Tuna Lettuce Wraps Recipe
If you're thinking of a light, crisp meal, consider making lettuce wraps. This twist on a classic uses the lettuce wrap, but pairs it with tuna instead of ground chicken or beef. The inside filling is just like a classic tuna salad, and it comes complete with a little but of mayo, celery, onion, and a lot of other great ingredients that give it a spectacular flavor. The combination of the smooth tuna salad and the crunch and coolness of the lettuce is next level good. This meal also makes us feel better about what we are putting in our bodies because lettuce and tuna are both good for you.
Recipe developer Hayley MacLean of Happy Healthy Hayley is the brains behind this wonderful recipe that will keep you feeling full but still fit. "My favorite part of this recipe is how quick and easy it is! It makes for the perfect fast lunch or even a light dinner," MacLean raves. "Plus, for how quickly it comes together, it is just bursting with flavor! The red onion and mustard have a nice acidity, while the capers give little bursts of salinity. The main star, though, is definitely the tuna — and all the other ingredients back it up so well!" Keep reading to find out how to make these yummy tuna lettuce wraps.
Gather the ingredients for tuna lettuce wraps
If you're ready, so are we! Let's get started on these yummy tuna lettuce wraps. The first thing you will need to do is take inventory of what you have at home versus what you will need to get at the store. For starters, get a few cans of tuna in water. You will also need some mayonnaise and a few veggies, including finely chopped celery and onions.
Next, add some capers to your dish, followed by whole grain mustard. You will also need some fresh chopped parsley, lemon juice, and then salt and pepper to taste. Last but not least, make a stop in the produce aisle for lettuce leaves.
The health benefits of tuna
When it comes to tuna, there are a whole lot of health benefits, and MacLean explains them the best herself. "Tuna is a great lean protein! It is also one of the best dietary sources of vitamin D, which can be hard for many people to get during these winter months," she raves. "It is good for bone health and for keeping your immune system strong. It is also ranges in price, which makes it a great option for everyone looking for these health benefits!" Plain and simple — we should all be eating more tuna.
Add the ingredients to a bowl
This is one of the easiest recipes you will ever make, and it only takes a few minutes to put together. As a reminder, you should have done some prep work ahead of time, like chopping your cucumbers and onions. Now, all you need to do is take out a mixing bowl, and throw in the ingredients. Start with the canned tuna, and then add mayo, which gives this salad a smooth and creamy base.
After the mayo, you will want to add in the chopped celery, chopped red onion, pickle relish, and capers. Finally, add the remaining items (which give this dish incredible flavor), including whole grain mustard, parsley, and lemon juice.
Mix the ingredients
Once you have all of the ingredients in your mixing bowl, you only need to take one other step. Simply mix the ingredients thoroughly. "When mixing, I prefer to use a spatula, as I feel like it really picks up the ingredients and blends them together well. However, you can definitely use whatever is available to you whether it be a spoon, fork, or anything else that will mix everything together thoroughly," MacLean shares. "I'd say mixing only takes a minute or two, it really does come together so fast!"
Now, just season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. It's all based on your preferences, so feel free to add as little or as much as you'd like. Be sure to stir once more to incorporate the salt and pepper.
Serve and enjoy
Now that you have finished mixing, it's time to get the tuna ready to serve. You can use the same bowl that you mixed the tuna in to serve it, or you could switch it to a different serving dish. Then, grab the lettuce leaves, top with tuna, and garnish as you wish.
"This tuna salad of course is delicious in these lettuce wraps, however it is just as delicious as a sandwich, or eaten on its own with some crackers for dipping," MacLean shares. "I have been known to just enjoy it with a spoon as well — it is that good! While these are a great meal on their own, these lettuce wraps would go great with some steamed veggies or a light soup to keep the meal light and healthy." The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to this wonderful main course.
Leftover suggestions
This tuna is so good that you likely won't have anything left over — especially if you're hosting guests. But if you do, MacLean gives great instructions on how to store it. "Leftovers are good for up to a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator," she says. "The best part about this tuna salad is that the flavors continue to meld together as it sits in the fridge, so it is great to make a day or two ahead, then enjoy throughout the week!"
- 2 cans tuna in water
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup celery, finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 6 butter lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry
- Add the tuna, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, pickle relish, capers, whole grain mustard, parsley, and lemon juice to a mixing bowl.
- Mix the ingredients together thoroughly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the tuna salad in the lettuce leaves.
- Garnish as desired.
| Calories per Serving | 448 |
| Total Fat | 31.6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.8 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.0 g |
| Cholesterol | 74.4 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 9.6 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 5.9 g |
| Sodium | 897.3 mg |
| Protein | 33.1 g |
