13 Traditional French Salads to Try

You may have heard of a Nicoise salad before. It is a popular salad because of its hearty ingredients.

It is essentially the French equivalent of an American cobb salad. I like this salad because it is nutrient dense and versatile. 

Fun fact: the name comes from the olives used in the salad! Enjoy it with white wine on a summer’s day. 

This salad’s namesake is the French coastal region in the southwest, Les Landes.

It is a delicious but unique salad because its main component is duck. The Les Landes region is famous for its ducks, so it makes sense that it is the star of the salad!

I like this salad for its uniqueness and its flavor profile. 

The Salade Lyonnaise is named after the French city of Lyon.

Many people say Lyon was the gastronomic capital of France, though that is debatable. What is not debatable is the fact that this salad is unbeatable!

It is difficult to learn, but once you do, you will be wowing your guests for years! The poached egg completes the dish.

A French bistro salad is a classic dish you will find in many bistros across the country.

The standout ingredients are the pickled eschalots which are sweet and tangy, so you get an unexpected flavor profile in the otherwise simplistic salad.

Enjoy this salad with a rich, traditional French meal like Coq au Vin!

Apple, cheese, and walnuts are popular salad topping combinations in many places.

The French version of these toppings includes endives instead of the greenery you are used to seeing in a salad.

However, the endive is a leafy vegetable, despite its appearance! 

Carrot salads are easy to whip up, but the key to a delicious carrot salad lies in the dressing.

I like this recipe because you can prepare it in advance, and it will keep for a couple of days in the fridge.

The longer it sits, the more the carrots and dressing flavors blend!

Chopped salads are a staple in many cuisines and meal plans.

The French twist on a chopped salad incorporates traditional vegetables like fingerling potatoes and green beans, which might seem unusual, but it is tasty! 

The homemade vinaigrette included in the recipe is easy to make and to die for. Mix vinegar, oil, honey, tarragon, salt, and pepper to create the perfect dressing!

This French green salad is classic and fresh, often served with French cuisine.

It requires loads of greens and a homemade dressing of chives, tarragon, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and Worcestershire sauce.

Top it with French brie, and you have a classic French green salad!  

If you are looking for a filling French salad, this lentil salad with goat cheese and walnuts are perfect.

The key to this salad is expertly preparing the lentils and the homemade dressing, which has a vinegar and mustard base.

Toss with the goat cheese crumbles and walnuts to finish! 

French country salad relies on asparagus, so it is the perfect salad during the late winter and spring months when asparagus is in season.

Toss it with a lemon vinaigrette to compliment the greens, and serve with beets, nuts, and goat cheese. 

Potatoes are staples in many types of cuisine. In French cuisine, they are useful in appetizers, entrees, and post-dinner salads. 

This take on a potato salad includes the usual ingredients like potatoes and mustard, but its omission of mayo and the addition of dill and pickled shallots create a wonderfully tangy potato salad!

I prefer potato salad without mayo, so this is one of my favorite recipes. 

If you are looking for an authentic French salad, a frisee will tickle your fancy. It features bacon fat dressing, bacon croutons, and a poached egg atop a bed of greens.

What sounds more French than that? Be sure to let the dressing cool before pouring it over the greens, so they do not wilt!

French onion steak salad sounds hefty, but the light cuts of meat and caramelized onions keep it light.

If you like French onion soup, you will likely enjoy this meal! It is a bit of a time-consuming salad, but well worth it for the flavor to pay off!