13 Traditional French Salads to Try

If the French people are known for anything, it is their fine cuisine and fresh ingredients! French salads are a staple. 

In French food culture, the salad is served after the entree and before dessert. That is why most salads are light, flavorful, and provide a healthy dose of vegetables. 

Below I will rank the top french salads based on their style, taste, ingredients, and difficulty level when making them at home. 

Nicoise Salad

Nicoise salad is a French classic that brings together a mix of bold and fresh flavors. With ingredients like tuna, hard-boiled eggs, green beans, tomatoes, and potatoes, each bite offers a mix of textures—from the crispness of the vegetables to the softness of the eggs and potatoes. The briny olives and light vinaigrette add a pleasant contrast that balances the richness of the tuna.

What sets this salad apart is how everything works together without feeling heavy. The seasoning is simple but effective, allowing the natural taste of each ingredient to shine. It’s filling, but still feels fresh.

Salade Landaise

Salade Landaise offers a rich, savory experience that stands out from lighter, more common salads. Built around tender slices of duck—often smoked or confit—it brings a meaty, satisfying element to the plate. The greens act as a fresh base, while ingredients like walnuts, corn, and sometimes foie gras add depth and contrast.

The taste is layered. The duck has a smooth, almost silky texture with a slightly salty edge. When paired with the crunch of nuts and the brightness of a mustard vinaigrette, the salad takes on a well-rounded flavor that’s both hearty and balanced.

Salade Lyonnaise

Salade Lyonnaise brings together simple ingredients in a way that feels anything but ordinary. At the heart of this dish are crisp frisée greens, warm bacon lardons, and a perfectly poached egg. The yolk, when broken, becomes part of the dressing, coating each bite in a rich, silky layer that ties the whole salad together.

The salty crunch of the bacon contrasts beautifully with the slight bitterness of the greens. A light vinaigrette adds sharpness without overwhelming the other flavors. The egg brings a delicate texture and richness that makes the salad both comforting and refined.

French Bistro Salad

The French Bistro Salad may appear simple at first glance, but its taste is anything but plain. Built on a base of fresh greens, the standout feature is the pickled eschalots. Their sweet and tangy flavor brings a welcome twist, giving the salad a brightness that cuts through heavier dishes with ease.

A classic vinaigrette—light, slightly acidic, and well-balanced—ties everything together without overpowering the delicate greens. The pickled eschalots provide just enough complexity to keep each bite interesting, with a gentle crunch and a pleasant hint of sweetness.

French Mixed Endive Salad with Apple, Cheese, and Walnuts

This French salad pairs crisp endive leaves with slices of apple, chunks of cheese, and toasted walnuts to create a contrast of flavors and textures. The endive adds a slightly bitter bite, which balances well with the natural sweetness of the apple. The crunch from both the apples and walnuts gives the salad a satisfying feel with every mouthful.

The cheese—often a creamy blue or goat variety—adds a smooth richness that complements the sharper notes of the endive. A light vinaigrette ties it all together, enhancing the natural flavors without taking over.

French Carrot Salad

French Carrot Salad may be simple, but the flavor it delivers is unexpectedly bright and satisfying. Finely grated carrots are tossed with a light vinaigrette, allowing the natural sweetness of the carrots to shine while being balanced by the tang of mustard and lemon. It’s crisp, refreshing, and full of life in every bite.

The dressing is what truly brings this salad to life. It’s light, sharp, and just slightly creamy, clinging to the carrots in a way that builds flavor with each forkful. A touch of parsley adds a fresh herbal note without overpowering the mix.

French Chopped Salad

French Chopped Salad puts a fresh spin on the traditional chopped salad format. Instead of the usual mix, it brings together tender fingerling potatoes, crisp green beans, tomatoes, and other seasonal vegetables for a more hearty and flavorful result. Each bite is a balance of texture—soft, crunchy, and crisp all at once.

The star of this salad is the dressing. A simple combination of vinegar, oil, honey, tarragon, salt, and pepper transforms the dish. It adds just the right amount of tang and sweetness, highlighting the earthiness of the vegetables without masking their natural taste.

French Green Salad

The French Green Salad is crisp, simple, and full of freshness. Built with a generous mix of leafy greens, it serves as a light but flavorful addition to any meal. What gives this salad its character is the homemade dressing—made with chives, tarragon, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce.

The greens take on the flavors of the dressing beautifully, staying crisp while carrying hints of sharpness from the vinegar and a soft herbal note from the tarragon. The dressing has a smooth texture that coats each leaf without making the salad feel heavy.

French Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

This French Lentil Salad is hearty and full of flavor, making it a satisfying choice when you want something more substantial. The lentils are cooked until just tender, giving the salad a soft yet slightly firm bite. Their earthy taste pairs well with the creamy goat cheese and the crunch of toasted walnuts.

The dressing brings it all together. Made with vinegar, mustard, and olive oil, it adds a bold tang that cuts through the richness of the cheese and complements the nuttiness of the lentils. It seeps into each ingredient without overwhelming the natural flavors.

French Country Salad

The French Country Salad celebrates the fresh flavors of spring, with asparagus as the star ingredient. In-season during late winter and early spring, the asparagus brings a tender crispness that pairs beautifully with other seasonal vegetables. The light lemon vinaigrette adds a sharp, zesty contrast, enhancing the natural sweetness of the asparagus.

The addition of roasted beets provides an earthy depth, while nuts bring a satisfying crunch. The creamy goat cheese ties everything together, offering a rich yet delicate balance to the fresh vegetables.

French Potato Salad

French Potato Salad offers a refreshing twist on the classic, with no mayonnaise to weigh it down. The potatoes are tender yet firm, absorbing the tangy dressing made with mustard and vinegar. This gives the salad a sharp, clean flavor that stands out from the typical creamy versions.

The addition of dill and pickled shallots brings a pleasant brightness, cutting through the richness of the potatoes. The shallots add a tangy crunch, while the dill provides a subtle herbal note that elevates the dish.

Frisee Salad

Frisee Salad is the epitome of French comfort food, offering a blend of rich, bold flavors. The crispy frisée greens are the perfect base, providing a light bitterness that balances the richness of the other ingredients. The star of the dish is the bacon fat dressing, which adds a smoky, savory depth that coats the greens beautifully.

Crispy bacon croutons bring an extra crunch, complementing the delicate texture of the greens. A poached egg on top adds creaminess, with the runny yolk mixing seamlessly with the dressing for a luscious, velvety finish.

French Onion Steak Salad

The French Onion Steak Salad may sound like a heavy dish, but it offers a surprisingly light yet flavorful experience. The tender cuts of steak provide a satisfying protein element, while the caramelized onions bring a rich sweetness that complements the savory beef perfectly. This is a salad that’s hearty without feeling overwhelming.

If you’re a fan of French onion soup, this salad will be a delightful twist. The deep, caramelized flavor of the onions infuses the dish, giving it a comforting, almost nostalgic taste.

Which is Your Favorite?

Try these classic French salad recipes yourself and tell us which is your favorite!

Check out other French cuisine on our blog, from French snacks to famous French pastries.