By Made with simple ingredients, these tuna cucumber boats are quick to make, high in protein, and low in carbs. You can make the salad as meal prep or enjoy it for a quick, no-bake high-protein low-calorie lunch. So grab some red onions, your favorite tuna, and some Greek yogurt to make these tasty bites!
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We are huge fans of tuna around here. It's a quick and cost effective protein that everyone loves. Cucumbers are often served with tuna salad, but when we were thinking up fun ways to get our toddler interested in it, we decided to use them as boats! So now we're tuna cucumber boat people - ha!
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be a boat sculptor!
You want to remove a good amount of the seeds so there's space for the filling, but still leave enough cucumber "walls" so they don't collapse. A regular spoon works great-just be gentle!
ingredient notes & substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See the recipe card for quantities.
- Canned tuna: The main protein source. We use water-packed tuna, but oil-packed also works.
- English cucumbers: These are long cucumbers with thin skin-perfect for scooping and stuffing!
- Plain Greek yogurt: Adds protein and creaminess without needing too much mayo.
- Mayo: Just a touch for that classic tuna salad taste.
- Banana peppers: Add tang and a bit of spice. Pickle slices or chopped pepperoncini work too!
- Red onions: For crunch and flavor. Green onions are a milder option.
- Dijon mustard: Adds loads of flavor without adding lots of ingredients.
- Salt and pepper: Don't skip! Especially since cucumbers are pretty neutral.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
high protein ingredient spotlight: tuna
Canned tuna is the most convenient fish. A single 5 oz can has about 32 grams of protein! It's shelf-stable, budget-friendly, and super versatile (try it in our high-protein tuna salad too). We like to use skipjack tuna as it has the lowest levels of mercury.
here's how to make tuna cucumber boats
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe!
- Mix all ingredients (except cucumbers) in a large bowl.
- Slice the cucumbers in half. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard them. Then, cut each half into roughly 3-inch segments.
- Fill each cucumber boat with the tuna salad. Then, enjoy!
quick recipe video
expert tips
- Use a teaspoon or small spoon to scoop the cucumber seeds. It gives you more control than a larger spoon.
- Chill the tuna mixture before stuffing for extra refreshing boats (especially on a hot day).
- Make it spicy by adding a dash of hot sauce or chopped jalapeños.
troubleshooting & testing notes
The mayo ratio
We originally used too much mayo, and it overwhelmed the other flavors-cutting back and using Greek yogurt fixed it.
Best cucumbers
Small cucumbers didn't hold the filling well, so we now always use English cucumbers for the best results.
how to store & meal prep it
Store leftover tuna salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store the cucumber boats separately and fill them right before eating for the best texture.
more tuna-tastic recipes
Recipe
tuna cucumber boats
Ingredients
- 2 cans tuna (5 oz cans)
- 2 English cucumbers
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (plain)
- 2 tablespoon mayo
- ¼ cup banana peppers (diced)
- ¼ cup red onions (diced)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
Before you start!
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Instructions
- Drain liquid from tuna cans, then add 2 cans tuna, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoon mayo, ¼ cup banana peppers, ¼ cup red onions, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, and 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste to a large bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Slice the 2 English cucumbers in half. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard them. Then, cut each half into roughly 3 inch segments.
- Fill each cucumber boat with the tuna salad. Then, enjoy!
Video
Notes
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
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