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French Potato Salad

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!

With 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!

a fork poking into a potato that is covered in an herb vinaigrette.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have to use baby or little potatoes?

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.

Do I need to use fresh herbs?

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.

What if I can’t find shallots?

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.

How do I store leftovers?

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.

CouldI add bacon to this recipe?

Absolutely! Use about 1/2 pound of cooked and crumbled bacon to the final dish and stir.

Does this potato salad need to be kept refrigerated?

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.

closeup photo of French Potato Salad in a small blue bowl with handles.

Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)

Little Potatoes, mustard, herbs

How To Make French Potato Salad

Fill a large stock pot halfway with water and place over high heat. Slice potatoes lengthwise.

sliced little potatoes

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.

potatoes in boiling water

While potatoes are boiling, begin making the vinaigrette. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, white vinegar and mustard.

vinaigrette

Whisk until emulsified.

emulsified vinegar and mustard

Then add in fresh herbs, shallot and garlic.

fresh herbs, shallot, garlic vinaigrette

Whisk again until combined.

fresh herb vinaigrette

Toss vinaigrette with cooled potatoes. Serve at room temperature.

fully made French Potato Salad shown in a small blue bowl with handles and a fork off to the side.

Craving More Recipes?

French Potato Salad recipe.

French Potato Salad

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!
2 Reviews
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds baby gold 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 diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions

  • Fill a large stock pot halfway with water and place over high heat. Slice 2 1/2 pounds baby gold 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 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 Tablespoons white wine vinegar and 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard. Whisk until emulsified.
  • Then add in 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 diced and 1 clove garlic, minced. Whisk again until combined.
  • Toss vinaigrette with cooled potatoes. Serve at room temperature.

Video

Youtube 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. 
Course: Salad
Cuisine: French

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 42mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g

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 and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Originally published: January 2016
Updated & republished: July 2021

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73 Comments

  1. Im making my 2016 healthier by making better choices more fresh fruits and vegetables exercise and get plenty of rest I love potatoes especially the little potatoes they are much easier to roast and for salad

  2. This year I decided instead of imposing restrictions on myself, I will cut back on stress. Stress is a killer and I have resolved, as much as possible, to remove it from my life.

  3. My husband and I decided to make a lifestyle change together. We walk 2 miles 3 days a week and workout at the gym 4 nights a week. We have given up beef and eat a lot of chicken and seafood. No frying. We drink hot green tea 2-3 times a day. It is the small changes in choices but the best and most effective way is to have an accountability partner.

  4. Its the little things with me. I've given up soda, 2 months and counting. I'm also trying to eat a lot more veggies.

  5. We joined the Y back in November and we're continuing to go regularly to help improve our levels of fitness and stamina.

  6. It's a struggle when your husband can eat anything his little heart desires and has no worries. He's healthy as a horse (thankfully)! Me, it's a constant battle. Once a week I try to have a meatless day!
    And each day purpose it in my heart to make better choices.
    Like you potatoes have always been my FAVORITE food, not just vegetable but all time FAV Food! LOL!
    Thanks, would love to try these and will definitely try your potato salad recipe.

  7. Oh my goodness! Potatoes are my absolute favorite vegetable too! I like them any way they are made! I do think you can eat just about anything and be healthier as long as you watch the portions, which I need to do!

  8. 2016 will be the best yet because I am tracking everything and holding myself accountable for everything, the good & the bad.

  9. With the new year, I'm trying to eat healthier and get more sleep. Also, I'm trying to curb my chronic procrastination, a really bad habit!

  10. For me, exercising more and eating in moderation are my healthy goals this year. I have not heard of these potatoes, and would love to try them. Whenever I cook potatoes for my family, I usually do not eat them.

  11. I started a pre-diabetic class because my husband was just diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Figured if he has to eat better so do I.

  12. I am drinking more water and walking at least 3 miles per day. I am looking forward to 2016 and all that it brings.

  13. I love these potatoes from The Little Potato Company! I get mine from my local Meijer store in Michigan. I use them in so many ways, especially roasted!

  14. this recipe sounds like a great change up from my traditional potato salad with mayo. since I'm diabetic I have to watch my carbs and this year I want to get my blood sugar under control.

  15. I really want to try and eat breakfast more regularly, specifically green smoothies with lots of fruits and veggies!

  16. I am trying to cut out sugar! Thankfully the holiday's are over so no more cookies……well until Valentine's Day!

  17. I am making 2016 healthier by cutting out red meat, caffeine and sugar. It hasn't been too hard so far. Drinking a lot of green tea!

  18. In 2016 I'm keeping a Journal of what I eat. I'm also going to get myself in better physical condition. I'd love adding these delicious, creamy little potatoes to my diet. I love the fact that they are creamy enough so mayonnaise is not needed! How great not to need added fat!

  19. Trying to make healthier choices and smaller portions. I make one similar to this, after I drain the potatoes I toss them with a little olive oil and pepper. I put them on a disposable grill pan with the holes and my husband grills them for a few minutes. Put in a bowl, toss with the dressing and it's so good. I can't wait to try this dressing. I was getting bored with the other, I was making it so much.

  20. The recipe sounds awesome, I will try it soon. I have quit drinking all soft drinks, my preferred drink is water. We are also trying to cut out red meat and eat more vegetables and beans. It was a challenge at first but not so much now, I have really come to enjoy vegetables and love chick peas and pinto beans

  21. I'm finally going to bite the bullet & start jogging. I've been walking 4 miles a day but I need to up my cardio.