Niçoise salad is a vibrant and satisfying dish that brings the flavors of the French Riviera straight to your plate. Originating from the coastal city of Nice, this classic salad is more than just a side, it’s a complete meal that balances protein, vegetables, and briny goodness in every bite.
Traditionally made with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, and olives, Niçoise salad is colorful, hearty, and full of contrasting textures. The beauty of this salad lies in its careful composition. Each ingredient is prepared separately and arranged with intention, creating a visual feast that’s as appealing as it is delicious.
The base often starts with crisp lettuce or tender greens, followed by wedges of boiled potatoes and blanched green beans that are tender yet still vibrant. Juicy tomatoes add sweetness, while black Niçoise or Kalamata olives contribute a salty, briny punch. Hard-boiled eggs offer creaminess and protein, and flaky tuna, usually packed in olive oil, gives the salad its signature savory richness. Some versions also include anchovies for an extra hit of umami.
What ties it all together is the dressing. A simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and herbs like thyme or tarragon enhances the natural flavors without overpowering them. The salad is typically served chilled or at room temperature, making it ideal for warm-weather dining or a stylish lunch spread.
Niçoise salad has evolved over time, and many modern versions put a personal spin on the ingredients. Some use seared fresh tuna instead of canned, or add roasted peppers and artichoke hearts for extra depth. Whether traditional or contemporary, the spirit of the dish remains the same – fresh, wholesome ingredients assembled with care.
This salad is perfect for entertaining or meal prep, as it holds up well and doesn’t require last-minute assembly. Niçoise salad is more than just a dish, it’s a celebration of Mediterranean simplicity, where each ingredient shines on its own while contributing to a beautifully balanced whole.
Ingredients
- 2 cans tuna drained
- 4 eggs hard-boiled and quartered
- 1 pound green beans trimmed
- 1 pound baby potatoes halved
- 1 cup black olives
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped, fresh
- For the dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes, until crisp-tender. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool. Drain again and set aside.
- In the same pot of boiling water, add the baby potatoes and cook for 8-10 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the green beans, potatoes, tuna, eggs, olives, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and parsley. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat.
- Serve the salad chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition
Too many potatoes, they overpower the tuna. 🤷♂️ Not the best recipe I’ve seen.
Delicious!
Yummy! I added some feta cheese for extra flavor. Will make again!
Nice and fresh!!! Gonna make again for my picnic this weekend. Thanks!
Isn’t this the same as a Mediterranean salad? 🤨
Not really! Nicoise salad has tuna and eggs, while Mediterranean salad is more like veggies. Totally different vibes! 😊
Idk why people eat salad. I just go for the meat. But this was alright.
Not bad at all! The green beans were perfectly crisp-tender. I think next time I’ll cut the potatoes a bit smaller so they cool faster.
This salad is so fresh and delicious! The combination of flavors is perfect. Definitely a 5-star recipe!
I just tried this salad and it was honestly amazing! The flavors work so well together. Totally agree with you on the 5 stars!
Not sure how good this salad can be with tuna. I usually find it kinda gross. But maybe I’ll give it a shot.
I don’t like tuna, can I use chicken instead? Asking for a friend.
Why do you put raw onions? They ruin the entre salad. Better without.
I loved the ingredients, but mine came out a little salty. I’m thinking the tuna plus salt in the dressing added up—maybe reduce salt or use low-sodium tuna?
Good catch! Since the tuna is already salty, I’d absolutely cut back on the “salt to taste” (or add it at the very end, just a little). Also make sure you’re not salting the dressing more than once—some people accidentally add extra while tasting.
This salad is a game changer! Fresh and filling. My whole family loved it!
Absolutely loved this salad! The tuna was a great addition, and the dressing was perfect.
Isn’t this Mediterranean? I’m not so sure about tuna in salads, feels weird.
Best salad ever! I added some avocado, made it even better!
Avocado is a great addition! It adds creaminess. 👍
Isn’t this supposed to have anchovies? Why there’s none??? Really disappointing!
Anchovies are not always included in every Nicoise salad. It’s a variation without them!
The dressing is what makes it! I added a bit of lemon juice and it was even better.
I followed it pretty much exactly, but my green beans were a bit too crunchy after 2 minutes… next time I’ll do 3. Still yummy.
I followed the steps exactly and it came out fine, but my eggs were kinda overcooked? Still tasted good though. Also I didn’t have Dijon so I used whole grain mustard—kinda different, but not bad.
Made it for lunch and it felt very “restaurant-y.” I’d maybe add a little more vinegar next time, but overall super solid and filling.
Love that “restaurant-y” compliment 😄 I always do a quick extra splash of vinegar too—makes it pop.
I tried this recipe but it didn’t taste right. Maybe I missed something? 🤔
Maybe you didn’t add enough dressing or forgot the salt? I usually put a bit more vinegar for a zing. 🤷♂️
5 stars… but ONLY because I love anything with tuna + olives. The parsley makes it feel fresh. I did add some sliced boiled carrots because why not.
I don’t really like tuna, but this recipe was actually pretty good. I used chickpeas instead.
Yummy salad. Will make it again for sure! Perfect for summer gatherings.
I don’t get why everyone loves salads. They seem boring. Tuna? In a salad? Nah.
I’m glad you liked it! It’s so refreshing in the summer heat, right? What other sides do you usually serve with it?
Tastes way fresher than I expected—love the tangy Dijon dressing with the tuna. I added a little extra pepper and it really popped.
Totally agree—had no idea Dijon + red wine vinegar would be that punchy with tuna. I’m making it again for sure.
Interesting… I think Dijon can be a bit too strong, but the tang might work. I’ll try with less vinegar next time. Also I used canned tuna with flavor and it tasted fine.
I followed the recipe but it turned out too dry. Maybe more dressing next time?
I had the same issue! I added a bit more dressing and some lemon juice, and it turned out perfect. Give that a try!
I accidentally cooked the green beans too long (like… 10 minutes), so they were more soft than crisp. Still tasty with the potatoes and tuna though.
Honestly, 10 minutes is a lot, but I’m glad it still worked out! Nicoise is pretty forgiving—soft green beans still taste great with the potatoes and tuna.
I followed it mostly, but I used canned tuna in olive oil and added a little lemon zest to the dressing. Still worked great—nice, balanced flavors.
I tried making this, but I forgot to boil the eggs. It was still tasty without them, though! Just a little sad.
Not enough ingredients, where’s the croutons? 😤
I get that croutons are great, but this salad is full of flavor already! It’s about the fresh ingredients, not just the crunch. 😊
No croutons? How’s it a salad then? Needs more texture, man! 😒