If you have tuna and rice at home, this quick, fresh, and protein-packed salad with feta and eggs makes the perfect fast lunch! Simple ingredients come together for a tasty meal in minutes.
🍽 Serves 3 | 🐟 Protein-Packed | 🌿 Gluten-Free | 🥗 Easy & Flexible | ⏱ 20 Min
When you want a quick, filling, and easy meal, this rice tuna salad fits the bill perfectly. It’s a simple recipe where you toss together cooked rice, tuna, creamy feta, and crunchy cucumbers for a tasty, satisfying lunch or dinner. No fuss, just good ingredients and fresh taste.
This rice tuna salad is also super flexible—you can add your preferred veggies, swap feta for another cheese, or give it a Mediterranean twist. If you like protein-packed salads, check out my easy couscous salmon salad recipe or the easy Mediterranean salad with feta. For something heartier, try the traditional Romanian Olivier salad recipe (salata de boeuf), a classic Romanian recipe.
No special skills needed here—if you can boil rice, you’re set! For a warm, vegan-friendly option, try the vegan chickpea and lentil salad recipe. And for more salad ideas, there’s the easy grilled eggplant salad recipe (salata de vinete) or a classic easy potato salad recipe that works great as a side dish. Let’s get started on this simple, tasty rice tuna salad you can enjoy anytime!
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💗 Why This Recipe Works
If you have tuna and rice at home, this salad is packed with benefits: it’s easy, takes minimal prep, and is super customizable. It’s perfect for meal-prepping and stores well in the fridge, making it a convenient option for busy days. Plus, it’s loaded with protein from the tuna, eggs, and feta, keeping you full and energised longer!
🍚 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Rice: The base of the salad, make sure it’s cooked and cooled.
- Canned Tuna: Provides protein and a slightly savoury bite that pairs well with the rice and veggies.
- Green Onions: Adds a light, fresh taste without being overpowering.
- Cucumber: A bit of crunch for texture. If you prefer, you can peel it for a smoother bite.
- Feta Cheese: Creamy, tangy, and a perfect match with tuna. Feel free to swap it with another cheese you like.
- Boiled Eggs: More protein to keep you fuller for longer. Chop them finely so they blend nicely with the rice.
- Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that bring everything together.
♻️ Substitutions
- Tuna: Swap with canned salmon or shredded cooked chicken for a different protein.
- Feta Cheese: Try goat cheese, shredded cheddar, or even crumbled blue cheese.
- Green Onions: Diced red onion or chives also work well here.
- Cucumber: Bell peppers can add colour and crunch if cucumbers aren’t your favourite.
📖 Variations
- Mediterranean Twist: Add a handful of chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or a sprinkle of dried oregano.
- Veggie-Packed: Toss in chopped bell peppers, grated carrots, or even a handful of spinach for extra veggies.
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce if you like a bit of heat.
👩🍳 How to Make Tuna Rice Salad
You’ll love this easy rice tuna salad! It’s quick to make and uses simple ingredients for a fresh, satisfying meal. We’ll walk you through each step, from cooking the rice to tossing it all together for the perfect balance of hearty tuna, creamy feta, and crunchy cucumber.
Step 1: Cook the rice, let it sit 5 minutes, then fluff and cool. Use a rice cooker if you like. Drain the tuna, chop the green onions and cucumber, cube the feta and boiled eggs.
Step 2: Mix rice, tuna, onions, cucumber, feta, and eggs in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss gently and serve, or chill for 30 minutes.
This is another variation I love to whip up: a rice salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and tuna.
This version shines when you use quality tuna - you can buy it by clicking the link. I buy mine in bulk every couple of months and find it so handy for quick meals.
💭 Expert Tip
If you’re making this salad ahead of time, keep the cucumbers and feta separate until you’re ready to serve. This keeps everything from getting soggy and ensures each bite is as fresh as the first. Also, use cold, cooked rice to keep the salad from getting mushy.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
This rice tuna salad is filling on its own, but it’s also great with a few extras on the side:
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a slice of crusty baguette for a bit of crunch.
- Soup: Pair with a simple vegetable soup or a bowl of gazpacho for a lighter meal.
- Mixed Greens: Serve over a bed of lettuce for extra greens in each bite.
❓ FAQs
Brown rice is a fantastic option. It gives a slightly nutty taste and works just as well in this salad. Whether you use white or brown rice, you'll end up with a deliciously satisfying meal that’s sure to please.
Shredded chicken or cooked shrimp all make great options.
It’s a fantastic meal-prep option! If you have tuna and rice at home, you can easily whip this up ahead of time. Just keep the cucumbers and feta separate until you’re ready to serve for the best texture. This way, everything stays fresh and crisp, making each bite delightful. It’s all about that perfect balance of flavours and textures, especially when you’re juggling a busy schedule!
You can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, add the cucumbers and feta just before serving.
If you have leftovers from this tuna rice salad, turn them into something new. Make quick tuna melts using this easy homemade challah bread recipe, or repurpose the tuna in simple baked salmon sushi cups or spicy Japanese tuna onigiri. These ideas are perfect for meal prep and help keep your meals fresh and exciting.
If You Enjoyed This Recipe, You Will Love These Too
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Help-yourself tuna rice salad
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 300 g Rice jasmine rice or long-grain white rice
- 160 g Canned tuna 2 small cans, drained
- 4 Green onions chopped
- ½ Cucumber chopped into squares
- 100 g Feta cheese about 3.5 ounces, cubed
- 3 Boiled eggs cubed
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the Rice
- Rinse 300g of rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This step removes excess starch, which helps keep the rice grains separate.
- In a medium saucepan, bring 600 ml of water to a boil. Add the rinsed rice to the boiling water.
- Once the water returns to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the rice cook for about 10-12 minutes (or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender).
- Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes to finish steaming. Fluff with a fork and spread it on a plate or baking sheet to cool completely to room temperature.*If you have a rice cooker, feel free to use that instead!
Assemble the Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rice, flaked tuna, chopped green onions, diced cucumber, cubed feta, and boiled eggs.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Toss and Serve
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until they’re well mixed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for about 30 minutes if you prefer it chilled.
Video
Notes
Tips and Tricks
- Cool the Rice: Avoid adding hot rice to the salad to keep the other ingredients crisp.
- Add Dressing for Extra Taste: A light vinaigrette or drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice can add even more taste if you prefer.
- Chill Before Serving: If you have time, refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes after mixing—it tastes even better chilled.
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Nora says
I love such a quick, easy, and flavorful meal! Thanks!
Beth says
This is one of my new favorite tuna recipes. It's so easy to make, and it tastes so good. Perfection.
Liz says
The addition of rice to this tuna salad was genius!!! It made a tasty, hearty lunch. My husband enjoyed it, too.
Genevieve says
This sounds like a fantastic protein-packed lunch! I love anything easy, especially during lunchtime.
Juyali says
Loved this recipe. We used to make something like this growing up, and it was one of my favorite and most comforting meals. This brought up great memories. Thanks for the great recipe!
swathi says
Love this tuna rice salad, great meal idea with bowl of soup.
DK says
This was a great idea for a quick, easy and healthy lunch! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Jacqueline says
I love combining tuna with rice and this is a really nice recipe for it. I really liked the inclusion of feta and eggs.
Nisha says
Love fish and rice and this is such a filling , tasty and nutritious meal!
Dennis says
I'm always looking for new recipes with tuna, and yours did not disappoint! It was such a flavorful combination.