Easy Buffalo Tuna Salad Recipe

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.

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

1. Step 1: Flake the tuna in a medium or large bowl. If using Safe Catch or Wild Planet tuna, draining is not necessary.
2. Step 2: Finely chop the celery and red onion. Add them along with the cottage cheese to the flaked tuna and mix well.
3. Step 3: Add the lemon juice, Buffalo sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.
4. Step 4: Stir all ingredients together until fully combined. Taste and adjust with additional Buffalo sauce or salt if desired.
5. 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

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.

Easy Buffalo Tuna Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 796 reviews

A quick and flavorful Easy Buffalo Tuna Salad combining the spicy kick of Buffalo sauce with protein-rich tuna and creamy cottage cheese, perfect for a wholesome lunch or snack.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main 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 (Primal Kitchen brand recommended)
• 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

1. Flake the Tuna: In a medium or large bowl, flake the tuna thoroughly. If you’re using Safe Catch or Wild Planet tuna, you don’t need to drain it first.
2. Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop the celery and red onion. Add these to the bowl along with the cottage cheese. Mix everything well to combine.
3. Add Flavorings: Pour in the lemon juice and Buffalo sauce. Sprinkle the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the mixture.
4. Mix and Adjust Taste: Stir all ingredients together until fully incorporated. Taste the mixture and add more Buffalo sauce or salt if you want a stronger flavor.
5. Optional Prep Tip: For convenience, chop the celery and onions ahead of time so assembling the salad is quick when ready to eat.

Notes

• Using high-quality tuna brands like Safe Catch or Wild Planet can eliminate the need to drain the tuna.
• You can adjust the amount of Buffalo sauce depending on how spicy you like your salad.
• This salad works beautifully as a sandwich filling, on top of greens, or with crackers for a snack.
• Chopping the vegetables in advance saves time for quick meal prep.
• Use low-fat or full-fat cottage cheese based on your dietary preference.

Keywords: Buffalo tuna salad, Easy tuna salad, Spicy tuna salad, Buffalo sauce recipe, Low-fat salad, Quick lunch recipe