Tuna Cucumber Bites
A bright, briny tuna salad made with Greek yogurt, fresh basil, capers, and lemon — spooned onto crisp cucumber rounds instead of crackers. A high-protein snack or appetizer that looks impressive, takes 10 minutes, and keeps you completely on plan. No mayo, no guilt, all flavor.
- 1 can tuna in water (5 oz), drained well
- ¼ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, minced
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp capers, drained & roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- — salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 large cucumber, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- — fresh basil leaves or paprika, to garnish (optional)
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1
Prep the cucumber
Slice the cucumber into ¼-inch rounds and lay flat on a paper towel. Pat the tops dry — removing surface moisture keeps the tuna mixture from sliding off and the bites holding together when picked up.
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2
Drain the tuna well
Open the can and press firmly with the lid to squeeze out as much water as possible — excess moisture will make the tuna mixture watery and loose. Transfer to a bowl and flake apart with a fork.
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3
Mix the tuna salad
Add the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, minced basil, garlic, and capers to the bowl with the tuna. Stir until everything is well combined and creamy. Season with salt and pepper and taste — adjust with more lemon juice for brightness or an extra pinch of salt to make the flavors pop.
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4
Assemble & serve
Spoon the tuna mixture onto each cucumber round — about a heaping teaspoon per slice. For a neater presentation, use a small cookie scoop or pipe it on with a zip-lock bag. Garnish with a small fresh basil leaf or a dusting of paprika. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour before serving.
- Drain the tuna really well: The single most important step for a tuna mixture that holds together on the cucumber. Press the lid into the can and squeeze firmly over the sink before transferring to the bowl.
- Pat the cucumbers dry: Wet cucumber rounds cause the tuna to slide and the bites to fall apart in your hand. A quick pat with a paper towel takes 30 seconds and makes a real difference.
- Greek yogurt over mayo: Greek yogurt gives you a clean, creamy base with a subtle tang that actually complements the lemon and capers better than mayo — and significantly more protein per tablespoon.
- Great for entertaining: Assemble up to an hour ahead and refrigerate on the serving plate. Any longer and the cucumbers start to soften — fresh is best for texture.
- Swap the base: These work equally well spooned onto endive leaves, bell pepper strips, or romaine hearts if you want variety on a snack platter.