This French Potato Salad is a refreshing and healthy alternative to the usual mayo-based potato salads. It features a variety of colorful potatoes that are cooked with garlic and tossed with a tangy Dijon dressing and fresh herbs like tarragon, parsley, and chives. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and easy to make in less than an hour.
This salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or any occasion where you want a simple and satisfying side dish. It goes well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or salads. You can enjoy it warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
The secret to this salad is using thin-skinned potatoes that have different shapes, colors, and flavors. You can find them at your local farmers’ market or grocery store. Some examples are purple fingerlings, German butterball, red potatoes, and Yukon golds.
Tarragon is another key ingredient that gives this salad a distinctive flavor. It’s a classic herb in French cuisine that has a subtle anise-like taste. If you don’t have tarragon, you can use other tender herbs like dill or basil.
How to Make French Potato Salad
- Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices and place them in a large pot of water with some salt and whole garlic cloves.
- Bring the water to a boil and then lower the heat and simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 5 minutes.
- While the potatoes are cooking, whisk together the ingredients for the Dijon dressing: red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic, smoked paprika, tomato paste, salt, and pepper.
- Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly in a colander.
- Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and gently toss them with the dressing and the chopped herbs.
- Serve right away or let it sit for a while to let the flavors meld.
Tips and Variations
- You can make this salad ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more or less maple syrup according to your preference.
- You can add some chopped hard-boiled eggs or crumbled bacon for extra protein if you like.
- You can also add some chopped olives, capers, or pickles for some extra tanginess and texture.
Enjoy this Delicious French Potato Salad!
We hope you love this French Potato Salad as much as we do. It’s a great way to use up those fresh potatoes and herbs that are in season right now. Let us know what you think in the comments below and share your photos with us on Instagram @feastingathome. Bon appétit!
