Red Potato Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette Recipe | Healthy No-Mayo Potato Salad
The Best Red Potato Salad for Summer Cookouts, Picnics & Fourth of July
Looking for the perfect Red Potato Salad Recipe? This classic French-style Red Potato Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette is a fresh, flavorful alternative to traditional mayonnaise potato salad. Made with tender red potatoes, Dijon mustard, sherry vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and fresh tarragon, it's a light, healthy side dish that's perfect for Fourth of July celebrations, Memorial Day, Labor Day, backyard barbecues, picnics, potlucks, and family dinners.
Unlike heavy mayonnaise-based potato salads, this elegant vinaigrette allows the natural flavor of the potatoes to shine. When the potatoes are cooked the Waterless Way in Health Craft Waterless Cookware, they retain more of their natural flavor, texture, vitamins, and minerals while absorbing every drop of the delicious tarragon vinaigrette.
Whether you're serving grilled steaks, burgers, chicken, seafood, or vegetables, this potato salad is guaranteed to become one of your favorite summer side dishes.
The French Tradition of Potato Salad
Long before mayonnaise became the standard dressing for potato salad in America, French cooks prepared warm potatoes with simple vinaigrettes made from olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and fresh herbs. This lighter style of potato salad remains popular throughout France because it highlights the natural flavor of fresh potatoes instead of masking them.
Fresh tarragon gives this classic recipe its distinctive aroma and delicate hint of anise, while Dijon mustard and sherry vinegar create a bright, balanced vinaigrette that complements every bite.
Waterless Red Potato Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette
Preparation Time: 2 Hours
Serves: 8
Equipment
- Health Craft 3-Quart Waterless Saucepan
- French Chef's Knife
- Cutting Board
- 2-Quart Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 10 medium red potatoes
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 bunch fresh tarragon, chiffonade
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 hard-cooked eggs, quartered
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
Directions
Cook the Potatoes
- Scrub the red potatoes thoroughly with a vegetable brush.
- Place the potatoes in the Health Craft 3-Quart Saucepan.
- Cook waterless for approximately 30 minutes, or until fork tender.
- Remove from the pan and cool uncovered.
- Cut into bite-sized cubes and refrigerate for about 1 hour until completely chilled.
Make the Tarragon Vinaigrette
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, garlic, celery seed, and sherry vinegar.
- Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking constantly until a smooth emulsion forms.
- Stir in the fresh tarragon and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Finish the Salad
Gently toss the chilled potatoes with the vinaigrette until evenly coated. Garnish with chopped green onions and quartered hard-cooked eggs.
Serve chilled or at cool room temperature.
Why Cook Potatoes the Waterless Way?
Traditional boiling causes potatoes to absorb excess water, which can dilute flavor and produce a softer texture. Waterless cooking allows potatoes to cook in their own natural moisture, helping preserve their flavor, texture, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
The firmer texture produced by waterless cooking makes the potatoes ideal for vinaigrette-based salads because they absorb the dressing beautifully while maintaining their shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this potato salad ahead of time?
Yes. It's even better after chilling for several hours, allowing the potatoes to absorb the tarragon vinaigrette.
Can I substitute Yukon Gold potatoes?
Yes. Yukon Gold potatoes work well, although red potatoes hold their shape better and create the traditional texture for this recipe.
Is this healthier than mayonnaise potato salad?
Yes. The olive oil vinaigrette is lighter than mayonnaise while delivering fresh, vibrant flavor and heart-healthy fats.
Why use Health Craft Waterless Cookware?
Health Craft Waterless Cookware helps preserve the potatoes' natural flavor, texture, vitamins, and minerals while preventing them from becoming waterlogged, creating a better potato salad every time.
Enjoy one of the freshest, healthiest potato salads you'll ever serve—a classic French favorite made even better with Health Craft Waterless Cooking.
Download it here: