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–+ servings

California-Style Buffalo Tuna Salad

A quick and protein-packed lunch featuring spicy Buffalo flavors with creamy cottage cheese and crisp celery, perfect for lettuce wraps or crackers.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Lunch, Quick Meals, Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna (preferably Wild Planet or Safe Catch) drained if needed
  • 1/2 cup celery finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup cottage cheese (small curd)
  • 3 tablespoons Buffalo sauce (like Frank's RedHot) adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from a Meyer lemon if available)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Method
 

  1. Open the cans of tuna and drain if necessary (check the label). Place the tuna in a medium bowl and flake it apart with a fork.
  2. Add the finely chopped celery, red onion, and cottage cheese to the bowl. Stir everything together until well combined.
  3. Pour in the lemon juice, Buffalo sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  4. Taste the salad and adjust with more Buffalo sauce or salt if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
  5. Tip: For a quick lunch, chop the celery and onion ahead of time so you can assemble the salad in minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 28gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 650mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g

Notes

For the best texture, finely dice the celery and onion so they distribute evenly. If you prefer a milder kick, start with 2 tablespoons of Buffalo sauce and add more to taste. This salad keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Use it as a filling for lettuce wraps, on toasted sourdough, or alongside crackers and sliced avocado. Avoid overmixing to keep the tuna flaky. Fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor more than bottled.

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