Tuna Avocado Cucumber Boats (Printable Version)

Crisp cucumber boats filled with zesty tuna and avocado salad. Fresh, satisfying, and ready in 10 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Main

01 - 2 large cucumbers
02 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
03 - 1 can (5 oz) tuna in water, drained

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

06 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon olive oil
08 - ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Slice cucumbers in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, gently scrape out the seeds to create hollow boats.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine diced avocado, drained tuna, red onion, and fresh parsley or cilantro.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing over tuna-avocado mixture and mix gently until well combined, maintaining ingredient integrity.
05 - Spoon the filling evenly into each cucumber boat.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired. Chill before serving for optimal flavor and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent way more time on lunch than you actually did, which feels like winning.
  • There's something genuinely delicious about how cool, crisp cucumber plays against creamy avocado and briny tuna—no cooking required, just assembly.
02 -
  • If you prep these more than a few hours ahead, the cucumbers will start releasing water and become soggy no matter how well you've drained the tuna—assemble close to eating time.
  • The difference between "this tastes fresh" and "this tastes like a healthy obligation" is how much you season it; don't be shy with lemon, salt, and pepper.
03 -
  • Use a melon baller or small ice cream scoop to hollow the cucumbers if you have one—it's faster and more precise than a spoon, and you're less likely to break through the skin.
  • The mustard is doing more work than you think; that small teaspoon is what keeps this from tasting one-dimensional, so please don't leave it out thinking it won't matter.
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