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Creamy Tuna Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

creamy tuna salad - featured image

A quick and easy creamy tuna salad featuring sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy twist, perfect for healthy lunches, picnics, or light dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans (5 oz / 142 g each) tuna in water, drained
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup (35 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained)
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons (6 g) chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Drain the tuna thoroughly by pressing gently with the back of a fork or spoon to remove excess water (about 1 minute).
  2. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes finely after removing from oil and patting dry (about 2 minutes).
  3. Finely dice the celery and red onion if using (about 3 minutes).
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice. Stir until smooth and well blended (about 1 minute).
  5. Gently fold in the drained tuna, sun-dried tomatoes, celery, and red onion into the creamy base (about 2 minutes), keeping the tuna chunky.
  6. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle in chopped parsley if desired (about 1 minute).
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. If in a hurry, 15 minutes works but chilling longer is best.

Notes

Always drain tuna well to avoid sogginess. Fold gently to keep tuna chunky. Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor. Use fresh lemon juice for best brightness. For a thinner texture after chilling, stir in a teaspoon of water or lemon juice. Variations include adding sriracha for spice or swapping tuna with mashed chickpeas for a vegan version.

Nutrition

Keywords: tuna salad, creamy tuna salad, sun-dried tomatoes, healthy lunch, quick recipe, easy tuna salad, low-carb, gluten-free