There is nothing more comforting than this warm herbed gourmet French Potato Salad recipe. It is a tangy, bright, and the fresh vinegar-based side dish is so easy to make but has serious fancy vibes. This is hands down my favorite potato salad recipe - and not just because is has no mayo.
Why this Simple French-Style Potato Salad Recipe is the BEST: This mayo-free potato salad recipe was inspired by Ina's recipe review. But my recipe is even better since it is made without the chicken broth - it's vegan so everyone will enjoy it.
Like other recipes this is best served warm, similar to German Potato Salad. It is also great cold or at room temperature. Bonus: it is the best make ahead potato salad recipe. (taste even better the next day!)
This European summer side dish is similar to my recipe for Italian Green Been & Potato Salad also on this site. Either pair well with any grilled or smoked meat recipes. Ok, now we cook!
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Ingredients for Herbed French Potato Salad
The important part of this recipe is to use fresh quality ingredients. The earthiness from the fresh herbs and the zesty brightness from the vinegar-based dressing is simply the best.
This easy recipe for French potato salad with fresh herbs calls for the following ingredients:
- Small Boiling Potatoes - red, Yukon gold, white, or a combination is fine, these thin-skinned potatoes need no peeling
- White Wine - use your favorite vintage, just a splash
- Champagne Vinegar - the key ingredient in the dressing
- Olive Oil -extra virgin is best
- Dijon Mustard -bold flavor & emulsifier in the dressing
- Fresh Herbs - Dill & Flat Leaf Parsley are best
- Green Onions - adds a kick of flavor & holds up well
- Salt & Pepper - the only seasonings needed
This is low-fat, gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, vegetarian, Whole30, and non-dairy.
See the recipe card for the amounts & full instructions.
Best Potatoes for French Potato Salad
Small boiling potatoes are used for this. No need to peel any potatoes. I recommend using a couple of different kinds of potatoes for color variety.
In this potato salad recipe, I use these dynamic duo packs by the Little Potato Company that I get from my local store. Any small thin-skinned potato variety will do - fingerling, red bliss, etc.
How to Make Warm Herbed French Potato Salad
With just 20 minutes prep & 20 minutes to cook, this is a quick recipe. Just a bit of dicing, boiling, & whisking up a homemade dressing - voila, bon appétit!
What I also love about this recipe, so easy. No need to peel the potatoes! Let's be honest, that is the worst part about making anything with potatoes.
Here are the simple steps for this recipe for warm potato salad:
- Boil the Potatoes
- Cut Potatoes & Drizzle with Wine
- Make the Dijon Vinaigrette
- Add Fresh Herbs & Toss
- Serve Warm & Enjoy
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 -Boil the Potatoes
Boil the whole small potatoes under fork tender. In a large pot with simmering water, it should take about 12-15 minutes for these potatoes to be soft. You do not want to overcook them or you will have mushy potato salad.
2 - Cut Potatoes & Drizzle with Wine
Once complete, drain the potatoes and let them cool just until you can handle them. You want them to still be quite warm when you slice them in half. If they are larger potatoes, they may need to be quartered. They should be bite-sized.
The halved potatoes go into a large serving bowl and while still warm, drizzle the white wine over the potatoes. This will allow the potatoes to drink in the white wine - pour a glass for yourself also at this time so the potatoes are not drinking alone! 🙂
3 - Make the Champagne Dijon Vinaigrette
Mix the champagne Dijon vinaigrette ingredients. The spicy flavor from the Dijon mustard makes this potato salad dressing over the top. When combined, pour over the potatoes and mix to combine evenly.
4- Add Fresh Herbs & Toss
Chop the herbs and the green onions. Add to the potatoes and toss gently. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
5 - Serve Warm & Enjoy
The result is a deliciously warm, tangy, fresh, and comforting bowl of potato salad goodness. It is great to enjoy immediately.
I do admit it does get better as it sits and soaks in more of the dressing. I am always disappointed when there are no leftovers because this is more delicious the next day.
Bring this to any potluck, picnic, or cookout. Turn any weekday dinner or weekend BBQ into a fancy meal. Don't forget to finish the meal with a slice of my Puff Pastry Apple Galette for a yummy Parisian experience.
Storing & Serving
As I mentioned, this potato salad gets better as it marinates and sits. Therefore, it is a great make-ahead side dish. Without any mayo, this potato salad lasts longer in the fridge than classic American potato salad.
To store, place it in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Enjoy best at room temperature but it is fabulous cold right out of the fridge too.
What to Serve with French Potato Salad : This is great to serve in summer when the fresh herbs are at their peak. For this reason, we pair it with summer main courses such as Grilled Tri-Tip Steak or Smoked Pulled Pork.
FAQ
Though both recipes are mayo-free & served warm, they are different. French potato salad has fresh herbs & a vinaigrette dressing. German potato salad is traditionally served in a bacon dressing & this recipe is vegetarian/meatless.
Mushy potatoes or ones that fall apart when making potato salad are a result of overcooking them. If yours are mushy they may have been cooked too long.
Also, DO NOT cut them before boiling them since cut potatoes will absorb water resulting in a soggy texture. Always cut the potatoes after cooking.
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here's my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, fun stories, recipe history, and more.
- #1 Tip - do not overcook the potatoes or they will fall apart and be soggy in the dressing.
- Fresh herbs are must - DO NOT substitute with dried herbs.
- Champagne Vinegar sounds expensive to buy but it is actually cheaper than most balsamic or other vinegars so go for it.
- More Dinner Ideas to serve with Herby French Potato Salad:
RECIPE NOTE: this recipe was originally published July 2019. It has been updated to include calorie and nutritional information, substitutions, additional photos, concise steps, and tips for republishing in 2025.
French Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 4 pounds small boiling potatoes two colors recommended
- 2 TB white wine
- 3 TB Champagne vinegar
- ½ C olive oil
- 1 TB dijon mustard
- 2 TB fresh dill minced
- 2 TB fresh flat-leaf parsley minced
- ¼ C green onions/scallions minced (white & green parts)
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water, ensure there is about 2″ of water over the top of the potatoes. Cook about 20 minutes, until fork-tender. (do not overcook or they will be mushy)4 pounds small boiling potatoes
- Drain immediately and let cook just until they are no longer too hot to touch.
- Once cool but still warm, cut each in half or in quarters if medium-sized.
- In a large serving bowl, add the potato halves. Sprinkle the warm potatoes with the white wine. Toss gently with a spoon so that all get some wine soaked into the warm potatoes.2 TB white wine
- Let sit for about 15 min to ensure the potatoes cool more and all the white wine is absorbed.
- Combine the vinegar, olive oil, and dijon in a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and whisk to combine the dressing ingredients.3 TB Champagne vinegar, ½ C olive oil, 1 TB dijon mustard
- Pour the vinaigrette over the potatoes and stir gently. Top with fresh herbs and green onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.2 TB fresh dill, 2 TB fresh flat-leaf parsley, ¼ C green onions/scallions, salt & pepper
- French potato salad can stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an air-tight container.
Notes
- Do NOT substitute the fresh herbs with dry herbs, ONLY fresh will work.
- Dice larger red or white potatoes into small chunks if using as a substitute for the tiny thin skinned potatoes.
- Apple cider vinegar can be used instead of champagne vinegar - both cost about the same but will give a bit of a difference final taste.
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- Dijon Mustard - use spicy or mild brown mustard instead.
- Dill & Parsley - these are the best choices for the flavor profile but you can also use a pinch of dried dill vs fresh dill. Also substitute it for other herbs like fresh basil, chervil, or chives.
Nutrition
More Potato Side Dishes
If you love this recipe, try these similar favorites here on the blog:
Laura Lee says
This looks so good and so easy. I love the fact that I don't have to peel the potatoes. Any time I don't have to peel something it's an extra WIN in my book!
Angela says
Yes, a bonus for sure. This is an easy recipe that is so delicious - a total WIN!
Cynthia says
These look amazing! I'm definitely going to try them out 🙂
Katie says
This looks so good! I love potatoes so I'm going to have to try this recipe.
Melissa Parcel says
This looks delicious! I've never seen potatoes like that I'll have to look for them locally.
Suzan says
Nice variation on potato salad! I look forward to trying the tanginess of this one!
Jen says
I’ve never heard of this before but just may try it! Thanks for sharing!
Darlene says
I love french potato salad! This looks like a keeper, especially with the fresh dill! YUM 😃
Ramae Hamrin says
I want to try this! I've never come across champagne vinegar before. I love potato salad, and I love the simplicity of this recipe! Thanks for posting 😊
Lisa says
This looks amazing! We are always looking for new recipes to try.
Rebecca Carbone says
My friend and s strict halal. What can I replace the alcohol with?
Angela says
Hi - you can leave out the white wine. It is simply a flavor enhancer. The vinaigrette adds enough moisture to dress the salad well. I hope that helps and yo and your friend enjoy it.
Lisa Manderino says
What a great side dish! Would go perfect with any summer grill recipe!
Jennifer Morrison says
I love French Potato Salad! I have never made it,but used to get it in a little patisserie. I can't wait to try this recipe.
Karla Petersen says
I doubled this and made it for our neighborhood block party a couple of weeks ago. It was the first bowl to empty on the long table. 🙂 Fabulous!
Angela says
Oh Karla, that is wonderful to hear. Thank you for letting me know and glad they all loved it. I love block parties, glad you have a wonderful set of neighbors to share this with.
Sian says
This looks great! One to add to my list 🙂
Jen at My Average Life says
This looks ah-mazing! I can’t wait to try it.
Stacey Billingsley says
This looks so good! I love just about anything with vinegarette. Thanks for a great idea for a side dish to bring to gatherings!
Melissa Jones says
Great photos of your work!!
Angela says
Thank you, I am starting to just get the hang of this food photography thing. I still have a lot to learn & practice but I am enjoying it more than I initially thought I would.
Christa says
I’m not a huge fan of mayonnaise so this recipe looks like a potato salad I can enjoy! I can’t wait to try it.
Cindy says
This recipe looks amazing! I love potato salad and being vegan now, this is perfect. I’m excited to try the recipe.
Angela says
Cindy, so glad you found a good vegan option. This one is delicious for everyone to enjoy and I cannot wait to hear what you think.
Maria says
I LOVE potato salad! My grocery store has this amazing twice baked potato salad, and it's a regular feature in my fridge!
T.M. Brown says
I love that this does not use mayo because we have a son with an egg allergy. Definitely going to keep this recipe on hand!
Angela says
I am glad you found something that would be wonderful for your son. I hope you all like it.
Dawnmarie @ EnjoyingtheDays says
Healthier alternatives to everyday dishes can be good to find. Also, frankly, some people are just not crazy about mayonnaise.
Angela says
I am an "anti-mayo gal" for sure. I am always looking for options to classics without it and this is one of my favorite no-mayo recipes.
Harriet says
I usually avoid potato salad because they are heavy in mayo. This looks like a great alternative that I will be making soon.
Paula @ Mummy Vs Work says
These look amazing, we don't get such dinky potatoes that I have seen here but I am going to give it a try!
Beth says
How can it get much better than champagne vinaigrette with baby potatoes? This recipe is inspired, yum, yum.
Yannick says
Very refreshing salad, ideal for a summer day picknick on the beach.
Also, I dislike mayonaise in potato salad and I've replaced it years ago with sour cream and chopped chives. It's also fresh like yours, only a bit more "goo-ey"