If you’re looking for a way to use up garden cucumbers, this Spicy Tuna Cucumber Bites recipe is it. This easy recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and comes together in no time.
For more ideas of what to make, check out all of our recipes.
Canned tuna gets a bad rap. I don’t know why. It’s inexpensive and versatile. I use it all the time to make fun things to eat. And that very rarely is a tuna fish sandwich (although, I’ll be honest, I make a very great tuna fish sandwich).
For a light lunch, I combine canned tuna fish and a garden cucumber to make these Spicy Tuna Cucumber Bites. Once you make them, I promise they’ll be your new favorite way to use a can of tuna.
I pull so many cucumbers out of the garden this time of year, and I make this recipe for lunch almost every time one is ready. But, these cucumber bites don’t have to be lunch. These would be a really easy appetizer if you’re having guests or would work as an afternoon snack too.
I like using a combination of mayo in these spicy tuna bites to give them a little kick and make them a little more interesting. But, if you really don’t want spice, you can swap the spicy mayo for a mild one no problem.
The best part of these cucumber bites is that the entire recipe takes a mere five minutes from start to finish, if that. So, the next time you pick a cucumber from your garden with no idea what to do with it, remember this recipe.
Have more cucumbers that you need to use? Check out our list of Budget-Friendly Cucumber Recipes for more ideas.
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Bites Recipe
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Spicy Tuna Cucumber Bites Ingredients:
- 1 large cucumber
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 can tuna fish
- 2 tablespoons spicy mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Japanese mayonnaise
- 3 sprigs fresh cilantro
How To Make Spicy Tuna Cucumber Bites:
Cut the cucumber into 1/4-inch slices.
Quick side note: You can keep your vegetable peeler in the drawer. We don’t peel our cucumbers for this (or, really, for any cucumber recipe).
Set them in a single layer on a serving platter and sprinkle them with salt. This will draw out some of the moisture and potential bitterness in the cucumber.
Drain the can of tuna fish and add the fish to a small bowl.
Add in the spicy mayo.
Then, add in the Japanese mayo. Stir until combined.
Blot the cucumber to remove any excess water that was pulled out because of the salt.
Scoop about a teaspoon of the tuna mixture and add it to a cucumber slice.
Side note: You don’t actually have to measure the amount of tuna fish per cucumber slice. I was just approximating for people who prefer measurements. But, really, just take a scoop using a small spoon and put that on top of the cucumber slice. You can flatten it down with the back of the spoon to make an even layer across the whole cucumber, but you don’t have to.
Continue until all of the cucumber slices have tuna.
Chop the cilantro.
Evenly spread the cilantro between the cucumber bites.
I make these cucumber bites as a quick lunch and eat them as written. When Pete and I split them, he will toast a piece of bread, drizzle it with olive oil, then put the cucumber slices on top of the bread so they’re a little more substantial and filling. However you eat this, these are delicious.
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Bites: Frequently Asked Questions
We use a store-bought spicy mayonnaise because we have one that we’re obsessed with and have it in the fridge at all times.
If you have a homemade spicy mayo recipe that you love, you can absolutely use that in this recipe. If you just need a quick one, mix the mayo with a small amount of sriracha sauce and stir until combined.
If you don’t like spice, you can use three tablespoons of your favorite mayo instead of the combination of spicy and Japanese mayo that we use in this recipe.
But, the spicy mayo adds more than just a spicy kick. It adds flavor too. And the Japanese mayo is a little sweeter than American mayo, so it balances the heat in the spicy mayo. They’re really the perfect pairing to get a flavorful bite. So, before you try making changes to the original recipe, we really recommend you try it as written. Even if you don’t like spice.
Japanese mayonnaise, also known as Kewpie mayo (that’s the most famous brand), is a little sweeter than regular mayo, so it adds a nice flavor to these bites.
If you can’t find Japanese mayo in your local grocery store, or if you don’t want to buy it just for this recipe, you can use American mayo. These cucumber bites will still be really delicious.
And, if you don’t have a plain mayo in your fridge, you could use sour cream or Greek yogurt instead. You’re using such a tiny amount, it wouldn’t really change the recipe.
You can use a cucumber from your home garden or one from one of your local grocery stores or local farmer’s markets. If you buy one from the store, English cucumbers are a great option because they have a nice crunch that’s similar to garden cucumbers. But, whatever you can get your hands on will work in this recipe.
Cilantro adds such a great depth of flavor to this tasty cucumber bites recipe. Without the fresh herbs on top, this recipe feels a little incomplete.
If you don’t have fresh cilantro, you could substitute fresh parsley on top instead. That’s a little more mild, but it will still add an extra element of flavor.
If you don’t have any fresh herbs, don’t substitute dry herbs. Those won’t work at all. If you’re in a pinch, you can top these with green onions.
I’ve never tried this recipe with sushi grade tuna or raw tuna. But, I would tell you to stick to canned tuna. I don’t think fresh or raw tuna would really work in this.
Store any leftover cucumber in an airtight container in the fridge. The cucumber bites will stay fresh for up to three to four days.
More Canned Tuna Recipes:
I’m a big fan of elevating canned tuna fish. It’s a pantry staple — and often an ingredient that just sits in the pantry because no one knows what to do with canned tuna besides making a classic tuna salad sandwich.
For some fun ideas, try our Tuna Cakes, which are basically crab cakes but with tuna instead of crab. Some people call them a poor man’s crab cake and well, that’s not wrong.
You can also use a can of tuna in our Spicy Tuna Jalapeño Poppers. They’re a really great appetizer for game day.
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Bites
If you're looking for a way to use up garden cucumbers, this Spicy Tuna Cucumber Bites recipe is it. This easy recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and comes together in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 can tuna fish
- 2 tablespoons spicy mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Japanese mayonnaise
- 3 sprigs fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cut the cucumber into 1/4-inch slices.
- Set them in a single layer on a serving platter and sprinkle them with salt. This will draw out some of the moisture and potential bitterness in the cucumber.
- Drain the can of tuna fish and add the fish to a small bowl.
- Add in the spicy mayo. Then, add in the Japanese mayo. Stir until combined.
- Blot the cucumber to remove any excess water that was pulled out because of the salt.
- Scoop about a teaspoon of the tuna mixture and add it to a cucumber slice.
- Continue until all of the cucumber slices have tuna.
- Chop the cilantro.
- Evenly spread the cilantro between the cucumber bites.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 258Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 44mgSodium 1018mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 22g
Have you made this Spicy Tuna Cucumber Bites recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments.
Mary
Friday 11th of August 2023
Nice snack on a hot day. Love the flavors.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
Friday 11th of August 2023
These are really tasty bites!!