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Fish, South and mountains

Niçoise salad

Niçoise salad is a composed salad from the south of France, built on tuna, hard boiled eggs, anchovies, black olives and crisp vegetables. It comes together in 30 minutes for 4 people, very easy level, around €3.60 per serving. The key is seasoning at the very last moment so the vegetables stay crisp and bright.

A well loaded niçoise salad tonight, with tuna, hard boiled eggs, anchovies, olives and crisp vegetables, for a taste of the South of France.

Niçoise salad
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.60
Calories per person
780 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

This salad is a break from the usual green salads, full of color and texture in every bowl. Flaked tuna, crisp green beans and peppers, tender potatoes, golden hard boiled eggs and salty anchovies all play off each other in one bite. Black olives and basil add that unmistakable southern French scent.

It's a great choice for a light effort summer dinner, or a Sunday lunch shared outside. Kids usually love picking out the eggs, tuna and potatoes, so you can serve the anchovies on the side if they're not sold on them yet. Serve it with good crusty bread to mop up the olive oil left on the plate.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Tuna in olive oil 2 cans
  • Anchovy fillets 8
  • Black olives 100 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Wine vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Eggs 4

Fruits and vegetables

  • Tomatoes 5
  • Green bell pepper 1
  • Green beans 200 g
  • New potatoes 400 g
  • Red onion 1
  • Basil 4 sprigs

Bakery

  • Country bread 4 slices

Allergens Gluten, Eggs, Fish

The step by step recipe

  1. Hard boil the eggs and cook the green beans, then cool both under cold water. 10 min

    If you can find fresh baby fava beans, add them in, that's the traditional touch.

  2. Steam the potatoes, let them cool slightly, then slice them into rounds. 20 min

    They should stay firm, not mushy.

  3. Cut the tomatoes into wedges, and thinly slice the pepper and red onion.

    Rub the salad bowl with garlic before you start.

  4. Whisk the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in the salad bowl, then add the vegetables and potatoes.

    Toss gently so the tomatoes don't get crushed.

  5. Arrange the flaked tuna, egg wedges, anchovies, olives and basil on top, and serve with the bread.

    Lay the anchovies in a cross pattern for an authentic look.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cook the potatoes and green beans the day before if you want to save time, they keep well in the fridge.
  • Pick ripe, flavorful tomatoes, they set the sweet and tangy tone for the whole salad.
  • Never toss every ingredient together ahead of time, arrange the components separately and assemble right before serving to keep everything crisp.

The variations

  • Swap canned tuna for fresh tuna seared briefly in a pan, for a more refined version.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the tuna and anchovies, and add extra eggs plus a few capers for that salty note.
  • For a quick version, use precooked vacuum packed potatoes and green beans, and the salad comes together in 10 minutes.

What to serve it with

  • Grilled country bread
  • A glass of chilled rosé
  • Homemade iced tea

Storage

Niçoise salad keeps for 1 day in the fridge in a sealed container, though it loses its crispness quickly. It doesn't freeze well, because of the hard boiled eggs and raw vegetables. It's best to make only what you plan to eat that same day.

Questions about this dish

Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned?

Yes, sear a fresh tuna steak in a pan for a few minutes per side, then flake it coarsely. It takes more time to prepare but gives a bolder flavor.

Do you really need potatoes in a niçoise salad?

The traditional version from Nice doesn't always include them, but many French families add potatoes for a heartier meal. Leave them out if you'd rather stay true to the original recipe.

How do I get kids to eat the anchovies?

Serve the anchovies on a separate small plate instead of mixing them into the salad. That way kids can build their own plate and try them at their own pace.

Can I make niçoise salad ahead for a picnic?

Pack the cooked and raw vegetables separately in containers, and assemble the salad with the dressing once you arrive. This keeps the tomatoes from going soft and the bread from getting soggy.

How long does it take to make a real niçoise salad?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a real niçoise salad?

About 780 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a real niçoise salad cost?

About €3.60 per serving, or €14.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, eggs, fish. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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