Ina Garten’s Quick Tuna Salad Nicoise Recipe for Sunny Days

Tuna salad Niçoise brings Mediterranean flavors dancing onto your plate with robust ingredients that celebrate fresh coastal cuisine.

French-inspired culinary traditions shine through this elegant dish that balances protein and vegetables seamlessly.

Classic components merge into a harmonious composition that feels both refined and comfortable.

Mediterranean influences weave delightful textures and bright seasonings throughout the recipe.

Crisp vegetables complement rich protein elements, creating a balanced meal that feels simultaneously light and substantial.

Each carefully selected ingredient contributes its unique character to the overall sensory experience.

The salad transforms simple components into a sophisticated dining moment that feels effortlessly chic: prepare to savor every vibrant bite.

How to Prepare Ina Garten’s Tuna Salad Nicoise

Step 1: Prep Potatoes and Green Beans

Cook baby potatoes in boiling water for 10 minutes until slightly soft. Add green beans during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse both under cold water to stop cooking. Let cool completely.

• Baby potatoes (quartered)
• Green beans (halved)
• Cold water for rinsing

Step 2: Perfectly Boil Eggs

• For soft yolks: Simmer for 6-7 minutes
• For firm yolks: Simmer for 9 minutes

Remove eggs with a slotted spoon and immediately transfer to ice water. Once cooled, peel and slice in half.

Step 3: Build Your Salad Base

• Cooled potatoes
• Cooked green beans
• Sliced tomatoes
• Drained tuna
• Kalamata olives
• Crumbled feta cheese

Gently toss ingredients to mix without breaking them.

Step 4: Dress and Present

Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and toss lightly to coat evenly. Transfer to a serving platter and artfully arrange halved eggs on top. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Tuna Salad Nicoise

• Crack the Crunch Code: Lightly toast pine nuts in a dry skillet until golden brown to release their nutty aroma before sprinkling over the salad.
• Pump Up the Protein Power: Drain and rinse canned chickpeas thoroughly to ensure they mix seamlessly and add a satisfying protein punch.
• Spice Up Your Greens: Roughly chop arugula leaves to release their peppery oils and distribute the bold flavor evenly throughout the dish.
• Color Pop Trick: Slice red bell peppers paper-thin for maximum visual appeal and to prevent overwhelming the delicate salad balance.
• Flavor Layer Secret: Lightly season chickpeas with a pinch of salt and black pepper before adding them to create an extra depth of taste.

How to Keep Ina Garten’s Tuna Salad Nicoise Fresh

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal the tuna salad nicoise in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to preserve its crisp texture and vibrant flavors. Cold storage keeps ingredients fresh and prevents bacterial growth, maintaining optimal taste and quality for your meal.
• Dressing Separation: Store vinaigrette in a small sealed jar separately from salad components. This clever technique prevents soggy vegetables and maintains the salad's delightful crunch, allowing you to dress the salad just before serving for maximum freshness.
• Consumption Timeline: Enjoy your tuna salad nicoise within 1-2 days for peak flavor and texture. Fresh ingredients like delicate herbs and tender vegetables lose their brightness quickly, so consuming the salad soon after preparation ensures the most delicious dining experience.

Delicious Variations of Ina Garten’s Tuna Salad Nicoise

• Mediterranean Herb Boost: Enhance the salad by adding fresh chopped basil, oregano, and parsley for an aromatic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Grilled Seafood Edition: Replace canned tuna with grilled fresh salmon or grilled shrimp for a more robust protein option and smoky undertone.
• Protein Power Upgrade: Incorporate quinoa or chickpeas to increase protein content and add extra texture to the classic nicoise salad.
• Spicy Moroccan Style: Sprinkle harissa powder or add chopped preserved lemons to introduce a zesty, spicy North African-inspired dimension to the traditional recipe.

Ina Garten’s Tuna Salad Nicoise: A Light, Flavorful Feast

Nicoise salad embodies Mediterranean culinary magic, blending French coastal traditions with vibrant ingredients.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple components into a sophisticated dining experience.

Mediterranean flavors dance across your plate, creating sensory poetry without unnecessary complexity.

Fresh ingredients combine harmoniously, showcasing textural contrasts and elegant simplicity.

Sea-inspired combinations elevate this classic dish beyond ordinary salad expectations.

Salt-kissed tuna, crisp vegetables, and tangy vinaigrette invite gastronomic exploration – share this delectable discovery, spark conversation, and celebrate culinary creativity with fellow enthusiasts.

Why Ina Garten’s Tuna Salad Nicoise is a Fresh Mediterranean Delight

• Craft a Mediterranean Delight: This tuna salad Nicoise transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant, restaurant-worthy dish that bursts with Mediterranean flavors and textures.
• Master Easy Gourmet Techniques: Learn professional-level cooking methods like perfectly boiling eggs, blanching vegetables, and creating a balanced salad without complicated culinary skills.
• Nutritional Powerhouse in One Plate: Pack your meal with protein from tuna and eggs, complex carbohydrates from potatoes, and vitamins from fresh vegetables, creating a complete and satisfying lunch or dinner option.
• Quick Elegance for Busy Cooks: Prepare a sophisticated meal in under two hours with minimal cooking techniques, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings with minimal kitchen stress.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Tuna Salad Nicoise

Main Ingredients:

• Tuna: Canned tuna is the star protein that provides a rich, meaty texture to the salad.
• Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs add creamy protein and classic nicoise style to the dish.

• Baby Potatoes: Tender, small potatoes that provide a hearty base for the salad.
• Green Beans: Crisp, fresh beans that add vibrant color and light crunch.
• Tomatoes: Ripe, juicy tomatoes that bring bright, fresh flavor to the salad.

• Kalamata Olives: Salty, tangy olives that add Mediterranean depth to the dish.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbly cheese that provides a sharp, creamy tang.

• Balsamic Vinaigrette: Zesty dressing that ties all ingredients together with a sweet and tangy flavor.

Ina Garten Tuna Salad Nicoise Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Tuna Salad Nicoise brings Mediterranean coastal charm to classic salad preparation. Crisp French-inspired ingredients combine with tender tuna, delivering a refreshing meal that elegantly balances protein, vegetables, and delicate vinaigrette for your perfect summer lunch.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 4 free range eggs
• 425 grams (15 ounces) tuna chunks in springwater, drained
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) feta cheese, crumbled

Vegetables and Salad:

• 400 grams (14 ounces) baby potatoes, quartered
• 200 grams (7 ounces) green beans, trimmed, halved
• 2 truss tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 120 grams (4.2 ounces) 4 leaf salad mix
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) pitted kalamata olives, drained

Dressing:

• ¼ cup balsamic dressing

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Instructions

1. Prepare the root vegetables by submerging quartered baby potatoes in a large pot of rapidly boiling water. Cook for approximately 10-12 minutes until they reach a tender consistency. During the final 2-3 minutes of potato cooking, introduce the halved green beans. Immediately drain and rinse both vegetables under cold running water to halt the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture.
2. Simultaneously, set up a separate saucepan with water for the eggs. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then carefully lower the eggs into the liquid. Reduce heat to a gentle medium and allow eggs to simmer for 6-7 minutes for a soft, creamy yolk or 9 minutes for a fully set yolk. Swiftly transfer eggs to an ice water bath to rapidly cool and prevent further cooking. Once cooled, carefully peel and slice the eggs in half lengthwise.
3. In a spacious mixing vessel, combine the cooled potatoes, green beans, ripe tomato slices, drained Mediterranean tuna, briny kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Use a light hand to fold the ingredients together, ensuring an even distribution without crushing the delicate components.
4. Enhance the salad’s flavor profile by drizzling the balsamic vinaigrette across the surface. Gently toss to ensure each ingredient is lightly coated with the tangy dressing. Transfer the composed salad to a serving platter, artfully positioning the halved eggs on top. Serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and freshness.

Notes

• Transforms traditional Niçoise into a vibrant, protein-packed culinary experience.
• Celebrates fresh Mediterranean ingredients with a modern, flexible approach.
• Delivers restaurant-quality taste in a simple home-kitchen preparation.
• Optimizes meal prep by allowing advanced ingredient chopping and chilling.
• Appeals to health-conscious food lovers seeking balanced, nutritious dishes.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 295 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 185 mg