Name: Green Bean Niçoise Salad
Cook time: 50 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Yield: Serves 8–12
Ingredients: 3/4 pound small new potatoes; Kosher salt; 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed; 4 large eggs; 1 small shallot, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest; 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon honey; 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped dill, divided; 1/4 cup drained capers, patted dry; 1 bunch breakfast radishes (about 3/4 pound), trimmed, quartered; 1/4 cup Niçoise or Kalamata olives, pitted, halved

Green bean niçoise salad on a white platter.

Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell

This vegetarian version of the classic French salad is brimming with bright spring vegetables, a lemony Dijon dressing, and tangy fried capers.

Do Ahead

Potatoes, green beans, and eggs can be cooked 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight container and chill. Dressing, without dill, can be made 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container and chill.

Recipe information

Total Time
50 minutes
Yield
Serves 8–12

Ingredients

3/4 pound small new potatoes

Kosher salt

1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed

4 large eggs

1 small shallot, finely chopped

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon honey

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

5 tablespoons olive oil, divided

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped dill, divided

1/4 cup drained capers, patted dry

1 bunch breakfast radishes (about 3/4 pound), trimmed, quartered

1/4 cup Niçoise or Kalamata olives, pitted, halved

Preparation

Step 1
Place potatoes in a medium pot; add cold water to cover by 1". Season with salt, bring to a boil, and cook until potatoes are fork-tender, 12–15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl of ice water and chill until cold, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and pat dry, reserving bowl of ice water.
Step 2
Meanwhile, bring another medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook until crisp-tender, 2–4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to ice water; reserve hot water in pot. Chill beans until cold, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and pat dry, reserving bowl of ice water.
Step 3
Return water in green bean pot to a boil, carefully add eggs, and cook 8 minutes. Transfer eggs to ice water and chill until cold, about 5 minutes. Peel; set aside.
Step 4
Combine shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon, honey, pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in 3 Tbsp. oil in a slow, steady stream, then whisk in 1 Tbsp. dill.
Step 5
Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a small saucepan over medium-high. Add capers and cook, swirling pan occasionally, until capers burst and are crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer capers with slotted spoon to paper towels. Let oil cool.
Step 6
Toss green beans in a large bowl with half of the dressing. Arrange on a platter. Transfer potatoes to same bowl and toss with 1 Tbsp. dressing; arrange in a section on top of green beans. Toss radishes with 1 Tbsp. dressing in same bowl; arrange in another section on top of green beans. Cut eggs into quarters and place eggs and olives in sections on top of green beans, letting some beans show through. Just before serving, drizzle salad with remaining dressing, then top with fried capers and remaining 1 Tbsp. dill.