Buffalo Tuna Salad with Cottage Cheese and Fresh Veggies Recipe
Introduction
This Tuna Salad is a flavorful twist on a classic favorite, combining creamy cottage cheese with a zesty Buffalo sauce kick. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner.
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 bowl with the tuna and mix well.
- Step 3: Pour in the lemon juice and Buffalo sauce, then sprinkle the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper over the mixture.
- Step 4: Stir everything together until fully combined. Taste and adjust the Buffalo sauce or salt as desired.
- Step 5: For convenience, chop the vegetables ahead of time so you can quickly assemble the salad when you’re ready to eat.
Tips & Variations
- Use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese for a different texture and tangy flavor.
- Add diced cucumber or bell peppers for extra crunch.
- Serve the salad over leafy greens or on whole grain bread for a satisfying meal.
- Adjust the amount of Buffalo sauce to control the heat level.
Storage
Store the Tuna Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. This salad is best enjoyed chilled and does not reheat well.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned?
Yes, but you will need to cook and cool the fresh tuna before flaking it into the salad. Canned tuna is convenient and already cooked.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely. Preparing the chopped vegetables ahead of time makes assembling the salad quick and easy for lunches throughout the week.
PrintBuffalo Tuna Salad with Cottage Cheese and Fresh Veggies Recipe
A flavorful and protein-packed Tuna Salad made with canned tuna, cottage cheese, fresh celery, red onion, and a spicy kick from Buffalo sauce, perfect for a quick and healthy lunch or snack.
- 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
Salad 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
- Flake the Tuna: In a medium or large bowl, flake the drained tuna using a fork. If using Safe Catch or Wild Planet tuna, no need to drain as they are low-moisture packed.
- Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop the celery and red onions. Add both to the bowl with the tuna along with the cottage cheese. Mix well to combine these ingredients evenly.
- Add Seasonings: Pour in the lemon juice, Buffalo sauce, garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper into the tuna mixture.
- Mix and Taste: Stir everything thoroughly until well combined. Taste the salad and adjust flavors by adding more Buffalo sauce or salt if desired.
- Prep in Advance: For convenience, chop the celery and onions ahead of time so you can quickly assemble the salad when ready to serve.
Notes
- Using Buffalo sauce gives the salad a spicy, tangy flavor; feel free to adjust the amount to control heat level.
- Opt for chunk light tuna or solid white albacore based on preference and texture desired.
- This salad works great as a sandwich filling, on crisp lettuce, or served with crackers.
- Keep chilled until serving to maintain freshness and flavor.
Keywords: tuna salad, healthy tuna recipe, buffalo tuna salad, cottage cheese salad, low fat salad, quick lunch recipe
