French potato salad is a tangy, bright, and fresh side dish. It actually gets better with time as the champagne dijon vinaigrette continues to marinate along with the tender boiling potatoes and fresh herbs. This recipe is simple, simply divine. Bring this to any potluck or fancy up dinner at home with this french potato salad and enjoy the praise that will come your way.
Why Make French Potato Salad?
- Vinegar based potato salad, no mayonnaise here!
- Small boiling potatoes are used, no peeling potatoes!
- Fresh herbs elevate; flavor burst and keeps it fresh.
- Great for most diets; it is gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, vegetarian, and no dairy.
- Stunning presentation, no “gloppy” mayo, and boring white palate thanks to two kinds of potatoes and a burst of green from the herbs.
French Potato Salad is perfect for…
- Picnics, barbecues, and potlucks – it can sit out and will not spoil
- Weeknight meals – it is fast and easy to assemble
- Meal planning – tastes best when it is made ahead of time
How to Make 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.
Boil the potatoes under fork tender. Once complete, drain the potatoes and let 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! 🙂
Mix together the champagne dijon vinaigrette ingredients. When combined, pour over the potatoes and mix to combine evenly. Chop the herbs and the green onions. Add to the potatoes and toss gently.
The result is a deliciously warm, tangy, fresh, and comforting bowl of potato salad goodness. It is great 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.
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!
What to Serve with French Potato Salad:
French Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 4 pounds small boiling potatoes two colors recommended
- 2 TB white wine
- 3 TB Champagne vinegar
- 1/2 C olive oil
- 1 TB dijon mustard
- 2 TB fresh dill minced
- 2 TB fresh flat-leaf parsley minced
- 1/4 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- French potato salad can store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an air-tight container.
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 8 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 275 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 13g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat 1.9g | 9% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 112mg | 5% |
| Total Carbohydrate 37g | 13% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.1g | 15% |
| Total Sugars 2.4g | |
| Protein 4.6g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 41mg | 3% |
| Iron 2mg | 12% |
| Potassium 1077mg | 23% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
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!
Yes, a bonus for sure. This is an easy recipe that is so delicious – a total WIN!
These look amazing! I’m definitely going to try them out 🙂
This looks so good! I love potatoes so I’m going to have to try this recipe.
This looks delicious! I’ve never seen potatoes like that I’ll have to look for them locally.
Nice variation on potato salad! I look forward to trying the tanginess of this one!
I’ve never heard of this before but just may try it! Thanks for sharing!
I love french potato salad! This looks like a keeper, especially with the fresh dill! YUM 😃
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 😊
This looks amazing! We are always looking for new recipes to try.
What a great side dish! Would go perfect with any summer grill recipe!
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.
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!
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.
This looks great! One to add to my list 🙂
This looks ah-mazing! I can’t wait to try it.
This looks so good! I love just about anything with vinegarette. Thanks for a great idea for a side dish to bring to gatherings!
Great photos of your work!!
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.
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.
This recipe looks amazing! I love potato salad and being vegan now, this is perfect. I’m excited to try the recipe.
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.
I LOVE potato salad! My grocery store has this amazing twice baked potato salad, and it’s a regular feature in my fridge!
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!
I am glad you found something that would be wonderful for your son. I hope you all like it.
Healthier alternatives to everyday dishes can be good to find. Also, frankly, some people are just not crazy about mayonnaise.
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.
I usually avoid potato salad because they are heavy in mayo. This looks like a great alternative that I will be making soon.
These look amazing, we don’t get such dinky potatoes that I have seen here but I am going to give it a try!
How can it get much better than champagne vinaigrette with baby potatoes? This recipe is inspired, yum, yum.
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”