This beautiful Niçoise Salad is made with tender, flaky tuna and a delicious combination of vibrant vegetables. It’s topped with a zesty citrus vinaigrette that perfectly ties together all the wonderful flavors and textures.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Niçoise Salad Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients Niçoise Salad
• 🔪 How to Make Niçoise Salad
• 💡 Tips for Making Niçoise Salad
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Niçoise Salad
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Why is it Called Niçoise Salad?
• Is This Salad Healthy?
• Can I Use Fresh Tuna Instead of Canned Tuna?
• Is This Salad Gluten-Free?
• 🍽️ More Tasty Salad Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Niçoise Salad Recipe

• Classic Niçoise Salad ingredients
• Delicious combination of textures and flavors
• Tossed in an easy homemade citrus vinaigrette
• Perfect, make-ahead salad
• Beautiful presentation, great for special occasions

Known for its vibrant colors and robust flavors, Niçoise Salad is a classic Mediterranean dish that comes from Nice, on the French Riviera. This version takes tender, flaky tuna and combines it with a medley of crisp vegetables, all brought together with a zesty citrus vinaigrette.

From creamy potatoes and eggs to briny olives and artichokes, its variety of flavors and textures work together perfectly. And though it’s filling and satisfying, this Niçoise salad is also light and refreshing. It's a perfect make-ahead salad for a simple lunch or dinner on a warm summer day.  

If you love the flavors of the tuna in this salad, you should also try Greek Tuna Stuffed Avocados. They make a delicious and nutritious summer brunch or easy lunch option.

🛒 Ingredients Niçoise Salad

• Yukon gold potatoes
• Tuna
• Tomatoes
• Artichoke hearts
• Green beans
• Eggs
• Red onion
• Olives
• Capers
• Citrus Vinaigrette
• Salt
• Pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Saucepan
• Salad dressing shaker or blender cup
• Large serving platter

🔪 How to Make Niçoise Salad

Heat a saucepan of water to boil and boil your eggs.  I like mine slightly under hard boiled, but you can make them to your liking.  Once they’re ready, peel and slice them in half.

While the eggs are boiling, you can prepare the Citrus Dressing.  Then place it in the fridge to allow it to chill while you prepare the salad.

Using the same boiling water from the eggs, boil the potatoes until they are fork tender.  Mine took about 10 minutes, but this will vary depending on the size of your potatoes.

Once the potatoes are ready, drain and set them aside to cool.  You can use the same boiling water to boil the green beans.  Boil for 6-8 minutes, depending on how firm or soft you like your green beans.  Mine took exactly 7 minutes.

Plunge the cooked green beans into an iced water bath to stop the cooking.  This also sets the beautiful green color.

Prepare the remaining salad ingredients, placing the green beans, potatoes, and halved tomatoes in groups on your platter.

Continue arranging the remaining ingredients on the platter, also in similar groups.  Alternatively, you can arrange the ingredients in strips or simply mix them all together.

Once the salad is assembled, sprinkle salt and pepper over the tops.

When you are ready to serve, drizzle the dressing over the salad.

💡 Tips for Making Niçoise Salad

• I like to use tuna packed in olive oil because it has more flavor. You can even add some of the oil in the dressing to give the salad a more intense tuna flavor. If you prefer, you can use light tuna packed in water for a milder flavor.

• After boiling the eggs, place them in an ice bath immediately. This makes them easier to peel and helps them have the perfect slightly under-hard-boiled texture. If you prefer, you can hard boil them until well done by adding a few minutes of boil time.

• After boiling the green beans, ensure they are completely dry before adding them to the salad. This helps the vinaigrette to coat them better as well as helps to maintain their crisp texture.

• If your onions are too strong and overpowering the other ingredients, soak them in cold water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This reduces its sharpness, making them milder and more enjoyable.

• Do your guests a favor and make sure your olives are pitted. You don’t want them having to work around a pit while eating this delicious salad.

☑️ Storage Instructions

When stored in an airtight container, the ingredients, including the tuna, boiled eggs, vegetables, and dressing, will hold up well for a couple of days without becoming soggy. Just give the salad a gentle toss before serving to refresh the ingredients.

🍴 What to Serve with Niçoise Salad

Packed with nutrients, this salad is a complete meal in one. Simply serve it with these 4-Seed Crackers, Everything Bagel Crackers or Cheese Crisps and you're all set for a healthy and delicious meal.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Potatoes: Substitute the baby Yukon gold potatoes with fingerling potatoes or red potatoes for a different texture and flavor.

• Tuna: Replace tuna with grilled or poached chicken, canned salmon, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option.

• Artichoke hearts: Substitute with roasted red peppers or marinated mushrooms for a similar tangy taste.

• Green beans: Use asparagus spears or snap peas for a crunchy, fresh alternative.

• Red onion: Substitute with shallots, green onions, or chives for a milder onion flavor.

• Other veggies: Feel free to add mixed greens, arugula, or spinach. Bell peppers or fresh radishes make other classic add-ins.

• Cheese: Add some crumbled feta, goat cheese, or shaved Parmesan for added creaminess and flavor.

Why is it Called Niçoise Salad?

The name "Niçoise Salad" comes from the French city of Nice, where this classic dish originated.  

Is This Salad Healthy?

Yes, the Niçoise Salad is a healthy dish. It includes a variety of vegetables, lean protein from tuna and eggs, and healthy fats from olives and olive oil. The citrus vinaigrette adds flavor without being loaded with sugar and preservatives.

Can I Use Fresh Tuna Instead of Canned Tuna?

Yes, you can use fresh tuna instead of canned. Sear or grill the fresh tuna to your desired doneness, let it cool, and then slice or flake it into the salad.   

Is This Salad Gluten-Free?

The ingredients in this salad are naturally gluten-free. However, it's always a good idea to double-check the ingredients used in the brands you use, to ensure they do not contain gluten-containing additives or cross-contamination.

🍽️ More Tasty Salad Recipes

• Southwest Chicken Salad
• Avocado Corn Salad
• Mexican Street Corn Pasts Salad
• Greek Quinoa Salad
• Pickled Beet Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Easy Italian Pasta Salad
• Mediterranean Chopped Salad
• Watermelon Feta Salad