Spicy Zesty Tuna Salad (Printable)

Vibrant tuna salad with spicy mayo, fresh lemon juice, and crisp scallions. Protein-packed and ready in 10 minutes.

# 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, adjust 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)

# How-To Steps:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under ten minutes, which means you can make it even when youre too tired to think.
  • The spicy mayo dressing transforms plain tuna into something that actually tastes indulgent and restaurant-worthy.
  • You can eat it straight from the bowl, pile it onto crackers, or stuff it into a sandwich without any extra effort.
  • It keeps well in the fridge, so you can make it ahead and have lunch ready when hunger strikes unexpectedly.
02 -
  • Drain the tuna thoroughly and press out extra moisture, or your salad will turn soupy and dilute all the flavor youve built.
  • Start with less Sriracha than you think you need because you can always add more, but you cant take it back once its too spicy.
  • If you make this ahead, wait to add the celery until just before serving so it stays crisp and doesnt get soggy.
03 -
  • Use chunk light tuna instead of albacore if you want a more budget-friendly option that still tastes great.
  • Toast your bread or crackers right before serving because the contrast between warm, crispy base and cold, creamy tuna is unbeatable.
  • If youre sensitive to spice, mix in a little honey or a pinch of sugar to balance the heat without losing the zesty kick.
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