Potato Salad with Arugula and Dijon Vinaigrette
Ready for a barbecue!
I like using red potatoes for this salad -- they're so cheerful!
The color of this red onion was amazing -- almost neon.
I chopped it roughly and then soaked it in cold water to remove some of the sting.
Meanwhile, time to cook the potatoes. If they're small, you can cut them in half -- otherwise, cut them in quarters.
Giving the arugula a quick chop.
The dressing is really simple: basically just red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, olive oil.
And plenty of salt and pepper.
Chives are great in this salad, but other herbs, like parsley or marjoram, would work nicely too.
The potatoes should be just tender -- be careful not to overcook them, or they'll start to get mushy.
Key step: tossing the still-warm potatoes with a little rice vinegar. It brightens the whole salad.
And, again, some salt and pepper.
While the potatoes are still warm, you toss them with the arugula and onions.
Vinaigrette to taste.
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Author Notes: About ten years ago, I came across a recipe for a grilled potato salad in an issue of Cooks Illustrated. I was intrigued by the grilling technique, and it was the first time I'd made a potato salad with vinaigrette instead of mayonnaise, which was a revelation. The other thing I loved about the recipe was this clever technique: the just-grilled potatoes are tossed first with a little rice vinegar, which absorbs quickly into the warm potatoes, and then with a couple of handfuls of arugula, which wilts gently under their heat.
Over the years, I’ve adapted the recipe, using red wine vinegar for the vinaigrette instead of more rice vinegar, leaving out the yellow pepper, substituting red onion for the original shallot, and eventually forgoing the grill. For me, the fresh, bold flavors in the salad are the reason for its success, and I found that grilling the potatoes can distract from this. But by all means use the grill if you’d like -- just blanch the potatoes first, and then finish them on skewers on the grill for a few minutes. - merrill
Serves 6 to 8
- 1/2 small red onion, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 pounds new potatoes, scrubbed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
- 3 cups arugula, stems removed, washed and dried and very roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 5 tablespoons good olive oil
- Put the onion in a small bowl and cover with cold water (this will remove some of the bite). Put the potatoes in a large pot of generously salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Lower the heat so the water is barely simmering and cook for about 10 minutes, until you can pierce the potatoes with the tip of a sharp knife and it slips out easily. Drain the potatoes well and pour them into a large bowl.
- Gently toss the warm potatoes with the rice vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the chives, arugula and red onion and stir through.
- Whisk together the red wine vinegar, mustard and olive oil in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the potato mixture and toss to combine. Serve warm or keep covered at room temperature for up to an hour.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
Tags: picnic
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13 days ago Pably Wobbly
I've made a similar batch with dandelion greens and added some fresh garlic.
13 days ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
Yum!
14 days ago MMD
Have you ever tried hot French Potato Salad? Great with lots of herbs, and even cold.
13 days ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
Yes, one of my favorites...
22 days ago mlsparks
Made this last week, and I'm already thinking of making it again tonight. It is so delicious and easy, i made a slight variation and added some cooked pancetta, as I had it leftover in the fridge and needed an excuse to use it. Excellent recipe, THANK YOU!
29 days ago Judith Jones
Yummy
3 months ago Ambitious
I just made this yesterday and it was delicious! I despise raw onions but this was tolerable :)
11 months ago sbf-ct
Made this for July 4th family picnic (in a family of SERIOUSLY good Portuguese cooks).. it was a huge hit! Very nice fresh tasting take on potato salad! Thanks! I'm going to try it with fresh cilantro next time!
12 months ago Lollypaul
Loved this recipe! After first mixing it up and tasting it, I thought it was a little bland. About 1 1/2 hours later, when serving it, it had great taste. I think the arugula (my first time using it) really added to that peppery taste. I used cider vinegar instead of the red wine vinegar because of what I had on hand. Great 4th of July side dish to BBQ ribs! I will make it again!
about 1 year ago doodadie
I learned a recipe similar to this but it called for fresh mint and scallions instead of the arugula. Also yummy.
about 1 year ago stitchinfox
I thought I would share with you the changes I made to this recipe...my husband is not a fan of Arugula...and I forgot the chive...so I substituted spinach for the Arugula and green onion for the red and a stalk of celery for the chive and include as much of the celery leaves as I could. Oh my goodness best Potato Salad! My last batch I added a teaspoon of Agave Nectar to the dressing....That was a great addition too. Keep these good recipes coming!
over 1 year ago DeirdreMS
How can I make this ahead of time?
almost 2 years ago Dottie Rose
I was glad to see the addition of the rice vinegar. My mother always added vinegar to the warm, cut potatoes, but she also add a little oil. She then marinated the potatoes in the refrigerator for several hours, which increased the "zing" from the vinegar. It also means that when you add a dressing (either a vinaigrette or a mayonnaise based one), it takes less dressing to coat the potatoes and you end up with a lighter, less caloric, but very flavorful version.
almost 2 years ago Woodside
Enjoyed the addition of the arugula to a vinaigrette potato salad. I added a few capers and some chopped, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Seemed to work well.
almost 2 years ago KLL5
Thank you for sharing this great recipe! It is easy and delicious. I omitted chives (forgot to buy them) and it still had plenty of zing from the vinegar and arugula. This recipe gets an A+!
almost 2 years ago phyllis
I made this for a BBQ yesterday. I prepared it in the morning, and added the arugula at the last minute. Everyone loved it. Very easy and a good addition to my collection of non-mayo potato salads. Thanks, Merrill.
almost 2 years ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
You're very welcome!
almost 2 years ago Meredith {InSockMonkeySlippers}
I can't wait to make this for the Fourth! Thanks
almost 2 years ago Meredith {InSockMonkeySlippers}
Can't wait to make this for the 4th! Thanks for the recipe!
almost 2 years ago Burnt Offerings
Making this tomorrow to take to a picnic / concert!
almost 2 years ago Burnt Offerings
Made it, and am still enjoying it for lunch 4 days later! Definite winner. Nice twist on a traditional potato salad and the arugula really dresses it up.
almost 2 years ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
So glad you liked it. Happy 4th!
almost 2 years ago joan1028
This is a terrific potato salad recipe w/o the mayo.... loaded w/ arugula.... and served at room temp which makes it even better! Grands are requesting that mom "get this recipe from Nanna"!!
almost 2 years ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
Glad the whole family seemed to enjoy it!
almost 2 years ago jenna.gengler
I love this recipe! Really good summer potato salad for someone like me who is easily grossed out by ingredients like mayo and sour cream. Also feels healthier leaving that stuff out! This was delicious - I've enjoyed having arugula in leafy salads before, but had never thought of using it as a freshly chopped herb as this recipe basically calls to do.
I served it with my husband's fabulous grilled chicken (he used a sweet rub) with a simple cucumber tomato salad on the side. Everyone loved it!
almost 2 years ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
Sounds like a great combo!
about 2 years ago naomisachs
made this last night with some grilled chicken sausages - it was a fabulous simple summer meal!
about 2 years ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
So glad you liked it! Sounds like a great combo.