My Delicious and Easy Tuna Dip is creamy, full of flavour and takes just minutes to prepare! When a homemade dip is this simple and tasty, there is no need for a shop-bought dip. In fact, it will likely be quicker to make it from store cupboard ingredients than go to the store.
Jump to:
Why we love this recipe:
I mention in my recipe for Tuna and Potato Patties that canned tuna is a pantry staple in my household! Therefore, this dip is something that I can easily prepare anytime.
- The dip can be made in 10 minutes and will save the day when you need an appetiser in a hurry.
- This homemade Easy Tuna Dip is perfect for large or small gatherings; simply adjust the quantities to suit. Serve it with Crostini or Pita Chips for a quick, delicious appetiser.
- When preparing food from scratch, you know exactly what goes into your food. You can avoid artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.
- As well, you can adjust the flavours and seasoning to your liking. If you like a spicy dip, add some cayenne pepper.
- The dip is naturally gluten-free, so serve with gluten-free crackers to suit your diet if necessary.
- Add some cannellini beans and make my tasty Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip.
Ingredients in this recipe:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
Canned tuna – use good quality packed in oil for the best flavour.
Lemon zest – adds bright flavour.
Mayonnaise – use good quality, whole egg mayonnaise.
Cayenne – add to taste.
Fresh parsley – for the best flavour, my preference is the flat leaf variety.
Spring/green onion – include the white bulb and some of the green.
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste, if necessary.
Garnish - Parsley, spring/green onion, lemon zest and/or capers
Step by step instructions:
- To begin, drain the oil from the can of tuna. Add the drained tuna to a small blender, along with the mayonnaise, parsley, spring/green onion, cayenne pepper and lemon zest.
- Blend until your ingredients are well combined, and you have achieved a smooth consistency. Turn the dip into a shallow bowl, and garnish with parsley, spring onion, lemon zest and capers.
Tips for success and FAQs:
The success of this Simple Tuna Dip depends on the quality of the ingredients. It is important to use good quality tuna and mayonnaise.
It is always important to make sure that a dish is properly seasoned to your taste. To add some spice, I use some cayenne pepper, but you may prefer to omit it and use freshly ground black pepper.
If you prefer, you can. However, I find that tuna packed in oil has better flavour – and you drain off most of the oil.
You can use softened cream cheese if you prefer. It also gives a lovely smooth, creamy, finish to the Tuna Dip.
Store the dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For safety reasons, if you serve the dip and have it out of the fridge for two hours, it should be discarded.
More delicious recipes for you to try:
Here are some more of our favourite dip recipes. Try a few of them today, and create a delicious dip platter!
- Roasted Capsicum Pesto
- Green Goddess Dip
- Easy Hummus
- The Best Baba Ganoush
- Creamy Whipped Feta
- Avocado, Yoghurt and Mint Dip
- Homemade Onion Dip
Tuna is a fantastic pantry staple; it is an ingredient which I always have on hand as there are so many ways to use it. My Simple and Delicious Tuna Dip is one way I like to enjoy it. It takes just minutes to whip up and will be a hit with your family and friends.
I would love to know your thoughts. Be sure to let me know in the comments below what you think, and if you’ve tried any of our other dip recipes.
Alex xx
This post was originally published in May 2019. It has been updated with new photos and more information. The recipe remains the same.
Easy Tuna Dip
Please note:
For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results. All oven temperatures listed are for fan forced.
Ingredients
- 185 g (6.5 oz) canned tuna in oil See Note 1
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest See Note 2
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise - good quality whole egg
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - or to taste
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves - roughly chopped See Note 3
- 1 spring onion/scallion - some white and green part, roughly chopped
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste, if needed See Note 4
- to garnish - parsley, spring onions, lemon zest and/or capers optional
Instructions
- Drain your tuna of any excess oil.
- Zest the lemon. Chop the parsley and spring onion.
- Place all of the ingredients into a small blender, and blend until the dip has reached a smooth consistency.Check that the seasoning is to your taste. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper if necessary.
- Serve the dip, spread in a shallow bowl with a garnish of parsley, spring/green onion top, capers or lemon zest. (Or all of the above!)
Notes
- Use good quality tuna. I prefer to use tuna in oil for this dip, as it has the best flavour.
- When removing the zest, avoid the white pith as it is bitter.
- For the best flavour, I prefer flat-leaf parsley.
- Check that the seasoning is to your taste, adding some salt, more pepper or lemon zest if necessary.
- Please note, the nutritional information is based on four serves. It does not include what the dip is served with. The nutritional information is an estimate only.
Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional Disclaimer:
The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.
Bea says
Hi! So eager to make my dip but wanted to know how long it will be ok after prep. I stay a bit busy and forget it’s there since it’s just me eating it. Thanks for the recipe. My son made it for us when I was visiting. Can’t wait to have it again!
Alexandra Cook says
Hi Bea 🙂
You can store the dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
You could also consider making a half batch too, if the quantity is too large.
I am so happy you enjoyed it when your son made it! Alex xo
David Bunt says
Love the super tasty, super easy dishes the best. I am not the greatest in the kitchen, but this turns out consistently great.
Alexandra Cook says
Thanks, David!
This is an easy one as you say, but so delicious 🙂 I appreciate your comment!
Alex xo
Rosemarie Mallia-Milanes says
Can I replace mayo with ketchup for the little ones? Can I freeze ?
Alexandra Cook says
Hi Rosemarie,
I am sorry, I haven't tried switching out the mayo for ketchup before - if you give it a try, let me know what you think!
The dip can be frozen for up to a month, but the texture can be slightly altered from freezing, so I prefer to avoid doing that.
Thanks, Alex xo
Sue says
Thank you.
This is a great recipe.
I doubled the recipe and added 2 tsp of cayenne and some black pepper.....overdid the pepper! It is a little too peppery now.
is there a way I can tone it down a bit.
thank you.
Alexandra Cook says
Hi Sue,
Oh yes, I could imagine that would make it a bit peppery 🙂
I would add some extra mayo and lemon to tone it down a bit. If you have a small tin of tuna, it wouldn't hurt to add that either.
Just add a little extra of those until you achieve the desired taste 🙂
Thanks, Alex
Katie says
Can you replace mayo with creme frais or sour cream?
Alexandra Cook says
Hi Katie,
I haven't tried either of those before, but I don't see why they wouldn't work.
Other than mayo, I have tried softened cream cheese before.
Let me know if you give the recipe a try 🙂 Alex xo
JJ says
If I want to make this with cream cheese instead of mayo, how much cream cheese do I use? Is it the same amount as for mayo - 1/3 cup? Thank you
Alexandra Cook says
Hey JJ 🙂
Yes, you can swap out the mayo for cream cheese for the same amount.
Hope you'll enjoy this recipe! Thanks, Alex xo
Andrew Ross says
Very easy to make of course and because I am allergic to mayo, I replaced it with Greek yogurt and added capers to take the tang from the yogurt. Slightly grainy but I think this is because I used tuna in spring water rather than oil and I think oil would give it a smoother consistency. Lovely recipe though and one that I'll make again.
Alexandra Cook says
Hi Andrew, thank you for your fantastic feedback on the Tuna Dip. I am delighted that you were able to adapt the recipe to suit your dietary requirement and will be making it again. I appreciate that you took the time to contact me. 🙂
Lino says
Just finished preparing it and it tastes yummy. Best tuna dip I've tasted in a long time, much better than the ones I buy in the shops. Hope my lunch guests will agree tomorrow
Alexandra Cook says
Thank you, Lino!
This is great feedback to hear 🙂
Ildiko from Hungary says
I like it! Simple and tasty, so great recipe. Thank you!
Alexandra says
Thank you for your lovely comment on our Easy Tuna Dip. I am so pleased that you enjoyed it and appreciate that you let me know. 🙂
Dan says
I just saw this and couldn't help commenting- I used to have a variation of this as a kid all the time, with the difference that we added hard boiled egg to the mix (blended with the tuna). It makes it even more wholesome! I bet the green onion makes a massive difference in yours too!
Alexandra says
Hi Dan, the hard-boiled egg is a great variation, thank you for sharing. There are so many ways to enjoy a delicious Tuna Dip. I'm glad you enjoy this one too. 🙂
Katrina says
I tried this recipe and took it to work everyone loved it . It was gone in minutes . Thank you for this recipe!
Alexandra says
Hi Katrina, I am so happy to hear that you and your work colleagues enjoyed the Tuna Dip. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
Val says
Delicious! I had fresh seared tuna left overs which I used instead of canned.
Alexandra says
Hi Val, I am delighted to hear that your seared tuna worked well in this dip, and I appreciate that you took the time to let me know. 🙂
Yana says
It came delicious, and was liked by many!
Thanks for the recipe
Alexandra says
Thanks, Yana!
Trinity Rosario says
Used cream cheese instead of mayo! YUM!
Alexandra says
I am so pleased that you enjoyed the dip, Trinity. 🙂
Alyssa says
Delicious and simple! Just how I like it 🙂
Alexandra says
So do I Alyssa; I love a dip that can be prepared in minutes. 🙂
Cherry Smith says
Delicious Recipe.
Alexandra says
Thank you Cherry. 🙂