Mediterranean Tuna Salad is a refreshing and healthy dish that combines canned tuna with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese. It’s typically dressed with olive oil and lemon juice, creating a light and flavorful salad. Here’s a simple recipe to make Mediterranean Tuna Salad:
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 2 cans (5-6 ounces each) of canned tuna, drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Tuna: Drain the canned tuna and flake it into a large mixing bowl using a fork.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Add the cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced Kalamata olives to the bowl with the tuna.
- Add the Feta and Parsley: Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic (if using), dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the tuna and vegetable mixture in the large bowl.
- Toss and Chill: Gently toss everything together until the salad is well coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the Mediterranean Tuna Salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: When ready to serve, give the salad a final gentle toss, and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve it cold as a light and refreshing meal.
This Mediterranean Tuna Salad is perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or as a side dish for a barbecue or picnic. You can also customize it by adding ingredients like roasted red peppers, capers, or artichoke hearts to suit your taste. Enjoy!