High-Protein Tuna Salad Radicchio Boats
Crisp, slightly bitter radicchio leaves cradling a creamy, high-protein tuna salad packed with crunchy celery and fresh herbs. A no-cook lunch that comes together in 15 minutes and delivers bold Mediterranean flavor without the carbs.
For 4 servings
- prep
Drain the tuna and separate radicchio leaves.
1.Drain both cans of tuna well, pressing out excess water with the lid.2.Gently pull 8 large radicchio leaves from the head, keeping them intact as cup shapes.3.Wash radicchio leaves under cold water and pat completely dry with a clean towel. - prep
Dice the vegetables and herbs.
1.Finely dice celery stalks into small cubes.2.Mince red onion as finely as possible.3.Roughly chop capers, and finely chop parsley and dill.TIPKeep the celery dice small so it blends into the salad without dominating the texture. - mix
Make the tuna salad.
1.In a mixing bowl, flake the drained tuna with a fork until broken into small pieces.2.Add Greek yogurt, diced celery, red onion, capers, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil.3.Fold in parsley and dill, then season with black pepper and salt.4.Mix until everything is evenly combined and creamy.TIPUse a folding motion rather than stirring aggressively to keep the tuna from turning mushy. - assemble
Fill the radicchio boats.
1.Arrange the 8 radicchio leaves on a serving platter.2.Spoon tuna salad evenly into each leaf, mounding it slightly.3.Top each boat with halved cherry tomatoes. - serve
Serve immediately or chill until ready to eat.
TIPThe boats can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated. Keep uncovered so the radicchio stays crisp.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Press the canned tuna very dry before flaking to avoid a watery salad.
- 2Pat radicchio leaves bone-dry after washing so the yogurt dressing doesn't slide off.
- 3Let the assembled boats rest 5 minutes before serving so flavors meld slightly.
- 4For extra crunch, add a few chopped walnuts or slivered almonds to the tuna mix.
- 5If making ahead, store the tuna salad and radicchio leaves separately; assemble just before serving.
- 6Use a vegetable peeler to shave a bit of Parmesan over the boats for a savory finish.
Adapt it for your goals.
High-protein
Swap half the Greek yogurt for cottage cheese (blended smooth) to boost protein content without changing the creamy texture.
low oilLow-oil
Omit the olive oil and add 1 extra tablespoon of lemon juice and a dash of water to keep the dressing light and lower in fat.
jainJain
Skip the red onion and use a pinch of asafoetida (hing) and extra celery for a Jain-friendly version that still has crunch and depth.
veganVegan
Replace tuna with canned chickpeas (mashed) and Greek yogurt with cashew cream; the capers and mustard keep the same briny kick.
Why this is on our healthy list.
High in lean protein
Canned tuna provides a substantial dose of complete protein with minimal saturated fat, supporting muscle repair and satiety.
Rich in gut-friendly probiotics
Plain Greek yogurt contains live active cultures that support digestive health, especially when paired with the fiber from celery and radicchio.
Low-carb and keto-friendly
With no bread or starchy fillers, these radicchio boats keep carbohydrates very low, making them a perfect option for low-carb or ketogenic diets.
Packed with antioxidants
Radicchio and cherry tomatoes are rich in anthocyanins and lycopene, antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and support heart health.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, just drain it well and reduce or skip the added olive oil in the dressing to keep the salad from becoming greasy.
