Salade Piémontaise (French Potato Salad with Ham, Egg and Gherkins)
The French deli counter classic: warm potatoes dressed in vinaigrette, then folded with mayonnaise, ham, egg, tomato and gherkins.
Made with Basic vinaigrette and Homemade mayonnaise. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.32 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Boil the potatoes in salted water for 20 minutes until tender. Boil the eggs in a separate pan for 9 minutes.
20 min - 2
Drain the potatoes and cut into 1.5 cm cubes while warm. Cool the eggs in cold water, peel and chop.
- 3
Toss the warm potatoes with your ready made basic vinaigrette (see the base recipe) and leave to cool for 15 minutes so they absorb it.
15 min - 4
Add the ham, tomatoes, gherkins, shallots and eggs to the cooled potatoes.
- 5
Fold in your ready made homemade mayonnaise (see the base recipe) and parsley gently, so the potatoes keep their shape.
- 6
Taste, season with salt and pepper, and chill for 30 minutes before serving.
30 min
Tips
- Dress potatoes with vinaigrette while warm, then add mayonnaise once cool. This stops the mayonnaise turning oily.
- Deseed the tomatoes so the salad does not go watery.
- Leave out the ham and add extra egg for a vegetarian version.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 2 days in a covered box in the fridge, because it contains mayonnaise and egg. Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours. Not suitable for freezing.
Questions
Why is it called piémontaise?
The name refers to the Piedmont region of Italy, but the salad is a French creation sold in charcuteries and delis across France.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, up to 24 hours ahead. Stir before serving and add a squeeze of lemon if it seems flat after chilling.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, when you use gluten free ham, gherkins and mustard. It is also dairy free and nut free.
More made with basic vinaigrette
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Rolls with Crunchy Slaw
DFEFNFInsalata di Riso (Italian Rice Salad with Tuna and Vegetables)
GFDFEFSalade de Lentilles Tièdes (Warm Puy Lentil Salad with Goat's Cheese)
GFEFNFInsalata di Fagiolini e Patate (Ligurian Green Bean and Potato Salad)
GFDFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.