Take a virtual trip to the French countryside with this French Salad. Also learn a shortcut to making French salad dressing.
(Originally published 4/6/20 and updated for content 4/2/24)
If you like this recipe, check out my French Onion Chicken Soup next!
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
My salad is more copycat than classic French bistro salad. It contains many of the same ingredients as some French summer salads. But I first had this particular combination at The Cheesecake Factory many years ago. They called it a “French Country Salad” and have since discontinued it on the menu.
But no worries because now I can recreate this easy salad at home anytime and so can you! The combination of beets, air fryer asparagus, goat cheese, candied pecans and a shortcut French vinaigrette works really well together. Add some protein to this salad (like canned tuna or air fryer salmon) and it becomes a delicious light dinner.
More salad recipes
Ingredients for French Salad
- Crisp Greens – Use your favorite crisp greens for this salad: romaine, spring mix, endive salad, even baby spinach. You could also mix in some herbs like fresh tarragon or fresh chives. Or even add some fresh green onion too!
- Asparagus – The easiest way to cook asparagus for this salad is in the air fryer. You could also grill your asparagus.
- Beets – I use canned beats in this salad, drained.
- Pecans – You can toast plain pecans in your air fryer for this salad if you prefer. But I really like the flavor of candied pecans the best.
- Goat Cheese – Crumbled goat cheese, blue cheese or even feta cheese are all good choices in this salad.
How to make French salad dressing
You can make your dressing one of two ways for this salad. Use my shortcut version (as written in the recipe card) which is simply your favorite bottled vinaigrette plus Dijon mustard plus black pepper.
Or make a classic French vinaigrette from scratch:
- 2 tablespoons minced shallot
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients together in a small glass jar and shake to combine. Or combine in a small bowl and whisk to combine. You can also use any kind of vinegar you have on-hand: apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar. You could even use fresh lemon juice in place of the vinegar!
FAQ’s
What course is salad in France?
I have visited France a couple of times in my life. Often they’ll serve a simple green salad with dinner and usually after the main course and before the cheese coarse and/or dessert. The purpose of this satisfying yet light salad is to cleanse the palate. The fresh greens and acidic nature of the vinaigrette help to prepare the tastebuds to truly savor your dessert.
Is this french salad a nicoise salad?
This salad is representative of a simple French bistro salad, as referenced above. A salad served after the main course and before the cheese or dessert course.
A classic French nicoise salad is meant to be a main course itself. I plan on posting my own version and will come back and link to it. French niçoise salad is loaded with protein and fresh ingredients. Salad greens are topped with tuna, fresh herbs like tarragon and chives, fresh tomatoes, tender potatoes, green beans, hard-boiled eggs and white beans.
Serving suggestions
In keeping with the French inspiration of this salad, here’s some French inspired recipes to make it a complete meal. Watch a French inspired movie, like “An American in Paris”, “Amelie” or “Ratatouille” and you have a really fun family or date night.
- French Onion Soup
- Ratatouille Recipe
- Gougeres (classic French cheese puffs)
- Quiche Lorraine
- Potatoes Dauphinoise (aka Julia Child potatoes)
- Buckeye Cream Puffs
- French Strawberry Cake
Kitchen tools
- I used this brand of sugared pecans
- Here’s a recipe for making your own sugar pecans from scratch
- French coil whisk for blending the dressing
- Salad plate set (chill the plates in the fridge for about 15 minutes before plating the salad)
French Salad
Ingredients
- 5 oz spring mix salad
- 1 bunch asparagus air fried or grilled
- 1 cup pickled sliced beets drained
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1/2 cup sugared pecans
- 1/2 cup bottled vinaigrette dressing
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the asparagus and drizzle with about a little vegetable oil. Cook in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for about 8 minutes. Shake the basket to move the asparagus around and ensure even cooking about halfway through air frying time.
- Combine your bottled vinaigrette dressing with the Dijon mustard and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
- Divide the spring mix among four chilled salad plates.
- Top each salad evenly with the cooked asparagus, beets, goat cheese and sugared pecans.
- Top each salad with two tablespoons of the vinaigrette dressing.
Nutrition
Foodtastic Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program (Amazon Associate), an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Any highlighted, clickable Amazon links you see are affiliate links that I may earn advertising fees on when you click to purchase.
Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of Foodtastic Mom. Be sure to PIN to Pinterest and print this recipe! Like and tag ‘Foodtastic Mom’ on Facebook and Instagram if you make this recipe! And of course leave a star rating if you make any of my recipes and enjoy them!
Erika says
All these flavors sound so good. I’ve never tried asparagus in my salad before, but I need to now.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
I am so bad at making salad!! But this one looks doable for me, thanks for the recipe! Bookmarked for later 🙂
foodtasticmom says
Great. I’m glad you are going to try it!
Ashley says
I love French Salad — and the dressing is so so good! Thanks for sharing!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
Hmm yum! Salads are the best! This French Salad is perfect for me and my husband. I can’t wait to try making that French salad dressing.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
restaurantthatdeliversnearme.website says
Thanks for the recipe.
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome.
Globalsubwaylistens.com says
Hmm yummy. Salads are the best. I bookmarked your website thanks for sharing such a useful information. Long back I ate french salad. You also try different salads in subway restaurants.
foodtasticmom says
Salads are the best!
thebreakfasthours says
Salads are the best. I am looking forward to tasting more and more.
Ieva says
I really enjoy your salad recipes, but this one has to be my all-time favourite! Perfect quantities and balance of flavour! Will definitely be making this again soon! 🙂
foodtasticmom says
So glad you enjoyed it. This French Salad is one of my all-time favorites, too!
TAYLER ROSS says
I made this salad for lunch today and it was fantastic! Perfectly crunchy and fresh!
foodtasticmom says
Great to hear. So glad you liked it!
Chenee says
I remember when Cheesecake Factory served this salad. It was delicious! I’m really excited to have it again.
foodtasticmom says
Yeah I wonder why they took it off the menu? Happy to bring a version of it back! 🙂
Kim says
This was yummy! And I’ll be making that French dressing again to use on other salads, too!
foodtasticmom says
Yes, this dressing is a great basic vinaigrette. I’m happy you enjoyed the salad!
Paula says
This french salad was a delight! So refreshing and perfect for these warmer days.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
Tavo says
Your French Salad post was a delightful read, perfectly blending simplicity with a refreshing twist on the classic. The steps were clear and easy to follow, making the preparation process enjoyable and straightforward. I appreciated the balance of flavors and the use of fresh, accessible ingredients, which brought a vibrant addition to our dinner table. This recipe has definitely earned its place in my go-to collection for quick and satisfying meals.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review of my recipe. I really appreciate it!