The world loves potato salad, and among Mediterranean kitchens alone, the variations are plenty! At first glance, this potato salad with tuna looks a whole lot like Nicoise Salad. Yes, the resemblance is there, although a classic Salade Nicoise, as I learned, would not include potatoes nor green beans. It’s also similar to Greek (mayo-less) Potato Salad, which swaps the lettuce, green beans, and tomatoes for briny olives and sweet green onions. A similar potato salad is known in parts of Spain as Ensaladilla Rusa, meaning Russian Salad or little Russian Salad. It is known to have been invented by the Russians in the 19th century, but the Spanish had since made several variations of this dish making it a popular tapa, often with the addition of tuna and sometimes chorizo, and homemade garlic mayo for dressing. This no-mayo potato salad recipe is neither Nicoise nor quite the classic Ensaladilla Rus, but it may borrow hints of both. And it is truly a meal in its own right with tons of color, texture, and flavor–thanks to a light and bright dressing and warm spices including smoked paprika and cumin.
Why this potato salad recipe works?
Cooked fingerling potatoes are combined with green beans, tomatoes and pearl onions (or shallots.) The draw for me are the flavor makers–canned tuna crumbled in, earthy spices like smoked paprika and cumin for smokiness and depth, a nod to Spain. Fresh garlic, which, in my opinion, makes everything better. And a simple, bright dressing excellent extra virgin olive oil and white wine vinegar.
Shameless plug here, in a dish like this, I would recommend a bold extra virgin olive oil such as our Spanish Hojiblanca EVOO or Early Harvest EVOO.
How to serve this Spanish-Style Potato Salad
You can make this potato salad a few hours ahead of serving, and store it in the fridge so the flavors will meld. I like to then assemble it on a pretty platter on top of a bed of spring greens or butter lettuce. Of course, if you’re serving a group, the obvious way to serve this Spanish potato salad is as they do in Spain: tapas-style. And here a few options for dishes to go next to it: Roasted Garlic Hummus; Grilled Brussels Sprouts Skewers; Mediterranean Roasted Tomato “Nachos.”; Skillet Shrimp and Chorizo; Balela Salad.
But, this potato salad can make a great lunch or a light dinner along with your favorite crusty bread and a glass of good white wine.
More Recipes to Try
Tuna and White Bean Salad Mediterranean Fresh Herb and Tomato Salad Greek Green Beans Fasokakia Grilled Salmon with Mint Mango Salsa Mediterranean Tuna Salad Grilled Swordfish Recipe with a Mediterranean Twist
