Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats
It’s way too hot right now. If you’re anything like me, turning on the stove is the last thing I want to do in these sweltering summer months. That's why I’m excited to share my current favorite no-cook salad recipe: Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats! This dish is a delightful and refreshing twist on classic tuna salad.
I’ll be honest—I’ve been on social media quite a bit lately. I tell myself it's a productive way to find inspiration.
Sure enough, the recent TikTok viral trend of chopped salads caught my eye. But, this isn’t your typical restaurant salad with large cucumber slices and whole cherry tomatoes.
Instead, it’s a new concept of placing all your salad ingredients—yes, veggies, toppings, and even dressings—on a chopping board and chopping them into bite-sized pieces.
This method ensures you get a bit of everything in every bite and spares you the hassle of dealing with saucy lettuce slapping your face (it’s not just me, right?).
Now, back to our Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats. I wanted to recreate that chopped salad concept but add a fun and exciting twist to make the meal more interesting. Hence, the little upgrade of using cucumbers as a crunchy, refreshing vessel!
Plus, it’s easy to pack for picnics and super practical to eat. Bonus tip: fun-to-eat food = kid-friendly food!
Cucumber Boats: the perfect summer concept
Boats aside, cucumber is a fantastic summer vegetable (well, technically a fruit)! Why, you ask?
- Refreshing and Hydrating: Cucumbers are about 95% water, making them incredibly helpful for staying hydrated in the summer heat.
- Versatile: They can be eaten raw, pickled, or even blended into smoothies or chilled soups. Check out our Low Potassium Cucumber Gazpacho recipe for a refreshing no-cook summer soup!
- In Season During Summer: Buying seasonal produce can save you money, taste fresher, and be more nutritious too!
- Low in Potassium: If you are watching your potassium intake, cucumbers can be your new best friend with only 110 mg per ½-cup serving.
- Low Carb & Low Oxalate: A ½-cup serving only has 1.8 grams of net carbs and 1.5 mg of oxalates, making cucumbers PKD-friendly.
Not a fan of the cucumber boat concept? That’s fine! Pack the chopped tuna salad separately and bring along cucumber slices. This way, you can enjoy the salad as a dip!
So, grab some cucumbers, whip up this easy Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats recipe, and enjoy a refreshing, no-cook meal perfect for these hot summer days!
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Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber halved lengthwise and deseeded
- 1 cup romaine lettuce chopped fine
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- 2 tbsp red onion diced
- 2 oz canned tuna drained
- 1/2 avocado diced
- 1 1/2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tsp lemon juice to taste
- 1/2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
Instructions
- Wash your cucumber, remove the top and bottom, then slice lengthwise and scoop out the seeds using a spoon. Set deseeded cucumbers aside.
- In a bowl, add all the other ingredients and mix to combine. I like my tuna salad on the creamier side, so I make sure all my vegetables are chopped fine. Plus I like to mash half of my avocado and keep the other half diced for more texture. Adjust seasonings to taste, adding more lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder, or a dash of salt and pepper.
- At this point you can store them separately or to serve, stuff the tuna salad onto the deseeded cucumber and enjoy!
Nutrition
KNI Verdict: Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats
We absolutely love our Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats for so many reasons. The combination of avocado and mayonnaise creates a rich, satisfying creaminess, which perfectly complements the crunch of the chopped lettuce and cucumber boat base. This delightful contrast makes every bite a burst of flavors and textures.
In the mood for something spicy? Add a sprinkle of paprika or a dash of hot sauce to add a little kick of spice!
Unlike the typical protein-rich tuna salads, our version is protein-controlled and packed with nourishing vegetables, providing a whopping 9 grams of fiber per serving. This makes it incredibly kidney- and gut-friendly, helping you stay healthy and satisfied.
Specifically designed to be PKD-friendly, this salad is low in carbs with only 9 grams of net carbs per serving. It’s also low in oxalate and sodium.
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer dish or a nutritious, easy-to-pack lunch, our Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats tick all the boxes. Enjoy this guilt-free, flavor-packed recipe all summer long!
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