Composed Niçoise Salad with Tuna and Classic Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional French Niçoise salad featuring layered fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, seared tuna, and a tangy olive oil vinaigrette. This french-inspired french ready in about 40 minutes pairs medium, quartered ripe tomatoes, hard-boiled and halved large eggs, Niçoise olives for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.5 (12 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 French cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 12 oz halved new potatoes in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and set aside to cool.
  2. Step 2: While potatoes cook, bring another pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz trimmed green beans and blanch for 3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and plunge into ice water to stop cooking.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
  4. Step 4: On a large serving platter, arrange 4 cups mixed salad greens as a base. Artistically place 2 quartered ripe tomatoes, 4 halved hard-boiled eggs, 1/2 cup Niçoise olives, cooled potatoes, blanched green beans, 7 oz drained canned tuna, and 6 anchovy fillets in sections over the greens.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette evenly over the arranged salad. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh Mediterranean flavors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Composed Niçoise Salad with Tuna and Classic Vinaigrette take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Composed Niçoise Salad with Tuna and Classic Vinaigrette?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep niçoise olives from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Composed Niçoise Salad with Tuna and Classic Vinaigrette?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Composed Niçoise Salad with Tuna and Classic Vinaigrette for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Composed Niçoise Salad with Tuna and Classic Vinaigrette?

French french like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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