France By Food Enthusiasts · 6 min read

National Dish France: Salade Piémontaise (Recipe)

Creamy salade piémontaise with diced potatoes, green beans and chives

In this article

Meet Salade Piémontaise, a creamy French potato salad that turns a handful of humble ingredients into something genuinely moreish. Tender potatoes, crisp green beans and tangy gherkins are folded through a velvety mayonnaise and finished with a flurry of fresh herbs. Whether you serve it as a starter or a side, this is the kind of dish that disappears fast at the table — a little taste of French summer eating, wherever you happen to be.

About Salade Piémontaise

Salade Piémontaise is a delicious twist on the classic potato salad that traces its roots to the Piedmont region of Italy but has since become a firm favourite right across France. It is at once hearty and satisfying, built around a lovely combination of tender potatoes, crisp vegetables and a creamy mayonnaise dressing. A scattering of fresh herbs lends it a distinctive flavour that makes every forkful a pleasure. The salad is especially popular as a starter, or as a side served alongside all manner of main courses.

Ingredients (serves 1–2)

400 g waxy potatoes
100 g green beans
1 small onion
2–3 gherkins (cornichons)
150 g mayonnaise
1–2 tablespoons fresh chives
Salt and pepper, to taste

Shopping for the ingredients

When shopping for salade piémontaise, it is well worth choosing the freshest ingredients you can find, as this is what gives the salad its best flavour. Pick potatoes that feel firm and are free of bruises or soft spots. The green beans should be crisp and a bright, vivid green, while the gherkins are best taken from a jar to bring a pleasant tang to the dish. The mayonnaise can be homemade or shop-bought, though using a good-quality one makes a noticeable difference to the final taste.

Preparing the dish

A little preparation is the key to a successful salad. Begin by peeling and boiling the potatoes until they are soft but still holding their shape. While they cook, the green beans can be boiled until just tender, and the onion and gherkins cut into small dice. It helps to prepare everything so the pieces are roughly even in size — that way they fold evenly through the mayonnaise and you get a harmonious balance of flavour in every bite.

Step-by-step instructions

Drain the cooked potatoes and let them cool, then cut them into cubes.
Drain the green beans, cut them into small pieces and combine with the potatoes.
Add the diced onion and gherkins to the bowl.
Spoon in the mayonnaise and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
Season with salt, pepper and fresh chives, then chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Gluten-free / lactose-free version

If you would like to prepare salade piémontaise as a gluten-free and lactose-free dish, a few simple swaps are all it takes. The classic mayonnaise can be replaced with a gluten-free and lactose-free version, which is now widely available in supermarkets. Take care to read labels closely to avoid any cross-contamination. Otherwise, follow exactly the same steps as before so you can still enjoy the authentic flavour of this French classic.

Tips for vegans and vegetarians

The salad is naturally vegetarian, and it adapts easily for vegans too. In place of regular mayonnaise, reach for a plant-based alternative made from vegetable oils and nuts. Choosing fresh, organic produce wherever possible makes the dish even healthier and more vibrant. It is also a lovely idea to stir in extra vegetables such as peppers or carrots, both for added colour and to boost the nutritional value.

More tips and tricks

To make your salade piémontaise even tastier, feel free to experiment with different herbs. Alongside chives, parsley or basil both work beautifully and bring a fresh note to the dish. A little lemon juice or a spoonful of mustard stirred into the mayonnaise adds another dimension of flavour, much as it does in a sharp Sauce Ravigote. Let your creativity run free until you hit on the perfect blend for your palate.

Adapting the recipe to your taste

Tailoring salade piémontaise to your own preferences is easy and good fun. If you like a bit more crunch, add peppers or a scattering of toasted nuts. For a spicier note, a dash of Tabasco or a splash of seasoned vinegar does the trick nicely. There are countless ways to make the salad your own, so don’t be afraid to play around until it suits you exactly.

Ingredient substitutions

If you don’t have every ingredient to hand, alternatives are easy to find. Instead of green beans, you could use peas, which add a similar splash of colour and texture and recall the Haricots Verts Amandine that share their season. If gherkins aren’t to your taste, try freshly chopped tomatoes or aubergines in their place. Small changes like these can transform the salad and open up whole new flavour combinations.

Drink pairing ideas

To round off the meal, a number of drinks pair wonderfully with salade piémontaise. A lively white wine or a dry rosé harmonises beautifully with the flavours of the salad. For anyone who would rather skip the alcohol, a cool homemade iced tea or a refreshing sparkling water with lemon is the perfect match. Simply choose whichever drink best suits your taste.

Serving and presentation ideas

An attractive presentation can lift the whole salade piémontaise experience. Serve the salad in a pretty bowl or on a large, deep plate, garnished with extra herbs or a fine ribbon of olive oil. Colourful vegetables make a lovely finishing touch for the eye, too. A generous forkful is a treat for the palate, while a beautiful spread draws everyone straight to the table.

A bit of history

Salade piémontaise has an interesting history, one closely bound up with both French and Italian cooking. It originally came from the Piedmont region and was quickly taken up into the French repertoire. The dish reflects the philosophy of French gastronomy — celebrating simplicity and the quality of good ingredients. With its much-loved combination of everyday components, it has won countless hearts over the years and today turns up in homes and restaurants alike, sitting comfortably within the wider world of French cuisine.

More recipe ideas

Summary: Salade Piémontaise

Salade piémontaise is a timeless dish that manages to be both simple and refined. It brings together fresh, wholesome ingredients that shine whether served as a starter or a side. With the right preparation and a thoughtful presentation, this salad can become the highlight of any meal. Let its variety of flavours win you over, and enjoy a touch of the French way of life right in your own kitchen.