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Grown-Up Tuna Salad Recipe

Grown-Up Tuna Salad
Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: | Makes: 2 1/2 cups

This lunchtime classic is often lackluster and flavorless, so we’ve given it an overhaul here. First, we started out with high-quality ingredients like premium canned tuna; then we added fennel and lemon zest for a nice riff.

What to buy: Premium tuna packed in olive oil is paramount. We like Ortiz Bonito del Norte.

INGREDIENTS
  • 12 ounces high-quality imported tuna packed in oil, drained
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fennel bulb
  • 1/2 cup Basic Mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fennel stems (no fronds, just green stems)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley
  • 2 small garlic cloves, minced (about 3/4 teaspoon)
  • 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more as needed
  • Kosher salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
    Write a review | 16 Reviews
  • Grown-Up Tuna Salad Recipe
    5

    Really lovely! Made toasted tuna wraps. Def will make again! No more kid tuna for me.

  • Grown-Up Tuna Salad Recipe
    5

    Orange, key word. Fennel goes great with orange, and, well, I didn't have a lemon, so I used the zest of half a small orange and a little little squeeze of the juice. It was fantastic, and if you want something really different, use this recipe with orange. BTW I don't especially think fennel is licoricey or bitter but each to his own. Used the rest of the recipe as written more or less, could have used a tad less mayo and should have added it gradually instead. 5 stars.

  • Grown-Up Tuna Salad Recipe
    3

    You can poach your own tuna in olive oil. I also sometimes add blue cheese to my tuna salad.

  • Try some dill instead

  • if you are not a fan of all things anise flavored like I am, are there any suggestions for herb substitutions? I often use parsley or cilantro or whatever i have on hand.

  • My tuna is packed in oil with a whole chile and the result was phenominal

  • Are you kidding me??!! This is the best tuna I have ever made ... I had no fennel, so made do without and still, the best!! Problem: I will want to have this daily. Whether as a grilled tuna with cheese, tuna san, or straight out of the bow, I am in love!

  • I tried this again with left over chicken in place of the tuna and it came out just as good. The only down side is my wife is not a fan of the fennel, but then again she likes Miracle Whip over mayonnaise. Just more for me, I guess.

  • Can I just say, I was skeptical about the fennel and other ingredients, but this recipe is DA BOMB. So delicious I annoyed my friends with my moaning and groaning during consumption.

  • I like the 'Seriously Good' Mayo, with some fine chopped red onion, cilantro/corriander and a little celery. Then mix and make a melt or bake in a bread basket for a few minutes with some cheddar on top. MMMMMMM all delicious

  • Sounds like a good Tuna Salad and I can't wait to try it. Meanwhile you can try mine:
    1 can tuna, drained
    2 to 2.5 Tbsp mayonnaise
    1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
    1 tsp (more or less, to taste) cumin
    2 tsp small capers
    1 to 2 Tbsp chopped toasted pecans.

    You can doctor this a lot of ways: Add finely chopped celery, chopped hard boiled egg, etc. etc.

  • Well you could go directly to the waterfront in Italy or Gig Harbor, Washington... or your on computer and click on the link below. ;~}

    http://www.tunaguys.net/

  • Where does one buy imported high-quality tuna, packed in oil?

  • appycamper, I agree, sounds delic!

  • Hands down the best tuna salad I've ever eaten. Nice, bright flavor thanks to the lemon and fennel. The only down side is that the premium tuna was $12 per 12 oz., but it goes a long way so it's worth it.

  • overall it sounds delightful. i think i'd skip the raw garlic (and i love garlic). sounds like a really sharp note in an otherwise mellow riff. also, not a great thing for a workday lunch ;-)

    would you use some celery leaf with the chopped celery?

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