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French Potato Salad

French potato salad with white wine vinaigrette—tender fingerling potatoes sliced warm and dressed for a light, elegant side. Marinate for 1 hour so the Dijon-shallot vinaigrette clings, then finish with fresh herbs.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: French
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

fingerling potatoes
  • 3 lb fingerling potatoes
white wine vinaigrette
  • 0.25 cup dry white wine
  • 0.25 cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 0.25 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.25 tsp pepper to taste
fresh herbs
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Boil and slice the potatoes
  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the fingerling potatoes and cook until tender, about 20 minutes at a steady boil with visible bubbling. Drain the potatoes and slice them while warm so the starch helps the vinaigrette cling.
Make the white wine vinaigrette
  1. Whisk together the dry white wine, olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced shallots, salt, and pepper until smooth and glossy. Keep whisking until the mixture looks evenly emulsified.
Dress and marinate
  1. Pour the vinaigrette over the warm sliced potatoes and toss gently so the potatoes are evenly coated without breaking. Let the dressed potatoes stand at room temperature for 1 hour to marinate.
Finish and serve
  1. Add the chopped parsley and chopped tarragon, then toss briefly to distribute the herbs. Serve at room temperature so the salad tastes balanced and light.

Notes

Pro tip: Slice the potatoes while warm and toss immediately with the vinaigrette—this is what gives the salad its classic glossy coating. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving. Freezing isn’t recommended because potatoes and herbs can lose texture. For a lighter option, use part-skim Dijon-style mustard and keep the olive oil to the minimum stated.