Composed Niçoise Salad with Seared Tuna and Warm Potatoes

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

A vibrant French salad featuring seared tuna, tender new potatoes, crisp green beans, and hard-boiled eggs, elegantly arranged and dressed with a tangy lemon vinaigrette. This french ready in about 45 minutes pairs fresh tuna steak, new potatoes, green beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

★ 3.9 (14 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 French cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 12 oz new potatoes in a pot of salted cold water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork; drain and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Step 2: While potatoes cook, fill a small pot with water and gently lower 3 large eggs; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs; cool under cold running water, peel, and quarter.
  3. Step 3: In a medium pot, blanch 6 oz trimmed green beans in boiling salted water for 3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender; immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste until emulsified.
  5. Step 5: Heat a nonstick skillet over high heat; season 8 oz fresh tuna steak with salt and pepper, add 1 tbsp olive oil, and sear tuna for 1.5 minutes per side for rare, then let rest for 5 minutes; slice into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
  6. Step 6: Arrange quartered potatoes, blanched green beans, quartered 2 medium ripe tomatoes, 1/3 cup Niçoise olives, 4 anchovy fillets, and quartered hard-boiled eggs on a large platter in sections; place sliced tuna on top.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette evenly over the assembled salad just before serving, allowing the flavors to meld while maintaining the vibrant colors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Composed Niçoise Salad with Seared Tuna and Warm Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (25 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 Seared Tuna and Warm Potatoes?

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 Warm Potatoes?

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 Warm Potatoes 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 Warm Potatoes?

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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