This Tuna Nicoise Sandwich is a fresh and flavorful twist on the classic. Packed with vibrant ingredients and incredible textures, it's the perfect lunch for a picnic or any time you want something delicious!
When you think of a tuna sandwich, what comes to mind? If it's the classic canned tuna mixed with too much mayo and a hint of sadness, I totally get it. Let’s face it, many tuna sandwiches are pretty uninspiring, and if you’ve had your fair share, you’re probably not jumping for joy at the thought of one.
But let me tell you, this Tuna Nicoise Sandwich is not your average tuna. It’s fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor—think briny capers, crisp greens, crunchy radishes, sweet tomatoes and a pop of acidity from a homemade vinaigrette. This sandwich takes tuna to a whole new level and will have you craving more, with its incredible textures and bright, bold flavors.
Whether you're having it for a casual lunch or packing it up for a picnic at the beach, it’s the perfect bite to enjoy with the sound of the ocean and a breeze in your hair. So go ahead—say goodbye to sad tuna sandwiches and treat yourself to something deliciously different!
Ingredients:
1 big can (12 0z) Canned Tuna
½ very small shallot, sliced
1-2 tomatoes, sliced
2-3 hard boiled eggs, sliced
1 Tablespoon capers
4-6 Romaine or Bibb lettuce leaves
2-3 radishes, sliced
Bread (italian baguette)
Vinaigrette:
⅓ cup olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
4-6 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ very small shallot, minced
1 very small garlic clove, minced
½ Tablespoon dijon mustard
1 anchovy fillet, minced
1 Tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
How To Make a Tuna Nicoise Sandwich
Whisk all the ingredients for the vinaigrette together. 
Drizzle part of the vinaigrette over the baguette. 
Gently mix the canned tuna with a few Tablespoons of the vinaigrette. (You can use tuna that is packed in oil or in water.) 
Place some romaine lettuce (or bibb lettuce, spring greens, spinach or any other kind of lettuce that you like) on top of the baguette. 
Place the tomato slices on top of the lettuce, season them with salt and pepper and drizzle with a few teaspoons of the vinaigrette. 
Place the tuna on top go the tomato slices. Add the capers and radish slices on top of the tuna. 
You can also add some thin slices of shallot or red onion. Top the sandwich with slices of hard boiled egg. Season with salt and pepper. 
Serve immediately.
Tuna Nicoise Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 big can 12 0z Canned Tuna
- ½ very small shallot sliced
- 1-2 tomatoes sliced
- 2-3 hard boiled eggs sliced
- 1 Tablespoon capers
- 4-6 Romaine or Bibb lettuce leaves
- 2-3 radishes sliced
- Bread Italian baguette
Vinaigrette:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- juice of 1 lemon
- 4-6 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ very small shallot minced
- 1 very small garlic clove minced
- ½ Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 anchovy fillet minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley minced
Instructions
- Whisk all the ingredients for the vinaigrette together.
- Drizzle part of the vinaigrette over the baguette.
- Gently mix the canned tuna with a few Tablespoons of the vinaigrette. (You can use tuna that is packed in oil or in water.)
- Place some romaine lettuce (or bibb lettuce, spring greens, spinach or any other kind of lettuce that you like) on top of the baguette.
- Place the tomato slices on top of the lettuce, season them with salt and pepper and drizzle with a few teaspoons of the vinaigrette.
- Place the tuna on top go the tomato slices.
- Add the carpers and radish slices on top of the tuna. You can also add some thin slices of shallot or red onion.
- Top the sandwich with slices of hard boiled egg. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
My husband is not a fan of tuna, I was thinking of using canned chicken instead. Have you ever? Do you think it would taste good?
I'm sure canned chicken will work here too, Marina.
I've done a regular Tuna Nicoise before and I like to use tuna packed in olive oil. You can drain off the olive oil to use in the vinaigrette. It just makes for a more flavorful dressing. Add more plain olive oil if you don't get enough from the can. It's more economical, too..
Looks very good! Thanx for sharing!! One question though which tuna would u recommend?
You can use any tuna that you like, Tanya. It really doesn't matter for this recipe. I use whatever I have on hand.
Love at first bite 🙂 Thanks Olga!
Thanks, Olga!
Ohhhh!!! 🙂 This is very clever. I have always made the salad equivalent of this and never thought of turning it into a sandwich.
Both the salad and the sandwich are delicious:).
You are exactly right!!! 😀 This Tuna Sandwich did change everything about the "tuna sandwich". I did like the simple tuna with mayo and tomatoes, some spices, onion and sometimes adding some cheese on top (if making tuna melts) But this one is soooo delicious! I used all ingridients that are listed above, even the enchovies (which i never eaten or bought before) Yumm! 😛
Love it all the way! The whole family enjoyed them a lot! 😉 Thank you sooo much!!! 🙂
Yay! You're brave to try new things; I love it, Oksana. Trying new things pays off most of the time. I'm glad your family liked the sandwiches too.