This 5 minute Tuna Dip is combines canned tuna, herbs and Greek yogurt into a high protein snack for any occasion. Easy, delicious and dietitian approved!
Canned tuna is one of those pantry staples I always have on hand. It's so easy to throw into meals, but sometimes I get bored of the same tuna salad or tuna melts.
Now, you don't typically look at tuna and think SNACK but why not? I often eat my tuna salad like a dip anyway, so I decided it would be cool to try and develop a full tuna dip recipe. And it's pretty delicious if I do say so myself.
Not only does this tuna dip take only 5 minutes to whip together, but it's perfectly creamy, high protein, and tasty with any dipper- crackers, chips, veggies, you name it. I like making it for myself, but also to share with others.
Try it out this week for a balanced snack!
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- 5 minutes of prep. Fast, easy and minimal work.
- Great snacktime addition. This is a perfect pairing to any veggie tray you're serving for get togethers.
- Eat more fish. I always try to get in at least 2 servings of fish a week, and this tuna dip makes it even simpler to reach that target.
Ingredients
Canned tuna. Any canned tuna will work, however I recommend looking for solid or flaked albacore stored in water to decrease the added sodium and fat. Always ensure your canned fish is dolphin-safe as well.
Greek yogurt. My not so secret way to decrease the fat when making tuna salad is by swapping out 90% of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. You add additional protein and keep the creamy texture, while cutting the fat in half. I find 2% Greek yogurt works best to get the creamy texture.
Mayonnaise. I like adding 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise into my tuna salad to add a smooth and creamy flavour that minimizes the bitterness of the yogurt.
Spices. Black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder are the only spices you will need.
Dill pickle juice. I love adding pickle juice as an acidic ingredient to complement the tuna and bring out the flavours. You can also use lemon juice if you prefer that flavour better.
Parsley and green onion. For a fresh flavour and pop of colour. Feel free to use another herb like dill if you prefer that.
Panko breadcrumbs. For a crunchy topping and texture. This is optional but recommended.
Instructions
Thoroughly drain tuna. In a small bowl, combine tuna, greek yogurt, mayonnaise , black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and pickle juice. Use a fork to stir and help break up the tuna, creating a smooth dip consistency.
Add parsley, and green onion and stir. Adjust seasoning as desired.
Top with panko bread crumbs and serve with chopped vegetables, pita or crackers.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: substitute the panko breadcrumbs with a gluten free option. You can make your own by toasting gluten-free bread and crumbling it on top of the dip.
To make dairy-free: substitute the yogurt for additional mayonnaise.
To make nut-free: this recipe is naturally nut-free.
This tuna dip is fairly flexible with ingredients and ratios. Whenever I make it, I usually change up the ratio of Greek yogurt to mayonnaise depending on my tastes that day. Any ratio will work fine as long as there is a total of ¼ cup + 1 tbsp.
You can make this dip your own by changing up the spices used. Here are some swaps I make:
- Lemon juice instead of pickle juice
- Add chili powder, sriracha or paprika for a bit of spice
- Add chopped dill pickles for a pickle lovers tuna dip
- Swap the parsley for cilantro or basil to take advantage of the fresh herbs you have on hand
Equipment
Storage
This tuna dip can stay fresh n the fridge for up to 2-3 days in an airtight container.
Top Tips for Success
If you prefer a smoother tuna dip I recommend using flaked tuna, this will help create a more uniform consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
I love adding it to a snack plate and pairing it with chopped vegetables,crackers, my air fryer tortilla chips and some cheese!
You could also make it with canned salmon, with the bones removed. I don't recommend trying it with mackerel, sardines, or any tinned fish with scales still on.
More Dip Recipes
Try these next:
- Lemon Herb and White Bean Dip
- Air Fryer Spinach and Cottage Cheese Dip
- Edamame Guacamole
- Super Easy Loaded Hummus
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this tuna dip, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
5 Minute Tuna Dip
Ingredients
- 1 x 170g albacore tuna in water drained
- ¼ cup 2% plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon dill pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 green onion finely sliced (both the whites and greens)
- 1 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Thoroughly drain tuna. In a small bowl, combine tuna, greek yogurt, mayonnaise , black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and pickle juice. Use a fork to stir and help break up the tuna, creating a smooth dip consistency.
- Add parsley, and green onion and stir. Adjust seasoning as desired.
- Top with panko bread crumbs and serve with chopped vegetables, pita or crackers
Nicole Addison says
I hope you love this one as much as I do!