Mediterranean Tuna White Bean Herb Salad (Printable)

Fresh tuna and creamy white beans with crisp vegetables in a bright herb dressing. Ready in 15 minutes.

# List of ingredients:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 (5 oz) cans solid white tuna in olive oil, drained
02 - 1 (15 oz) can cannellini or Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Herbs

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
07 - 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
14 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified and smooth.
02 - Place drained tuna, white beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, parsley, basil, and dill in a large bowl.
03 - Pour dressing over salad mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
04 - Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld together.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its one of those rare dishes that actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a day
  • You probably have most of these ingredients lurking in your pantry right now
  • The combination of creamy beans and tender tuna feels substantial without being heavy
02 -
  • Dont skip the step of rinsing the canned beans thoroughly as the liquid can make the salad taste metallic
  • Letting the salad rest for even 20 minutes before serving transforms it completely
  • The red onion can be overwhelming if not sliced very thinly so take your time with the knife work
03 -
  • Invest in good canned tuna from Spain or Italy as the quality really shines in simple preparations
  • If serving guests plate individual portions rather than family style for a more elegant presentation

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