Tuna Avocado Cucumber Boats (Printable)

Crisp cucumber boats filled with avocado and tuna, dressed with lemon and herbs for a light meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Slice cucumbers in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, gently scrape out the seeds to create hollow boat vessels.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine diced avocado, drained tuna, chopped 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 prepared dressing over the tuna and avocado mixture. Gently fold until evenly coated.
05 - Spoon tuna salad filling evenly into prepared cucumber boats.
06 - Serve immediately at room temperature or chilled. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and fresh at the same time, like you're doing something nice for yourself without the guilt.
  • Prep takes less time than scrolling through your phone, making weekday meal prep actually stick.
  • The cucumber stays satisfyingly crisp while the filling is soft and rich—textural contrast that keeps you coming back.
02 -
  • Don't prep these more than a few hours ahead—the cucumber will gradually weep liquid and turn soft, no matter how well-drained your filling is.
  • Warming the cucumber boats slightly or leaving them at room temperature changes the experience entirely, so chill them if you can.
03 -
  • Choose avocados that are just ripe enough to dice but still hold their shape; if it's too soft, it'll turn into guacamole in the boat.
  • Pat the drained tuna dry with a paper towel before adding it to the mix—this small step prevents the filling from becoming watery and soggy.
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