Ina Garten’s Zesty Salmon Salad Nicoise Recipe: A Fresh Delight

Seafood lovers rejoice as this salmon salad niçoise recipe weaves a Mediterranean magic that’s both elegant and effortless.

The classic French-inspired dish bursts with vibrant flavors and nutrients that dance on your plate.

Fresh salmon adds a luxurious twist to the traditional salad, creating a stunning centerpiece for any meal.

Briny olives, crisp green beans, and perfectly cooked eggs complement the rich fish beautifully.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of textures and tastes that transport you straight to the French Riviera.

The light, zesty vinaigrette ties all the ingredients together with a refreshing punch.

Get ready to savor this restaurant-worthy salad that’s surprisingly simple to master at home.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 495 kcal

Servings: 8

What Makes Up Ina’s Salmon Salad Nicoise

• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, zesty tang to enhance salmon's flavor, choose fresh, ripe lemons for maximum citrusy punch..
• Lemon Zest: Provides intense citrus aroma and concentrated lemon essence, grate only the yellow part carefully..
• Olive Oil: Creates silky marinade base, select extra virgin for rich, fruity undertone..
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy depth and helps emulsify marinade, opt for smooth, high-quality brand..
• Garlic: Brings robust, aromatic kick, select firm, fresh cloves without sprouting..
• Salt, Black Pepper: Balance and elevate overall seasoning, use freshly ground pepper for maximum flavor..

• Salmon: Centerpiece protein with rich, buttery texture, choose wild-caught or fresh farm-raised fillet..
• Eggs: Provides creamy protein element, select large, fresh eggs with bright yellow yolks..
• Haricots Verts: Slender French green beans offering crisp texture, pick slender, vibrant green pods..
• Anchovies: Optional briny accent, choose oil-packed for smoother, less salty profile..

• Potatoes: Hearty, starchy base that absorbs dressing beautifully, select waxy variety like fingerling or new potatoes..
• Cherry Tomatoes: Burst of sweet-acidic freshness, choose ripe, colorful heirloom varieties..
• Watercress: Peppery green that adds bright, crisp layer, pick bunches with deep green leaves..
• Olives: Salty.

Tools to Grill Salmon and Boil Perfect Eggs

• Sheet Pan: Essential for roasting salmon with a foil cover for easy cleanup.
• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling and cooking potatoes with salt.
• Colander: Helps drain potatoes and allows them to steam dry.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing marinade and vinaigrette.
• Whisk: Great for blending vinaigrette ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Use for slicing potatoes and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Required for chopping and preparing various components.
• Measuring Spoons: Crucial for accurate salt and seasoning measurements.
• Measuring Cups: Helps measure olive oil and other liquid ingredients precisely.
• Tongs: Useful for handling and arranging ingredients on the platter.

How to Build Ina’s French-Inspired Main Dish Salad

Salmon Salad Nicoise Adventure

• Ocean-Fresh Salmon Prep

Select a beautiful salmon fillet and create a zesty marinade with bright citrus notes and aromatic garlic. Let the salmon soak up these vibrant flavors for a few moments before cooking.

• Potato Foundation

Gently boil tender potatoes until they’re soft but still holding their shape. Allow them to rest and steam, creating a perfect canvas for the salad’s flavors.

• Salmon Roasting Magic

Slide the marinated salmon into a scorching hot oven. Cook until it’s just barely done, allowing the fish to remain succulent and delicate.

• Green Bean Blanching

Quickly dip crisp green beans into boiling water, then shock them in ice water to preserve their bright color and satisfying crunch.

• Vinaigrette Creation

Whisk together a tangy dressing that will bring all the salad components into harmony. Blend vinegar, mustard, and olive oil until they create a silky smooth sauce.

• Salad Assembly

Artfully arrange the cooked salmon, potatoes, green beans, ripe tomatoes, perfectly cooked eggs, peppery watercress, briny olives, and optional anchovies on a beautiful platter. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and serve with extra dressing on the side for guests to enjoy.

Swaps for Tuna, Dressing Options, or Add-ons

• Replace salmon with tuna, chicken, or grilled shrimp for a delightful twist on the classic recipe.
• Add roasted bell peppers, artichoke hearts, or cucumber slices to increase the salad's nutritional value and crunch.
• Prepare components separately and store in the refrigerator up to 24 hours before serving for stress-free entertaining.
• Create a yogurt-based vinaigrette by mixing Greek yogurt with lemon juice, herbs, and a touch of Dijon mustard for a creamy, lower-fat alternative.

Serving Ideas for Nicoise with a Modern Twist

• Elevate Your Plate: Serve this salmon salad nicoise on a large, beautiful platter to showcase the vibrant colors and textures of each ingredient.
• Create Personalized Portions: Offer individual plates for guests who prefer their own carefully arranged salad with equal amounts of salmon, vegetables, and garnishes.
• Add Fresh Crunch: Sprinkle extra chopped herbs like parsley or chives on top just before serving to bring a bright, fresh finishing touch to the dish.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Complement the rich salmon and tangy vinaigrette with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio for a complete dining experience.

Keep Everything Separated Until It’s Time to Eat

• Strategize Meal Prep: Chop vegetables and boil eggs in advance to streamline assembly. Break down salmon and slice potatoes ahead of time for quick plating during busy weeknights.
• Refrigerate Smartly: Store salmon salad components separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Revive Leftovers: Gently reheat salmon at room temperature before serving. Add fresh herbs or a splash of vinaigrette to reinvigorate flavors and prevent dryness.
• Freeze with Caution: Avoid freezing completed salad as vegetables and fish will lose texture. Freeze cooked salmon pieces separately for future quick meals, consuming within 2 months.

Elegant Salmon Salad Nicoise Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s salmon salad niçoise blends Mediterranean flavors with elegant simplicity. Crisp greens, tender salmon, and classic French ingredients create a refreshing main course perfect for summer gatherings where friends can savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 pounds (2.7 kg) skin-on fresh salmon fillets
• 12 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and cut in ½
• 3 pounds (1.4 kg) ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges (6 small tomatoes)
• 3 pounds (1.4 kg) small Yukon gold potatoes
• 1 ½ pounds (680 g) haricots verts, stems removed
• ½ pound (227 g) large green olives, pitted
• 1 bunch watercress or arugula
• 1 can anchovies, optional
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 lemons, zested and juiced
• ½ cup (120 ml) good olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup (60 ml) champagne vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Marinate: Whisk lemon juice, zest, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Coat salmon and rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
2. Potato Preparation: Boil salted water, simmer potatoes until barely tender. Drain and slice into thick rounds, allowing steam to evaporate excess moisture.
3. Roast Salmon: Position oven rack at 500°F (260°C) with foil-lined sheet pan. Roast salmon for 12-15 minutes until nearly cooked. Rest, then gently break into rustic chunks.
4. Vegetable Handling: Quickly blanch haricots verts in salted boiling water for 1½ minutes. Shock in ice bath to preserve color and crispness, then drain completely.
5. Vinaigrette Creation: Combine red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly incorporate olive oil to develop a smooth, emulsified dressing.
6. Plating Finale: Elegantly arrange roasted salmon, potato rounds, haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, soft-boiled eggs, watercress, olives, and optional anchovies on a large platter. Drizzle with vinaigrette, offering additional dressing separately for personalized taste.

Notes

• Marinade Magic: Let salmon sit at room temperature during marination to absorb maximum flavor and ensure even cooking.
• Potato Perfection: Steam potatoes after boiling to remove excess moisture, creating a drier, more appealing texture for the salad.
• Veggie Vitality: Shock haricots verts in ice water immediately after blanching to lock in bright green color and crisp texture, preventing overcooking.
• Dressing Dynamics: Whisk vinaigrette gradually to create a smooth, well-emulsified sauce that coats ingredients evenly and enhances overall dish flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 495
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 195 mg