Updated: July 2, 2025 • Reading time ≈ 18 min.
1. Why go for a Piedmontese salad ?
Piedmontese salad is the star of barbecues and summer aperitifs, the fresh and peppy friend that really makes a statement on your table. 🍽️ Simple to prepare, ultra-delicious, it combines the sweetness of potatoes, the spiciness of pickles, the freshness of hard-boiled eggs, and the good humor of homemade mayonnaise.
Also practical for a quick meal break after a trip to the Air Fryer or to accompany the grilled food from your barbecue session .
It's also a classic made in France, straight from the Italian Piedmont, but adopted and customized in the French style. A cocktail of simplicity and conviviality to urgently add to your summer recipe book!
2. Ingredients & alternatives
2.1 The basic recipe
- 🥔 1 kg of firm potatoes, such as Charlotte or Roseval ( choose organic for taste and health )
- 🥚 6 organic hard-boiled eggs ( click for organic )
- 🥒 150g of pickles, cut into slices
- 🧅 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 🍅 2 very ripe round tomatoes (if the season is there)
- 🥄 Homemade or store-bought mayonnaise (light version, eh, we're staying cool)
- 🧂 Salt, pepper
- 🌿 Flat-leaf parsley or fresh chives
- 🧂 A pinch of fleur de sel for the finish ( very nice here )
2.2 Alternatives & substitutions
- No pickles? → capers will do just as well!
- Red onions missing? → sweet white onions or shallots.
- No homemade mayonnaise? → a yogurt sauce with mustard and lemon also works very well.
- Want a twist? → Add diced cured ham or sliced Granny Smith apples for a tangy twist.
potatoes
organic eggs
pickles
red onion
round tomatoes
mayonnaise
3. Calories and Nutrition
4. Step-by-step preparation
- 🥔 Cook the potatoes : Wash them well. Cook them for 20-25 minutes in a saucepan of salted water until tender (check with the tip of a knife). Drain and let cool.
- 🥚 Hard-boil the eggs : Plunge them into boiling water for 10 minutes, then run them under cold water. Peel and cut them into quarters or cubes.
- 🔪 Prepare the vegetables : slice the pickles into rounds, finely slice the red onion, cut the tomatoes into small cubes.
- 🔄 Assemble : In a large bowl, cut the potatoes into medium pieces (neither too small nor too large), add the eggs, pickles, onions, and tomatoes. Pour in the mayonnaise, season with salt and pepper, and stir in the chopped parsley or fresh chives.
- ❄️ Chill : Cover and let stand for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight so that the flavors blend perfectly.
- 🍽️ Serve chilled , adding a small pinch of fleur de sel when tasting.
5. Variations & personal tips
5.1. Vegan version
Swap eggs for marinated firm tofu cubes, and swap traditional mayonnaise for one made with silken tofu or aquafaba. Perfect for a green picnic!
5.2. Gourmet Piedmontese salad
Add diced country ham or small cubes of Emmental cheese for extra tenderness. A treat with fresh bread and a nice rosé.
5.3. The Provençal “twist”
Add a few capers, pitted black olives, or a drizzle of fruity olive oil. Bring a touch of the South to your salad!
6. Storage and batch cooking
This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days, covered tightly, otherwise the mayonnaise may lose its softness. It's useful if you want to prepare your lunch in advance for a picnic or a day at the office.
Tip: Prepare the ingredients separately (cooled potatoes, cooked eggs), then assemble at the last moment for guaranteed freshness.
7. What to serve it with?
- 🔥 Piedmontese salad is perfect as an accompaniment to summer grills, it's the star of barbecues ( see our barbecue selection ).
- 🍟 For a quick version, enjoy homemade fries or Air Fryer fries, it's awesome!
- 🥪 Fill a rustic sandwich with it for a change from the classic ham and butter sandwich.
- 🥗 Pair it with a light green salad with vinaigrette to keep a fresh balance.
8. Piedmontese salad FAQ
Can we prepare everything in advance?
Yes, but be careful to keep the mayonnaise fresh and cover the salad well so it doesn't dry out. Ideally, mix the potatoes and eggs with the mayonnaise at the last minute.
Why is my salad a little wet?
Remember to dry your potatoes and vegetables thoroughly before assembling. Excess water in the mayonnaise or ingredients will make the salad slightly watery.
Can homemade mayonnaise be substituted?
Of course, store-bought mayonnaise works, but homemade mayonnaise is still better and healthier. Alternatively, a yogurt sauce is a lighter alternative.
9. Chef tips & mistakes to avoid
- Classic mistake: cutting the potatoes too small, they don't mix well – they should be generously sized to retain their character.
- Tasty tip: add a touch of mustard to your mayonnaise for extra zing.
- Pro tip: Dress the salad with a drizzle of fruity olive oil to enhance the flavors.
- Mistake to avoid: mixing the salad too much at the last minute, this crushes the ingredients and spoils the appearance (and a little the taste).
10. Eco-friendly & smart budget
Use organic eggs and choose local potatoes to limit your carbon footprint. Pickles can also be homemade, or choose organic to avoid pesticides and unnecessary additives.
By keeping it simple with seasonal ingredients, you can prepare this salad for less than €2 per person, while promoting a healthy and local diet.
Recipe by Lou Chardin
Looking for another simple Italian recipe? Check out the one on the Journal des Femmes website for a change.
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