Matthew McConaughey Viral Tuna Salad

Name: Viral Tuna Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: ½ cup mayonnaise (plus more as desired); 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 teaspoons wasabi paste; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; 3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion; 3 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles; ⅓ cup crispy jalapeño chips (crushed); ⅓ cup finely chopped apple; ½ cup canned corn kernels (drained); ½ cup frozen peas (thawed); 10 ounces tuna packed in olive oil (drained); Sea salt and pepper (to taste)

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This “Matthew McConaughey” tuna salad is bold, creamy, and packed with texture, from crisp apples to crunchy jalapeño chips.

Overhead view of tuna salad with colorful vegetables and crushed jalapeño chips.

This creamy, crunchy, slightly sweet, and spicy tuna salad was inspired by a viral recipe that’s been loosely tied to Matthew McConaughey – though the real star here is the flavor. When I first saw it pop up online, I wasn’t sure what to think. Apple, peas, pickles, jalapeño chips, and wasabi? Definitely not your typical tuna salad.

But after trying it, I totally understood the hype. The flavors somehow just work together – bold and unexpected, but so satisfying. And the best part? It’s super easy. No cooking, just mix everything in one bowl and you’re done.

You may also love my Chickpea Tuna Salad for a quick and protein-packed lunch that’s full of flavor!

Recipe Overview

Skill Level

Beginner

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

0 minutes

Common Questions

Can I make this tuna salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, the flavors get even better after a few hours in the fridge. Make it ahead and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Is there a vegan version of this tuna salad?

Yes! You can make a vegan version by swapping the tuna for crumbled tofu and using cashew mayo or any plant-based mayo alternative to keep it creamy and satisfying.

How can I serve this tuna salad?

This is super versatile – use it as a sandwich filling, scoop it onto a salad, serve it with crackers, or wrap it in lettuce for a low-carb option.

What type of apple works best in this recipe?

You can use any crisp apple you like – Granny Smith adds a tart, refreshing bite that cuts through the richness of the dressing, while sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady bring a juicy, sweet-tart balance that complements the savory mix-ins beautifully.

Tips before you get started

Use tuna packed in olive oil, as it not only adds a richer flavor but also blends beautifully with the creamy dressing.
Chop the apples and pickles small and evenly, so that you get a bit of everything in each bite.
If you don’t have crispy jalapeño chips, use crushed tortilla chips with a bit of chili powder.
Thaw frozen peas quickly by running them under warm water in a colander for 30 seconds.
This salad tastes even better after chilling in the fridge for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Don’t skip the wasabi – just a little gives the whole salad a subtle kick without overwhelming the other flavors.

Ingredients needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make this salad – most of these ingredients are pantry staples or already in your fridge. Full measurements are listed in the recipe card.

ingredients to make Matthew McConaughey tuna salad

Mayonnaise: You can use Lite or Miracle Whip. I normally would use Greek yogurt instead of mayo, but I didn’t want to change the original recipe much.
White wine vinegar: This works best, but you can use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice works best. If you are in a pinch, you can use bottled lemon juice
Wasabi paste: I like S&B Wasabi Paste, but use any brand you like.
Italian seasoning: If you do not have any on hand, you can make homemade Italian seasoning.
Red onion: finely chopped, or you can use white sweet onions if you do not have any red ones on hand.
Dill pickles: any brand of pickles you have on hand
Crispy jalapeño chips: If you do not have these, just use any you have on hand.
Apple: I like granny smith, pink lady, or honeycrisp.
Canned corn kernels: frozen or canned will work just fine.
Frozen peas: thawed- do not use canned peas, please. Just not the same thing.
Tuna packed in olive oil: drained- If you prefer tuna in water, that works too.
Sea salt and Black pepper

How to make Matthew McConaughey Tuna Salad

Here’s the step-by-step process for how to make this bold and creamy viral tuna salad at home.

Small bowl with mayonnaise, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, wasabi, and seasoning before mixing.

Step 1: To make the dressing, in a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, wasabi paste, and Italian seasoning.

Cutting board with freshly chopped apple, red onion, pickles, and crushed jalapeño chips.

Step 2: Next, chop the veggies. Finely chop the apple, red onion, and dill pickles, then add them to the bowl with the dressing. I would try to dice them as small as you can.

Neatly arranged chopped ingredients including peas, corn, red onion, apple, and pickles before mixing.

Step 3: Then, add the corn, peas, and crushed jalapeño chips on top of the chopped ingredients.

Spoon mixing ingredients into creamy dressing in a bowl for the fish salad.

Step 4: Stir everything together until evenly coated in the dressing and it’s all well combined.

Lastly, fold in the drained tuna until fully incorporated. You can double up on the tune if you like for some added protein. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed, and serve with extra pickles on the side for a zesty crunch.

Tuna salad in a gray bowl surrounded by tortilla chips.

Substitutions

You can easily swap a few ingredients depending on what you have on hand or your flavor preferences:

Frozen peas: use fresh peas or chopped green beans if needed
Tuna in olive oil: use tuna in water if you prefer a lighter option
Crispy jalapeño chips: sub with crushed tortilla chips or spicy potato chips
Wasabi paste: try horseradish or Dijon mustard for a milder heat

Variations

This viral tuna salad is super flexible, so feel free to tweak it to suit your tastes or mood:

You can add extra mayo or adjust the seasoning to your taste.
If you’re not into heat, tone down the wasabi – or leave it out entirely.
Swap the apple for grapes or dried cranberries for a sweeter twist.
Stir in a little Dijon mustard or Greek yogurt for extra tang and creaminess.

Hands holding a bowl of finished tuna salad with visible peas, corn, red onion, and chips.

Storing and reheating

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This salad is meant to be eaten cold or at room temperature, so no reheating is needed – just give it a quick stir before serving. Do not freeze, as it will affect the texture.