Nicoise Salad (French Salad with Tuna) Recipe

Introduction

Nicoise salad is a classic French dish that beautifully combines fresh vegetables, tender potatoes, and flavorful tuna. This vibrant salad is perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing dinner, offering a delightful mix of textures and bright, tangy flavors.

Ingredients

• 8 baby/chat potatoes
• 120g (4 oz) green beans, trimmed
• 2 tomatoes, each cut into 8–10 wedges
• ½ baby cos lettuce (romaine), cut or torn into large bite-size pieces
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
• ¾ cup (100g) unpitted black olives
• 250–300g (8–10 oz) canned chunk tuna in oil, drained and broken into large chunks

Lemon Nicoise Dressing:

• 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small garlic clove, minced or grated
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Pinch black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the dressing by shaking lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, Dijon mustard, and black pepper together in a jar until well combined.
2. Step 2: Boil the baby potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and let them cool completely, then slice each potato in half.
3. Step 3: Blanch the green beans in boiling water until tender but still crisp, about 2–3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking. Pat dry.
4. Step 4: Arrange the torn cos lettuce evenly on a large, wide plate.
5. Step 5: Scatter and layer the potatoes, green beans, tomato wedges, black olives, and tuna chunks artfully over the lettuce.
6. Step 6: Finish the salad by placing the quartered hard-boiled eggs on top.
7. Step 7: Drizzle the prepared lemon Nicoise dressing evenly over the entire salad and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh tuna steak seared and cooled instead of canned tuna for a gourmet touch.
• Swap black olives for Kalamata olives for a deeper flavor.
• Add anchovies or capers for an extra burst of umami if you enjoy bold flavors.
• Serve with crusty French bread to soak up the dressing.

Storage

Store any leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separately and add it just before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting. Reheating is not recommended as the salad is best enjoyed fresh.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of lettuce for Nicoise salad?

Yes, while baby cos lettuce (romaine) is traditional, you can use butter lettuce or mixed greens if preferred. Just choose sturdy leaves that hold up well to the dressing.

Is Nicoise salad traditionally served with cooked or canned tuna?

Traditionally, Nicoise salad can be made with either seared fresh tuna or canned tuna. Canned tuna is convenient and still delicious, while fresh tuna adds a more luxurious texture and flavor.