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Wild Yellowfin Sesame-Scallion Tuna Salad Wrap

This Asian-Inspired tuna salad recipe is my favorite and it rivals any of my favorite NYC Deli sandwiches (we miss our delis♡). I created this recipe for a client we both ended up loving it so much, that it became a regular menu item on rotation in her house and mine.  If you’re a fan of tuna salad, give this one a try. 

Why These Tuna Salad Ingredients Work Together

  • Tuna always pairs well with scallions and sesame seed
  • Toasted sesame seeds add a nice crunch and a nutty flavor
  • Real mayonnaise and EVOO adds creaminess
  • Egg yolks add richness
  • Sweet pickle relish adds just the right amount of sweetness and extra texture
  • Scallions add onion flavor without being as overtly sharp as regular onions
  • Cilantro and parsley brighten up the dish 

Substitute the Cilantro with Parsley if You Want

Substitute parsley for cilantro especially if you’re one of the people who doesn’t eat cilantro because it tastes weird or “soapy” to them. For us, that’s not a problem so, I add chopped cilantro because it tastes great with tuna, sesame, and scallions.  But feel free to substitute flat-leaf Italian parsley instead.  If you don’t grow your own herbs or have them in the fridge, just omit them altogether — this tuna salad will still taste great. 

Elevate This Tuna Salad Even More

If you want to take this tuna salad recipe one step further, add freshly made french-fried crispy shallots or Vidalia onion strings or a slice of chopped crispy bacon to the wrap.  If you’re not a fan of wraps, turn it into the best tuna salad sandwich (photographed above) you’ve ever had, or a tuna melt with a little swiss, cheddar, or pepper jack cheese.

Love a Good Sandwich, Wrap, or Burger?

We do too! Above are a few of our other recipes we think you may also enjoy.

Yellowfin Tuna Salad Wrap tips + tricks + FAQ’s

  • You can easily halve this recipe if you want to make only a small amount.
  • When choosing a brand of tuna, try to buy one from a company that tests their tuna’s mercury levels especially if kiddos will be eating it.
  • You may substitute any variety of canned “tuna in oil” but if it’s not in olive oil, then discard the oil before placing tuna in the bowl and either drizzle a little olive oil into the tuna mixture or add a little more mayonnaise to help bind the ingredients together.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds. They taste better much better than the already-toasted sesame seeds. When toasting sesame seeds stand by the skillet because they can go from being perfectly golden brown to being burnt in just a matter of seconds. And it’s best to swirl the seeds in the pan periodically to ensure the seeds get nicely browned.
  • Dried cilantro or parsley is not a good substitute in this recipe, but you’re welcome to try it if it’s what you have on hand.
  • Where was the tuna salad sandwich invented?  Tuna salad is thought to have been invented in NYC, America by a socialite by the name of Dell Montjoy Bradley who wrote a fancy cookbook in 1893 called “Beverages and Sandwiches for Your Husband’s Friends” (times they have changed, thank goodness). She included a recipe for a sandwich made out of imported tuna that she described using the Italian word “tonno” and then there’s a later written mention in 1907.  
  • When was tuna salad invented? Tuna salad became widely popular in the United States by 1914 when lots of recipes could be found in publications around the country even though it had been previously mentioned in 1893 in Del Monjoy Bradley’s cookbook and later in 1907. 
  • What is yellowfin tuna? Is Yellowfin tuna the same as bluefin tuna? Yellowfin tuna are torpedo-shaped with dark metallic blue backs, yellow sides, and a silver belly hence where they get their name and they are not the same thing as bluefin tuna.
  • How long can Yellowfin tuna live? Yellowfin can live up to six or seven years.
  • Where does Yellowfin tuna come from?  Yellowfin tuna are highly migratory and are found throughout the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. They form schools with other tunas like skipjack and bigeye and are also known to associate with dolphins.
  • When is the Yellowfin tuna mating season? Yellowfin can breed year-round.
  • Is Yellowfin tuna a higher grade of tuna than the others?  Yellowfin is an important commercial tuna species, particularly in the raw sashimi market. Although tuna do provide food and livelihoods for people, they are more than just seafood. Tuna are a top predator in the marine food chain, maintaining a balance in the ocean environment. 

 

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interior shot of tuna wrap

Wild Yellowfin Sesame-Scallion Tuna Salad Wrap


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Kelly
  • Total Time: 16 minutes
  • Yield: 2-3 servings depending on the hunger level 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Asian-inspired tuna salad recipe is better than a NYC Deli (we really miss out old NYC delis btw ♡)! I created this recipe for a client of mine and we both loved it so much, that it became a regular menu item on rotation.  If you’re a fan of tuna salad, give this one a try. 


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 8 ounces sustainable wild yellowfin tuna in olive oil (or other tuna in olive oil) (226g)
  • 2 large eggs, hard-boiled and finely chopped (100g)
  • 2 to 3 scallions chopped, white and green parts, or substitute chives (9-18g)
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, or more to taste (40g)
  • 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, or more to taste (10g)
  • 1 teaspoon mayonnaise, or more to taste (homemade or store-bought) (5g)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro chopped, (or more to taste) (1g)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh flatleaf parsley, chopped (or more to taste) (1g)
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • a pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes
  • purple cabbage, sliced thinly for added texture and/or garnish (optional)


Instructions

  1. Place eggs in a pot and cover with cold tap water. Bring to a boil and start a timer for exactly 6 minutes. When the timer goes off, take the pot to the sink and run cold water over the eggs until the water is “lukewarm” and peel and chop them when they’re cool enough.
  2. In a skillet on medium-high heat, toast sesame seeds until light brown and fragrant, remove to a bowl, and let cool.
  3. In a medium bowl, add the tuna fish in oil, scallions, sweet pickle relish, sesame seeds, mayonnaise, salt, crushed red pepper (if using), and chopped eggs and mix to combine.  Eat right away or place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld together.  Serve as a wrap in a flour tortilla, on a croissant or other sandwich bread, and complete it with a side of pickles and chips and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You may substitute the yellowfin tuna with any other canned tuna preferably a tuna in olive oil.
  • You may cook your own tuna steak, shred or dice it and substitute it for canned tuna for an even more premium Asian-inspired tuna salad. 
  • If you’re trying to cut down on carbs, omit the bread and serve it on top of sliced avocado, tomatoes, or even arugula or other salad green.
  • Substitute julienned carrots or another shredded cabbage for the purple cabbage if you prefer.
  • Omit the cilantro if you don’t like it. 
  • Play with the proportions of mayonnaise and sweet pickle relish to adjust to your taste.
  • You may substitute pre-toasted sesame seeds for an even quicker salad, but toasting your own gives the best flavor to the salad.
  • Make this tuna salad ahead of time and store covered in an airtight container in the fridge overnight. 
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6
  • Category: Sandwiches + Panini + Wraps
  • Method: Mix & Stir
  • Cuisine: Asian inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 ounce serving
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Yellowfin Tuna Salad Wrap step-by-step recipe photos and instructions

2 Comments

  1. Fantastic! Left out eggs due to intolerance of whole eggs and cabbage but this is delicious!






    • Hi Kelly, I’m so happy you tried the recipe and enjoyed it!
      I really appreciate your comment because I think it’s helpful
      for anyone else out there who may have similar food allergies.
      This is what’s great about cooking at home…you get to decide
      exactly what goes in and what to leave out❤️. Take care and thanks!

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