Spicy Tuna Salad Nicoise
This Spicy Tuna Salad Nicoise is a delightful low-carbohydrate twist on the classic French salad, perfect for a quick and healthy meal. Utilizing high-quality yellow fin tuna packed in olive oil with chili, this salad not only minimizes carbs but also maximizes flavor. The oil from the tuna serves as an exquisite base for a homemade spicy dressing that adds depth to the dish. Fresh green beans, vibrant mixed greens, crisp cucumber, and juicy tomatoes come together to create a colorful and nutritious base. Topped with luscious hard-boiled eggs, flavorful anchovies, and black olives, this salad is satisfying, full of protein, and incredibly easy to make. Enjoy it as a light lunch or an elegant dinner option for yourself or to share with friends. Low in carbs and rich in healthy fats, it's a dish you'll come back to again and again!
N/A
Servings
120
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Green beans
115 g (halved)
Mixed salad greens
115 g (washed and torn)
Lebanese cucumber
1/2 (sliced)
Tomatoes
4 (quartered)
Yellow fin tuna (in olive oil with chili)
100 g (sliced)
Anchovies
50 g (halved lengthways)
Hard-boiled eggs
4 (cut into quarters)
Small radish (optional)
1/2 bunch (sliced)
Black olives
1/2 cup (pitted)
Salt
to taste
Ground black pepper
to taste
Olive oil (drained from tuna)
to taste
Garlic cloves
2 (crushed or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
White wine vinegar
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil drained from the tuna can, crushed garlic (or garlic powder), white wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper to create the dressing. Adjust seasoning to taste.
2
Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the green beans for about 2 minutes, or until just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
3
In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, sliced cucumber, quartered tomatoes, and blanched green beans.
4
Mound the salad with the tuna slices, anchovies, quartered hard-boiled eggs, radishes (if using), and black olives, arranging them beautifully on top of the greens.
5
Drizzle the spicy dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine all the ingredients, ensuring they are evenly coated. Serve immediately, or chill for a short while to allow flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
7.5 g
Fat
2.5 g
Carbs
10 g
Protein
1 g
Fiber
0.75 g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Tuna Salad Nicoise?
Spicy Tuna Salad Nicoise is a low-carbohydrate twist on the classic French salad, featuring yellow fin tuna in chili oil and fresh vegetables.
Is this recipe low-carb?
Yes, this salad is specifically designed to be low-carb, containing only 2.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving of this Spicy Tuna Salad Nicoise contains 120 calories.
What type of tuna is recommended?
The recipe calls for high-quality yellow fin tuna packed in olive oil with chili.
How do I make the dressing?
The dressing is made by whisking together the oil drained from the tuna can with crushed garlic, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
What are the primary greens used in the base?
The base consists of mixed salad greens, halved green beans, sliced Lebanese cucumber, and quartered tomatoes.
How long should I cook the green beans?
The green beans should be blanched in boiling water for about 2 minutes until just tender.
How much protein is in this salad?
This recipe provides 10g of protein per serving.
Does this salad contain anchovies?
Yes, the recipe includes 50g of anchovies halved lengthways for added flavor.
How are the eggs prepared for this dish?
The recipe uses 4 hard-boiled eggs that are cut into quarters and arranged on top of the salad.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
This salad contains 7.5g of fat per serving.
Can I add radishes to the salad?
Yes, sliced small radishes are an optional ingredient that can be added for extra crunch.
What kind of olives are used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of pitted black olives.
What type of vinegar is used for the dressing?
The dressing uses 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar.
How do I prevent the green beans from overcooking?
After blanching for 2 minutes, rinse the green beans under cold water immediately to stop the cooking process.
Is there any sugar in this salad?
The salad contains a very low amount of sugar, approximately 0.75g per serving.
How much fiber does this dish provide?
Each serving of this tuna salad provides 1g of fiber.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 2 crushed garlic cloves or 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for the dressing.
What makes the dressing spicy?
The heat comes from using the olive oil drained from the tuna that was packed with chili.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in total, including optional items and seasonings.
What type of cucumber is specified?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 of a Lebanese cucumber, sliced.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
The 4 tomatoes should be quartered before being added to the salad.
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Yes, you can chill the salad for a short while before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
Serve it immediately after drizzling the dressing and tossing gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
Is this recipe suitable for a light lunch?
Absolutely, it is described as an ideal option for a quick, healthy light lunch or an elegant dinner.
What is the preparation for the anchovies?
The anchovies should be halved lengthways before being added as a topping.
How much tuna is required?
The recipe requires 100g of yellow fin tuna.
Is this a French-style dish?
Yes, it is a variation of the Nicoise salad, which is a staple of French cuisine.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
The tags include salad, low carb, nicoise, tuna, healthy, and french cuisine.
How do I season the dressing?
Adjust the seasoning of the dressing with a pinch of salt and ground black pepper to your taste.