Tuna, White Bean and Potato Salad

By Dominic Lamirande
Tuna, White Bean and Potato Salad

A total favorite for the ultimate summer dish! Fresh and light, yet satisfying all at once. An olive oil potato mash, a zesty lemon white bean salad elevated with Nocellara olives and marinated artichokes, the finest olive oil-packed tuna, and pickled red onions. Mediterranean cuisine at its absolute best!

Food restrictions
Gluten-free Lactose-free Nut-free Egg-free Dairy-free Soya-free Peanut free
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Mediterranean and Sicilian Inspiration: Tuna and White Bean Main-Course Salad over Olive Oil Potato Mash

During my trip to Sicily, my sister and I enjoyed this delicious salad for lunch at a beach club. It was love at first bite for the ultimate summer dish, exactly what we needed after a morning at the beach. Fresh and light, yet deeply satisfying!

I just had to recreate it at home, and I think this version hits the mark: a simple olive oil potato mash, a zesty lemon white bean salad elevated with Nocellara olives and marinated artichokes, the highest-quality olive oil-packed tuna you can find, and quick-pickled onions. Mediterranean cuisine at its absolute best!

Tips for a perfect recipe:

  • Choose high-quality tuna packed in olive oil (preferably in a glass jar): its texture is far more tender and meaty than standard canned tuna, completely elevating this salad.

  • Serve with garlic-rubbed grilled bread: the perfect addition to turn this into a complete summer meal.

  • Streamline your prep time to 20 minutes: assemble the bean salad and quick-pickled onions while the potatoes are boiling. Zero wasted time in the kitchen for a dish that tastes straight out of a Mediterranean bistro!

Why make this recipe?

  • The “light yet satisfying” balance: thanks to the winning combination of tuna (lean protein) and white beans (rich in fiber and plant-based protein), this salad is genuinely filling. The mashed potatoes add a comforting element without the heaviness of a cream or butter sauce.

  • Top allergen-free: In addition to being naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, this recipe is completely free of nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, and sesame. It’s the ultimate inclusive dish to serve when hosting a group, as it eliminates almost all common allergies and food intolerances.

  • Authentic Sicilian flavors: quality olive oil-packed tuna, Nocellara olives, artichoke hearts, lemon, and quick-pickled onions… Every bite is packed with the bright, fresh, and zesty sunny flavors typical of Southern Italian cuisine.

  • A good go-to lunch: perfect for meal prep or busy weekdays. The bean salad actually tastes better after marinating in the fridge. Simply layer everything over the potato mash (warm or cold, it’s delicious either way!) right before serving.

  • Nutrient-dense: packed with healthy fats (omega-3s from the tuna and antioxidants from the extra virgin olive oil), complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, and a colorful dose of fresh ingredients.

Tuna, White Bean and Potato Salad
Tuna, White Bean and Potato Salad By Dominic Lamirande

To start things well
You use:
You cook for:
4 people

Ingredients
Potato mash
Salad
Quick-Pickled Red Onions

Preparation
1. Quick-Pickled Onions

Combine all the ingredients for the pickled onions in a bowl. Toss well to coat the onions completely and let rest for at least 15 minutes.

2. Cooking the potatoes

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, or until very tender. Drain.

3. Olive Oil Potato Mash

Mash the warm potatoes using a potato masher along with the olive oil and chopped parsley. Season generously with salt and pepper. The texture should be rustic: aim for a chunky mash rather than a smooth purée.

4. Sicilian Bean Salad

In a large bowl, combine the white beans, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, then gently toss to combine.

5. Plating the salad

Spread the warm (or cooled) potato mash over the bottom of a large serving platter using the back of a spoon. Top with the white bean salad.

Lightly drain the tuna—leaving a touch of its oil—and break it into generous chunks over the salad.

6. Garnishing & Serving

Garnished with fresh flat-leaf parsley and basil leaves, the quick-pickled red onions, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, flaky sea salt, and a turn of freshly cracked black pepper.


Nutritional information 1/4 of the recipe
Calories 620 kcal Proteins 35 g Carbs 45 g Fats 33 g
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