Creamy Tuna Dip with Pickles & Pickled Red Onions
/This Creamy Tuna Dip is one of those appetizers you can throw together in just a few minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. Tuna, cream cheese and mayonnaise make the creamy base, while hot pickles and pickled red onions give it the tangy, slightly spicy flavor that makes this one so good.
There's no cooking required. Everything gets mixed together in one bowl, transferred to a pretty serving dish and it's ready for crackers, chips or fresh vegetables.
It's especially good for summer entertaining when the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven, but it's easy enough to make anytime you need a quick snack or appetizer.
Why You'll Love This Tuna Dip
This really is one of the easiest appetizer recipes on my blog.
The creamy base balances the briny, tangy flavor from the pickles and pickled red onions, while garlic, sea salt and fresh black pepper season everything without making the recipe complicated.
It also comes together in one bowl, doesn't require any cooking and can be made ahead and chilled until you're ready to serve.
And unlike a basic tuna dip, the hot pickles and pickled red onions give this one plenty of flavor and texture.
Ingredient Notes
The ingredient list is short, so each ingredient has a purpose.
Tuna
You'll need three cans of tuna for the base of this dip. Drain the tuna well before mixing so you don't add unnecessary liquid to the creamy base.
Cream Cheese
Let the cream cheese soften before mixing. This makes it much easier to combine with the tuna and mayonnaise and gives you a creamier finished dip.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise loosens the cream cheese and gives the dip a scoopable, creamy consistency.
Pickled Red Onions
This is one of the ingredients that makes this tuna dip different. Pickled red onions add acidity, a little sweetness and plenty of flavor without needing a long list of additional seasonings.
Hot Pickles
I use chopped hot pickles for a little tang and heat. Cutting them into small pieces helps distribute that flavor throughout the dip.
Garlic, Salt & Pepper
A little garlic powder, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper are all you need to finish seasoning the dip.
Amanda's Tips for the Best Tuna Dip
Drain the Tuna Well
This is probably the most important little step. Excess liquid from the tuna can make the finished dip watery, so drain it thoroughly before mixing.
Soften the Cream Cheese
Room-temperature cream cheese blends much more easily with the other ingredients. You want everything incorporated rather than having little chunks of firm cream cheese throughout.
Chop the Pickles and Onions Small
Smaller pieces mean you get some of that tangy pickle and pickled onion flavor in every scoop.
Chill It Before Serving
You can serve the dip immediately, but if you have time, cover it and let it chill before serving. It also makes this an easy appetizer to prepare before guests arrive.
Taste Before Adding More Salt
Tuna, pickles and pickled onions can all contribute saltiness, so mix everything together first and taste before adding anything beyond the amount in the recipe.
What to Serve with Tuna Dip
This dip is easy to turn into a simple appetizer spread because it works with so many different dippers.
I like serving it with an assortment of crackers or chips, but sliced cucumber, celery and other crisp vegetables work well too. Toasted baguette slices would make it feel a little more substantial for entertaining.
You can also use leftovers as a creamy tuna spread for sandwiches or toast.
For entertaining, I love putting dips like this into a small serving bowl and surrounding it with crackers and vegetables on a larger platter.
Creamy Tuna Dip with Pickles & Pickled Red Onions
An easy creamy tuna dip made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, hot pickles and pickled red onions for a tangy appetizer that comes together in minutes.
Ingredients
3 cans tuna, drained well
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped pickled red onions
1/2 cup chopped hot pickles
These are your original quantities, just cleaned up for consistency.
Instructions
1. Combine the Ingredients
Add the drained tuna, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, pickled red onions and hot pickles to a large mixing bowl.
2. Mix
Mix until everything is well combined and the cream cheese is evenly incorporated throughout the dip.
3. Serve
Transfer the tuna dip to a clean serving bowl.
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pair with your favorite crackers, chips or fresh vegetables.
Amanda's Tip
Drain the tuna really well before adding it to the bowl. With such a simple creamy base, excess liquid can quickly change the consistency of the dip.
Save This Recipe
Save this Creamy Tuna Dip for the next time you need an appetizer you can put together without cooking.
I've included a printable recipe card below so it's easy to print and come back to for summer entertaining, holidays or an easy snack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Tuna Dip Ahead of Time?
Yes. This is an easy appetizer to prepare ahead because there is no cooking involved. Make the dip, cover it and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to serve.
What Kind of Tuna Should I Use?
Use your preferred canned tuna and make sure it's drained thoroughly before adding it to the dip. Your original recipe doesn't specify oil-packed versus water-packed, so I wouldn't suddenly prescribe one in the refresh.
Is This Tuna Dip Spicy?
The hot pickles give the dip some heat, but the cream cheese and mayonnaise create a creamy base that balances their flavor. The exact level of heat will depend on the hot pickles you use.
What Can I Serve with Tuna Dip?
Crackers, chips, toasted baguette slices and crisp vegetables all work well. You can also use the dip as a spread for sandwiches or toast.
How Should I Store Tuna Dip?
Keep the tuna dip covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can I Use Regular Pickles Instead of Hot Pickles?
Yes, if you don't want the added heat. The flavor will be milder, but you'll still get the tang and crunch from the pickles.
More Easy Appetizers You'll Love
If you're putting together an appetizer spread, try my Layered Hummus Dip or Summer Charcuterie Board next.
For something warm, my Steak & Feta Crostini and Peach Baked Brie are two more easy recipes to save for entertaining.
Shop My Kitchen Essentials
These are some of the kitchen and serving pieces I use again and again for everyday recipes and entertaining.
Final Thoughts
The best appetizer recipes are usually the ones you can pull together without making entertaining more complicated, and this tuna dip is exactly that.
It's creamy and savory with plenty of tang from the hot pickles and pickled red onions, and everything comes together in one bowl in just a few minutes.
Serve it cold with plenty of crackers and something crunchy for dipping, and you have an easy appetizer worth keeping on repeat.
