Kimchi Tuna Salad Recipe (2024)

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Jed

Delicious. A little secret: drizzle a bit of melted butter into the salad for extra deliciousness. (Oh, and lose the celery.) Served on toasted sourdough. Yum.

KG

I love kimchi, but it is scarce in rural Maine...I’ve made Emergency Kimchi with common cabbage (search the web) and it is delicious and authentic enough. Definitely making this with tuna and my staple, canned salmon as well. Great recipe!

jenacass

Remember to put a bowl under strainer when you drain the Kimchi! If the ingredients hadn’t said “with juice” I would have dumped it all down the sink. Surprisingly good flavor which isn’t too spicy. I did goof and added 3T instead of 3 tsp of sesame oil. It probably softened the heat.

Susan

The kimchi tuna ratio seems a little high on kimchi for my American palate but I find this intriguing. I would try to add a little kimchi to my usual tuna salad with mayo and celery first and maybe also the other ingredients.

Zudok

I've been looking for a way to enjoy kimchi in a way other than my go-to: using a fork, right out of the jar. This is an excellent recipe, easy, just in time for summer. I was hesitant to add the mayo but found that a couple of tablespoons kinda tied the room together without really altering the taste too much. Love it.

Monk Watson

I was going to the fridge for fresh ginger, when I discovered a takeout container of picked ginger. I chopped it up and added it instead. It was really tasty. Kind of like a sweet pickle in western tuna salad.

Lindsay

This is so delicious! The celery isn’t really necessary since you already get a decent amount of crunch from the kimchi, but sesame oil and furikake seasoning are a must. This would go with any carb - toast, bagel, tortilla chips - but is great just on its own as well for a high protein snack. I don’t even like tuna all that much and this is so good!

South Ender

My combo was cucumber, radish, and a half pound of tiny red boiled potatoes instead of celery. Did all the rest as written but made half and it was a nice light meal for 2. Sambal - about a T - gave a nice kick.

Mark

Delicious! Instead of tuna I used boneless & skinless canned salmon. I made it early in the day & had it for dinner - the marination time helped! I cut back on the celery & added fresh peas that I had gotten at the farmers market that morning. I also served it over a spring greens salad mix. I would try this with leftover rotisserie chicken as well!

Will

Great recipe! Changes/notes I made:- Definitely add some mayo (about ¾ cup), I used Japanese mayo (e.g. Kewpie)- Mine needed salt and pepper- Used 12 oz tuna (dry weight, usually three cans) for 16 oz kimchi- Added two roughly chopped hard boiled eggs- Added two dollops of gochujang

Barrington

This is a staple now that I have this recipe to riff on. Yesterday made it with some leftover cooked kale and collards, plus a couple of small tins of Portuguese mackerel instead of tuna. Have made it with Spanish sardines and some spare kohlrabi. Sometimes I add mayo, sometimes I add more sesame oil or lemon juice. We eat it with something starchy like rice, sourdough bread, pasta, whatever. Versatile, tasty, delicious. Thank you!

Keeper

Amazing recipeBlown away by how I can now elevate my normal tuna lunch!

Sarah T.

Delicious and perfect for a make ahead lunch. We loved it over soba noodles, including the picky 17 year old.

Bridget D.

Great for a light lunch, I found the flavor balance perfect. If you don’t already enjoy kimchi this is probably a bit aggressive for an introduction. The celery adds good texture. I had mine over rice. Toasted sourdough is a good idea. It does call for some neutral base.

KittyG

This was delicious and I'll make again. But I do have a suggestion. The ginger matchsticks, even cut really, really thin, were too obvious. Next time I'll grate the ginger

DA

Used Thai chili flavored tuna (from a pouch) with mild kimchi (about 2:1, tuna to kimchi) and added a Tbsp of sweet pickle relish. No mayo or oil needed. Was amazed at how well the kimchi and tuna taste together. Will definitely try this again; next time with the sesame oil and rice crackers!

Blanche

There is a HUGE difference in Kimchee from one brand to another and this is borne out by the extremes noted from different comments.I could eat Kimchee every day and often do. If I need something to take with my evening pills I mix some with hummus and eat with blue corn chips

Bridget From MN

So delish and easy and can be. I pressed the kimchi to really release the liquid. Served over butter lettuce for added volume. Miso soup on the side.

Carol

This was interesting. I make my own kimchi so only needed to pick up the celery. Made it exactly as the recipe said. Added a bit of homemade mayo. It was good. Not sure why I didn't love it however.

mommywhor*bucks

Definitely use some mayonnaise - about 1/2 - 3/4 cup won’t make it at all like traditional tuna salad, but serve as a nice way to marry the flavors. I used fish sauce instead of rice vinegar, and really wish I hadn’t. The kimchi I used (which is delicious and I didn’t have to chop it) was pretty salty and very spicy, and the fish sauce made it a bit *too* salty, though not inedible. I’d start with 2 teaspoons of the sesame oil, as the full 3 is a little overwhelming.

Tessa

Wish I could give it way more stars! This is so good I have been making it weekly. It usually makes two servings for me so I get to eat it twice! Per a note, I eat it on a toasted baguette or sourdough with butter. I left out the celery, did use the mayonnaise and eyeballed the amount of kimchi that felt right to me with the 12oz can of tuna.

kellyn

The Trader Joe’s kimchi I used didn’t have much juice, so I used rice vinegar and fish sauce as suggested. It was fabulous, even without the ginger (which I forgot until after I finished the first bowl). Even better with the ginger!

Patricia

added an entire bunch of green onions and served with sliced avocado and korean roasted seaweed. delicious!

Chris Cooks

This was delicious! Served warm with Udon noodles—just right for a rainy evening. My partner can’t tolerate as much spice, so I rinsed his portion of the Kimchi and made the “dressing” without the Kimchi juice and served the juice on the side so he could spice it to his tolerance.

Basiluzzu

I substituted julienned carrots and red bell peppers for celery.

Cody

Added some cucumber chunks and scallions and it was even more perfect. Definitely needed quite a bit more oil and vinegar as the tuna soaked it up quick. Used tuna in water - maybe tuna packed in oil wouldn’t be as absorbent.

Ellen

Makes awesome tuna melts!

MH

Loved the recipe.I ate it wrapped in lettuce leaves.I will add hard boiled egg and pickled gingernext as recommended by other reviewers.

jens-peter

I live in Hawaii and the idea of eating tuna from a can and not fresh off the fishing boats makes me want to gag. (Of course, my late stepmother's tuna casserole may have added to that attitude.)A little kimchi is great with Korean plate lunch but I'll bet this salad would be a lot better with some fresh cooked Ahi or Aku.

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Kimchi Tuna Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does restaurant tuna salad taste better? ›

The highest-quality tuna is bought fresh from the market or fishmonger, so some restaurants process and cook fresh tuna before incorporating it into the tuna salad. Although time-consuming and expensive, many chefs prefer this approach.

How do you make Paula Deen's tuna salad? ›

Directions. In a mixing bowl, combine the tuna, eggs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, celery, relish, and onion. Season the salad with a big pinch of salt and pepper and stir to combine. Serve on a bed of salad greens or on toasted bread, if you like.

Is Miracle Whip better than mayo for tuna? ›

More viscous or fluid products may cause a more 'wet' tuna salad.” Less popular for tuna salad among our experts but still mayo MVPs, Kewpie and Miracle Whip both have distinct flavors that don't work as well with tuna, one more savory (Kewpie) and one sweeter (Miracle Whip).

What is the most delicious tuna in the world? ›

Bluefins are widely regarded as the Kings of the Tuna family, and rightfully so. Thanks to a number of physical attributes, Bluefins boast a richness of flavor you just won't find in another fish. Bluefin Tuna are almost exclusively found in the form of sashimi.

What spices enhance tuna? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making Tuna

Organic Dill Weed: Adds a fresh, tangy kick, perfect for tuna salads. Organic Garlic Powder: A universal flavor enhancer for a savory touch. Organic Paprika (Sweet or Smoked): For a subtle warmth and color, excellent in rubs. Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor.

How to make tuna salad martha stewart? ›

Directions
  1. In a medium bowl, combine tuna, celery, apple, mayonnaise, basil, and lemon juice; mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. On a work surface, divide tuna salad among 4 slices bread; top with remaining 4 slices bread. Serve.
Dec 21, 2022

What brand of tuna does Ina Garten use? ›

According to Garten, Spanish tuna is packed in olive oil and is “absolutely delicious.” “It's moist,” she adds, “and the flavor is fantastic.” While shopping for Spanish tuna, Garten likes to purchase imported tuna in a glass jar, like Ortiz's Tuna Bonito Del Norte.

Do you drain tuna before making tuna salad? ›

If you are using canned tuna packed in water, drain it and add in 1 tablespoon of good-quality extra virgin olive oil. If you are using canned tuna packed in olive oil, you can use as is, without draining it.

Should you rinse canned tuna? ›

In dishes where you aim for a fresh, clean taste, like in salads or light pasta dishes, rinsing tuna can help achieve the desired flaky texture and light flavor profile. It removes the oil or brine that might otherwise weigh down the dish or clash with delicate dressings and ingredients.

How do you make tuna less boring? ›

If you're not interested in a formal recipe, you can bring a can of tuna to life using this simple formula: Simply swap your regular mayo for a combo of mustard and Greek yogurt and use a fork to mix it with your tuna. Next, throw in any salty (capers or chopped pickles, anyone?) or sweet (grapes, perhaps?)

Why is restaurant mayo better? ›

They make their own mayo, usually with a higher concentration of egg yolks and mustard seed than commercial varieties. Commercial varieties also use canola, whereas restaurants may use higher quality oils like grapeseed or olive.

Why are restaurant salads so crisp? ›

The Keys to Crisp Lettuce

Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture (but not too much!), in order to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

Why does store bought salad taste better? ›

Restaurants understand balance.

Chefs balance flavors and textures in salads with a mix of cooked and raw ingredients, proteins, grains, veggies, fruits, herbs, and dressing, Herpin said. Think about all of these components (as well as color!) to make the perfect bowl.

Do restaurants use canned tuna? ›

In fact, many restaurants use exceptional canned tuna, much of it imported. Generally, these chefs prefer to use solid, white albacore canned tuna as it has a superior, meaty texture. When it comes to using water versus oil-packed tuna, opinions differ.

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