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classic tuna salad recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
Elevate your lunch with this simple, high-protein classic tuna salad featuring a creamy smoked paprika and roasted red pepper aioli. Ready in just 15 minutes of hands-on prep, this recipe transforms a boring staple into a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for sandwiches or lettuce wraps.
Ingredients
- 340 g canned tuna in olive oil, thoroughly drained
- 120 g mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
- 60 g jarred roasted red pepper, patted dry
- 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
- 5 ml fresh lemon juice
- 2.5 ml smoked paprika
- 70 g celery, finely diced
- 40 g red onion, finely diced
- 2.5 ml sea salt, or to taste
- 1.25 ml freshly ground black pepper
- 15 ml fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Blend Aioli: Combine mayonnaise, roasted red pepper, minced garlic, lemon juice, and smoked paprika in a food processor or blender. Process until completely smooth. Set aside 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of the aioli for garnishing.
- Prepare Tuna Base: Drain the canned tuna thoroughly, pressing out all excess liquid. Transfer the tuna to a mixing bowl and gently flake it with a fork, ensuring no large chunks remain while avoiding over-mashing.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the finely diced celery and red onion to the flaked tuna. Pour in the remaining aioli and gently fold all ingredients together until evenly combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can result in a mushy texture.
- Chill and Season: Season the tuna salad with sea salt and black pepper; stir gently to distribute. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and helps the aioli to firm up.
- Garnish Before Serving: To serve, scoop the chilled tuna salad onto a plate or into a bowl. Drizzle with the reserved aioli and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a decorative finish.
Notes
Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes for best texture and flavor. To avoid a watery result, ensure the tuna and roasted red peppers are thoroughly drained and patted dry before use. Avoid overmixing to prevent a mushy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: high-protein, lunch, no-cook, meal prep, easy, tuna salad, smoked paprika, red pepper, sandwich filling, classic
