Description
A quick and flavorful Spicy Tuna Salad with mixed vegetables, kidney beans, and a tangy balsamic dressing, perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (carrots and corn), thawed and drained
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1-2 red chili peppers, finely chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes)
Proteins
- 1 can (5 oz) oil-packed tuna, drained with oil reserved, flaked
- 1/2 cup red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons reserved tuna oil
Instructions
- Thaw and Prepare Vegetables: Thaw the frozen mixed vegetables by letting them sit at room temperature or microwaving briefly, then drain any excess moisture to keep the salad crisp.
- Slice Onion: Thinly slice the red onion to add a sharp, fresh bite to the salad.
- Prepare Tuna: Drain the oil from the canned tuna but reserve it for the dressing. Flake the tuna gently with a fork to create bite-sized pieces.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, and the reserved tuna oil until emulsified and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed vegetables, kidney beans, flaked tuna, sliced red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped chili peppers or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Toss Salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve or Store: Serve the spicy tuna salad immediately for the freshest taste or refrigerate it for up to 2 days to enjoy later.
Notes
- Adjust the quantity of chili peppers or crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level of the salad.
- The reserved tuna oil enhances the flavor of the dressing, but you can substitute with extra olive oil if preferred.
- This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- For added crunch, consider topping with toasted nuts or seeds.
- Use fresh vegetables if frozen are not available, adjusting thawing steps accordingly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
