Classic French Salad Recipes

Whether you’re seeking a healthy, well-rounded meal or a delectable dish to share at a potluck, a timeless French salad never fails to impress. From the nourishing French-style Potato Salad to some iconic French bistro fares like the Parisian Salad or the Lyonnaise Salad, the French repertoire boasts an incredible array of regional and classic salad recipes.

Some French salads, like the Piemontaise, with a mix of vegetables, protein and potatoes are an entire meal on their own. Some others like Carottes Rapées, are a great side dish to serve at barbecues or alongside a quiche. 

Here is a roundup of my favorite French salads from the blog. These are sure to please your family and guests this season. Let me know in the comments if you’ve made one (or several) of them, and which one is your favorite. Enjoy, and bon appétit !

French-style Potato and Green Bean Salad

With crisp greens and tender potatoes, this French-Style Potato and Green Bean Salad is a satisfying yet light salad that yields bold Mediterranean flavors. As per French tradition, it is not tossed in mayo, but instead a delicious, zippy French-style vinaigrette spiked with briny olives, capers and fresh herbs. It’s a great side dish for gatherings or potlucks. Add hard-boiled eggs on top to make it the perfect warm-weather lunch!

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Classic Parisian Salad (Salade Parisienne)

A typical salad served in French bistros, the Salade Parisienne features salad greens topped with potatoes, cubed cheese, sliced mushrooms, ham slices and hard-boiled eggs – all bathed in a tangy French vinaigrette. This is a fresh yet satisfying salad that acts as a whole meal to itself, to enjoy as a lighter lunch or dinner.

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French Grated Carrot Salad (Carottes Rapées)

Known as “Carottes Rapées”, this French Grated Carrot Salad is ubiquitous in all French regions. This standard bistro fare is essentially a salad of grated carrots with herbs, a simple dressing and a heavy sprinkle of raisins and nuts for added crunch, chew and flavor. This salad is crunchy, tangy, refreshing and a healthy pop of color for any table.

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Piemontaise Potato Salad

While its name sounds Italian, Piemontaise Salad is in fact a very iconic French bistro fare. This potato salad features tangy cornichons, parisian ham, Gruyère cheese, eggs and tomatoes all tossed in a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing.

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Classic French Lentil Salad

If you enjoy fresh and wholesome salads, this is a great one for your repertoire. This Classic French Lentil Salad is made using earthy, healthy Puy lentils, carrots, shallots and herbs drizzled with a quick zippy Dijon vinaigrette. It is affordable, simple to make and very satisfying. A great side dish for hosting, or as a make-ahead recipe for meals on-the-go.

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Classic French Celery Root Remoulade

Ubiquitous in France, this Classic French Celery Root Remoulade features raw celery root sticks tossed in a creamy mayonnaise and Dijon dressing with bits of tangy cornichons.

It is a very popular salad in France, often served as a starter in school cantines, in bistros and sold in plastic-sealed containers in grocery stores or at the local butcher – often alongside the equally beloved “Carottes Rapées”.

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Frisée Salad with Bacon, Eggs and Croutons (Salade Lyonnaise)

This Frisée Salad with Bacon, Egg and Croutons, also known as a “Salade Lyonnaise” is a bistro classic from the city of Lyon, in southern France, renowned as being the gastronomic capital of the country. As a representative of its origin city’s cuisine, this simple recipe relies on everyday ingredients—leafy greens, bacon, bread, and eggs—thoughtfully combined to create a timeless dish.

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Classic French Style Potato Salad

No mayo, fresh herbs and zippy add-ons are what make a Classic French-Style Potato Salad a Summer favorite! In comparison to its American counterpart, almost always thickly dressed with mayonnaise, the French-style potato salad relies on a lively vinaigrette dressing to create a more elegant and lighter version of this staple.

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French-style Couscous Salad (Taboulé)

If you’ve ever gone grocery shopping in France and stumbled on our French  “Taboulé”, you may have raised an eyebrow… Yes, what the French call “Taboulé” is more of a loose-adaptation from the authentic Levantine “Tabbouleh” made of bulgur and a bounty of herbs – but trust me, it’s just as delicious.  

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Cucumber Salad with Crème fraiche

“Concombre à la Crème” is an easy-breezy recipe that you can often find on French tables during Summer time. This delicious chilled salad features crunchy cucumber, tangy shallots and herbs all tossed together in – you guessed it – smooth crème fraiche.

This is a quick and easy recipe to have on hand as it’s so refreshing and the perfect accompaniment to your grilled meats, fish or to pack up for a sunny picnic or potluck.

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Tomato Bread Salad with fresh herbs

Inspired by the Mediterranean tradition of bread and tomato salads, this Heirloom Tomato Bread Salad is made of perfectly ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, a tangy vinaigrette, and crunchy bread croutons. It is both refreshing and satisfying, with a great mix of soft and crunchy textures. An easy salad best made when tomatoes are in season.

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Provençal Chickpea Salad

This Provençal Chickpea Salad is traditionally made for Palm Sunday – the Sunday before Easter. It’s quick and simple, budget-friendly, made with pantry staples, and oozes salty flavors with the addition of anchovies and black olives, and a nice crunch from the celery. 

Because of the protein from the chickpeas, it’s nutritious enough to be a meal on its own. But really, it can also double as a the perfect side or starter to any Spring or Summer table. 

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If you try any of these French Salad recipes, let us know! Leave a comment, rate them, and don’t forget to tag a photo @pardonyourfrench on Instagram. Bon appétit !