Description
This zesty, high-protein tuna salad upgrades the classic with bright lemon and aromatic za’atar spice blend, perfect for sandwiches or lettuce wraps. It’s ready in minutes for a healthy, vibrant meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 280 g (10 oz) canned tuna, thoroughly drained
- 120 g (0.5 cup) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
- 2.5 teaspoons za’atar spice blend, divided
- 70 g (2 stalks) celery, finely diced
- 30 g (0.25 cup) red onion, finely minced
- 15 g (0.25 cup) fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Tuna and Vegetables: Begin by thoroughly draining the canned tuna, pressing out excess liquid. Flake the tuna gently with a fork in a medium bowl, then add the finely diced celery and red onion.
- Make Creamy Za’atar Dressing: In a separate small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons of the za’atar spice blend, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Pour the dressing over the tuna mixture. Add the chopped fresh parsley and gently fold until all ingredients are just evenly coated. Avoid overmixing to preserve texture.
- Chill for Flavor: Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. If the salad seems too dry after chilling, add a splash of lemon juice or olive oil to adjust consistency.
- Prepare Za’atar Drizzle: Just before serving, combine the 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the remaining 0.5 teaspoon of za’atar in a small bowl.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the chilled tuna salad in sandwiches or wraps, or over greens. Drizzle with the za’atar-infused olive oil and garnish with additional parsley.
Notes
For best results, store the tuna salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; the flavor improves as it sits. Do not freeze, as the texture of the mayonnaise and vegetables will change upon thawing. To prevent a watery salad, ensure all excess moisture from the tuna is drained completely before mixing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: lunch, salad
- Method: no-cook
- Cuisine: middle eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: tuna, salad, lemon, zaatar, high protein, meal prep, lunch, sandwich, healthy, quick, no-cook