Rustic Niçoise Salad with Tuna, Anchovies, and Lemon Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Niçoise salad combining canned tuna, salty anchovies, fresh tomatoes, and hard-boiled eggs, tossed in a bright olive oil and lemon dressing. This french-inspired french ready in about 25 minutes pairs drained canned tuna in olive oil, finely chopped anchovy fillets, quartered hard-boiled eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 French cuisine 430 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, freshly ground black pepper, and sea salt to taste until the vinaigrette is smooth and slightly thickened.
  2. Step 2: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 oz drained canned tuna, 6 finely chopped anchovy fillets, 3 medium sliced ripe plum tomatoes, 1/4 cup Niçoise olives, and 1 small thinly sliced red onion.
  3. Step 3: Gently toss the salad ingredients with the prepared lemon vinaigrette until everything is evenly coated and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Arrange 2 quartered hard-boiled eggs on top of the salad, then sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves over the entire dish.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately, allowing the bold flavors of the anchovies and tuna to complement the bright acidity of the dressing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rustic Niçoise Salad with Tuna, Anchovies, and Lemon Vinaigrette take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Rustic Niçoise Salad with Tuna, Anchovies, and Lemon 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 quartered hard-boiled eggs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Niçoise Salad with Tuna, Anchovies, and Lemon 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 Rustic Niçoise Salad with Tuna, Anchovies, and Lemon Vinaigrette 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 Rustic Niçoise Salad with Tuna, Anchovies, and Lemon 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes