There’s an easy way to make tuna even tastier (Image: a-lesa via Getty Images)
Tinned tuna is one of those store cupboard staples that can be incredibly useful when you require a quick lunch, although it can sometimes taste fairly bland straight from the tin. It’s commonly enjoyed in sandwiches and wraps, added to salads, and served atop jacket potatoes.
The key to boosting its flavour is in the ingredients you mix it with. If you usually combine it with mayonnaise, there’s an alternative ingredient that chefs and nutritionists consistently recommend trying instead. It provides plenty of flavour, offers a comparable texture, and is considerably healthier than mayonnaise.
Greek yoghurt gives the tuna a creamy texture while adding a slight tang (Image: Getty)
How to make tinned tuna taste better
Tinned tuna possesses a relatively mild flavour, which means it works brilliantly with ingredients that bring creaminess, acidity, saltiness and freshness, reports Wales Online.
One of the easiest ways to improve it is to swap mayonnaise for plain Greek yoghurt.
Greek yoghurt lends the tuna a creamy texture while introducing a subtle tang. Alex, a registered dietitian, regularly shares simple swaps on her website called Daisybeet, including this tuna recipe.
Her 10-minute recipe is also packed with Dijon mustard, pickles and fresh dill to create a straightforward yet considerably more flavoursome tuna mixture.
Greek yoghurt tuna recipe
Ingredients
- Two cans of tinned tuna
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yoghurt
- One tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- Two dill pickled, finely diced
- One tablespoon of fresh fill, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
Start by draining the tuna completely. This is an essential step, as surplus liquid can render the finished tuna salad watery instead of creamy.
Transfer the drained tuna into a mixing bowl and gently flake it apart using a fork. Then, add the Greek yoghurt and combine it thoroughly with the tuna.
Stir in the mustard to add a sharp, savoury element that stops the tuna from becoming bland. Afterwards, finely chop the pickles before adding them to the mixture. They deliver small bursts of salty, tangy flavour along with a hint of crunch, which is particularly beneficial in this recipe.
Lastly, fold through the chopped dill and season with some salt if required.
How to make tuna even more interesting
Once you’ve perfected the basic Greek yoghurt combination, there are plenty of simple methods to modify it based on what’s in the fridge.
If you favour a crunchy texture with tuna, try adding some finely chopped cucumber, celery, red onion or spring onion.
If you’re after a bright, flavourful dish, add a squeeze of lemon to enhance the tuna mixture. The acidity works particularly well with the Greek yoghurt, providing balance.
As for herbs, dill is a natural match, but other varieties, such as parsley and chives, can also be used to introduce a different flavour to the combination.
For anyone who enjoys some spice, add chilli flakes, hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
