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Tuna & White Bean Summer Salad for One

Tuna & White Bean Summer Salad for One - Bright, Fresh, and Satisfying

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Canned tuna (1 small can, 5 ounces), drained
  • Cannellini or great northern beans (1/2 cup, rinsed and drained)
  • Cucumber (1/2 small, chopped)
  • Cherry tomatoes (a small handful, halved) or 1 small tomato, diced
  • Red onion (2–3 thin slices, chopped) or 1 scallion, sliced
  • Fresh herbs (2 tablespoons chopped parsley, basil, or dill)
  • Lemon (1, for juice and a bit of zest)
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Dijon mustard
  • Red wine vinegar (optional, for extra tang)
  • Capers (1 teaspoon, optional) or a few olives, chopped
  • Garlic (1 small clove, minced) or a pinch of garlic powder
  • Sea salt and black pepper
  • Baby arugula or mixed greens (a small handful, optional)

Instructions
 

  • Prep the produce: Chop the cucumber, halve the tomatoes, and mince the red onion. Roughly chop your herbs. If using garlic, mince it finely.
  • Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon, a pinch of lemon zest, and a splash of red wine vinegar if you like. Add the garlic, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper.
  • Rinse the beans: Rinse the white beans under cold water and drain well. Pat dry with a paper towel so the dressing clings better.
  • Flake the tuna: Drain the tuna and flake it into bite-size pieces with a fork. Don’t mash it—leave some texture.
  • Toss it all together: In a medium bowl, combine tuna, beans, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, herbs, and capers (if using). Pour over the dressing and toss gently to coat.
  • Taste and adjust: Add more lemon, salt, or pepper as needed. If it tastes flat, a tiny splash of vinegar can wake it up.
  • Serve: Eat as is, spoon over a handful of greens, or pile onto toasted bread for an open-faced sandwich.