If you’re looking for a simple, flavorful dish to keep in your fridge during those hot summer days when cooking feels like a chore, this Italian Tuna and Potato Salad is exactly what you need. This recipe, lovingly shared by Laura in the Kitchen, has been a cherished family favorite for years. It’s perfect for anyone who appreciates easy recipes that don’t sacrifice taste or satisfaction.
Why This Tuna and Potato Salad is a Summer Essential
This salad is not only delicious but also incredibly practical. It’s a dish that keeps well in the fridge, making it ideal for quick lunches or light dinners when the heat makes turning on the stove unbearable. The combination of tender russet potatoes, fresh green beans, briny olives, and flavorful tuna creates a satisfying meal with layers of texture and taste.
Choosing the Right Potatoes and Preparing Them
Russet potatoes are the star here because of their fluffy texture and subtle sweetness, which balances the dish beautifully. The key to perfect potatoes is to peel them and cut into large chunks. Starting them in cold water is crucial—it prevents uneven cooking and excess starch absorption. Laura emphasizes cutting potatoes chunky to avoid them soaking up too much water, which could make the salad soggy.
- Use 1 pound of russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks.
- Place in a pot of cold, heavily salted water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer.
- Cook until potatoes are about three quarters done.
Adding Fresh Green Beans for Crunch and Color
Fresh green beans add a lovely crunch and vibrant green color to the salad. Laura suggests using garden-fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into large pieces. These are added during the last 10 minutes of the potato cooking time, allowing them to become tender but still crisp.
Building the Salad: The Flavorful Mix-ins
Once the potatoes and green beans are cooked and cooled, it’s time to assemble the salad. Fresh parsley brings a bright herbal note, roughly chopped to resemble lettuce leaves for a rustic feel. Thinly sliced red onions add a sharp bite that complements the creamy potatoes and tuna perfectly. Kalamata olives introduce a salty, briny depth that ties the salad together.
- Roughly chop fresh parsley (amount to taste).
- Thinly slice red onion.
- Add a handful of Kalamata olives.
The Secret to Flavorful Tuna
Laura is clear about one key ingredient: tuna packed in olive oil. This choice makes a huge difference in flavor and texture, so don’t substitute with tuna packed in water. The olive oil adds richness and helps meld the salad’s flavors together.
To dress the salad, use about a third of a cup of good quality extra virgin olive oil, a tablespoon or more of red wine vinegar for brightness, a pinch of salt, and a sprinkle of oregano. These simple ingredients come together to create a vibrant, tangy dressing that coats every bite.
Mixing it All Together: The Final Touch
The key to a perfect salad is in the mixing. Laura breaks up the potatoes and tuna gently with a fork, almost mashing them so the flavors blend seamlessly. This technique ensures every bite has a balanced combination of ingredients.
Just before finishing, halved cherry tomatoes are added for a pop of sweetness and color, along with an extra drizzle of olive oil to enhance the richness.
Serving Tips and Storage
This salad can be enjoyed immediately, but it tastes even better after chilling in the fridge. The flavors develop and meld beautifully, making it a refreshing and satisfying dish to serve on a hot day.
Because it keeps well, it’s a great option for meal prepping or for those busy days when you want something delicious without spending time cooking.
Ingredients at a Glance
- 1 lb Russet Potatoes
- 8 oz Green Beans
- 7 oz Tuna packed in Olive Oil
- Thinly Sliced Red Onion, to taste
- Handful of Kalamata Olives
- Parsley, roughly chopped
- Handful of Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- Salt and Oregano to taste
- 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar or more to taste
Why This Recipe Works for Easy Cooking
This Italian Tuna and Potato Salad is an excellent example of easy recipes that don’t skimp on flavor. It requires minimal cooking, simple ingredients, and little hands-on time, making it perfect for anyone wanting a tasty meal without the fuss. The use of fresh vegetables and quality pantry staples like olive oil and vinegar keeps it light, healthy, and satisfying.
Give this salad a try for your next summer meal or whenever you want an effortless yet delicious dish. It’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe box just like it has been for Laura and her family over the years.
This article was created from the video Italian Potato and Tuna Salad with the help of AI.
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