Description
Niçoise Salad is a traditional French salad that originates from Nice, a city on the Mediterranean coast of France. It’s a composed salad, which means that the ingredients are arranged separately on the plate rather than mixed together. The combination of fresh vegetables like potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes, alongside rich protein from tuna, eggs, and anchovies, creates a balanced dish that’s both satisfying and refreshing. The tangy, olive oil-based dressing ties everything together beautifully.
Ingredients
- 300g small new potatoes
- 100g fine green beans
- 3 eggs
- 2 baby gem lettuces
- 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 200g cherry tomatoes
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- A small handful of basil leaves
- 325g fresh tuna loin (cut into pieces)
- 1 lemon
- 50g black olives
- 5 marinated anchovy fillets
- 1 garlic clove
- 4 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Mash the olives, anchovies, and garlic into a rough paste using a mortar and pestle. Stir in lemon juice, olive oil, and vinegar. Set aside.
- Cook the potatoes: Boil them for 15 minutes until tender, then drain. Halve them.
- Blanch the beans: Cook in salted boiling water for 4-5 minutes until tender but slightly crunchy. Drain and cool in iced water.
- Boil the eggs: Cook in boiling water for 6 minutes for soft yolks or 7.5 minutes for firmer yolks. Peel and halve.
- Sauté the potatoes: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a pan, place potatoes cut-side down, and cook for 4 minutes until golden. Toss to brown all sides.
- Cook the tomatoes: Add them to the pan and fry for 1 minute until they start to blister. Season and splash in 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar. Scatter basil leaves over.
- Sear the tuna: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Season the tuna and sear for 4 minutes on each side for rare, 6 minutes for medium, or 8 minutes for well-done. Let it rest.
- Assemble the salad: Whisk the remaining oil, vinegar, and lemon juice. Toss with lettuce wedges. Arrange the potatoes, tomatoes, and beans in serving bowls. Slice the tuna and place on top. Add lettuce wedges and eggs. Spoon olive dressing over each egg.
Notes
Niçoise Salad is a versatile dish—you can adjust it to your taste! Swap tuna with grilled chicken or keep it vegetarian with chickpeas. For extra flavor, use fresh herbs like basil or parsley, and always use high-quality olive oil. This salad is perfect for meal prep and tastes even better after the flavors meld for a few hours.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Assembled
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: The Ultimate Niçoise Salad Recipe