Buffalo Tuna Salad with Cottage Cheese and Fresh Veggies Recipe
This zesty Tuna Salad combines flaked tuna with crunchy celery, sharp red onions, and creamy cottage cheese, all brought together with a spicy Buffalo sauce and a hint of lemon juice. It’s a quick, protein-packed meal perfect for a light lunch or snack with bold flavors and simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Prepare the Tuna: Flake the tuna into a medium or large mixing bowl. For specific brands like Safe Catch or Wild Planet, draining is unnecessary as they come ready-to-use.
- Chop the Vegetables: Finely chop the celery stalks and red onion. Add these chopped veggies along with cottage cheese to the flaked tuna and mix thoroughly to combine the textures evenly.
- Add Seasonings and Sauce: Pour in the lemon juice and Buffalo sauce, then sprinkle in garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. These ingredients deliver the tangy and spicy flavor profile that makes this salad vibrant.
- Mix and Adjust Flavor: Stir all ingredients thoroughly until fully incorporated. Taste the mixture and adjust by adding more Buffalo sauce or salt as needed to suit your preference.
- Tip for Convenience: To save time, chop the celery and onions ahead of schedule so assembling this salad is fast and easy when you’re ready to eat.
Notes
- Use high-quality canned tuna like Safe Catch or Wild Planet for best flavor and no need to drain.
- Adjust Buffalo sauce quantity to modify spiciness according to your taste.
- Cottage cheese adds creaminess but can be substituted with Greek yogurt for a different texture.
- This salad can be served chilled on its own, on crackers, or as a sandwich filling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days for optimal freshness.
Keywords: tuna salad, buffalo tuna, quick salad, protein salad, no-cook meal, healthy lunch
