Back
🥗
FrenchNon-veg

Salad Niçoise

Tuna, egg, beans and olives over crisp lettuce.

25 min3 serveseasy

Salad Niçoise is a classic protein-forward French recipe built around a handful of pantry staples. It serves 3 and comes together in roughly 25 minutes from prep to plate. It is an approachable, beginner-friendly dish — the kind of recipe you can put on the table in about 25 minutes without much fuss. The method leans on rolling-water boiling, which is what gives the finished dish its signature texture and depth.

The headline ingredients here are tuna, egg and green beans. Spend a little time choosing well: fresher, more carefully-sourced versions of these will lift the whole plate, while every other element is mostly there to support them. A few sensible swaps: if seafood is hard to find, firm white fish or even firm tofu can stand in.

Share this recipe

from Cook Max
Gmail Email WhatsApp X / Twitter Facebook

Every share includes a link back to Cook Max so friends can discover more free recipes.

Nutrition · per serving

380

kcal

24g

Protein

18g

Carbs

24g

Fat

fishsalad

Ingredients

  • tuna200 g
  • egg3
  • green beans200 g
  • potato4 small
  • olives0.5 cup
  • lettuce1 head
  • olive oil4 tbsp

Method

  1. 1
    Step 1 ~8 min

    Boil eggs and potatoes; blanch beans.

  2. 2
    Step 2 ~8 min

    Arrange on lettuce with tuna and olives.

  3. 3
    Step 3 ~8 min

    Drizzle with olive oil and mustard vinaigrette.

Per-step times are approximate and based on the total cook time of 25 minutes.

Pro tips & common mistakes

  • Taste a small spoonful just before serving and adjust salt, acid (lemon or vinegar) and heat — that final balance check is what separates a good home cook from a great one.

You may also like

Browse more French recipes or search all recipes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Salad Niçoise take to cook?
From prep to plate, Salad Niçoise takes about 25 minutes and yields 3 servings. About a third of that is hands-on; the rest is the cooking itself.
Is Salad Niçoise vegetarian?
No — this version contains non-vegetarian ingredients (tuna, egg, green beans). For a vegetarian take, replace the main protein with paneer, halloumi, mushrooms or extra-firm tofu and keep the same spices.
What are the key ingredients in Salad Niçoise?
The headline ingredients are tuna, egg, green beans. The rest of the list is supporting cast — spices, aromatics and pantry staples — that round out the flavour rather than carry it.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes. The ingredient quantities scale linearly: halve for 2 servings or double for 6. Cooking times stay roughly the same, except for anything that depends on pan surface area — if you double a stir-fry, cook it in two batches rather than crowding the pan.
How should I store the leftovers?
Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently — low heat on the stove with a splash of water, or short bursts in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel so it does not dry out.
Can I freeze Salad Niçoise?
This dish is best eaten fresh — freezing tends to soften the texture and dull the flavours. Make only as much as you will eat in 1–2 days.
What should I serve with Salad Niçoise?
Salad Niçoise pairs naturally with classic french sides — a simple grain, a fresh salad, or a light pickle to cut through richness. Aim for something that contrasts the main dish in texture or temperature rather than echoing it.
What if I do not have one of the main ingredients?
Most ingredients in this recipe have sensible swaps. Match like-for-like by texture and cooking time and you will land somewhere close to the original.