If you’ve ever wandered into a rustic French bistro or a countryside auberge, chances are you’ve spotted Salade de Gésiers on the menu. This hearty, warm salad featuring duck or chicken gizzards is a staple in Southwest France, especially in the regions of Périgord and Gascogne, where duck reigns supreme.
Savory, rich, and surprisingly tender, this salad brings together crisp greens and warm, meaty gizzards for a flavor-packed dish that’s both rustic and refined.
🦆 What Is Salade de Gésiers?
Gésiers are the gizzards — muscular parts of the digestive tract — most often from duck or chicken. In traditional French cooking, these are slow-cooked in duck fat (confit) until tender and then sautéed before being served over a bed of salad greens.
Salade de Gésiers is a warm salad, usually composed of:
Tender confit gizzards
Fresh green lettuce (e.g., frisée, mâche, or mesclun)Croutons or walnuts for crunch
Optional extras like lardons, tomatoes, or poached eggA sharp vinaigrette dressing with Dijon mustard
It’s a meal that feels indulgent but is balanced with greens and acid – a brilliant contrast of flavors and textures.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 2)
For the salad:
200 g duck gizzards confit (or chicken gizzards if unavailable)
Mixed salad greens: frisée, lamb's lettuce (mâche), arugula1 small shallot, finely sliced
1 tbsp duck fat or olive oil (for sautéing)Handful of croutons or toasted walnuts
Optional: cherry tomatoes, lardons, or poached eggFor the vinaigrette:
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp red wine vinegar (or sherry vinegar)4 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly cracked pepperOptional: a pinch of garlic or chopped herbs (parsley, chives)
👨🍳 How to Make It
1. Prepare the Gizzards
If using gésiers confits (available in jars or tins in France):
Remove from fat, rinse lightly, and slice into bite-sized pieces.
If using fresh chicken gizzards, simmer them gently in broth or duck fat for about 1.5 hours until tender.2. Make the Vinaigrette
In a bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard and vinegar.
Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify.Season with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble the Salad
Wash and dry salad greens thoroughly.
Heat a pan with duck fat or olive oil. Sauté the gizzards for 2–3 minutes until warmed and slightly crisp on the outside.Toss greens in a bit of vinaigrette and place on plates.
Top with warm gizzards, shallots, and croutons or nuts.Drizzle a bit more vinaigrette over the top.
Optional: add a poached egg or crispy bacon (lardons) for extra richness.🍷 Wine Pairing
Salade de Gésiers pairs wonderfully with medium-bodied red wines that have earthy or fruity notes. Try:
Cahors (Malbec from Southwest France)
Pinot NoirCôtes du Rhône
A rustic Bergerac redIf you prefer white, opt for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or dry Rosé de Provence.
🌿 Nutritional Benefits
Despite using organ meat, this salad is nutritionally rich:
Gizzards are high in protein, iron, and vitamin B12
Greens provide fiber and antioxidantsBalanced with healthy fats from the vinaigrette
It’s a great choice for those seeking a protein-rich, low-carb meal with classic French flair.
📜 Origins & Culinary Tradition
Salade de Gésiers is a product of French peasant ingenuity — using every part of the animal with care and technique. In regions like Gascogne, where duck farming is central, gizzards are preserved in fat just like duck confit.
Over time, this frugal dish became a bistro mainstay, enjoyed warm as a starter or light main course. Today, it is especially beloved in Southwestern cuisine, often featured alongside foie gras, duck confit, and cassoulet on restaurant menus.
💡 Tips & Variations
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| 💥 Flavor boost | Add bacon (lardons) or a soft-poached egg |
| 🥬 Greens | Try peppery arugula or bitter frisée for depth |
| 🧀 Cheese lovers | Top with shaved Parmesan or aged Comté |
| 🥖 Side pairing | Serve with baguette or toasted country bread |
🥄 Final Thoughts
Salade de Gésiers is a brilliant example of how humble ingredients, treated with care, can become gourmet fare. It’s warm, flavorful, and deeply rooted in French culinary heritage. Whether you're making it at home for a cozy lunch or enjoying it at a countryside bistro, this salad is a tribute to the timeless elegance of rustic French cooking.
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