Easy, breezy, no-cook recipe, anyone? Tuna Lettuce Wraps are crunchy, flavorful, and delightfully tangy for a delicious no-cook meal you won’t be able to get enough of.
I don’t know about you, but after cooking for an army all season long, nothing sounds better to me than a meal that requires zero heat and almost no effort.
If you’ve finally reached the point where you exhausted all of your leftovers (it had to happen eventually), then congratulations! You’ve made it to the land of no-cook meals.
It’s great here, you’re gonna love it.
After stuffing my face (happily, I might add) with an assortment of Christmas cookies and holiday ham, I am more than ready to balance things out with some lighter meals.
Tuna Lettuce Wraps are not only super easy to make, but they fill you up with tons of protein and nutrients without leaving you feeling sluggish.
Our delicious tuna salad is made with albacore tuna, celery, vegan mayonnaise (trust me), pickle relish, raw honey (I told you to trust me!), and a touch of salt.
Does it sound a little crazy? Maybe. Does it totally work? 100%.
This no-cook dish is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, light, refreshing, crunchy, and tangy.
I don’t know why, but I’m telling you vegan mayonnaise just tastes better in this recipe.
I tried it once because it was all I had on hand and was elated to realize that it actually tasted way better than any mayonnaise I had used in my tuna salad before!
You can wrap up this tuna salad in the tortilla of your choice, but I personally love tucking it into some romaine lettuce wraps for a refreshing crunch.
These Tuna Lettuce Wraps are low-carb, protein-packed, and absolutely crave-worthy.
If you’re in need of something on the lighter side after countless holiday feasts, then this no-cook recipe is for you. Trust me, you’re gonna love it!
Key Ingredients
To make these delicious tuna wraps, you will need just a few key ingredients:
- Albacore tuna. I like to use the tuna that is packed in water because it tastes fresher than the kind that comes packed in oil. Not a fan of tuna? Try using canned chicken instead.
- Celery. Celery is a classic tuna salad ingredient that gives it great texture and crunch. Also, it happens to be loaded with antioxidants and vitamins. A win-win!
- Vegan mayonnaise. I like vegan mayo for its lighter consistency and texture, but you could of course use regular mayonnaise if you prefer.
- Fermented pickle relish. This is my secret ingredient and the key to the best tuna salad ever! Pickle relish is a traditional ingredient in tuna salad, but the regular kind is full of added sugars and preservatives. I like to use fermented pickle relish instead because it is full of probiotics, which your body will thank you for.
- Honey. If you choose to use pickle relish that isn’t already sweetened, then adding about a teaspoon of honey will beautifully balance the other flavors in the tuna salad.
- Romaine lettuce. The largest, leafiest greens make the best vessels for our tuna salad and toppings.
- Toppings. I love tossing some sliced avocado and tomatoes on top of my tuna wraps. Feel free to use any toppings you prefer.
How to Make Tuna Lettuce Wraps
These Tuna Lettuce Wraps are beyond easy to make. With absolutely no cooking required, they come together in just a few easy steps:
- Remove the outer leaves and chop off the end of your lettuce. Then, wash and dry your lettuce, and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, add the albacore tuna. Use your fork to break up the tuna into bite-sized chunks.
- Add the celery, vegan mayonnaise, pickle relish, honey, salt, and black pepper to the tuna mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Find the best pieces of lettuce and arrange them on your plate. Then, add the tuna mixture to the center. Top it off with sliced tomatoes, avocados, or any other toppings you want. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Tuna Lettuce Wraps are a wholesome and easy lunch or dinner option that will quickly become a staple in your household.
However, whenever I find a dish that I love to eat all the time, I find that keeping a few tricks up my sleeve keeps it fresh and fun every time.
Here are some of my favorite ways to switch up this tuna salad recipe:
- Pesto. Instead of using mayonnaise, add a bit of this homemade pesto. It has just enough oil to keep your wraps creamy, but it also adds tons of flavor.
- Hummus. Hummus is another low-fat, low-calorie alternative to mayonnaise, and I love the way it makes these wraps taste. I love adding sliced cucumbers, kalamata olives, capers, and sun-dried tomatoes as well to give these wraps a Mediterranean-style flair.
- Chimichurri. This 3-Herb Chimichurri Sauce Recipe is bright, fresh, and full of flavor. It is a delicious and healthy mayonnaise substitute that is basically the South American version of pesto. It works really well with tuna, so you can absolutely use it on its own. Alternatively, you could try a half-mayo, half-chimichurri combination. Yum!
- Chicken. Not a fan of canned tuna? Don’t fret! This recipe works great with canned chicken as well. Again, shoot for the kind that is packed in water.
Tuna Wrap Topping Ideas
Sliced avocado and fresh tomatoes are my go-to toppings for these tuna wraps, but really they are just the beginning.
Believe me when I say that there are basically endless directions you can take with these wraps.
It all depends on what you’re craving and what you have at home.
Tuna Lettuce Wraps are perfect for feeding a crowd because you can lay out an assortment of topping options and let everyone customize their meal as they please.
If you need an idea (or several), here are my favorite topping recommendations:
- Vegetables. Basically, any sliced fresh veggie will work great here. Personally, I love garnishing with red onion, bell pepper, cucumbers, olives, banana peppers, pickles, or jalapenos. Just choose your favorites!
- Sauce. Craving something saucy? A drizzle of your favorite sauce is a surefire way to take these tuna wraps to the next level. I recommend adding some oyster sauce, sweet onion sauce, or your favorite hot sauce to level things up.
- Fresh herbs. Looking to add some flavor and freshen up this dish? Try adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs. My top picks include chives, parsley, cilantro, and mint.
How to Store Tuna Lettuce Wraps
If you want to save yourself the hassle, I recommend making these wraps ahead of time.
Whether you’re preparing tomorrow’s post-work dinner or making healthy school lunches, I promise these wraps will make things easier.
If this make-ahead route is the one you’re going down, make sure to store your tuna separately from your veggies. Then, just assemble the wraps when you’re ready to eat them.
To store your tuna salad ahead of time, seal it up in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3-5 days.
To keep your lettuce fresh, don’t wash it until you are ready to serve. Romaine lettuce is great because you can wash just a few leaves at a time, then store the rest until you’re ready to use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about these delicious tuna wraps:
What kind of lettuce should I use for lettuce wraps?
Any leafy green lettuce will work great for this recipe. I like using romaine leaves, but bibb lettuce or iceberg lettuce will also do the job. Just make sure it is washed and completely dry before using.
How do you prepare lettuce for wraps?
When making lettuce wraps, I prefer to peel off the outer leaves and chop off the ends.
Once you’ve picked the leaves you want to use, make sure to wash and dry your lettuce completely.
A salad spinner will make your life a whole lot easier, but if you don’t have one available, the paper towel method will also do the trick.
How do you keep tuna wraps fresh?
The key to keeping these wraps fresh is only assembling them when you’re about to eat them. If you’re storing these wraps for later, it is important that you store the tuna mixture separately from your veggies.
And in case you missed it, don’t wash your lettuce until you’re assembling the wraps; this helps keep the lettuce fresh.
Peel the leaves you plan on using and give them a good rinse. The rest can stay put until you’re ready to eat them.
Is canned tuna good for you?
Canned tuna is a delicious and satisfying protein choice. It’s also packed with vitamins and minerals that provide tons of health benefits to the body.
I always recommend going with canned tuna that is packed in water rather than oil, as this cuts down on unnecessary calories and fat.
More Healthy Lunch Recipes
- Loaded Veggie Hummus Wrap
- Watermelon Salad with Feta & Mint
- Lite Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- Awesome Turkey Burger Recipe
Tuna Lettuce Wraps (Best No-Cook Recipe!)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Chop, mix
- Cuisine: American
Description
Tuna Lettuce Wraps are made with a handful of wholesome ingredients and require zero cooking time. They’re crunchy, tangy, and beyond delicious! Perfect for relaxing after the holidays.
Ingredients
Tuna Salad:
- Romaine leaves, rinsed and dried
- 2 cans albacore tuna, drained
- 2 tablespoons celery, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened fermented pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon raw, local honey
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- Pinch black pepper
Toppings:
- 1 avocado, diced
- 8 grape tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Remove the outer leaves and chop off the end of your lettuce. Then, wash and dry your lettuce, and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, add the albacore tuna. Use your fork to break up the tuna into bite-sized chunks.
- Add the celery, vegan mayonnaise, pickle relish, honey, salt, and black pepper to the tuna mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Find the best pieces of lettuce and arrange them on your plate. Then, add the tuna mixture to the center. Top it off with sliced tomatoes, avocados, or any other toppings you want. Enjoy!
Notes
Note: Use organic ingredients whenever possible.
Thanks for the tuna lettuce wraps.