Say hello to tuna salad as you have never had it before. Made with bold, lively ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes and capers, plus a zip of lemon and hit of parsley, this updated twist on classic tuna salad will surprise you. Forget mushy, bland tuna salads of the past. This one has texture, dimension, and despite the fact that it’s made almost exclusively of pantry ingredients, it tastes incredibly fresh. When you’re looking for a healthy reset, finding fast recipes (like Avocado Egg Salad) you can pull together with what you have on hand can be a challenge, especially when you are trying to cook three meals a day, often for multiple people. Let this Italian-inspired tuna salad recipe help out. It is one of the best, most delicious things you can do with canned tuna. Just ask Tuna Pasta Salad. Speaking of canned items we all may or may not have purchased too much of over the last few months, this recipe also makes good use of canned white beans. The beans add creamy texture and satisfying fiber and protein. I bet you’ll want them in your tuna salad from now on! (Be sure to try this Chickpea Tuna Salad too.) Looking for more healthy recipes to try this year? Italian tuna salad is a perfect place to start!
How to Make Italian Tuna Salad
Just like my favorite Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad and Curry Chicken Salad, this is a tuna salad without mayo. I used nonfat plain Greek yogurt to create a creamy, tangy dressing that’s low in calories and high in protein. This lean dressing and the addition of the white beans make this tuna salad good for you, unlike mayo-heavy recipes. You’ll feel happy and satisfied after eating it. Canned tuna mixes well with Italian and Mediterranean ingredients, like sun-dried tomatoes, capers, lemon, and parsley, all of which I use in this recipe. For even more dimension, try adding chopped kalamata olives or finely diced red onion.
The Ingredients
Canned Tuna. An often overlooked ingredient, canned tuna is wonderful in flavorful recipes like this salad. Plus, using canned tuna is easy and quick. It’s also packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Sun-Dried Tomatoes. One of my favorite Italian flavors to include. Sun-dried tomatoes have an intense flavor, so they really kick things up a notch. Cannellini Beans. A creamy and nutritious addition to both the dressing and the salad itself. They’re rich in both fiber and protein. You also can swap a different white bean, such as great Northern.Celery. For a delightful crunch. Capers. Salty, delicious little morsels that add a wonderful tang to this salad. Parsley. For freshness and brightness. Greek Yogurt Dressing. Creamy, healthy, and incredibly simple to make. Greek yogurt, part of the beans to make it thicker, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices perfectly complement the salad ingredients and create a scrumptious dressing.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Refrigerate tuna salad in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. To Freeze. While you can freeze tuna salad in a pinch, it’s not ideal; the dressing may make it watery once thawed and the vegetables will lose some crunch, so you might want to drain it before serving. Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Food Processor. For making the perfect creamy dressing. Mixing Bowls. These easy-to-use bowls are a must-have item. Citrus Juicer. The best way to juice lemons and limes.
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