Spicy Zesty Tuna Salad (Printable)

Vibrant tuna salad with spicy mayo, lemon juice, and scallions. Quick, protein-packed, and perfect for any meal.

# Components:

→ 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 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 (optional)
11 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# Method:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Sriracha, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully combined.
02 - Add drained tuna, scallions, and celery if using to the dressing. Gently fold together until tuna is evenly coated.
03 - Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more lemon juice or hot sauce for additional zest.
04 - Transfer to serving vessel and garnish with fresh herbs and lemon wedges. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes less time than waiting for delivery and tastes a hundred times fresher.
  • The spicy mayo clings to every flake of tuna so each bite has that perfect zesty heat.
  • You can make it as mild or as fiery as your mood demands that day.
  • It works on bread, in lettuce cups, straight from the bowl with a fork, or piled on crackers when friends drop by.
02 -
  • If you dont drain the tuna completely, the whole thing gets watery and the dressing slides right off.
  • Adding the lemon juice last instead of mixing it into the dressing at first keeps the flavor sharper and brighter.
  • Let it sit in the fridge for even ten minutes and the flavors marry in a way that makes it taste like you worked way harder than you did.
03 -
  • Use a fork to flake the tuna instead of a spoon so you keep some texture instead of turning it into mush.
  • Add a pinch of smoked paprika or a drizzle of sesame oil for a deeper, more complex flavor that surprises people.
  • Chill your bowl for ten minutes before mixing if you are serving it cold, it keeps everything crisp and refreshing.
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