If you’re looking for a side dish that’s a true celebration of fresh flavors, you can’t go wrong with French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette. This French classic is bright, zesty, and loaded with garden herbs that will make your table feel like a summer picnic, no matter the season! Tossed in a zingy vinaigrette (hold the mayo) and scattered with herbs, every bite bursts with tang, creaminess, and crunch. It’s the kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again — perfect for potlucks, brunches, and even cozy dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple yet thoughtful ingredients are what give French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette its signature character. Each one amps up either the flavor, texture, or color, making every forkful an experience worth savoring.
- Baby yellow potatoes: Their creamy texture and buttery flavor make them the perfect base for soaking up vinaigrette.
- Olive oil: Choose a good quality extra-virgin olive oil for a rich, fruity note in your dressing.
- White wine vinegar: Adds just the right amount of sharp tang to balance out the earthiness of the potatoes.
- Dijon mustard: Classic French flavor delivers a welcome punch and so much depth to the dressing.
- Whole grain mustard: Those little pops of mustard seed give the salad great texture and robust, bold flavor.
- Shallot: Offers a milder, sweeter onion bite without overpowering the rest of the ingredients.
- Fresh parsley: Adds grassy brightness and a burst of color to every serving.
- Fresh dill: Lends its unique, fresh, and slightly tangy flavor, which pairs beautifully with mustard and potatoes.
- Fresh chives: Gentle onion flavor and gorgeous green flecks lift the entire dish.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors together and highlighting the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
How to Make French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette
Step 1: Cook the Potatoes
Start by giving your potatoes a good scrub and cutting them into halves or quarters — you want them bite-sized, so they’re easy to eat and soak up all that vinaigrette. Pop the pieces in a large pot, cover with cold water, sprinkle in a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a gentle boil. Let them cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until they’re fork-tender but still hold their shape. Drain and let cool just enough so you can handle them, but keep them slightly warm — that’s the secret to incredible flavor absorption!
Step 2: Whisk Up the Herb Mustard Vinaigrette
While potatoes are working their magic on the stovetop, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, and minced shallot in a large bowl. Give it a taste, season with salt and black pepper as you like, and let those flavors sit together while you wait on the potatoes. The aroma at this stage is already irresistible!
Step 3: Marry Warm Potatoes with Vinaigrette
Once the potatoes are drained — and still just a tad warm — gently toss them in the bowl with the vinaigrette. The warmth helps them absorb the dressing beautifully, so every bite is full of French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette’s tangy, bright personality. Be gentle so you don’t break them up; a soft spatula or wooden spoon is perfect here.
Step 4: Add Fresh Herbs and Finish
Sprinkle in the parsley, dill, and chives, then toss again to marry the herbs with the dressed potatoes. The fresh greens add so much vibrancy, both in color and flavor! Don’t be shy about giving the salad a final taste and adjusting the salt, pepper, or even adding a pinch more vinegar if you like a little extra zing.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Decide how you’d like to enjoy your French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette: warm, room temperature, or chilled. Each brings its own charm — warm is hearty and comforting, room temperature is classic, and chilled is ultra-refreshing for those picnic days. No matter how you serve it, this salad will light up any table.
How to Serve French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette
Garnishes
Finish your French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette with a final shower of chopped fresh herbs, a grind of black pepper, or even a light drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for shine. A handful of delicate microgreens or edible flowers can make it even more special when you want that wow factor.
Side Dishes
This potato salad is a superstar alongside grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or a simple quiche. It’s also right at home on a picnic spread with crusty bread, olives, and a crisp green salad — the flavors love to mingle with anything savory and bright.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette in a beautiful wide bowl for casual gatherings, or plate it individually for more formal affairs. For a twist, add extra herbs and serve on lettuce leaves, or tuck into jars for perfectly portioned picnic treats. It’s as flexible as it is flavorful!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Have leftovers? Store your French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors actually deepen after a few hours, making it even tastier the next day. It’ll keep well for up to three days — just toss with a splash of vinegar or oil before serving if it seems a tad dry.
Freezing
This salad isn’t a great candidate for freezing, unfortunately. The potatoes tend to get a bit mushy and lose their glorious, creamy texture once thawed. Enjoy it fresh, or save those leftovers for tasty lunches and snacks within a few days.
Reheating
If you’d like to serve your French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette warm, gently reheat it in a covered skillet over low heat, just until it’s lukewarm. Be careful not to overheat, as you want to keep those potatoes tender and the fresh herbs bright and vibrant.
FAQs
Can I make French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, giving the flavors time to mingle only makes them better. Prep the salad a few hours ahead or even the night before, then give it a gentle toss before serving. Just add a bit more fresh herbs right before serving to keep everything vibrant.
What kind of potatoes are best?
Baby yellow potatoes are ideal for their creamy texture, but fingerling or small red potatoes work wonderfully too. The thin skins mean you don’t even need to peel them, and they hold up perfectly when tossed with the vinaigrette.
How can I make this French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette vegan or gluten-free?
Great news: It’s naturally both vegan and gluten-free as written! Just double check your mustards and vinegar if you have any sensitivities, but otherwise, this dish is allergen-friendly for almost everyone at the table.
Can I add other vegetables or protein?
This recipe is a great jumping-off point for creativity. Try adding roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, or even flaked smoked salmon for a heartier dish. Hard-boiled eggs also make a lovely addition for extra protein.
Will kids enjoy this recipe?
Many kids love the creamy potatoes and mild herbs, but if your little ones are hesitant about mustard, you can dial it back a bit and add a touch more olive oil. Encourage them to sprinkle on their favorite fresh herbs for a fun, interactive meal!
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably charming about gathering around a bowl of French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette. Its zesty, fresh flavors and colorful finish guarantee it will be the talk of your next meal. If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the time — you’re in for a vibrant taste adventure!
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French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Description
A delightful and refreshing French Potato Salad with Herb Mustard Vinaigrette recipe that is perfect for picnics or as a side dish. This salad features tender baby yellow potatoes tossed in a flavorful vinaigrette made with a blend of mustards, fresh herbs, and seasonings.
Ingredients
Potato Salad:
- 2 pounds baby yellow potatoes (halved or quartered)
Herb Mustard Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
- 1 small shallot (finely minced)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Potatoes: Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and boil for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and cool slightly.
- Prepare Vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, and shallot in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss Potatoes: While warm, toss potatoes with vinaigrette. Add parsley, dill, and chives, toss to combine.
- Serve: Enjoy warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Notes
- This mayo-free potato salad is ideal for outdoor gatherings.
- To enhance tanginess, increase vinegar amount.
- Substitute with fingerling or red potatoes if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
