Buffalo Tuna Salad Recipe
Packed with flavor and protein, this buffalo tuna salad will be your new favorite lunch! You'll love the delicious combination of creamy mayo, crunchy veggies and spicy buffalo sauce. And since it's ready in just 15 minutes, you can have a flavor-packed dip, wrap, or lettuce cup ready in no time flat. Make it ahead of time to enjoy a spicy treat for lunch every day this week!
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Reasons Why You Will Love This Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
Buffalo chicken salad might just be the game-changer your midday meal needs. This protein-packed dish combines the beloved flavors of buffalo wings with the convenience and nutrition of a fresh salad, creating a lunch option that's both indulgent and wholesome. Here are some reasons why this spicy sensation deserves a permanent spot in your meal rotation.
- It's a Flavor Explosion That Never Gets Old: The creamy mayonnaise and Greek yogurt base provides a cooling contrast to the fiery buffalo sauce, while crunchy vegetables like diced celery, carrots, and red onions add texture and freshness.
- It's Packed with High-Quality Protein: One of the biggest advantages of buffalo chicken salad is its impressive protein content. A single serving can provide 20-25 grams of protein, making it an excellent choice for maintaining energy levels.
- Ready in Just 15 Minutes: In just 15 minutes, you can mix together all the ingredients and have a restaurant-quality meal ready to enjoy. This speed makes it perfect for busy weekdays when you need something nutritious but don't have time for elaborate meal prep.
- Perfect for Meal Prep Success: When you prepare it in advance, the buffalo sauce has time to meld with the other ingredients, creating an even more delicious result. Store it in individual containers, and you'll have a grab-and-go lunch ready for every day of the week.
- Budget-Friendly Without Sacrificing Quality: Eating well doesn't have to break the bank, and buffalo chicken salad proves this point beautifully. The core ingredients - canned tuna or chicken, mayonnaise, vegetables, and buffalo sauce - are all affordable pantry staples.
What Do I Need to Make Buffalo Tuna Salad?
This spicy tuna salad is a delicious take on a classic recipe. And the best part is that you can whip it up with just a few simple ingredients! To make this buffalo tuna salad recipe, you'll need:
- Tuna
- Diced red onion
- Diced carrots
- Diced celery
- Mayonnaise
- Greek yogurt
- Buffalo sauce
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped chives for garnish
How Do I Make Buffalo Tuna Salad?
Making this spicy take on classic tuna salad is easy as 1-2-3! Just follow these simple instructions to prepare this delicious lunch or protein-filled snack right now.
Step One: Prep the Ingredients
Before you can start mixing your salad ingredients together, you'll need to take a few minutes to get everything prepped. Start by finely dicing the red onion, carrots, and celery. Then, chop the chives if you'll be using them as garnish.
Step Two: Mix the Salad
After that, combine the tuna, onion, carrots, celery, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and buffalo sauce in a medium bowl. Stir to mix the ingredients together, then season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
Step Three: Chill
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 10 minutes to help the flavors meld together. Then, garnish with chopped chives before serving.
How Do You Store Buffalo Tuna Salad?
Make sure to store your tuna salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to three days when stored properly. If the salad begins to separate in the container, simply stir it well before serving.
Can I Make Buffalo Tuna Salad Ahead of Time?
This easy no-bake recipe is perfect for meal prepping! Make the dish at the beginning of the week and portion it out into single servings for an easy, grab-and-go meal. Store the prepared salad in airtight containers to preserve the flavor.
While this tuna salad recipe tastes great after a few days in the fridge, it's not a good idea to freeze the salad for more long-term storage. The ingredients will begin to separate and become grainy as they thaw.
Buffalo Tuna Salad Ideas
This delicious salad is sure to be a popular lunch idea! And the great thing about making it is that it's easy to customize. Try these simple substitutions and additions to create a delicious new take on this fun no-bake recipe.
- Swap out the Greek yogurt. Mixing in some Greek yogurt takes the protein level up a notch. But if you're not a fan or don't have any on hand, you can also use sour cream in this recipe to help balance the heat of the buffalo sauce.
- Use any type of canned tuna. Canned tuna in water or oil will work in this easy recipe. Just make sure to drain the tuna well before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients to ensure your salad doesn't become watery.
- Make it with canned chicken. In addition to tuna, this easy salad recipe can also be made with canned chicken. After draining the chicken, use a fork to shred it. Then, mix it with the rest of the ingredients.
- Skip the mayo. If you're looking for a way to make tuna salad without mayonnaise, simply double the amount of Greek yogurt in this recipe.
- Try more veggies. You can easily add more veggies to your tuna salad! For added crunch, try mixing in some chopped green onions, diced bell peppers, or shredded cabbage.
- Add some cheese or ranch. Give your tuna salad more classic buffalo flavor by adding a sprinkling of crumbled blue cheese. Or mix in one tablespoon of ranch dressing or ranch seasoning to take the flavor to the next level.
How to Serve Buffalo Tuna Salad?
You won't believe how versatile this easy tuna salad recipe is! There are so many different ways to enjoy it, which makes it the perfect recipe to whip up for a busy day. Try these serving ideas the next time you prepare your own buffalo tuna salad.
- Dip. Serve your prepared tuna salad with crackers, corn chips, or tortilla chips for a flavorful dip.
- Sandwich. Spread the tuna salad over bread, croissants, or rolls to make a quick and easy sandwich.
- Lettuce cups. Remove a piece of lettuce, rinse and dry it, then fill it with a spoonful of tuna salad for a healthy, low carb meal.
- Celery sticks. Spread the salad over a few pieces of celery to make a protein-packed snack.
- Wrap. Fill a tortilla with tuna salad, then roll it up to make a spicy wrap.
- Melt. Use your spicy tuna salad to make a classic tuna melt!
Perfect Sides to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Salad
Buffalo chicken salad is a fantastic dish on its own-creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor. The delicious combination of tender chicken, crunchy veggies, and zesty buffalo sauce makes it a go-to for a quick lunch or a crowd-pleasing party dish. But what do you serve alongside it to turn a great dish into a complete, unforgettable meal? Here are some of our favorite sides to go with it!
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Cornbread Muffins
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Fresh Garden Salad
- Onion Rings
- Quinoa Salad
- Coleslaw
- Fruit Salad
- Corn on the Cob
Ready to make the star of the show? If you're looking for a new twist, try our quick and delicious Buffalo Tuna Salad recipe. It's ready in just 15 minutes and uses simple ingredients like tuna, diced veggies, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and buffalo sauce for a flavor-packed meal you'll want to make again and again.
Buffalo Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- 2 5 ounce cans tuna packed in water drained
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ⅓ cup finely diced carrots
- ⅓ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup greek yogurt
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: chopped chives for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir everything together until well combined and creamy.
- Chill for at least 10 minutes before serving, if desired.
- Garnish with chopped chives before serving. Serve with crackers, on toast, or in lettuce wraps. Enjoy!
Notes
• Flavor Profile: This tuna salad is creamy with a tangy heat from the buffalo sauce, balanced by the freshness of crunchy vegetables.
• Ingredient Tips: Use chunk light tuna in water or oil — both work, just make sure to drain well.
• Substitutions: Sour can be used in place of Greek yogurt if preferred. You can also add blue cheese crumbles for extra buffalo flavor.
• Serving Ideas: Great as a dip with crackers, spread in a sandwich, or stuffed into celery sticks or lettuce cups.
