Hearty Herbed Potato Salad Recipe: Ina Garten’s Garden Gem

On a sun-drenched summer afternoon, this Ina Garten herbed potato salad recipe bursts with fresh flavors that dance across your palate.

Crisp herbs and tender potatoes combine in a delightful medley that sings of garden-fresh goodness.

Every forkful promises a creamy, zesty experience that goes beyond ordinary side dishes.

The recipe captures the essence of simple, elegant cooking with minimal ingredients and maximum taste.

Potatoes get dressed up with vibrant herbs and a tangy dressing that makes mouths water.

Each bite tells a story of culinary comfort and bright, clean flavors.

This salad will be the star of your next picnic or backyard gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 6

The Ingredients Behind Ina Garten’s Herbed Potato Salad

• Red Potatoes: Waxy variety that holds shape perfectly, select firm potatoes without bruises or green spots.
• Kosher Salt: Helps enhance potato flavor and seasons cooking water intensely.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, sharp undertone to complement herbal notes.

• White Wine: Provides bright, acidic background that tenderizes and adds complexity.
• Chicken Stock: Creates deeper savory undertone, enriches overall flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Adds zesty freshness and helps balance rich ingredients.
• Dijon Mustard: Creates smooth emulsion and contributes tangy depth.
• Olive Oil: Binds ingredients together, provides silky texture and rich mouthfeel.

• Garlic: Introduces pungent, earthy base note that elevates entire dish.
• Red Onion: Offers sharp, crisp texture and vibrant color contrast.
• Tarragon: Delivers subtle anise-like flavor with delicate herbal essence.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, clean finish and verdant visual appeal.

Tools to Get Those Potatoes Just Right

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling potatoes evenly and creating the base of the dish.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the flavorful dressing without mess.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing potatoes and chopping fresh herbs.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for cutting potatoes into clean, uniform quarters or halves.
• Whisk: Great for creating a smooth, well-blended dressing that emulsifies perfectly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Ideal for tossing potatoes with dressing and herbs, ensuring even coating.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps precisely measure salt, pepper, and other seasonings.

Instructions for a Light, Herb-Infused Potato Salad

• Potato Preparation

Boil whole potatoes in salted water until they’re just tender. Remove from heat and let them rest under a towel, allowing steam to complete the cooking process.

• Flavor Foundation

Create a zesty liquid dressing by blending white wine, stock, lemon juice, crushed garlic, and tangy mustard. Slowly incorporate olive oil to develop a smooth, rich consistency.

• Cutting and Mixing

Slice cooled potatoes into rustic chunks. Transfer to a spacious mixing bowl and drizzle with the prepared dressing.

• Herb Infusion

Gently fold in fresh chopped onions and vibrant green herbs like tarragon and parsley. Season with additional salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.

• Resting and Serving

Allow the salad to marinate in the refrigerator, letting the flavors meld and intensify. Enjoy chilled or at ambient temperature as a delightful side dish perfect for gatherings or casual meals.

Variations: Dijon, Dill, or Creamy Tweaks

• Expert Tips & Twists
• Choose waxy potato varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes that hold their shape beautifully during cooking and won't turn mushy.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like chives, dill, or basil to create unique flavor profiles that match your personal taste or meal theme.
• Let the potatoes cool slightly before adding dressing to prevent absorption and maintain ideal texture, ensuring each bite remains distinct and flavorful.
• Prepare this potato salad one day in advance to allow herbs and dressing to deeply penetrate the potatoes, intensifying the overall taste experience.
• Swap chicken stock with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, or use Greek yogurt instead of olive oil to reduce calories while maintaining creamy consistency.

Serving This Potato Side for Picnics or Brunch

• Serve with Grilled Protein: Pair this herbed potato salad alongside juicy grilled chicken, succulent salmon, or tender steak for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Picnic Perfect Companion: Pack this tangy potato salad in a cooler for outdoor gatherings, barbecues, or summer potlucks where fresh, flavorful sides shine.
• Create a Mediterranean Spread: Complement the salad with olives, feta cheese, sliced cucumbers, and crusty bread to transform your meal into a delightful Mediterranean-inspired feast.
• Elevate Weeknight Dinners: Use this versatile side dish to add excitement and vibrant herb flavors to simple weeknight meals, instantly upgrading your dinner plate.

Chill, Cover, and Store the Ina Way

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store herbed potato salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping it chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Make this salad a day before serving to enhance flavor development, allowing herbs and dressing to fully infuse the potatoes.
• Prevent Soggy Texture: Keep dressing separate from potatoes until just before serving to maintain the salad's optimal crispness and prevent waterlogging.
• Revive Leftovers: Gently stir the salad and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore its vibrant taste and smooth consistency.

Tangy Ina Garten Herbed Potato Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s herbed potato salad delivers creamy, tangy comfort with fresh herbs and classic dressing. Garden-fresh ingredients create a delightful side dish that brings people together around summer tables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) small white boiling potatoes
• ⅔ cup (158 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) fresh tarragon, chopped
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup (40 g) red onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) dry white wine
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) chicken stock
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Immerse whole potatoes in salted cold water, bringing to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until tender yet firm.
2. Drying and Cooling: Drain potatoes and let steam-dry under a kitchen towel for 15-20 minutes, concentrating their natural flavors and texture.
3. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk together white wine, chicken stock, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper, then gradually incorporate olive oil to create a smooth, emulsified dressing.
4. Potato Cutting and Mixing: Slice cooled potatoes into rustic quarters, transfer to a large bowl, and drench with the prepared vinaigrette, ensuring even coating.
5. Herb Integration: Fold in finely chopped red onion, fresh tarragon, and parsley, gently mixing to distribute herbs and dressing thoroughly.
6. Flavor Melding: Adjust seasoning to taste, cover, and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow ingredients to harmonize, then serve chilled or at room temperature as a sophisticated side dish.

Notes

• Potato Texture Tip: Steam-dry potatoes after boiling to remove excess moisture, creating a more concentrated and robust potato flavor that enhances the overall salad texture.
• Vinaigrette Emulsion Technique: Whisk olive oil slowly into the liquid mixture to create a smooth, well-blended dressing that coats potatoes evenly and locks in maximum flavor.
• Flavor Marination Hack: Refrigerate the salad for 2-3 hours before serving to allow herbs and vinaigrette to deeply penetrate the potatoes, intensifying the taste profile.
• Herb Freshness Secret: Chop herbs just before mixing to preserve their vibrant color, aromatic oils, and maximum nutritional value for a more dynamic and fresh potato salad experience.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg