Spicy Zesty Tuna Salad (Print Version)

Vibrant, protein-packed tuna salad with spicy mayo, fresh lemon juice, and crisp scallions for an easy, zesty meal.

# What You 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, 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

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Sriracha, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
02 - Add drained tuna, scallions, and celery to the bowl. Gently mix until tuna is evenly coated with 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 for enhanced flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less time than deciding what to eat and tastes like you actually tried.
  • The spicy mayo coating clings to every flake of tuna, giving you flavor in every bite instead of sad, dry chunks.
  • You can dial the heat up or down without losing that zesty backbone that makes it craveable.
  • It works as a quick lunch, a sandwich filling, or something to eat straight from the bowl when no one is watching.
02 -
  • Drain the tuna completely and press it gently with a fork against the side of the strainer, otherwise you'll have a soggy, loose salad that won't hold together.
  • Don't skip tasting the dressing before adding the tuna, because once it's mixed in, it's much harder to fix an under-seasoned or too-spicy batch.
  • If you're making this ahead, hold off on adding the scallions and celery until just before serving so they stay crisp and don't get limp in the fridge.
03 -
  • Use chunk light tuna instead of solid white if you want a more budget-friendly option that still tastes great and holds the dressing well.
  • Toast your bread or crackers right before serving so the contrast between the creamy tuna and the crispy base is as satisfying as possible.
  • If you're sensitive to raw onion flavor, soak the sliced scallions in cold water for a few minutes before adding them to mellow the sharpness.
  • Add a pinch of everything bagel seasoning on top for an easy flavor boost that makes it feel more exciting without extra effort.
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