Introduction

This Easy Buffalo Tuna Salad is a delicious and protein-packed twist on a classic salad. Combining the spicy kick of Buffalo sauce with creamy cottage cheese, it’s perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner.

A clear glass bowl filled with a thick, creamy mixture that is light orange in color with visible small chunks of green and red, showing a slightly rough texture with some folds and swirls on the top. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a light beige cloth casually draped around it. The mixture looks soft and slightly uneven in consistency, with a homemade feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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 (such as Primal Kitchen brand)
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

Step 1: Flake the tuna in a medium or large bowl. If using Safe Catch or Wild Planet tuna, draining is not necessary.
Step 2: Finely chop the celery and red onion. Add them along with the cottage cheese to the bowl with tuna, then mix well.
Step 3: Stir in the lemon juice, Buffalo sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4: Combine everything thoroughly. Taste the salad and adjust the Buffalo sauce or salt as needed for your preferred flavor.
Step 5: (Optional) Prep the chopped vegetables ahead of time to make assembling this salad quick and easy when you’re ready to eat.

Tips & Variations

For a creamier texture, substitute Greek yogurt for cottage cheese.
Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives for extra freshness.
Serve over greens or in a whole grain wrap for a satisfying meal.
Adjust the level of Buffalo sauce depending on how spicy you like it.

Storage

Store the Buffalo Tuna Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. For best texture, avoid freezing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

How to Serve

A clear glass bowl filled with a chunky, mixed spread showing two visible layers: the bottom layer is a pale beige creamy base, while the top layer is a thicker, light orange mixture with small green and red bits scattered throughout, giving it a textured and slightly rough look; the spread has a moist and soft consistency, sitting on a white marbled surface with a folded beige cloth in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned?

Yes, you can use cooked fresh tuna, flaked and cooled, but canned tuna is much quicker and convenient for this salad.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! It keeps well for a few days and can be portioned out for easy lunches or snacks throughout the week.

Easy Buffalo Tuna Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 63 reviews

This Easy Buffalo Tuna Salad is a quick and flavorful protein-packed dish combining tender tuna with crunchy celery and red onion, creamy cottage cheese, and a spicy kick from Buffalo sauce. Perfect for a nutritious lunch or light dinner, it’s as simple to prepare as it is delicious.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Base

2 (5 oz) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
¾ cup cottage cheese

Vegetables

½ cup celery, finely chopped (~2 stalks)
¼ cup red onion, finely chopped

Flavorings & Seasonings

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

Flake Tuna: Open the cans of tuna and flake the tuna into a medium or large mixing bowl. If using Safe Catch or Wild Planet tuna, there is no need to drain the liquid from the cans.
Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop the celery stalks and red onion. Add chopped celery, red onion, and cottage cheese into the bowl with the flaked tuna. Mix these ingredients well to combine.
Add Flavorings: Pour in the lemon juice and Buffalo sauce. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Mix Thoroughly: Stir all ingredients together thoroughly to ensure the Buffalo sauce and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the tuna mixture.
Taste and Adjust: Taste the salad and add additional Buffalo sauce or salt according to your preferences for heat and seasoning.
Optional Prep Tip: For convenience, chop the celery and onion ahead of time so you can assemble the salad quickly when ready to serve.

Notes

Use high-quality tuna like Safe Catch or Wild Planet to avoid draining if preferred.
Adjust Buffalo sauce quantity to control spiciness.
Great served chilled on a bed of greens, as a sandwich filling, or with crackers.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Keywords: Buffalo tuna salad, tuna salad recipe, low fat salad, easy lunch, spicy tuna salad, cottage cheese salad