Vietnamese Spicy Tuna Salad Recipe

Name: Vietnamese Spicy Tuna Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; Half of a 14-ounce can hearts of palm, drained and thinly sliced crosswise (about 1 cup); 2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce; 2 tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice; 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons roasted rice powder, for garnish (optional; see Note); 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest; 3 celery ribs, thinly sliced; 1 teaspoon sugar; 3 tablespoons salt-packed capersrinsed, soaked in water for 1 hour, drained and coarsely chopped; 2 serrano chiles, seeded and coarsely chopped; 1 small red onion, quartered and thinly sliced; 2 ancho chiles, soaked in hot water for 25 minutes and drained; Salt; Fresh mint and cilantro leaves, for garnish; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 2 pounds center-cut, sushi-grade tuna steaks, cut into 1/2-inch dice; Baguette toasts or sticky rice, for serving

Servings: persons

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Half of a 14-ounce can hearts of palm, drained and thinly sliced crosswise (about 1 cup)
2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
2 tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons roasted rice powder, for garnish (optional; see Note)
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
3 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons salt-packed capersrinsed, soaked in water for 1 hour, drained and coarsely chopped
2 serrano chiles, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 small red onion, quartered and thinly sliced
2 ancho chiles, soaked in hot water for 25 minutes and drained
Salt
Fresh mint and cilantro leaves, for garnish
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 pounds center-cut, sushi-grade tuna steaks, cut into 1/2-inch dice
Baguette toasts or sticky rice, for serving

1
Remove the stem and seeds from the ancho chiles and pat dry.
2
In a small skillet, heat the vegetable oil until shimmering.
3
Add the anchos and fry over moderately high heat, turning once, until blistered and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
4
Blot the anchos with paper towels and transfer them to a food processor.
5
Let cool.
6
Add the serrano chiles, fish sauce, lime zest and juice and sugar to the food processor and puree until smooth.
7
With the machine on, drizzle in the olive oil.
8
Season with salt and transfer to a large bowl.
9
Add the tuna, onion, tomatoes, celery, hearts of palm and capers to the chile dressing and toss well to coat.
10
Season with salt.
11
Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
12
Transfer the salad to a serving dish.
13
Sprinkle with the rice powder and garnish with mint and cilantro leaves.
14
Serve chilled, with toasts or sticky rice.

841

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 18 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, Half of a 14-ounce can hearts of palm, drained and thinly sliced crosswise (about 1 cup), 2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce, 2 tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice, and more.

Yes, Vietnamese Spicy Tuna Salad falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best freshness. Best served cold — no reheating needed.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Vietnamese Spicy Tuna Salad

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions