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Seared Ahi Tuna Niçoise Salad

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Seared Ahi Tuna Niçoise Salad is a modern twist on the French classic, featuring citrus-marinated ahi tuna seared to tender pink perfection, served with roasted potatoes, green beans, eggs, olives, capers, and mesclun greens. Finished with a tangy white wine vinaigrette, it’s bright, balanced, and satisfying.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes (excluding marination)
  • Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

Tuna Marinade:

8 oz sushi-grade ahi tuna

Peels from 1 lemon, 1 lime, and 1 small orange

2 rosemary sprigs

2 Tbsp olive oil

White Wine Vinaigrette:

2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

½ Tbsp Dijon mustard

½ tsp lemon zest

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

½ tsp white sugar

1 garlic clove, minced

⅓ cup olive oil

Salt and pepper

Salad Components:

½ cup fingerling potatoes, halved

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 large eggs

1 cup green beans

½ cup cherry tomatoes

¼ cup Kalamata olives

2 Tbsp capers

5 cups mesclun greens

Instructions

  1. Marinate tuna: Place tuna, citrus peels, rosemary, and olive oil in a zip-top bag. Season with salt and pepper. Marinate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Make vinaigrette: Whisk vinegars, mustard, zest, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in olive oil until emulsified.
  3. Roast potatoes: Toss fingerlings with oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (204°C) for 20–25 minutes until tender. Cool.
  4. Cook eggs: Boil 8 minutes, transfer to ice bath, peel, and halve.
  5. Blanch beans: Boil 2–3 minutes, then shock in ice water.
  6. Sear tuna: Remove tuna from marinade. Heat skillet with oil over high heat. Sear tuna 2 minutes per side for medium-rare. Rest 5 minutes, then slice.
  7. Assemble salad: Toss mesclun with potatoes, eggs, beans, tomatoes, olives, and capers. Divide onto plates, top with seared tuna, and drizzle with vinaigrette.

Notes

  • Use sushi-grade tuna for safe rare searing.
  • Potatoes, eggs, beans, and dressing can be prepped ahead.
  • Tuna is best seared just before serving for freshness.
  • Swap greens with arugula, spinach, or romaine.
  • Add anchovies for a more traditional Niçoise.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 4+ hours marination)
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Searing & Roasting
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plated salad
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 580mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 220mg