Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 7 oz canned tuna (5 oz drained), preferably yellowfin tuna in olive oil or light chunk tuna packed in water or oil
- ½ cup cottage cheese (whole milk recommended)
- ⅓ cup red bell pepper, finely diced (about ½ pepper)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (avocado oil mayo preferred)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 green onion or scallion, finely sliced
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- Boil the eggs: Place the eggs in boiling water for 9 minutes, then drain and immediately transfer them to a bowl of icy cold water to cool quickly. Once cooled, peel the eggs and set them aside.
- Prepare the veggies and herbs: While the eggs are boiling, finely dice the red bell pepper, thinly slice the green onion or scallion, and chop the fresh dill.
- Drain the tuna: Open the can of tuna and drain the liquid completely using a sieve to remove any excess water or oil.
- Grate the eggs: Using a cheese grater, grate the peeled hard-boiled eggs into a medium mixing bowl.
- Combine all ingredients: Add the cottage cheese, diced red bell pepper, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, chopped dill, sliced green onions, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder to the bowl with the grated eggs.
- Mix the spread: Using a fork, mix all the ingredients thoroughly, mashing as you go to create a consistent paste. Adjust seasoning to taste. For a creamier spread, add more mayonnaise or softened cream cheese as desired.
Notes
- Any canned tuna variety works well; light chunk tuna (skipjack) packed in water or oil is preferred for its lighter flavor and texture. Yellowfin tuna in olive oil adds richness. Albacore is also acceptable.
- For a creamier, dip-like texture, blend all ingredients (except fresh herbs) in a food processor. Blending cottage cheese separately before combining can add extra smoothness.
- Substitute cottage cheese with plain Greek yogurt or softened cream cheese for different textures and richer flavor, though this will increase fat and calories.
- If you dislike red bell pepper, replace with finely diced carrots or celery for a crunchy alternative.
- To intensify onion flavor, swap green onion for finely diced red or white onion. Fresh herbs like chives, parsley, cilantro, or basil can also be added for extra flavor variations.
- Nutritional values are estimated based on tuna spread made with drained yellowfin tuna in olive oil and whole milk cottage cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Spread
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
