This is a variation of our simple tuna salad base recipe. We give traditional tuna salad a smoky flavor boost by adding chipotles in adobo. If you are looking to incorporate more fish into your diet, this fast and simple recipe is great for your weekly meal plan. Pack this chipotle tuna salad in your lunch for work or make for a light dinner at home!
Three Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Learn how to slice and dice like a pro in our Knife Skills 101 course!
Culinary Tips for the Best Chipotle Tuna Salad Recipe
Make the tuna salad dressing first to ensure the chipotles in adobo, cilantro, garlic, and shallot are evenly distributed before adding the tuna.
Check to see if you need to drain the tuna. Some tuna pouches don’t require draining, but canned tuna can have quite a bit of water.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Plain Greek Yogurt: substitute plain yogurt. Choose a fat content that fits within your overall diet.
- Mayonnaise: substitute up to ½ of the mayonnaise with more Greek yogurt. Keep in mind that the fat in the mayonnaise helps improve the texture of the sauce. Look for mayonnaise made with avocado, canola, or olive oil.
- Chipotles in Adobo: substitute ¾ teaspoon chipotle powder to add heat and smokiness. However, it will be missing the tang of the tomato-based sauce. Reference this article for other ideas!
- Cilantro: substitute Italian parsley or chives.
- Shallot: substitute diced red, yellow, green, or white onion or ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
- Lemon Juice: fresh is best, but you can substitute the bottled kind.
- Garlic: substitute ½ teaspoon pre-minced garlic, ½ teaspoon garlic flakes, ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic, or ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Canned Tuna: select wild caught albacore or light tuna in water. Choose low-sodium (≤140 mg) cans if possible.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to add more chipotles or adobo sauce to your taste, or add more mix-ins!
Consider adding celery for crunch or avocado for a creamy complement to the smoky chipotle.
Want more tuna salad recipe inspiration?
Use our tuna salad base recipe as a guide to make this recipe your own, or try out this tasty variation!
Equipment Recommendations
Use these kitchen tools for recipe success:
Find all of our favorite kitchen tools here!
Is this chipotle tuna recipe healthy?
Yes! Tuna is healthy on its own. It’s what is added to typical tuna salads that can make them less healthy. We cut back on the mayonnaise and replaced it with gut-friendly Greek yogurt. By adding chipotle peppers and fresh cilantro, we make this chipotle tuna fish recipe more plant-forward and even more delicious!
Tuna
Tuna is a quality source of protein that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Fatty fish, like tuna, is high in EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, which is good for heart and brain health.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a great source of B vitamins, calcium, and probiotics. It is also higher in protein than regular yogurt. Select a fat content that works with your overall diet. If you tend to consume a lot of foods high in saturated fat, a low-fat or fat-free variety is your best choice. If you limit saturated fat in your diet, full-fat varieties are okay.
Chipotles
Chipotles are jalapeño peppers that have been dried and smoked. Peppers contain capsaicin, a plant compound which helps prevent and fight inflammation. Capsaicin is associated with reduced cancer risk and central nervous system protection.
Cilantro
Not only does fresh cilantro add a pop of freshness and flavor to this dish, but it adds nutrition too! Cilantro is rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that promote health and help fight diseases.
Learn more about health benefits of different foods and ingredients or in our book, To Your Taste!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chipotle tuna salad with whole grain crackers or pita chips and a side of fruit and celery sticks to build a beautiful Whole Life Plate. You can also make a chipotle tuna salad sandwich, wrap, quesadilla, Tik Tok wrap, or green salad.
Storage Recommendations
For best quality, store leftover tuna salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Do not freeze leftover tuna salad.
Want more easy lunch salad ideas?
Try out these favorites!
Healthy Chicken Salad Base Recipe
Simple Green Salad Base Recipe
Chipotle Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon minced chipotles in adobo
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon minced shallot
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (~½ teaspoon)
- 10 - 12 ounces wild caught low-sodium tuna in water, drained
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, chipotles in adobo, cilantro, shallot, lemon juice, and garlic in a medium bowl.
- Add drained tuna, and using a spatula, fold to gently combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Make a sandwich, wrap, quesadilla, or green salad with the tuna or eat on its own with whole grain crackers. Enjoy!
Nutrition
FAQ Questions:
Can I make Chipotle Tuna Salad ahead of time?
Yes! This tuna salad is perfect for meal prep. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often become even better after a few hours of chilling.
Is Chipotle Tuna Salad healthy?
Chipotle Tuna Salad is a nutritious option packed with lean protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. It can be enjoyed as a high-protein lunch, snack, or light dinner as part of a balanced diet.
What can I serve with Chipotle Tuna Salad?
This versatile tuna salad can be served in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, grain bowls, or alongside crackers and fresh vegetables. It also works well as a topping for salads.
