Introduction

This Easy Buffalo Tuna Salad is a flavorful twist on a classic tuna salad, combining spicy Buffalo sauce with creamy cottage cheese for a delicious and satisfying meal. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, it’s simple to prepare and packed with bold flavors.

A clear glass bowl filled with a thick, creamy orange spread that has a rough texture with small chunks inside. Visible small pieces are green, white, and a bit of red, mixed evenly throughout the spread. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a soft beige cloth folded neatly beside it. The spread fills the bowl almost to the rim, with small peaks and valleys visible on the surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 (5 oz) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
½ cup celery, finely chopped (~2 stalks)
¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
¾ cup cottage cheese
3 Tbsp Buffalo sauce (I use Primal Kitchen brand)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp kosher salt (more to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper (more to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Flake the tuna in a medium or large bowl. If using Safe Catch or Wild Planet tuna, draining is not necessary.
Step 2: Finely chop the celery and red onion. Add them along with the cottage cheese to the flaked tuna and mix well.
Step 3: Add the lemon juice, Buffalo sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.
Step 4: Stir all ingredients together until fully combined. Taste and adjust with additional Buffalo sauce or salt if desired.
Step 5: For easy meal prep, chop the vegetables ahead of time so you can assemble the salad quickly when ready to eat.

Tips & Variations

Use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese for a creamier, tangier texture.
Add chopped celery leaves or fresh herbs like parsley for extra freshness.
Serve the salad on a bed of greens or inside a whole wheat pita for a complete meal.
Adjust the amount of Buffalo sauce based on your preferred spice level.

Storage

Store the buffalo tuna salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. It’s best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Avoid freezing as the texture of cottage cheese can change.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a single slice of thick toasted bread held by a woman's hand, showing a creamy, chunky spread on top with a light beige color mixed with small green bits and an orange drizzle running across the middle. The bread has a golden-brown crust and a porous, soft inside. In the background, there is a white plate resting on a white marbled surface, with a blurred beige cloth and a green plant in a brown pot behind it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned tuna?

While fresh tuna can be used, this recipe is designed for convenience using canned tuna. Fresh tuna would require cooking and cooling before mixing, which changes the texture and preparation time.

Is this salad suitable for low-carb diets?

Yes, this buffalo tuna salad is low in carbohydrates and high in protein, making it a good option for low-carb or keto diets.