Italian-style Oil-Poached Tuna Salad
15 min
30min
2-3
Salad
Italian
Oil-poached tuna is a revelation and this one rivals any high-quality imported oil-packed tuna from Italy, Spain, or Portugal. The fish absorbs all of the flavor of the herbs and garlic in the olive oil and stays incredibly moist and tender.
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
-
1 small (3-inch) rosemary sprig
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes - 2 (5- to 7-ounce) pieces albacore tuna, cut into 1-inch thick slices
- Extra virgin olive oil for poaching
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 (15–ounce) can cannellini or butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 celery stalks with leaves, sliced
- 1 ripe tomato, chopped
- Grilled bread for serving
Directions
Poach the Tuna
Use a vegetable peeler to remove strips of lemon zest and add to a medium saucepan. Add the garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, tuna, and enough oil just to cover. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and cook until the tuna is opaque and firm, 10 to 15 minutes.
Make the Salad and Serve
Transfer the tuna to a plate and break into large flakes. Strain the oil and reserve ¼ cup for the dressing.
Into a large bowl, squeeze 3 tablespoons lemon juice. Whisk in the reserved olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add the tuna, white beans, celery, and tomato, and gently toss to coat.
Serve with grilled bread.
Pro tips
Pair it Up
A sunny southern Italian white wine has enough body (and freshness) to compliment this oil-poached fish. Look for greco di tufo, fiano, or falanghina from the Campania region.
Level It Up
Use thinly sliced fresh fennel in place of the celery for a fresh anise flavor.
Change It Up
Spoon any leftover salad onto a crusty baguette or ciabatta roll and drizzle with plenty of olive oil for a fresh and satisfying sandwich.
Lighten It Up
Filled with heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, and lean proteins—tuna, olive oil, celery, and white beans—this dish is a complete meal. But for added benefits, add some blanched green beans.
Grace Parisi
Culinary Director Grace Parisi is a cook, writer and cookbook author. Formerly the Senior Test Kitchen Editor at Food & Wine Magazine and Executive Food Director at TimeInc Books, her work has appeared in Cooking Light, Health, O Magazine, Epicurious, Fitness, Today, Serious Eats, Martha Stewart, and many more. She’s the author of more than 6 books, among them The Portlandia Cookbook and Get Saucy, which was nominated for a James Beard award for Best Single Subject Cookbook.
