• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
It's Not Complicated Recipes
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Subscribe
  • Get in touch
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Dips » Easy Tuna Dip

    Easy Tuna Dip

    Published: Jun 21, 2021 by Alexandra Cook

    For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

    2526 shares
    Jump to Recipe Leave Review

    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. 

    Dip served on a round blue plate, garnished with spring onions, lemon zest and capers.
    Jump to:
    • Why we love this recipe:
    • Ingredients in this recipe:
    • Step by step instructions:
    • Tips for success and FAQs:
    • More delicious recipes for you to try:
    • Easy Tuna Dip

    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:

    Ingredients in this recipe on a white background.

    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:

    Steps 1-2 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - the ingredients in the food processor and blending the ingredients together.
    1. 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. 
    2. 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.
    Dip served on a round blue plate, garnished with spring onions, 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. 

    Can I use tuna packed in water?

    If you prefer, you can. However, I find that tuna packed in oil has better flavour – and you drain off most of the oil.

    What can I use in place of mayonnaise?

    You can use softened cream cheese if you prefer. It also gives a lovely smooth, creamy, finish to the Tuna Dip.

    How long will the Easy Tuna Dip last?

    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
    Dip served on a round blue plate, garnished with spring onions, lemon zest and capers, and a celery stick with dip on the side.

    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.

    Dip served on a round blue plate, garnished with spring onions, lemon zest and capers.

    Easy Tuna Dip

    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. 
    4.95 from 144 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Appetiser, Dip, Snack, Starter
    Cuisine: Australian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 222kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    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

    Recipe Measurements:

    For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    1. Use good quality tuna. I prefer to use tuna in oil for this dip, as it has the best flavour.
    2. When removing the zest, avoid the white pith as it is bitter.
    3. For the best flavour, I prefer flat-leaf parsley.
    4. Check that the seasoning is to your taste, adding some salt, more pepper or lemon zest if necessary.
    5. 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:

    Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 285mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    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.

    « Cooking with Kids Tips for Success
    Tomato Puff Pastry Tart »
    2526 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrew Ross

      March 12, 2023 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Alexandra Cook

        March 15, 2023 at 3:21 pm

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Lino

      March 04, 2023 at 11:51 pm

      4 stars
      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

      Reply
      • Alexandra Cook

        March 05, 2023 at 11:27 am

        Thank you, Lino!
        This is great feedback to hear 🙂

        Reply
    3. Ildiko from Hungary

      January 02, 2023 at 7:22 pm

      5 stars
      I like it! Simple and tasty, so great recipe. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        January 09, 2023 at 10:40 am

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Amanda

      September 17, 2022 at 2:21 am

      5 stars
      This tuna dip was so good that I couldn’t stop eating it! I usually have a tuna salad sandwich for lunch but decided to switch it up and make this dip instead. I added some capers but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. It was delicious with carrot and celery sticks.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 18, 2022 at 12:06 pm

        Hi Amanda, thank you for your terrific feedback on the Tuna Dip. I am delighted to hear that you enjoy it – adding capers is a great idea! 🙂

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Hello!

    I’m Alex.

    I am a full-time blogger, passionate foodie and writer who loves to travel.

    Welcome to It’s Not Complicated Recipes!

    My blog reflects my approach to cooking. I like it to be simple, easily prepared and delicious. learn more about me here →

    Find A Recipe

    Popular Recipes

    • Up close shot of small pot of sauce, sitting on a saucer with a spoon on the side. Sweet Chilli Sauce
    • Jar of jam, sitting on a board, with a spoon and a dollop of jam on the edge. Easy Plum Jam
    • Small white bowl of pickled ginger. Easy Pickled Ginger (Gari)
    • three jars of chillies, with a gold spoon at front, some whole red chillies to the side and some bruschetta in the background. Preserved Chillies in Oil

    Seasonal Recipes

    Pinwheels sitting on a round white plate.

    Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels

    Overhead shot of baked pasta dish, sitting on dark grey cloth.

    Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

    four doughnuts sitting on bench, surrounded by some sprinkling of pumpkin spice, with a white cloth and green jug in the background.

    Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts – Gluten-Free

    small flat stone bowl of mixed pumpkin spice, with a small wooden spoon on a grey cloth napkin.

    Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix

    free e-book at itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Our Story
    • Recipes
    • Blog

    Disclaimers

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Policy (GDPR)
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms Of Use

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Subscribe

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 · IT'S NOT COMPLICATED RECIPES | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    2526 shares