Salmon Nicoise Salad is a classic French salad recipe using salmon instead of tuna as a topper for this delicious meal.

salmon nicoise salad on a plate

I’ve always loved a classic Nicoise Salad. It’s totally delicious when made the classic way with tuna. But there was a deli I loved when we lived in Reno, Nevada that used to make their Nicoise salads with salmon instead of tuna. What a great idea! I have always loved that version, so it’s time I shared this delicious twist on the Nicoise salad with you!

ingredients displayed for making salmon nicoise salad

Ingredients needed:

  • extra virgin olive oil
  • white wine vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • onion powder
  • salt and pepper
  • small red potatoes
  • fresh green beans
  • butter lettuce
  • cherry tomatoes
  • kalamata olives
  • hard-boiled eggs
  • cooked salmon

three photos showing steamed green beans, steamed potatoes and bowl of salad dressing

How to make Salmon Nicoise Salad:

The complete, printable recipe is at the end of this post.

PREPARE THE SALAD DRESSING:

  • In a small bowl, whisk the oil vinegar, mustard, onion powder and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Set aside.

MAKE THE SALAD:

  • To a small saucepan, add the potatoes and cover the water. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat; cover and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and cool; cut into quarters.
  • Place the beans in another saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes; drain and rinse in cold water.

spooning dressing onto salmon nicoise salad

Divide the lettuce between 2 salad plates; top with the potatoes, beans, tomatoes, olives, eggs and salmon. Drizzle the salads with the dressing, and serve.

two plates of salmon nicoise salad

If you’ve never had a Nicoise salad, it’s time to try one! You don’t have to go all the way to France. You can make this one (easy) at home.

salmon nicoise salad on a plate

This is a great salad to make if you have some leftover salmon. If not, it’s very simple to make some baked salmon.

How to make Baked Salmon:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place salmon, skin side down, on a non-stick baking sheet or in a non-stick pan with an oven-proof handle. Bake until salmon is cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes.

salmon nicoise salad close up

The dressing on this salad is delicious. It’s a homemade Dijon and white wine vinegar dressing, and it’s perfect with all of the salad ingredients. Enjoy!

Favorite Salmon Recipes

salmon nicoise salad on a plate
5 from 2 votes

Salmon Nicoise Salad

A classic French salad!
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
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Ingredients

DRESSING:

SALAD:

  • 2 small red potatoes
  • 1 cup cut fresh green beans
  • cups torn butter lettuce
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 10 whole pitted kalamata olives, halved
  • 2 large hard-boiled eggs, quartered
  • 6 ounces cooked salmon, flaked

Instructions 

PREPARE THE SALAD DRESSING:

  • In a small bowl, whisk the oil vinegar, mustard, onion powder and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Set aside.

MAKE THE SALAD:

  • To a small saucepan, add the potatoes and cover the water. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat; cover and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and cool; cut into quarters.
  • Place the beans in another saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes; drain and rinse in cold water.
  • Divide the lettuce between 2 salad plates; top with the potatoes, beans, tomatoes, olives, eggs and salmon. Drizzle the salads with the dressing, and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1salad, Calories: 685kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 48g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Monounsaturated Fat: 31g, Cholesterol: 233mg, Sodium: 845mg, Potassium: 1677mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 3788IU, Vitamin C: 33mg, Calcium: 115mg, Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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5 from 2 votes

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2 Comments

  1. Joseph Sciascia says:

    5 stars
    I really enjoyed this recipe since I usually use Tuna in this dish but your idea with the salmon is sublime! thank you!!!

  2. Katrina says:

    5 stars
    This is one of my fav’s!!! Amazing