Crunchy Tuna Salad with Sesame-Ginger Dressing

Start with canned tuna. Dress it up with vegetables and a delicious dressing.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated April 25, 2025
Elise Bauer
Bowl of Asian Tuna Salad

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Who says you need mayo for a tuna salad? Here's an Asian-inspired tuna salad with radishes, green onions, and shredded carrots, dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil.

Great chilled or at room temperature. Perfect for picnics or potlucks!

Bowl of Asian Tuna Salad

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Serve it over chopped lettuce, in a sandwich, in lettuce wraps, or our favorite, tossed with Japanese soba noodles.

My advice? Make a double batch. This one disappears quickly.

Crunchy Tuna Salad with Sesame-Ginger Dressing

Prep Time 20 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 2 to 4 servings
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Ingredients

  • 10 to 12 ounces canned white albacore tuna packed in water, drained

  • 8 to 10 small radishes, cut into wedges

  • 1 large carrot, shredded

  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger

  • 1/2 to 1 serrano chili, seeded and minced (taste for heat and adjust, can also sub some chili pepper flakes)

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil

  • 3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar (or plain rice vinegar with a teaspoon of sugar)

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

  • 1 whole green onion, chopped

  • 8 ounces (dry) soba noodles or fresh lettuce, optional (Note: If using soba noodles, cook according to package directions and rinse with cold water.)

Method

  1. Combine the tuna, vegetables, garlic, ginger, chile, oils, and vinegar:

    Place the drained tuna, radishes, shredded carrot, garlic, ginger, chile, vegetable oil, dark sesame oil, and rice vinegar in a large bowl. Gently toss to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

  2. Serve:

    When ready to serve, stir in the chopped cilantro and green onion.

    Serve with lettuce, or mixed in with cold, cooked soba noodles.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
195 Calories
11g Fat
3g Carbs
21g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 195
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 36mg 12%
Sodium 411mg 18%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 21g
Vitamin C 3mg 17%
Calcium 28mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 299mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.