Composed Niçoise Salad with Seared Tuna and Green Beans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional French Niçoise salad featuring seared tuna, crisp green beans, and vibrant vegetables arranged beautifully with hard-boiled eggs and olives. This french (mediterranean) ready in about 45 minutes pairs fresh tuna steak, fresh green beans, baby potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.0 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 French cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 8 oz baby potatoes in a pot and cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and let cool.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch 6 oz fresh green beans for 3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking; drain and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Place 3 large eggs in boiling water and cook for 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. Remove, cool under cold water, then peel and quarter.
  4. Step 4: Slice 2 medium ripe tomatoes into wedges.
  5. Step 5: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season 8 oz fresh tuna steak with salt and black pepper. Sear tuna for 2 minutes per side until the edges are cooked but the center remains rare. Remove and let rest 5 minutes, then slice into 1/2-inch strips.
  6. Step 6: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, salt, and black pepper to taste until emulsified.
  7. Step 7: On a large platter, arrange cooled potatoes halved, green beans, tomato wedges, quartered eggs, 1/3 cup Niçoise olives, and sliced tuna in separate sections.
  8. Step 8: Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the salad, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Composed Niçoise Salad with Seared Tuna and Green Beans take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Seared Tuna and Green Beans?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Composed Niçoise Salad with Seared Tuna and Green Beans?

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 Seared Tuna and Green Beans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Seared Tuna and Green Beans?

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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