Tuna, Cauliflower and White Bean Salad

Tuna, Cauliflower and White Bean Salad
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(283)
Comments
Read comments

Cauliflower is very happy in a pungent marinade, so I added it to one of my favorite stand-bys, tuna and bean salad. I liked this salad even more with the cauliflower added, as the tuna flavor infuses the cauliflower along with the vinegar and olive oil. You can use canned white beans, or cook up some delicious giant white beans and some of their broth in the dressing. The salad tastes even better if it has a few hours or a day to sit, and it keeps well.

Featured in: Cauliflower: Marinated, Mashed and Smashed

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
    Subscribe
  • Print Options


Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:Serves 4 generously
  • ¾pound cauliflower, broken into small florets (about ½ medium to large head)
  • 2tablespoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 1tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt to taste
  • 1garlic clove, minced or puréed
  • ½ to 1teaspoon Dijon mustard, to taste
  • 2tablespoons plain yogurt or bean broth if using dried beans
  • 6tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1small red onion, cut in half and sliced in half-moons (optional)
  • 15-ounce can tuna (packed in water or olive oil), drained
  • cups cooked large white beans, or 1 can cannellinis, drained and rinsed
  • 2tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or a combination of parsley and marjoram
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

585 calories; 22 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 15 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 69 grams carbohydrates; 18 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 33 grams protein; 681 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by
Cooking Newsletter illustration

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Steam cauliflower for 5 to 6 minutes, until just tender.

  2. Step 2

    Place sliced onion, if using, in a bowl and cover with cold water. Soak 5 minutes. Drain, rinse and drain again on paper towels.

  3. Step 3

    Meanwhile in a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, salt, garlic, mustard and yogurt or bean broth. Whisk in olive oil.

  4. Step 4

    When cauliflower is tender remove from heat and toss with half the dressing in a large salad bowl. Drain tuna and add to bowl with cauliflower. Break up with a fork. Add cooked beans, onion and herbs. Toss together. Add remaining salad dressing and pepper, taste and adjust seasoning.

Tip
  • This will keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator.

Ratings

5 out of 5
283 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Comments

I absolutely love this recipe. If you're using the optional red onion, I'd advise a medium dice instead of the half-moons - even with a small onion the half-moons are awkward to get into your mouth. Next time I will try adding capers.

Loved this. I cut the oil by about half and added extra mustard and vinegar (also capers - thanks for the suggestion there, other cooks!). I didn't feel like I missed the oil at all. Really delicious and very easy to make.

Even better with roasted -- slightly crisp and browned-- cauliflower.

I used 4 tbs of oil instead of 6 and add more lemon juice. Used roasted cauliflower because that was what I had available. As for the final product, I liked it since it contains all ingredients I love(cauliflower, white beans, tuna, onion, parsley). However I must say I didn’t love it. For similar effort, I would much rather make the Spicy Shrimp and Chickpea salad (it’s yummy!). As for canned tuna, I’d much rather add it to my potato salad with a few slices of pickled jalapeños.

My cauliflower was not even close to tender at 6 minutes, fyi

Delicious! Instead of steaming, I roasted the cauliflower, which felt unnecessary. As per comments, I cut 2 TBSP of olive oil and still had A LOT of dressing, so I added a second can of beans. Perfect amount. (Or you could add another can of tuna or more cauliflower.) I do think it needs a little more flavor, so I will try adding capers next time. I might add a bit of chopped celery for crunch. Also, I skipped the parsley this time, but won't next time.

Private comments are only visible to you.

Advertisement

or to save this recipe.