Recipe: Greek-Style Tuna Salad

Tuna salad that’s loaded with mayo and stuffed between two slices of wheat bread doesn’t thrill me — this guy, however, absolutely does. It’s the polar opposite: loaded with fresh vegetables and herbs, with not a trace of goopy mayo in sight.

Taking inspiration from Greek ingredients and flavors, this tuna salad practically whisks you away to a breezy Greek island, even if you’re only digging into it at your desk. Olive oil-packed tuna is greeted by crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and briny kalamata olives, then the whole mess is is tossed with lots of fresh chopped parsley and oregano and dressed with nothing but olive oil and lemon juice. It’s a bright salad that can be eaten straight from the bowl or piled on toast for a satisfying lunch or a light dinner.

Putting a Greek spin on the lunch standby transforms it into one that’s a whole lot more interesting. Classic Greek ingredients like assertive kalamata olives and pungent fresh oregano boost the flavor of the whole dish and make it a more energized tuna salad — one that doesn’t rely on the fish alone for flavor, but rather uses it as one of many flavors in the dish. Diced cucumbers and halved cherry tomatoes add crunch, juiciness, and, most importantly, freshness. The whole mix needs nothing more than a big squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil to tie it together.

One of the most fun ways to spice up your weeknight dinner routine is by exploring a new cuisine — and it’s not as hard as you may think. This week, five recipes show you just how easy it is to bring a touch of Greek flair to the table.