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Overhead shot of Mediterranean tuna and roasted pepper panzanella salad with a hand squeezing fresh lemon over golden sourdough croutons, olives, and flaked tuna.

Mediterranean Tuna and Roasted Pepper Panzanella Salad

A colorful Mediterranean-style panzanella salad featuring oil-packed tuna, sweet roasted red bell peppers, briny olives, capers, and crunchy sourdough croutons tossed in a lemon-EVOO dressing.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

  • - 2 cans 5 oz each high-quality oil-packed tuna, drained slightly and flaked
  • - 2 large roasted red bell peppers sliced into wide strips
  • - ½ cup large green olives pitted
  • - ½ cup Kalamata olives pitted
  • - 2 tbsp capers drained
  • - 2 cups rustic sourdough bread torn or cubed
  • - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided
  • - 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • - 1–2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • - Coarse sea salt to taste
  • - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • - Handful fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • - Handful fresh chives finely snipped

Method
 

Make the Croutons:
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the torn sourdough pieces and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning frequently, until deeply golden brown and crunchy. Season with a pinch of sea salt and set aside to cool.
Prepare the Base:
  1. Arrange the sliced roasted red bell pepper strips across a large serving platter to form an even, colorful base layer.
Add the Tuna:
  1. Scatter the flaked oil-packed tuna generously over the bed of roasted peppers, keeping the chunks relatively large.
Distribute Accents and Croutons:
  1. Scatter the green olives, Kalamata olives, drained capers, and crispy sourdough croutons evenly across the platter.
Whisk the Dressing:
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Dress and Serve:
  1. Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad. Garnish with fresh parsley, snipped chives, an extra squeeze of fresh lemon, and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

Notes:
- Keep the croutons separate if making components ahead.
- Squeeze extra fresh lemon juice over the platter just before bringing it to the table for maximum flavor brightness.
Nutrition (Calculated Per Serving):
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Protein: 24 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg