Ina Garten’s Fresh & Zesty French Potato Salad Recipe

French potato salad brings a delightful twist to traditional side dishes with its vibrant Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Wine-soaked potatoes create a tangy and sophisticated culinary experience that goes beyond ordinary recipes.

Fresh herbs dance through each tender, creamy bite, transforming simple ingredients into an elegant accompaniment.

Crisp vegetables and aromatic seasonings elevate this classic recipe into something truly remarkable.

Lighter than mayonnaise-based versions, this salad offers a refreshing alternative for summer gatherings and picnics.

The combination of bright vinegar, robust olive oil, and delicate herbs generates an incredible depth of flavor.

Perfectly balanced and incredibly versatile, this recipe allows you to impress guests with minimal effort: dive into a world of culinary delight!

What You’ll Love About French Potato Salad

• Elevate Your Side Dish: This French potato salad transforms ordinary potatoes into a gourmet experience with its bright, herbaceous flavors and sophisticated dressing.
• Master the No-Mayo Magic: Ditch heavy mayo-based salads for this light, tangy vinaigrette that keeps the potatoes feeling fresh and vibrant without weighing them down.
• Herb Garden in a Bowl: Packed with fresh dill, parsley, and basil, the recipe bursts with aromatic herbs that bring incredible depth and brightness to every single bite.
• Foolproof Flexibility: Serve warm or at room temperature, making this potato salad a stress-free side that adapts perfectly to any meal or gathering, from casual picnics to elegant dinner parties.

The Ingredients Behind French Potato Salad

• Potatoes: Waxy varieties like Yukon Gold perfect for holding shape and absorbing flavors, ideal for French-style potato salad.
• Salted Water: Essential for initial potato cooking and enhancing natural potato taste.
• Towel: Helps steam and dry potatoes after boiling, creating perfect texture.

• White Wine, Chicken Stock: Provide depth of flavor and help potatoes absorb additional taste profile.
• Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin oil creates smooth vinaigrette and adds rich Mediterranean character.
• White Wine Vinegar: Adds bright, tangy element to balance the dish.

• Scallions, Dill, Parsley, Basil: Fresh herbs bring vibrant color and authentic French garden-fresh flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds sharp, complex taste and helps emulsify vinaigrette.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings to enhance overall taste and balance flavors.

How to Prepare French Potato Salad Easily

Step 1: Boil Potatoes

Grab some waxy potatoes like Yukon gold or red potatoes. Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring water to a rolling boil and carefully drop in whole potatoes. Cook for 20-30 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain potatoes and cover with a clean kitchen towel, letting them steam for 10 minutes to absorb remaining moisture.

Step 2: Prepare Potato Base

• White wine
• Chicken stock

Let potatoes soak and absorb these flavorful liquids while you prepare the next component.

Step 3: Craft Vibrant Vinaigrette

• White wine vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Slowly drizzle olive oil while whisking vigorously to create a smooth, glossy emulsion.

Step 4: Blend Herbal Goodness

• Scallions
• Fresh dill
• Parsley
• Basil

Season with additional salt and pepper. Toss delicately to preserve potato texture.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve potato salad warm or at room temperature. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or elegant dinner parties. Enjoy the burst of fresh herb flavors!

Smart Cooking Tips for French Potato Salad

• Slice Uniformly: Cut potatoes into consistent sizes so they cook evenly and look beautiful on the plate.
• Salt Water Trick: Add plenty of salt to the boiling water to season potatoes deeply from the inside out.
• Chill Strategically: Let the potato salad rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
• Fresh Herb Magic: Chop herbs just before adding to maintain their vibrant color and release maximum flavor and aroma.
• Room Temperature Serve: Pull the salad out of the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to let the dressing soften and flavors bloom.

How to Keep French Potato Salad Fresh

• Seal in a Vacuum-Sealed Container: Transfer the potato salad into a vacuum-sealed container to maximize freshness and prevent air exposure. This method locks in flavors and prevents bacterial growth, keeping your salad crisp and delicious for 4-5 days.
• Separate Dressing Technique: Store the dressing separately from the potatoes to maintain the salad's texture and prevent sogginess. Keep the vinaigrette in a small glass jar with a tight lid and the potatoes in another container, mixing just before serving to preserve the ingredients' distinct qualities.
• Refrigerator Strategic Placement: Position the potato salad in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf away from the door. This consistent temperature zone helps maintain the salad's integrity and prevents potential spoilage from temperature fluctuations.

New Twists on French Potato Salad

• Herb Garden Fusion: Replace standard herbs with a vibrant mix of fresh tarragon, chervil, and thyme for an elevated French countryside flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Splash: Add crumbled feta cheese, sliced Kalamata olives, and chopped cucumber to introduce a Greek-inspired tangy dimension to the classic potato salad.
• Smoky Bacon Boost: Incorporate crispy pancetta or bacon bits for a rich, savory element that complements the delicate herbs and vinaigrette.
• Spicy Provençal Edition: Mix in roasted red peppers, a pinch of smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes to create a zesty, warm undertone that transforms the traditional recipe.

Summary of Ina’s French Potato Salad Recipe

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s French potato salad, blending robust flavors with elegant simplicity.

Classic French techniques shine through her masterful vinaigrette, transforming humble potatoes into a sophisticated side dish.

Herb-infused notes dance across each carefully seasoned bite, promising a memorable dining experience.

Mediterranean influences whisper through wine-soaked potatoes, creating depth beyond traditional recipes.

Garten’s expertise elevates this classic salad from ordinary to extraordinary, celebrating fresh ingredients and precise technique.

When friends gather around your table, you’ll watch their faces light up with delight, eager to savor each herbaceous, tangy forkful – so snap a photo, share the recipe, and spread the delicious joy of French culinary artistry.

Ina Garten French Potato Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

French Potato Salad brings Parisian elegance to your summer table with Ina Garten’s classic recipe. Crisp herbs, tangy Dijon mustard, and white wine vinegar dance together, creating a light, refreshing side dish you’ll want to serve at every gathering.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes:

• 1 pound (454 grams) small white boiling potatoes
• 1 pound (454 grams) small red boiling potatoes

Herbs and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) minced scallions (white and green parts)
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) minced fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) minced flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) julienned fresh basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) kosher salt
• ¾ teaspoon (3.75 grams) freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) Dijon mustard

Liquids and Oil:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) good dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) Champagne vinegar
• 10 tablespoons (150 milliliters) good olive oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Submerge whole potatoes in a generously salted water bath, simmering for 20 to 30 minutes until tender yet firm. Carefully drain and wrap in a clean kitchen towel, allowing residual steam to redistribute moisture for 10 minutes.
2. Slice potatoes into rustic halves or quarters, transferring to a spacious mixing vessel. Delicately bathe the potato pieces with white wine and rich chicken stock, permitting them to absorb the aromatic liquid.
3. Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking together tangy vinegar, robust Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Gradually incorporate extra virgin olive oil in a steady stream, creating a silky, emulsified dressing.
4. Gently cascade the vinaigrette over the wine-infused potatoes. Fold in a medley of finely chopped scallions, feathery dill, verdant parsley, and fragrant basil. Season comprehensively with an additional 1 salt and pepper, carefully blending to maintain potato integrity.
5. Present the salad either warmly steaming or at ambient temperature, showcasing the harmonious blend of herbs and aromatic dressing.

Notes

• Potato Selection Matters: Choose waxy varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes that hold their shape and absorb flavors beautifully during cooking.
• Salt Water Magic: Add plenty of salt to boiling water to season potatoes deeply from the inside out, creating a more flavorful base.
• Temperature Control: Remove potatoes from heat just before they become too soft, allowing them to finish cooking with residual warmth.
• Cooling Strategy: Spread hot potatoes on a baking sheet to cool quickly and prevent overcooking, maintaining their perfect tender texture.
• Vinaigrette Timing: Dress warm potatoes immediately to help them soak up maximum flavor from the tangy dressing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 460 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg