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Quick & Easy Buffalo Tuna Salad – High Protein Healthy Lunch Recipe

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Amp up your lunch! This fiery Buffalo Tuna uses Greek yogurt for creamy, high-protein heat and a crisp crunch from celery and onion. Ready in minutes. Full instructions and nutrition info inside.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna in water, thoroughly drained
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (0% or 2% fat)
  • 23 tablespoons buffalo hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot), adjusted to taste
  • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons red onion, finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the wet binder and seasonings: the Greek yogurt, buffalo hot sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is completely smooth and evenly colored.
  2. Step 2: Add the thoroughly drained tuna, the finely chopped celery, and the minced red onion to the bowl with the sauce mixture.
  3. Step 3: Using a fork, gently break up the tuna while folding the ingredients together. Continue mixing until all the tuna is coated in the buffalo sauce mixture and the salad has a uniform consistency.
  4. Step 4: Taste the salad and adjust the flavor profile as needed; add more buffalo sauce for extra heat or a pinch of salt if desired (if using canned tuna without added sodium).
  5. Step 5: Serve the Buffalo Tuna Salad immediately on lettuce wraps, whole-grain crackers, or atop a bed of mixed greens, or chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving for a firmer texture.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, noting that the celery will soften slightly over time.
  • Since this is a cold preparation, never attempt to reheat it; chilling the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving allows the flavors to deepen and the texture to firm up beautifully.
  • Transform this quick salad into a satisfying meal by stuffing it into half of a baked sweet potato or serving it open-faced on toasted sourdough bread with a slice of fresh tomato.
  • For the best texture and to prevent a watery result, ensure you thoroughly press the water out of the canned tuna before combining it with the thick Greek yogurt binder.
  • Author: ilina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 163
  • Sodium: 970mg
  • Fat: 2.0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.6g
  • Trans Fat: 0.0g
  • Protein: 1.5g