This is the best canned tuna salad recipe and everyone needs a good one, because those little cans come in very handy for a meal when you haven’t given it any thought beforehand. This albacore tuna recipe dresses up the standard mayo with jalapeño, hot sauce and tangy, fresh cilantro lime for a spicy tuna salad that makes awesome sandwiches, great tuna melts and can even be tossed with cooked macaroni for a classic, homestyle comfort food. Use the best canned tuna packed in water for this spicy tuna recipe.

 

You might be wondering why I would bother sharing a recipe for tuna salad.  Most people make their tuna according to their own tastes – as it should be.  However, if you’re looking for inspiration, this is my favorite spicy tuna recipe and it can easily be customized to your tastes.

Ingredients For Spicy Tuna Recipe

• Canned Albacore Tuna (Packed in Water)
• Celery
• Green Onions
• Jalapeno
• Mayonnaise
• Lime
• Cilantro
• Hot Sauce
• Pepper

Use the best canned tuna (packed in water) that you can get. Personally, I’m fond of Kirkland brand.

Cilantro lime dressing starts with mayonnaise and is embellished with lime zest, lime juice, hot sauce (the hotter the better) and fresh chopped cilantro.

How To Make Cilantro Lime Dressing For Spicy Tuna Recipe

1. Measure out about 3/4 cup of mayonnaise into a 2-cup glass measure.
2. Add the lime zest, lime juice, hot sauce and cilantro.
3. Whisk to combine.
4. Taste for seasonings and adjust to the way YOU like it.

In this spicy tuna salad, I use a hot sauce that’s made from Caribbean Scotch Bonnet peppers — we’re talking HOT. However, when it’s blended with the other ingredients, that undeniable heat is softened into a pleasant tingle on the tongue. If you’re not into spice, you can skip it. If you have a favorite hot sauce, you can absolutely use it here — but keep in mind that all hot sauces aren’t created equal… that’s why it’s important to taste all along the way, to make sure it’s not too spicy or too mild… Like Goldilocks, you want it JUST RIGHT.

 

Mix The Fish mixture with the Cilantro Lime Mayonnaise

1. and pour over the spicy tuna salad.
2. Toss the mayonnaise mixture until it’s evenly distributed throughout the albacore tuna recipe… and taste it. 

• Not Creamy Enough? Add more mayonnaise
• Want More Spice? Add more hot sauce or jalaepeno or pepper (or all 3).
• Want More Freshness? Add more cilantro.

That’s the beauty of easy tuna recipes; they’re meant to be fiddled with and adjusted to the way YOU like.

How Long Is Tuna Good For?

This Spicy Tuna Salad recipe will keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 5 days. (If the mayonnaise and lime juice separate after a few days, just stir it back together until it’s homogenized.)

How To Make A Tuna Melt

A tuna melt is nothing more than a grilled cheese sandwich with tuna inside. Use a sturdy sourdough bread and line each side with cheese (provolone, cheddar, swiss or muenster). Top one slice with a scoop from the spicy tuna recipe and grill on a panini press until the cheese is melted and crusts are golden.

It’s your sandwich, consequently it should also be made according to your tastes, however, I’ve found this combination is ALWAYS a winner.

Making Spicy Tuna Salad Sandwiches

1. Split the buns and place a piece of spicy pepper jack cheese on the bottom buns.
2. Place the buns on a baking sheet and heat for a few minutes to toast the tops and melt the cheese.
3. When the buns are ready, mound a few scoops of spicy tuna salad over the cheese. Add pickled cucumbers and fresh tomato slices.
4. Spread mashed avocado liberally over the top bun and assemble the sandwich.

 

More Garnishes For Albacore Tuna Recipe:

• Quick Pickled Onions
• Boston Bibb Lettuce
• Pickled Jalapeños
• Fresh Cilantro Leaves

More Canned Tuna Recipes:

• Nicoise Farro Salad
• Cheesy Homestyle Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Tuna White Bean Puttanesca
• Tuna Melt Quesadillas

 

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