This delicious and healthy tuna salad recipe is based on my favorite post-workout treat from the cafe at Lifetime Fitness. It’s light, protein-rich, and packed with flavor (and a little bit of spice).
It’s a unique departure from run-of-the-mill tuna salad, and it makes a fantastic lunch or snack.
One of my favorite ways to experiment in the kitchen is to try recreating things I’ve loved at restaurants or cafes.
My latest project was the Healthy Tuna Salad from the cafe at Lifetime Fitness.
I’ve always liked tuna salad, but typical tuna salads have consisted of mixing canned tuna with mayonnaise, and possibly adding some chopped hardboiled egg if I was feeling extra motivated.
When I had the albacore tuna salad at the LifeCafe, however, my mind was blown. It is SO full of flavor, has a great blend of textures from the craisins, green onion, and shredded carrot, and it has the perfect amount of spice.
The last time I bought the tuna salad at the cafe, I used my phone to snap a photo of the lid on the takeout container, which listed all of the ingredients. Using that as a guide, I took a stab at making it myself, and I’m proud to say (without my usual sarcasm)…
NAILED IT!
Aside from its tremendous flavor, I love this tuna salad because it is so versatile.
- It’s really good on its own as a light lunch or protein-packed snack (perfect for after workouts)
- You can eat it in a wrap or tortilla, tossed with cold Asian noodles, or served over greens.
- It’s also great recipe to make over the weekend and keep in the fridge to snack on throughout the week.
If you like Asian flavors and a little bit of spice, this tuna salad will become your new best friend!
Try it and let me know what you think.
Ingredients
- 10 oz. canned albacore tuna
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 2 scallions chopped
- 1/4 cup craisins chopped
- 1 tbsp cilantro chopped
- 2 tbsp light mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp minced ginger
Instructions
- Drain the tuna and flake with a fork in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the carrots, onion, craisins and cilantro and mix together.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, soy sauce, chili powder, sesame oil, cayenne pepper, and minced ginger.
- Stir the mayonnaise mixture into the tuna mixture until well combined.
Recipe Notes
*You may need to add a little extra mayonnaise depending on the type/brand of tuna you use.
If you liked this post, be sure to check out my full RECIPE INDEX or these other healthy recipes:
- Smoked Salmon & Egg Salad Open-Faced Sandwiches
- Spicy & Sweet Asian Chicken Stir-Fry
- Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad
Erica Schwarz says
This is a perfect recipe to mealprep for workday lunches. And so healthy!