Description
Crunchy, creamy, and packed with flavor, these cucumber tuna boats are a light, protein-rich snack or lunch that comes together in minutes with pantry staples.
Ingredients
For the Tuna Filling
1 (4 oz / 100g) can of tuna, drained well
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Cucumber Base & Toppings
1 large English cucumber
1 medium spring onion or fresh chives, thinly sliced for garnish
Instructions
1. Get Everything Ready: Drain the tuna thoroughly to ensure your salad isn’t watery. Finely dice the red onion and slice the spring onion or chives. Set them aside.
2. Mix the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the drained tuna, diced red onion, mayonnaise, and mustard. Stir until well blended. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Prepare the Cucumbers: Peel the cucumber if desired and slice it in half across the middle, then slice each piece lengthwise to create four equal sections. Use a small spoon to gently scoop out the seeds from the center, creating boat shapes.
4. Assemble the Boats: Spoon the tuna mixture evenly into each cucumber boat. Top with sliced spring onion or chives for a burst of freshness.
5. Serve Fresh: These boats are best eaten right after assembly for maximum crunch.
Notes
Variations: This recipe is for the classic version. See the post above for delicious variations including Dill Pickle, Creamy Avocado (Paleo/Whole30), Spicy Sriracha, and Zesty Asian-Inspired!
Drain Well: Squeezing the tuna to remove as much liquid as possible is key to preventing a watery salad.
Meal Prep: For best results, store the prepared tuna salad and the hollowed-out cucumbers in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Assemble just before serving to ensure the cucumbers stay crisp.
Best Cucumbers: English cucumbers are highly recommended for their thin skin, minimal seeds, and crisp texture.
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on the exact ingredients and brands used.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 boats
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg