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Atun a la Veracruzana is not your boring tuna salad. It’s slightly spicy and dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. You’ll wonder why you never made it before.
This is such an easy and yummy recipe too. It uses all ingredients from the pantry and cupboard.
Throw them all together and BOOM! Grab a fork because food is ready.
More Canned Tuna Recipes: Salpicon de Atun and Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde
Ingredients
Canned Tuna
Tomato
Pickled Onions
Pickled Jalapenos
Olives
Capers
White Distilled Vinegar
Olive Oil
Oregano
These are all ingredients from the pantry except for the tomatoes. If you don’t have tomatoes, simply omit.
If you see a dish that is “a la veracruzana” that means it includes olives, tomatoes, onions, and pickled jalapenos (or chile guero).
Since this is a recipe that is meant to be pantry friendly, we are using pickled jalapenos instead.
This recipe is very similar to Camarones a la Veracruzana and Pescado a la Veracruzana
- Open two cans of tuna.
- Drain as much of the liquid as possible.
Believe it or not, this recipe is actually good for you. It is full of flavor and low in calories. Best of both worlds, right?! Plus, canned tuna is a great source of protein.
Is canned tuna good for you?
Tuna has protein, almost no fat, and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It helps maintain lean muscle tissue and is a heart-healthy food.
How to Make It
Add all the ingredients in a large container. Even the carrots from the pickled jalapenos were used for texture. This is totally optional.
Make sure to use a baking dish or something large enough so all the ingredients will fit.
Easy to Adjust
There are other ingredients you can add:
nopales, green beans, peas, carrots, pecans, walnuts, celery, or pickles.
Add a mixture of these or all of these to the recipe. They will all work and taste delicious!
- Add the olive oil, vinegar, and oregano in a separate bowl.
- Whisk to combine.
This is a tasty and tangy vinaigrette. You can even make it ahead of time and use it on a green salad or on a cold pasta salad.
To make the vinaigrette spicier, add some of the pickling juice from the jalapenos.
Swap it out
This recipe calls for white distilled vinegar. You can also use lime or lemon juice.
Instead of whole oregano, you can also use ground oregano.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the tuna.
- Mix to combine.
The longer it sits, the better it tastes. Be very careful and make sure it stays cold. You don’t want anyone to get sick.
This is also the time to taste for salt.
Notice how there is no salt used in this recipe. That is because the olives and capers are salty. You can add more salt if you like.
Storing It
Unlike regular tuna salads, you can freeze this dish because there is no mayo. It will last up to 6 months in a sealable bag with all the air removed. In the fridge, it will last up to 5 days.
What to Serve with It?
- Homemade Tostada
- Chips
- Green salad
- Refried beans
- Mexican Rice
- Arroz Blanco
This has to be one of the easiest recipes ever! It’s also incredibly economical.
Make a big batch and keep it in the fridge for days. It holds up well even once it is dressed. Great for lunch and parties.
One bite and you’ll know this is a keeper! Hope you enjoy.
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Atun a la Veracruzana
Ingredients
- ½ cup white distilled vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- pinch oregano
- 2 cans tuna
- 1 tablespoon capers
- ½ cup olives halved
- ¼ cup pickled onions diced
- 2 pickled jalapenos diced
- 1 tomato diced
Instructions
- In a bowl, add the vinegar, olive oil, and oregano.
- Whisk to mix. Set aside.
- Open and drain the liquid from the tuna cans
- Add the drained tuna, capers, onions, jalapeno, olives, and tomato to a large baking dish.
- Pour vinaigrette over all the ingredients.
- Mix thoroughly to combine.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nopales, green beans, peas, carrots, pecans, walnuts, celery, or pickles. Swap it Out:
- You can also use lime or lemon juice.
- Instead of whole oregano, you can also use ground oregano.
Nutrition
Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.
My husband loves tuna. I can’t wait to make this recipe for him!
Hope you try this recipe is amazing!
I’m not a fan of tuna salad but my mom is. I’ll definitely share this recipe with her.
Iy’s delicious! Hope you try it
Oh wow! This looks delicious and something my whole would eat. Thank you or sharing this idea! Yum!
Glad you like this recipe hope you try it!
This sounds so good! I can’t wait to give it a try, I think I have everything I need at home!!
It’s delicious. Hope you try it!
Yum! I love the sound of olives and tuna fish!
Yes! So yummy
Do Mexicans ever make this dish with Fresh Tuna? And do I have to change anything in the recipe if I have fresh fish?
Go for it! You can make this with fresh fish too.