Spicy Zesty Tuna Salad (Printable View)

Vibrant tuna salad with spicy mayo, fresh lemon juice, and crisp scallions for a zesty, protein-rich meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna in water, drained

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
03 - 1 celery stalk, finely diced (optional)

→ Dressing

04 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
05 - 2 teaspoons Sriracha or other hot sauce, adjusted to taste
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

10 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
11 - Lemon wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Sriracha, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
02 - Add the drained tuna, scallions, and celery to the bowl. Gently mix until the tuna is evenly coated with the dressing.
03 - Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more lemon juice or hot sauce if desired to achieve preferred flavor intensity.
04 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges, or chill for 30 minutes for enhanced flavor development.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in less time than it takes to order takeout, with a zesty punch that wakes up your taste buds.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on your mood, and it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a bit.
  • It works for lunch, dinner, or that weird in-between snack when you need real food, not chips.
02 -
  • Drain the tuna thoroughly or the salad will be soupy and the dressing will slide right off.
  • Start with less Sriracha than you think you need, you can always add more but you cannot take it back.
  • Letting it chill for even 15 minutes makes a noticeable difference in flavor, the ingredients settle into each other.
03 -
  • Use a fork to flake the tuna instead of a spoon so you get nice chunks instead of a paste.
  • Taste your mayonnaise before mixing, some brands are sweeter or tangier and that will affect your final flavor balance.
  • If you love garlic, add a tiny bit of freshly grated clove instead of powder for a sharper, more alive taste.
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