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BLANK » Recipe Index » Lunch and Salads

Seared Tuna Lettuce Wraps

June 23, 2020 by Charla 14 Comments

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Love tuna and lettuce? If so, then these wraps are what you need in your life. Lightly seasoned tuna flakes that have been cooked up then left to cool down before serving on lettuce wraps. A recipe that is effortless along with being so quick, easy and full of flavour!

3 lettuce wraps
Jump to:
  • The Introduction
  • Recipe inspiration
  • Reasons to make this recipe
  • Ingredients you will need
  • The steps
  • Variation suggestions
  • Notes and tips
  • Other lunch recipes to try
  • Seared Tuna Lettuce Wraps

The Introduction

These fresh tuna wraps are so tasty, incredibly filling and unbelievably quick to prepare.

Nothing but healthy goodness to see your through to lunch time.

Whenever I make these seared tuna lettuce wraps they always seem to put a smile on my face.

Why you may ask? Because these wraps literally got me through my studious days. I kid you not! It's just as tasty as this Tuna and Sweetcorn Pasta.

A close up of one of the wraps

Recipe inspiration

This spicy tuna lettuce wrap brings me down memory lane but at the same time was a complete life saver.

Whenever I was due to commit to a strict deadline or simply had copious amounts of essays I would fix myself a plate of these wraps.

Trust me, I saved bags of time making these and remember my brother mocking me for searing the tuna.

There was always this big debate, he felt that tuna had no place in a frying pan/skillet.

Me in typical Charla style, I was adamant to prove him wrong so I fixed him a plate of wraps and to my surprise he loved them and ended up eating a bowl of humble pie.

He would eat them on his post workout days due to the high protein/low carb ratio.

These wraps are low carb, and great as a grab on-the-go lunch, just pack them in your

lunch box and you're good to go!

Reasons to make this recipe

  • It's fresh and flavoursome.
  • It has a perfect balance of crunchy lettuce leaves and savoury tuna.
  • A portable recipe, great to eat on the go!
  • Versatile - drizzle your favourite dressing, sauce and so fourth,
  • Great for levelling up your hosting game i.e dinner or lunch.
  • Healthy without being boring or one dimensional.
  • No fancy kitchen gadgets are needed, just a pan for light searing on the stovetop.
  • Minimal work is needed to make these wraps.

Ingredients you will need

ingredients to make seared tuna salad
  • Lettuce - This is the crispy/crunchy base for the wraps which essentially holds it all together. Just make sure you are using iceberg or romaine lettuce.
  • Tomato puree - For a richy tangy depth in flavour.
  • Onion - Red or white although, because we are sauteing the base ingredients white has a mild/sweet taste which works much better.
  • Tuna flakes - The flaky texture and protein content makes them ideal for wraps.
  • Garlic Pepper - Aromatic flavours from both garlic and pepper.
  • Black pepper - Works perfectly as a standalone sharp peppery ingredient.
  • Bell peppers - Any colour works but I like to use a tri-colour of red, yellow and green.
  • Parsley - My go to herb which pairs well with tuna.
  • Olive oil - For sauteing the base ingredients.
  • Pink salt - For flavour enhancement.

The steps

steps 1-6 cooking up the tuna

  • Place the lettuce leaves on a plate, ready for the seared tuna.
  • On medium heat, add the oil to a frying pan and proceed to saute the onion until soft and translucent.
  • Add the bell peppers and saute until they soften (should take a few minutes)
  • At this stage fold in the tuna then add the tomato puree, parsley and black pepper and garlic pepper, chilli if including.
  • Proceed to stir and sear the tuna (add a splash of oil if you need to) for a further 3-4 minutes until the ingredients are combined.
  • Do a taste test and add pink salt, according to taste.
  • Once cooked let the tuna completely cool down before portioning each wrap.

Variation suggestions

  • Tuna salad - You can make this into a salad by adding some mayo. My Mayonnaise Recipe is dairy free and serves as a great substitute to the store bought stuff. You can pair this with relish, pickles and onions too!
  • Salmon/chicken - Another source lean protein which can also be flaked or pan seared.
  • Tofu/jackfruit - Go vegan by opting for scrambled tofu or shredded jackfruit.
  • Leafy greens - Maybe lettuce just isn't for you. Cool, I get it! How about some leafy greens? Do you like kale, spinach or rocket/arugula? Those are some nutritious greens that you might want to consider.
  • Sandwich - You can make this into a sandwich by using low carb bread, just make sure it's gluten free too!
  • Cauliflower rice: Make this into a main meal by forgoing lettuce for some Cauliflower Rice or even Brown Rice.

Notes and tips

  • For best results I would recommend searing the tuna because that helps to lock in that flavour on a more deeper level but if you don't care to do that then, cook the onions and mix the remaining ingredients together.
  • There is the option of using mayonnaise, see my dairy free mayo recipe. Again, just add the mayo once the tuna has cooled down and the tuna has been seared.
  • I used canned tuna because it is cheap and cheerful don't use tuna steaks.
  • Only have the wraps ready when you're about to serve.
  • If you want to make things more handy, cook the tuna in advance, let it cool down, refrigerate then and serve.
  • To make this recipe portable, have the lettuce leaves in a portable container and the tuna in another and just bring it on your travels.
  • Substitute for garlic pepper. Garlic pepper is a combination of garlic, black pepper, and dried bell peppers. If you can't get hold of it simply use garlic instead
  • Do a taste test and adjust according to your preference.
  • Make sure to dry off the lettuce leaves well before using them to make wraps.
3 wraps with a bowl of tuna

Other lunch recipes to try

  • Low Carb Keto Shrimp Salad
  • Zucchini Avocado Salad 
  • Prawn and Mango Salad
  • Egg Leafy Green Salad
  • Black Bean and Corn Salad Balsamic Vinegar
  • Jamaican Roasted Ackee Salad
  • Mackerel Salad
  • Saltfish Salad
  • Vegan Bean Salad

**Please comment below and star rate if you have tried my recipes. Support my website by leaving a donation through Buying Me a Coffee. A site to show your appreciation of my hardwork over the years.  Let's be friends and engage on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram I also like to pin on Pinterest, where you can find more amazing recipes.**

3 lettuce wraps

Seared Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Love tuna and lettuce? If so, then these wraps are what you need in your life. Lightly seasoned tuna flakes that have been cooked up then left to cool down before serving on lettuce wraps. A recipe that is effortless along with being so quick and easy!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 239kcal
Author: Charla

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 cup mixed bell peppers chopped
  • 2 cups tuna drained
  • 3 tablespoon tomato puree
  • ½ tablespoon parsley
  • 1 ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoon garlic pepper I use Schwartz brand or use 1 teaspoon garlic + 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon chilli flakes/powder optional
  • pink salt to taste
  • 1 large lettuce leaves removed (Roamine or Iceberg Lettuce)

Instructions

  • Place the lettuce leaves on a plate, ready for the seared tuna
  • On medium heat, add the oil to a frying pan and proceed to saute the onion until soft and translucent.
  • Add the bell peppers and saute until they soften (should take a few minutes).
  • At this stage fold in the tuna then add the tomato puree, parsley and black pepper and garlic pepper, chilli if including
  • Proceed to stir and sear the tuna (add a splash of oil if you need to) for a further 3-4 minutes until the ingredients are combined.
  • Do a taste test and add pink salt, according to taste.
  • Once cooked let the tuna completely cool down before portioning each wrap.

Notes

  • For best results I would recommend searing the tuna because that helps to lock in that flavour on a more deeper level but if you don't care to do that then, cook the onions and mix the remaining ingredients together.
  • There is the option of using mayonnaise, see my dairy free mayo recipe. Again, just add the mayo once the tuna has cooled down and the tuna has been seared.
  • I used canned tuna because it is cheap and cheerful don't use tuna steaks.
  • Only have the wraps ready when you're about to serve.
  • If you want to make things more handy, cook the tuna in advance, let it cool down, refrigerate then and serve.
  • To make this recipe portable, have the lettuce leaves in a portable container and the tuna in another and just bring it on your travels.
  • Substitute for garlic pepper. Garlic pepper is a combination of garlic, black pepper, and dried bell peppers. If you can't get hold of it simply use garlic instead
  • Do a taste test and adjust according to your preference.
  • Make sure to dry off the lettuce leaves well before using them to make wraps.

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 422mg | Potassium: 1055mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 3980IU | Vitamin C: 111mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 5mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ThatGirlCooksHealthy or tag #ThatGirlCooksHealthy!

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About Charla

I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes.

Comments

  1. Natalie says

    June 24, 2020 at 3:52 pm

    5 stars
    Oh wow this looks really delicious and it's so easy to make. Perfect healthy lunch. I will definitely put this on my menu.

    Reply
    • Charla says

      June 24, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      Thank you Natalie. I really hope it makes the menu.

      Reply
  2. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    June 24, 2020 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    Such a healthy and delicious lunch option for these warm days - definitely going to be trying these! Yum!

    Reply
    • Charla says

      June 24, 2020 at 3:20 pm

      Thank you Bintu. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

      Reply
  3. Rebecca says

    June 24, 2020 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    this is so easy & delish! Plus it's really done in 15 minutes! love it!!!

    Reply
    • Charla says

      June 24, 2020 at 3:19 pm

      Thank you Rebecca. Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  4. Toni says

    June 24, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    5 stars
    Such an amazing lunch for me! I loved it!

    Reply
    • Charla says

      June 24, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      You are welcome Toni

      Reply
  5. Adrianne says

    June 24, 2020 at 10:13 am

    5 stars
    These lettuce wraps look like the perfect healthy lunch! I love the simple ingredients and fresh approach. Can't wait to give them a go for lunch tomorrow. Cheers

    Reply
    • Charla says

      June 24, 2020 at 10:32 am

      Thank you Adrianne. Enjoy the wraps!!

      Reply
  6. Jan says

    January 12, 2017 at 3:49 am

    Was looking for this! Just came back from Cuba, where I had my first hot tuna sandwich. Rico! Why haven't I ever had hot tuna before?? Well, I didn't want to just wing it, so I thought I'd see if the internet had any suggestions. Going to try this one! Thanks for posting!

    Reply
    • Charla says

      January 13, 2017 at 12:07 pm

      Awesome! You've picked a good time of year to create the dish, should warm you up nicely.

      Reply
  7. Tia Phillips says

    June 01, 2014 at 10:52 pm

    This looks really delicious and easy! I will definitely try it. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Charla says

      June 02, 2014 at 9:14 pm

      Thanks Tia

      Reply
5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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a picture of Charla

Hey, I'm Charla!

I'm an avid Caribbean foodie. Welcome to the haven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes.

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