Salade Niçoise is a classic French salad from Nice, celebrated for its fresh Mediterranean flavors, colorful vegetables, tuna, eggs, olives, and a simple homemade vinaigrette. This hearty salad combines crisp green beans, tender potatoes, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives with protein-rich tuna and perfectly cooked eggs.

Fresh, satisfying, and beautifully colorful, this traditional French salad makes an excellent light lunch, summer dinner, or elegant side dish. Serve it with crusty French bread for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Rest Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Difficulty: Easy

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fresh and colorful Mediterranean flavors.
• Packed with vegetables and protein.
• Simple homemade French vinaigrette.
• Perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
• Naturally satisfying without being heavy.
• Easy to prepare ahead of time.
• Beautiful enough for entertaining.
• Classic French Riviera-inspired dish.

How to Make

1. Prepare the Potatoes

Place the baby potatoes in a pot of salted water and cook until tender. Drain, cool slightly, and cut into halves or quarters.

2. Cook the Green Beans

Blanch the green beans in boiling salted water until crisp-tender. Transfer them to cold water to stop the cooking process, then drain thoroughly.

3. Prepare the Eggs

Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cook until hard-boiled. Cool, peel, and cut into halves.

4. Prepare the Vegetables

Slice the tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and arrange the vegetables on a large serving platter.

5. Make the Vinaigrette

Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.

6. Assemble the Salad

Arrange the potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, tuna, eggs, olives, and red onion over the serving platter.

7. Dress and Finish

Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and garnish with fresh parsley and basil.

8. Serve

Serve immediately or allow the salad to rest for a few minutes so the flavors can come together.

Tips

• Use good-quality olive oil for the best vinaigrette.
• Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes.
• Do not overcook the green beans; they should remain crisp.
• Cook the eggs just until the yolks are set.
• Use tuna packed in olive oil for richer flavor.
• Dress the salad shortly before serving.
• Arrange the ingredients separately for a beautiful presentation.

Variations

Seared Tuna Niçoise

Replace canned tuna with lightly seared fresh tuna steaks.

Chicken Niçoise

Use grilled chicken instead of tuna for a different protein option.

Vegetarian Niçoise

Replace tuna with extra vegetables, white beans, or chickpeas.

Egg-Free Niçoise

Simply omit the eggs and add additional vegetables or beans.

What to Serve

• Crusty French baguette
• Garlic bread
• French lentil soup
• Light vegetable soup
• Fresh fruit
• Goat cheese
• Sparkling water with lemon
• Light French white wine

Storage

Store the salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keep the vinaigrette separate and dress individual portions just before serving. Fully dressed salad is best eaten the same day.

Freezing

Salade Niçoise is not suitable for freezing because the fresh vegetables, potatoes, eggs, and greens can lose their texture after thawing.

Prepare the individual ingredients fresh and assemble the salad when ready to serve.