Spicy Tuna Salad

Ensalada de Atun

This spicy tuna salad, called ensalada de atun in Spanish, is a tasty blend of tuna, avocado, vegetables and serrano chile served on tostadas. The avo and veggies are the stars; The serrano chiles and lime juice give it some kick; The tuna gives it flavor. You only need 15 minutes to prepare it and you probably have all of the ingredients on hand.

A Versatile Recipe

Tuna salad is popular throughout Mexico and every cook has her own personal version. This recipe is my personal favorite but it is very versatile. Use it as a base to create your own tuna salad recipe. A few ideas: Omit the lettuce and add shredded carrot. Substitute parsley for the cilantro. Omit the chiles. Use lemon juice instead of lime juice. Add a pinch of black pepper. Replace the lettuce with spinach. Use your imagination. It is almost impossible to mess it up.

As they say in Mexico, provecho!

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Spicy Tuna Salad

Prep 15 mins

Total 15 mins

Author Douglas Cullen

Yield 4 servings

Mexican Style Spicy Tuna Salad Recipe. A tasty blend of tuna, avocado, vegetables and serrano chile served on tostadas or saltine crackers.

Ingredients

• 2 cans water packed tuna
• 1 small red onion diced
• 2 Roma tomatoes diced
• 2 avocados cut into 1/4" pieces
• 2 cups of lettuce cut into 1/4" strips (Any type of loose leaf lettuce works great. Iceberg lettuce works also.)
• 2 serrano chiles minced
• 2 teaspoons minced cilantro
• 2 teaspoons mayonaise
• Juice from 2 Mexican limes
• 12 tostadas
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Drain the tuna well.
2. Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl except the avocado. Gently mix until the ingredients are dispersed evenly.
3. Salt to taste.
4. Add the avocado to the salad and mix very gently until the avocado is dispersed evenly.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to lightly chill the salad.
6. Serve the tuna salad on tostadas.

Notes

• This salad is best eaten immediately although if you have some leftover it will keep in the refrigerator for a day.
• Use the mayonnaise sparingly. More isn't better for this salad.
• Add only 1 serrano chile to reduce the heat.

Courses Salad

Cuisine Mexican

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 3 tostadas

Amount Per Serving
Calories 364
% Daily Value
Total Fat 17 g		26%
Sodium 415 mg		17%
Total Carbohydrates 31 g		10%
	Sugars 3 g
Protein 12 g		24%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

More Mexican Salads

• Cactus Salad
• Cuernavaca Style Cucumber Salad
• Zucchini Squash and Chayote Salad
• Andrés’ Tuna Salad