Description

These Tuna Salad Sliders are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or light meal, perfect for gatherings or casual lunches. Combining canned tuna with fresh vegetables, zesty lemon juice, and a hint of spice from jalapeños and Old Bay seasoning, this recipe balances creamy, tangy, and savory flavors. Served on soft slider buns with pepper jack cheese and crisp lettuce, these sliders are refreshing, flavorful, and require no cooking—just mix, chill, assemble, and enjoy.

Ingredients

Tuna Salad

6 cans (5 oz / 142 g each) tuna, water-packed, drained
1 large red onion, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
2/3 cup (160 ml) mayonnaise
2 jalapeño peppers, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice (fresh recommended)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1 tsp black pepper

Assembly

12 slider buns
12 slices pepper jack cheese
Lettuce leaves (romaine or butter lettuce preferred)

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Instructions

Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the drained tuna, chopped red onion, chopped tomatoes, mayonnaise, jalapeño peppers (if using), lemon juice, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly mixed and the salad looks visually appealing to ensure balanced flavor in every bite.
Chill the salad: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 10 minutes. This chilling step allows the flavors to blend and intensify, enhancing the overall taste of the tuna salad.
Assemble sliders: Spread a generous layer of chilled tuna salad over the bottom half of each slider bun. Top each with a slice of pepper jack cheese and a crisp leaf of romaine or butter lettuce to add texture and freshness. Press down lightly on each slider to help them hold together better when serving.
Serve: Replace the top halves of the slider buns and arrange the sliders on a serving platter. It is best to serve these sliders chilled for a refreshing and satisfying experience, especially on warm days.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add more jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the tuna salad mixture.
Use fresh lemon juice for brighter flavor compared to bottled lemon juice.
Mayonnaise can be substituted with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
These sliders are best consumed within 24 hours for optimal freshness.
Customize the sliders by adding pickles or sliced avocado if desired.