If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser, these tuna salad sliders are a fantastic choice. They’re quick to make and stuffed with flavors that everyone will love, bringing a fun twist to the classic tuna salad.
This tuna salad sliders recipe solves problems of lengthy preparation, limited flavor variety, and finding a meal adaptable for families and unexpected guests quickly.
I know how tough it can be to whip up something that’s both tasty and satisfying during a busy weeknight. That’s why I created this recipe. It’s a great solution when you have kids and unexpected guests to feed. Plus, it’s easy to make adjustments, so everyone can enjoy them.
This recipe stands out because it comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a reliable go-to. With a combination of fresh ingredients and simple assembly, you’ll have sliders that taste even better than the traditional version.
If you want to switch things up for another meal, try my broccolini frittata.
Table of contents
Dietary Considerations
- This recipe is not gluten-free because the slider buns contain wheat and gluten ingredients that are not safe for gluten-restricted diets.
- The recipe contains mayonnaise, which includes eggs, so it is unsuitable for vegan diets that avoid all animal products entirely.
- The recipe suits dairy-free diets as none of the ingredients contain milk, cheese, or other dairy products.
- This recipe is not keto or low-carb due to slider buns with high carbohydrate content, affecting strict carbohydrate limits.
- The recipe is nut-free because no nuts or nut-based products are included in the listed ingredients.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick to Assemble This recipe only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. You can easily whip up a batch of sliders when you need a speedy meal or snack.
- Loaded with Flavor The combination of zesty ingredients like jalapeño and Old Bay seasoning makes these sliders burst with flavor. Each bite delivers a satisfying kick that keeps things interesting.
- Versatile Serving Options Tuna salad sliders work well for a range of occasions. They’re great for lunch, casual dinners, or even as party appetizers when you want something that feels a bit special.
- Fresh Ingredients Using crispy lettuce and ripe tomatoes adds a refreshing crunch to each slider. These ingredients ensure every bite is as tasty as it is colorful, making for an inviting plate.
How to Make Tuna Salad Sliders
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cool Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: assembly
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Quick and flavorful tuna salad sliders made with fresh ingredients and bold seasonings. Perfect for a light meal or snack.
Ingredients
- 6 cans (5 oz / 142 g each) tuna, water-packed
- 1 large red onion, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) mayonnaise
- 12 slider buns
- 12 slices pepper jack cheese
- Lettuce leaves (romaine or butter lettuce preferred)
- 2 jalapeño peppers, chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice (fresh recommended)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the tuna (drained), chopped red onion, chopped tomatoes, mayonnaise, jalapeño peppers (if using), lemon juice, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well distributed and the mixture looks visually appealing. Proper mixing ensures every bite has a balanced and flavorful profile.
- Step 2: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 10 minutes. Cooling allows the flavors to meld together, intensifying the taste of the tuna salad.
- Step 3: Once the tuna salad is chilled, spread a generous layer over the bottom half of each slider bun. This helps deliver full flavor in every bite. Then top each with a slice of pepper jack cheese and a crisp leaf of lettuce for added texture and freshness. Press down slightly on each slider after layering to improve structure while serving.
- Step 4: Replace the top halves of the slider buns and arrange the assembled sliders neatly on a serving platter. Serving chilled is suggested for a refreshing experience, especially on warmer days.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store tuna salad sliders in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Avoid direct heat or sunlight to maintain freshness.
- Refrigeration: Keep sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to preserve ingredient firmness and prevent spoilage.
- Freezing: Wrap each slider individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- If the tuna salad feels dry, add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) more mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and mix thoroughly just before serving to restore moisture.
- Drain canned tuna well to prevent excess liquid from making sliders soggy during assembly.
- If flavors seem mild after chilling, stir in 1 tsp (5 ml) more Old Bay seasoning to enhance taste.
- When using cherry tomatoes, quarter them and increase chill time to 20 minutes to allow flavor blending.
- Slightly pressing sliders after adding cheese and lettuce improves their shape and makes them easier to eat.
- Serve sliders with sides like sweet potato fries, crunchy coleslaw, fresh cucumber salad, or roasted asparagus for complementary textures and flavors.
- Use tuna salad as a filling in lettuce wraps or tortillas for a quick lunch alternative.
- Mix the tuna salad with cooked pasta to create a heartier tuna pasta salad.
- Add avocado slices or a drizzle of sriracha for extra flavor. A squeeze of lime juice or a dollop of Greek yogurt brighten the dish.
- Use high-quality canned tuna packed in water or olive oil to keep the salad moist and flavorful.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice is preferred over bottled for best brightness and freshness.
- A mild red onion bulb without sprouting is ideal; can be omitted for less pungency.
- Optional jalapeño peppers add spice; substitute with bell peppers to reduce heat if desired.
- Slider buns can be whole grain or brioche to add texture contrast and sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Canned tuna: Look for high-quality tuna packed in water or olive oil. This adds great flavor and keeps the salad moist!
- Mayonnaise: A good, creamy mayo brings everything together and adds richness. I favor Hellmann’s or Duke’s for their smooth texture.
- Celery: Fresh celery adds crunch and flavor. Choose firm stalks with vibrant green leaves for the best taste and texture.
- Red onion: Chopped red onion gives a sharp bite that balances the creamy mayo. Opt for a fresh bulb, avoiding any sprouted ones.
- Pickles: Dill pickles bring tanginess. Whole or chopped, sweet or dill, choose based on your taste preference for that flavor boost.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the salad and helps balance flavors. Use real lemons; bottled varieties lack freshness.
- Fresh herbs: Parsley or dill freshens up the salad. Choose vibrant, crisp leaves; wilted herbs can dull the flavor of your sliders.
- Slider buns: Soft, mini slider buns are the base. Look for whole grain or brioche for added sweetness and texture contrast.
Recipe Tips
- If your tuna salad seems dry, add 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for moisture, mixing thoroughly right before serving.
- When using canned tuna, drain it well to avoid excess liquid; this helps keep the sliders from getting soggy when assembling.
- If your sliders don’t seem flavorful, mix in 1 teaspoon more Old Bay seasoning after 10 minutes of chilling to enhance the taste.
- If using cherry tomatoes, quarter them before adding, and let the tuna salad chill for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld properly.
- When assembling, press down slightly on each slider after topping with cheese and lettuce to give them better structure while serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with sweet potato fries or a side of crunchy coleslaw. A fresh cucumber salad or roasted asparagus works well too.
Use to make tuna salad lettuce wraps or add to a tortilla for a quick lunch. Blend into a tuna pasta salad for a heartier option.
Top with avocado slices or a drizzle of sriracha for extra flavor. A splash of lime juice or a dollop of Greek yogurt brightens it up.
Recipe variations
- You can use albacore tuna instead of chunk light for a milder flavor in your tuna salad sliders. Use 6 cans (5 oz each) drained before mixing.
- Add 1 tsp of Cajun seasoning instead of Old Bay for a different spice profile. Mix thoroughly with diced tomatoes, onion, and mayonnaise.
- Either mayonnaise or 2/3 cup Greek yogurt works as the creamy binder in the tuna salad. Greek yogurt offers a tangy and lighter alternative.
- If making more sliders, double all ingredients to serve 24. This scaling keeps the balance right when increasing tuna salad slider quantities for larger groups.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your tuna salad sliders fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Store tuna salad sliders in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, avoiding direct heat or sunlight exposure.
Refrigeration: Place sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping ingredients firm and preventing spoilage efficiently.
Freezing: Wrap sliders individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer container, freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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If you enjoyed this Tuna Salad Sliders or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
