Like most staples of classical French cooking—lookin’ at you, [ratatouille](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-an-easy-ratatouille) and [coq au vin](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/traditional-french-coq-au-vin-recipe)—*salade niçoise* hails from humble beginnings. 

Classic French Niçoise Salad Recipe

In its very simplest 19th century iteration, this composed salad from the seaside city of Nice, France, featured just [tomatoes](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-tomato-varieties-learn-how-to-pick-and-cook-with-tomatoes), anchovies, and [olive oil](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide). In a world where adding a dash of capers to a dish can rock the very foundations of culinary identity, the niçoise has since evolved into a flexible format.

Variations appear in just a range of reputable sources, from the Larousse to Escoffier to former mayors of Nice—some include [tuna](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-tuna-6-ways-to-cook-fresh-tuna-plus-10-tuna-fish-recipe-ideas), some don’t; some say it’s a summer [salad](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/29-simple-types-of-salad-healthy-salad-recipes-and-ideas) that shouldn’t see even a second of cooking time; some say, well, anything goes. At its core, the niçoise salad is meant to be *your* perfect salad, so build the flavor profile instinctively from those original few must-haves: tomato, anchovy, and olive oil. 
Like most staples of classical French cooking—lookin’ at you, [ratatouille](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-an-easy-ratatouille) and [coq au vin](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/traditional-french-coq-au-vin-recipe)—*salade niçoise* hails from humble beginnings. 

In its very simplest 19th century iteration, this composed salad from the seaside city of Nice, France, featured just <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-tomato-varieties-learn-how-to-pick-and-cook-with-tomatoes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-tomato-varieties-learn-how-to-pick-and-cook-with-tomatoes","linkCopy":"tomatoes","category":null}'>tomatoes</a>, anchovies, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide","linkCopy":"olive oil","category":null}'>olive oil</a>. In a world where adding a dash of capers to a dish can rock the very foundations of culinary identity, the niçoise has since evolved into a flexible format.Variations appear in just a range of reputable sources, from the Larousse to Escoffier to former mayors of Nice—some include <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-tuna-6-ways-to-cook-fresh-tuna-plus-10-tuna-fish-recipe-ideas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-tuna-6-ways-to-cook-fresh-tuna-plus-10-tuna-fish-recipe-ideas","linkCopy":"tuna","category":null}'>tuna</a>, some don’t; some say it’s a summer <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/29-simple-types-of-salad-healthy-salad-recipes-and-ideas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/29-simple-types-of-salad-healthy-salad-recipes-and-ideas","linkCopy":"salad","category":null}'>salad</a> that shouldn’t see even a second of cooking time; some say, well, anything goes. At its core, the niçoise salad is meant to be your perfect salad, so build the flavor profile instinctively from those original few must-haves: tomato, anchovy, and olive oil.

Foundations of a Niçoise Salad

Classic Niçoise Salad Recipe 

Like most staples of classical French cooking—lookin’ at you, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-an-easy-ratatouille' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-an-easy-ratatouille","linkCopy":"ratatouille","category":null}'>ratatouille</a> and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/traditional-french-coq-au-vin-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/traditional-french-coq-au-vin-recipe","linkCopy":"coq au vin","category":null}'>coq au vin</a>—salade niçoise hails from humble beginnings.

Like most staples of classical French cooking—lookin’ at you, ratatouille (https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-an-easy-ratatouille) and coq au vin (https://www.masterclass.com/articles/traditional-french-coq-au-vin-recipe)—salade niçoise hails from humble beginnings. 
