe looks good. I'm going to try it this week. Thanks!
Samantha
I've had these Little Potatoes before and they're the best!
Vicki Bogia
I am going step by step to change all my (our meals)to make them healthier, and all desserts as well.
Vicki Bogia
I love potatoes, anyway that you can make them.
Carolyn
Excited for making 2016 a healthier year! We are planning on cutting down on our unhealthy snacking, chips etc., and adding healthier alternatives like hummus and naan bread.
Knittingdancer on Ravelry
I am trying to eat more healthier this year.
Lynnette Lamance
I am attempting to eat healthier, which means more meals from scratch. llamance@hotmail.com
Anonymous
Just eat less processed foods. Cook from scratch more phyllisphipps_at_hotmail_dot_com
Unknown
I am keeping my family healthy by cooking healthy meals using Olive Oil instead of unhealthy oils...
Dawn
I am making 2016 healthy by being more active, and drinking more water.
Robbin Stevenson
Getting off my behind a little bit more.
Debbie S
Oh gosh, I love potatoes! And I love little potatoes even more!!!
Joyce K
I'm trying to go to bed and get up at normal hours!
Unknown
I'm trying to recover from an eating disorder and healthy recipes like this are really helping me feel good bout nourishing my body, mind and soul. Wish me luck on my journey for a bright and healthy future!
Amary Chapman
Sounds delicious, better for me than pasta
Misty
I quit smoking in August of 2015, and am continuing to do so.
Ashley
Good for you!!!
Tonia Deakin
I am making 2016 more healthy by watching my sweets intake and increasing my vitamins.
Sharon
Exercise more and take care of my diabetes.
Kena Bee
I am trying to cook more. I am still not that good at it, but it is better than getting pizza.