The Salmon Niçoise Salad is a delightful reinterpretation of the traditional French Niçoise salad, replacing tuna with succulent salmon. This hearty and colorful dish combines tender salmon, crisp vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette, making it perfect for a light lunch or elegant dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
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Nutritious and Balanced: Packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
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Versatile: Suitable for various occasions, from casual lunches to dinner parties.
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Make-Ahead Friendly: Components can be prepared in advance for easy assembly.
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Visually Appealing: A vibrant presentation that delights the eyes and palate.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
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2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
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1/2 pound baby potatoes, halved
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1/2 pound green beans, trimmed
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4 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., butter lettuce, arugula)
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1/2 cup Kalamata olives
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2 hard-boiled eggs, halved
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1 tablespoon capers (optional)
For the Dressing:
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1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
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2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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1 small shallot, finely minced
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Prepare the Salmon:
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Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
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Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil.
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Cook salmon for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
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Remove from heat and let rest.
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Cook the Potatoes and Green Beans:
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Place potatoes in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil.
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Cook until tender, about 10-12 minutes.
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In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add green beans to the pot.
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Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
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Prepare the Dressing:
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In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and minced shallot.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Assemble the Salad:
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On a large platter or individual plates, arrange salad greens as a base.
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Top with cooked potatoes, green beans, cherry tomatoes, olives, and hard-boiled eggs.
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Flake the cooked salmon into large pieces and add to the salad.
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Drizzle with the prepared dressing.
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Garnish with capers if desired
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Tips and Variations
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Make-Ahead: Cook the salmon, potatoes, green beans, and eggs in advance. Store separately and assemble just before serving.
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Grilled Salmon: For a smoky flavor, grill the salmon instead of pan-searing.
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Vegetarian Option: Replace salmon with grilled tofu or omit for a veggie-packed salad.
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Dressing Variations: Add chopped fresh herbs like dill or tarragon to the dressing for extra flavor.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
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Calories: Approximately 450
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Protein: 35g
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Carbohydrates: 20g
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Fat: 25g
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Fiber: 5g
Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Salmon Niçoise Salad with a slice of crusty baguette and a glass of chilled white wine for a complete meal. It’s perfect for warm-weather dining and can be enjoyed al fresco for a touch of French Riviera charm.
Final Thoughts
The Salmon Niçoise Salad is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, offering a satisfying and nutritious meal that’s both elegant and easy to prepare. Whether you’re hosting guests or enjoying a solo lunch, this salad brings a taste of France to your table.
A Salad That Tells a Story
The Niçoise salad originates from Nice, France, and has long been a symbol of Mediterranean simplicity and elegance. By swapping tuna for salmon, we’re not just changing the protein—we’re adding a richer, more luxurious texture while keeping the roots of the dish intact.
It’s a recipe that speaks to the past, but lives easily in the present: healthy, adaptable, and deeply satisfying.
Ideal for Entertaining
Salmon Niçoise salad isn’t just delicious—it’s a showstopper:
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Serve it as a centerpiece salad at brunch
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Use it in mini jars or bento-style containers for an upscale picnic
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Plate it beautifully and serve to guests with a lemon-herb sparkling water or crisp white wine
It’s fresh and vibrant, yet rich enough to impress, making it perfect for spring/summer parties or even an elegant weeknight dinner.
Make It Part of Your Routine
This isn’t just a one-time dish—it’s a formula you can build on:
| Season | What to Add |
|---|---|
| Spring | Asparagus, radishes, soft herbs |
| Summer | Sweet corn, grilled zucchini, basil |
| Fall | Roasted squash, crispy shallots |
| Winter | Warm lentils, kale, roasted carrots |
With the same vinaigrette and flaked salmon, the base of the dish remains familiar—while the toppings evolve with the seasons.
A Feel-Good, Do-Good Recipe
Choosing salmon over tuna doesn’t just taste good—it’s also a more sustainable option, especially when you opt for wild-caught or responsibly farmed salmon. Pair that with fresh vegetables and olive oil dressing, and you have a meal that’s as kind to your body as it is to the planet.
A Salad That Feels Like Self-Care
Preparing a Salmon Niçoise Salad isn’t just about assembling ingredients—it’s about creating a moment for yourself. The act of arranging vibrant vegetables, flaking tender salmon, and drizzling a homemade vinaigrette can be deeply meditative.
It’s a meal that says: “I’m taking care of me today.” It’s about slowing down, nourishing your body, and enjoying the beauty of food, plate by plate.
A Travel-Inspired Dish You Can Bring Home
This dish transports you to a café terrace in Nice, without leaving your kitchen. It’s about more than the ingredients—it’s about the mood it creates:
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A breeze through the window
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A glass of something chilled
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A few minutes to sit and savor something elegant yet effortless
Salmon Niçoise Salad is a little escape, a little luxury, and a lot of nourishment.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
Because it works. It’s:
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Easy to prepare
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Packed with flavor and nutrients
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Impressive, yet approachable
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Adaptable to whatever’s in season—or in your fridge
You can serve it at brunch, pack it for work, or enjoy it solo on a sunny afternoon. It’s the kind of meal that becomes a ritual—one that’s as good for your tastebuds as it is for your well-being.
Cooking for Connection
One of the most rewarding things about preparing a meal like Salmon Niçoise Salad is that it invites connection. Whether you’re:
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Sharing it with a partner on a quiet evening
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Serving it at a table full of friends
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Bringing it to a potluck or picnic
…it’s a dish that sparks conversation, inspires compliments, and makes people feel cared for. Because when you serve something this fresh, colorful, and lovingly prepared, people remember it.
Simplicity with Intention
This salad reminds us that good food doesn’t need to be complicated. With a handful of seasonal ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and simple technique, you can create something that feels luxurious—without spending hours in the kitchen.
It encourages us to cook with intention, to enjoy the process, and to let natural flavors shine.
A Recipe to Pass Along
Like all great recipes, Salmon Niçoise Salad is one that begs to be shared. Print it. Bookmark it. Teach it to someone you love. Pass it to a friend looking for a healthy reset or a beautiful weekend dish.
Because when we share recipes, we’re sharing more than food—we’re sharing experience, care, and a little piece of our own rhythm in the kitchen.