Ina Garten’s Herbed Potato Salad Recipe for Outdoor Gatherings

Herbed potato salad transforms ordinary side dishes into culinary masterpieces with remarkable depth and vibrant flavors.

Fresh herbs dance across creamy potato landscapes, creating sensory experiences that elevate simple ingredients.

Tangy undertones and aromatic whispers make this recipe something special for gatherings and casual meals.

Summer picnics and backyard barbecues deserve memorable accompaniments that spark conversation and delight taste buds.

Unexpected combinations of bright ingredients can turn standard recipes into memorable culinary moments.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this herbed potato salad promises to become a go-to favorite for discerning home cooks: Prepare to transform your next meal into a gourmet experience.

Why Herbed Potato Salad Feels So Fresh

• Savor Vibrant Herb-Infused Flavor: This potato salad bursts with fresh tarragon and parsley, creating a zesty and aromatic dish that elevates the humble potato into a gourmet experience. The herbs bring a bright, garden-fresh taste that makes every bite sing with freshness.
• Master Foolproof Cooking Technique: Ina Garten's method ensures perfectly cooked potatoes every time. Simmering and then steaming the potatoes creates a creamy interior with a sturdy exterior, guaranteeing a sublime texture that won't fall apart or become mushy.
• Enjoy Make-Ahead Convenience: This salad is a meal-prep dream that actually tastes better after chilling for a few hours. The dressing has time to penetrate the potatoes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, making it ideal for picnics, barbecues, or preparing in advance for busy weeknight dinners.
• Celebrate Versatile Serving Options: Delicious served cold or at room temperature, this potato salad adapts to any occasion – from casual backyard gatherings to elegant summer parties. Its sophisticated vinaigrette dressing sets it apart from traditional mayonnaise-based potato salads.

The Herbs and Potatoes You’ll Need

• Potatoes: Creamy, waxy potatoes that hold their shape well, ideal for potato salad with a smooth, tender texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and helps season potatoes during cooking and seasoning.

• White Wine, Chicken Stock: Adds depth and brightness to the dressing with subtle complex flavors.
• Lemon Juice: Provides tangy acidity and freshness to balance the dressing.
• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, rich emulsion that coats potatoes evenly.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds zesty, sharp flavor and helps bind the dressing.
• Garlic: Brings aromatic, pungent undertone to the dressing.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle heat and complements other ingredients.

• Tarragon, Parsley: Fresh herbs that bring bright, green, herbaceous notes to the potato salad.
• Red Onion: Provides sharp, crisp texture and mild pungent flavor.

Ina’s Instructions for Herbed Potato Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Potatoes for Boiling

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Add salt to the water. Gently place whole potatoes into the pot. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to create a gentle simmer. Cook potatoes for 10-15 minutes until they’re just tender enough to pierce with a fork. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Cover the pot with a clean kitchen towel and let the potatoes steam for 15-20 minutes, allowing them to finish cooking and cool slightly.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Dressing

• White wine
• Chicken stock
• Fresh lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk these ingredients together. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while continuously whisking to create a smooth, well-blended dressing.

Step 3: Chop and Season Potatoes

Once potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them into quarters or halves. Transfer the cut potatoes to a large serving bowl.

Step 4: Dress and Mix Potato Salad

• Chopped red onion
• Fresh tarragon
• Chopped parsley

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Cover the potato salad and refrigerate for a few hours to allow flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a delightful side dish for any meal.

Pro Tips for a Creamy but Bright Finish

• Choose Tiny Taters: Small potatoes guarantee uniform cooking and effortless cutting, creating a more appealing potato salad texture.
• Chill with Patience: Allowing potatoes to cool completely helps them absorb dressing better and prevents turning mushy when mixed.
• Season Smartly: Taste and adjust herbs and seasoning gradually, ensuring a balanced and personalized flavor profile.
• Herb Freshness Matters: Opt for vibrant, just-picked tarragon and parsley to elevate the salad's aromatic and bright taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Preparing this salad a few hours before serving lets ingredients mingle, intensifying the overall deliciousness.

Best Storage Tips for Herbed Salads

• Vacuum Seal Method: Remove excess air by using a vacuum sealer with specialized bags. Prevents oxidation and preserves potato salad's fresh herbs and crisp texture for maximum flavor preservation.
• Mason Jar Layering Method: Create strategic layers with potato pieces at bottom and herbs on top. Minimizes moisture interaction, keeps ingredients separate, and maintains salad's original crunchiness for 48-72 hours.
• Glass Container Technique: Choose transparent glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Position delicate herbs on top surface, preventing wilting and maintaining vibrant green color while protecting potato pieces from premature softening.

Variations to Add More Herbaceous Flavor

• Rustic Mediterranean Potato Salad: Replace tarragon with fresh oregano and add crumbled feta cheese. Incorporate diced cucumbers and kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version with bright, zesty flavors.
• Spicy Southwest Potato Salad: Mix in diced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, and swap chicken stock for lime juice. Sprinkle with cumin and add crispy bacon bits for a bold, southwestern kick.
• Herb Garden Potato Salad: Use a blend of fresh herbs like chives, dill, and basil instead of just tarragon and parsley. Add roasted bell peppers and use white wine vinegar for a vibrant, garden-fresh profile.
• Provençal Potato Salad: Incorporate lavender-infused olive oil and replace chicken stock with dry white wine. Mix in sun-dried tomatoes and chopped nicoise olives for a true French countryside feel.

Final Note: The Herbed Potato Salad Recap

Potato salad magic emerges from Ina Garten’s masterful recipe, blending classic technique with elegant flavors.

Mediterranean-inspired dressing whispers culinary sophistication through each herbed bite.

Delicate potatoes absorb zesty wine and herb notes, creating a memorable side dish for summer gatherings.

French-influenced ingredients dance harmoniously, elevating this simple preparation beyond ordinary expectations.

Wine and chicken stock provide depth that transforms humble potatoes into a gourmet experience.

Generous herbs and balanced seasoning invite you to savor each forkful, share this recipe with friends, drop a comment celebrating its deliciousness, and spread culinary joy across your social networks.

Ina Garten Herbed Potato Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s herbed potato salad brings classic Hamptons elegance to summer gatherings with fresh dill and tangy mustard. Crisp potatoes kissed with white wine vinegar create a refreshing side dish that elevates any picnic or barbecue spread.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) small white boiling potatoes
• ⅔ cup (158 milliliters) good olive oil
• ⅔ cup (158 milliliters) good olive oil

Herbs and Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) chopped fresh tarragon
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup (40 grams) red onion, finely diced
• ¼ cup (40 grams) red onion, finely diced

Liquid and Seasoning Components:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) good dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Submerge whole potatoes with of salt in a large pot of cold water. Bring liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and gently simmer for 10-15 minutes until potatoes reach a tender yet firm consistency.
2. Drain potatoes and allow them to steam-dry inside the pot, covering with a clean kitchen towel for 15-20 minutes. This technique helps remove excess moisture and creates a more concentrated potato texture.
3. Prepare the vinaigrette by combining white wine, chicken stock, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, of salt, and of freshly ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl.
4. Slowly drizzle olive oil into the liquid mixture, whisking continuously to create a smooth, emulsified dressing. Set aside at room temperature to allow flavors to meld.
5. Once potatoes have cooled sufficiently, slice them into rustic quarters or halves, depending on their original size. Transfer the cut potatoes to a spacious serving bowl.
6. Gently pour the prepared vinaigrette over the potatoes, ensuring each piece receives a light coating. Incorporate finely chopped red onion, fresh tarragon, and chopped parsley into the mixture.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Carefully fold all ingredients to distribute dressing and herbs evenly.
8. Cover the potato salad and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, allowing the flavors to harmonize and develop. Serve chilled or at ambient temperature as a versatile side dish.

Notes

• Start with bite-sized potatoes for consistent cooking and easier eating.
• Allow potatoes to cool completely, letting steam escape naturally for perfect texture.
• Customize dressing by tasting and adding extra seasonings to elevate the flavor profile.
• Chill the salad to let ingredients blend and develop a more complex taste.
• Chop fresh herbs just before serving to maximize their vibrant, aromatic qualities.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg