Fresh French Potato Salad Recipe: Ina Garten’s Zingy Creation

Summers sizzle with delightful side dishes that capture the essence of casual dining, and this French potato salad effortlessly blends rustic charm with elegant flavors.

Ina Garten’s classic recipe turns simple ingredients into a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece that dances on your palate.

White potatoes boiled to tender perfection create the perfect canvas for a zesty vinaigrette that promises to refresh and delight.

Fresh herbs like parsley and dill weave through each bite, adding bright, verdant notes that sing of sunshine and relaxed gatherings.

The light, tangy dressing invites you to savor every forkful with pure culinary pleasure.

White wine vinegar and Dijon mustard provide a sophisticated punch that elevates this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 275 kcal

Servings: 6

French Potato Salad by Ina Garten: What You’ll Need

• Yukon Gold Potatoes: Creamy texture perfect for absorbing flavors, choose medium-sized potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin for best results.
• Red Potatoes: Waxy variety that holds shape well, select firm potatoes without sprouts or green patches.

• White Wine, Chicken Stock: Adds depth and brightness to potato base, use dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc and low-sodium chicken stock for balanced flavor.
• Champagne Vinegar, Dijon Mustard: Creates tangy vinaigrette base, select high-quality Dijon for robust mustard kick and authentic French flavor.

• Scallions, Dill, Parsley, Basil: Brings vibrant, fresh Mediterranean essence, choose herbs that are bright green, crisp, and fragrant without wilting.
• Olive Oil: Creates silky dressing texture, opt for extra virgin olive oil with fruity, peppery notes for authentic French cuisine style.

Tools to Craft Ina Garten’s French Potato Salad

• Large pot: Perfect for boiling potatoes in salted water.
• Colander: Essential for draining potatoes after cooking.
• Kitchen towel: Helps steam potatoes after draining.
• Cutting board: Needed for halving or quartering potatoes.
• Sharp knife: Required for precise potato cutting.
• Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for tossing and mixing potatoes.
• Whisk: Crucial for creating smooth vinaigrette emulsion.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt and pepper.
• Measuring cups: Useful for precise liquid measurements.

Step-by-Step Instructions for French Potato Salad

Potato Party Sensation

• Potato Prep Excitement

Grab some beautiful potatoes and give them a warm bath in salty water. Let them dance and bubble until they’re soft but not falling apart – about 25 minutes of pure potato magic.

• Liquid Love

While potatoes are cooling, splash them with a bit of white wine and chicken broth. This transforms ordinary potatoes into a flavor wonderland that’ll make taste buds sing.

• Zippy Vinaigrette

Create a tangy sauce by whisking together vinegar, zesty mustard, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Slowly introduce olive oil, creating a silky smooth mixture that hugs every potato curve.

• Herb Heaven

Introduce a rainbow of fresh herbs – scallions, dill, parsley, and basil. These green superstars will turn your potato salad from simple to spectacular. Gently fold everything together so each potato gets dressed in herbal happiness.

• Serving Joy

Serve this delightful potato creation warm or at room temperature. Watch as friends and family dive into this French-inspired potato party that’s anything but ordinary.

Elevate It: Tips for Ina Garten’s French Potato Salad

• Experiment with waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red bliss for different textures and flavor profiles.
• Swap or add fresh herbs like tarragon, chervil, or thyme to create unique and personalized taste variations.
• Incorporate crispy bacon bits, crumbled goat cheese, or diced grilled chicken to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
• Modify the vinegar-to-oil ratio or swap red wine vinegar with champagne or sherry vinegar for a more delicate or robust flavor experience.
• Prepare the potato salad a few hours in advance to allow flavors to meld, making it perfect for picnics, potlucks, or advance meal preparation.

How to Present Ina Garten’s French Potato Salad

• Pair with Protein Perfection: Complement the zesty potato salad with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or sliced flank steak for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Create a Picnic Feast: Pack this French-style potato salad in a portable container for outdoor gatherings, summer picnics, or backyard barbecues with friends and family.
• Elevate Brunch Spread: Serve alongside quiche, frittata, or eggs benedict to add a sophisticated and herbaceous side dish that brightens up your breakfast or brunch table.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped dill, parsley, or basil on top just before serving to enhance the vibrant flavors and add a pop of green color to the dish.

Meal Prep with Ina Garten’s French Potato Salad

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover potato salad to an airtight container, sealing tightly to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Refrigerate Quickly: Chill the potato salad within two hours of preparation, keeping it in the coldest part of your refrigerator for optimal taste and safety.
• Enjoy Within Days: Consume the salad within 3-4 days for the best texture and flavor, noting that herbs may lose their vibrant appearance over time.
• Revive Before Serving: Gently stir the chilled salad and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore its delicious flavors and soft texture.

Elegant French Potato Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

French potato salad from Ina Garten celebrates Mediterranean flavors with herbed potatoes dressed in a light vinaigrette. Crisp herbs and tangy dressing create a refreshing side dish that delights palates at summer gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) small white boiling potatoes
• 1 lb (454 g) small red boiling potatoes
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) champagne vinegar
• 10 tbsps (150 ml) good olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) dry white wine
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) chicken stock
• ¼ cup (60 ml) minced scallions (white and green parts)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) minced fresh dill
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) minced flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) julienned fresh basil leaves
• 2 tsp (10 g) kosher salt
• ¾ tsp (3.75 g) freshly ground black pepper
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) Dijon mustard

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Immerse whole potatoes in heavily salted water, simmering until fork-tender yet structurally sound. Drain and cocoon in a clean towel, allowing residual heat to equalize moisture for 10 minutes.
2. Flavor Infusion: Slice potatoes into rustic chunks, then baptize with white wine and chicken stock. Allow potatoes to absorb these aromatic liquids, creating a flavor foundation that elevates the entire dish.
3. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk together vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Stream extra virgin olive oil slowly, transforming the mixture into a glossy, harmonious emulsion that will coat the potatoes magnificently.
4. Herbal Integration: Pour vinaigrette over wine-kissed potatoes. Introduce a verdant medley of scallions, dill, parsley, and basil. Gently fold to distribute herbs and seasonings without fragmenting the delicate potato pieces, ensuring each bite captures the essence of French countryside cuisine.
5. Serving Recommendation: Serve at room temperature or slightly warm, allowing the nuanced flavors to shine and showcase the salad’s sophisticated, herbaceous character.

Notes

• Maximize Potato Texture: Cook potatoes just until tender to prevent mushiness, ensuring they hold their shape when absorbing wine and stock.
• Wine Selection Matters: Choose a crisp, dry white wine that complements the potato’s mild flavor and enhances overall dish complexity.
• Herb Freshness is Key: Use freshly chopped herbs at room temperature to release maximum flavor and aromatic oils into the salad.
• Dressing Technique: Whisk vinaigrette slowly and consistently to create a smooth emulsion that coats potatoes evenly without breaking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 275
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 366 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg