This Niçoise Salad Recipe is a delectable cornucopia of texture and flavor with fresh vegetables, Niçoise olives, red potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and tuna drizzled with a tangy light mustard vinaigrette. It is not tossed but rather elegantly arranged on a platter or serving plate making it as pretty as it is delicious. The different array of flavor combinations comes together so well in this heart-healthy salad.
Why is it called Nicoise Salad?
This traditional dish originated in the south of France in the city of Nice. Nice is located in the Provence region of France. One of the signature ingredients for this salad is Nicoise olives which are also grown in the Provence region of France hence the name Nicoise salad or salad Nicoise.
How do you make Salad Niçoise?
A little advance preparation is in order with this salad. Put a couple of eggs and a teaspoon of baking soda in a saucepan full of cool water over medium-high heat. Bring the eggs to a boil, cover, and remove from the heat. Allow to set for thirteen minutes and then plunge in a bowl of ice water. Place a few small red potatoes and one-half teaspoon of salt in a saucepan full of cool water. Bring to a gentle boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are fork tender. Add the green beans to the water for the last couple of minutes of cooking. Drain and plunge everything into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. These tasks can be completed up to several days in advance and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
In a medium bowl whisk together the wine vinegar, minced shallots, mustard, lemon juice, dill, and fresh ground black pepper. Drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously. Set the dressing aside till you arrange the salad on the platter.
Peel your eggs and slice them and the red potatoes in half. Grab up to four large plates if you are doing this as a main meal or a large platter and spread out some good crisp lettuce. Top with ripe tomatoes, cucumber slices, sliced radishes, Nicoise olives, green beans, halved eggs, halved potatoes, and tuna. Drizzle with mustard vinaigrette and serve promptly.
Other ingredients you can add or swap out on Salad Nicoise
- Spanish Olives
- Kalamata Olives
- Capers
- Cannelloni Beans
- Baby Carrots
- White Beans
- Artichoke Hearts
- Anchovies
- Red Onions
Recipe tips
- It is very helpful to cook the eggs, potatoes, and beans in advance.
- Use good fresh crisp lettuce. I personally like Boston lettuce but you can use any variety or mix except iceberg.
- Mince the shallots extra fine for the dressing.
- You can also add all the dressing ingredients to a mason jar and shake to combine.
- If you can’t find Nicoise olives substitute good quality black olives.
- You can use any kind of green beans but Haricots Verts (thin style French green beans are by far the best.)
- You can use grilled fresh tuna steaks or good-quality canned tuna.
- Feel free to add or swap with other goodies and make the salad unique to your taste preferences.
Other salad recipes you will love!
Classic Niçoise Salad Recipe
A delectable salad of fresh vegetables, red potatoes, hard boiled eggs, Nicoise olives and tuna drizzled with an easy six ingredient mustard vinaigrette.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 serving
- Category: main meal salad
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Mustard Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons finely minced shallots
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Salad
- 1 head of lettuce chopped or torn into bite size pieces
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- 1 cup sliced cucumbers
- 1/2 cup sliced radishes
- 1 cup Nicoise olives
- 1/2 lb. trimmed and blanched green beans
- 2–3 hard boiled eggs peeled and sliced in half lengthwise
- 3/4 lb small red potatoes boiled and cooled
- 1–2 cans (7 ounce) white Albacore tuna
Instructions
- In a medium bowl whisk together wine vinegar, minced shallots, dill, mustard, and lemon juice. Drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously. Season with fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- Top platter or plates with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber slices, sliced radishes, Nicoise olives, green beans, halved eggs, halved potatoes and tuna. Drizzle with mustard vinaigrette and serve promptly.
Notes
- It is very helpful to cook the eggs, potatoes and beans in advance.
- Use good fresh crisp lettuce. I personally like Boston lettuce but you can use any variety or mix except iceberg.
- Mince the shallots extra fine for the dressing.
- If you can’t find Nicoise olives substitute good quality black olives.
- You can use any kind of green beans but Haricots Verts (thin style French green beans are by far the best.)
- You can use fresh grilled tuna or good quality canned tuna.
- Feel free to add or swap with other goodies and make the salad unique to your taste preferences.
Keywords: nicoise salad, salad, main entree salad, salad with tuna, French salad, healthy dinner, tuna nicoise salad, nicoise salad dressing, what is nicoise salad, classic nicoise salad
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This post was originally published on March 17, 2019, and was republished on March 13, 2020, with new content.
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Kat
nicoise salad looks amazing! perfect addition for this coming holiday celebration.
Nyxie
I personally love a light, nicoise salad! Tuna is always amazing in salad!
Thena Franssen
This looks amazing. I’ll be making this the next time I get a salad craving. Thank you for sharing!
Ntensibe Edgar
Hhhhmmm…this is a completely new recipe to me. I love the fact that it’s less meaty and it’s something I’d love to try. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
brianne
This is very healthy. This will definitely go into my list. I cannot wait to try it
★★★★★
Patricia Chamberlain
I’ve never had a niçoise salad before, but it does look good! I’ll have to make myself one soon.
Marysa
I’ve never actually had this kind of salad. Sounds delicious! It is nice to have some different salad recipes to mix things up.
Rose Ann Sales
Wow! This looks like a really amazing and healthy salad! I love to try this!
★★★★★
jen
This looks great and never thought to put potatoes in a salad. Really!!! Now I am thinking this is a great option for lunch. Looking forward to making it today.
★★★★
Rachael Yerkes
love this salad. it’s the perfect summer lunch.
★★★★★
Tara
I really loved everything about this salad! Such a flavorful meal!
★★★★★
Katie
My family would be all over this! Can’t wait to try it.
★★★★★
Anna
Can’t go wrong with a classic like this! Looks healthy, fresh and delicious! Perfect for lunch or lighter dinner!
★★★★★
Ashley
Such a delightful salad — brought me back to my days of living in Nice!
★★★★★
SHANIKA
This Salad looks so good! I love all the delicious veggies and flavors that are together in this!
★★★★★
Kara
I am looking to wast more healthily and this looks scrummy
Lindsey
You learn something everyday, did not realise that it was named after its origination. A beautiful salad, perfect t for spring and summer lunches.
Sincerelymissj
This salad looks very tasty, will have to try this recipe
Emily
That salad looks amazing! I am all for the fresh flavors now that we are headed into spring time!
Bella
Nicoise Salad is our favourite kinda salad and we love olives so usually include an extra amount x
★★★★
Felecia
So dang on yummy!! I love tuna in my salads!!!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Felecia! I love tuna in my salads also!
Va Anne Rome
Wow, I have never tried this recipe looks really delicious and easy. I will try to make this for my kids, thanks for sharing!
Alexandra Cook
OMG, Can I just say, I can’t help but drool over the picture! Who would not love to taste this! I’ll be printing out your recipe so I can try making this out over the weekends.
Shannon
I love salads, but have never had anything like this. I would love to try making this sometime.
Becca Wilson
Now this looks like my kind of salad! I definitely need to give this one a try.
Kita Roberts
This looks delicious! I love the fresh vegetables, and how can you go wrong with grilled tuna!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Indeed Kita! I hope you enjoy it!!
Anne Wright
this looks so good and healthy. my family would def love to try this. i will def try to make one
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Anne! I hope you enjoy it!
Yeah Lifestyle
Oh I do love a Nicoise salad and this looks so colourful and delicious. Perfect option for a light lunch.
★★★★★
Mimi
This looks really healthy and filling! Great addition to my meal prep!
Sara
What a lovely blend of flavors and colorful foods, all thrown together for one awesome meal! Can’t wait to give this a try!
★★★★★
Catherine
This is a wonderful idea for a salad…so fililng and satisfying too. I need to try this!
Sonal
Such a filling and Nourishing salad. I love reading recipes with more info other than just the recipe.
★★★★★
Allie
i totally need this salad for lunch! Why did i read this while im starving! looks so yummy
★★★★★
Norafiqin
I’ve had this once before but never knew the name and it sucked cos I love it! This is great cos I can now make it on my own and leave out certain ingredients that I don’t like. 🙂
Beth Pierce
Well I hope you enjoy it. Yes please customize your own taste!
Heather
I’m not sure I’ve ever had this salad before, though I know I’ve heard of it.
Stacie
That salad is absolutely mouthwatering! I love interesting salads. Old-fashioned salads are so boring. I can’t wait to make this.
★★★★★
Mandy
This is such a pretty salad and I love how you’ve plated it up – gorgeous presentation and it looks really appetising.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Mandy! I hope you try it! It is delicious!!