Spicy Zesty Tuna Salad (Printable Page)

Vibrant protein-packed tuna salad with spicy mayo, fresh lemon, and crisp scallions for a zesty kick.

# 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 hot sauce, or 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)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Sriracha, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
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 as desired.
04 - Serve immediately garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges, or chill for 30 minutes to enhance flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less time than deciding what to eat, and you probably have most of these ingredients already.
  • The spicy kick makes it feel like a treat instead of just another lunch.
  • It's satisfying enough to eat straight from the bowl with a fork when you're too hungry to wait.
02 -
  • If you skip draining the tuna well, the salad will be watery and the dressing will slide right off instead of clinging.
  • Tasting before serving is non negotiable, canned tuna varies in saltiness and you need to adjust or it might taste flat.
03 -
  • Use a fork to flake the tuna instead of a spoon, it gives you more control and keeps the texture from turning mushy.
  • Add the Sriracha a little at a time, you can always add more heat but you can't take it back once it's in there.
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