Chipotle Lime Tuna Lettuce Cups

The short answer: These tuna lettuce cups take 5 minutes, need zero cooking, and come in around 125 calories with roughly 22g of protein per serving. Light tuna gets stirred with Greek yogurt, lime, chipotle powder, red onion and cilantro, then spooned into crisp lettuce leaves.

It’s mid-afternoon, you have 5 minutes between calls, and you’re hungry enough to eat anything. Instead, open a can of tuna. These tuna lettuce cups are smoky, tangy and crunchy, plus they keep you full until dinner.

It’s one of the snacks from our guide to high protein snacks under 150 calories, and it’s built the Clean Fit Fab way: real food, big flavor, and no seed oils.

Why these tuna lettuce cups work as a snack

• No stove needed. So this works at your desk, in a hotel room or on a hectic day.
• Tuna is protein-dense. One 5-ounce can of light tuna in water has about 20g of protein for under 100 calories.
• Greek yogurt makes it creamy. Plus, it adds a little more protein than a spoon of mayo would.
• Lettuce is the shell. That keeps it light, crisp and fresh.

Fish is one of the protein foods MyPlate recommends rotating through your week. Light tuna is also one of the lower-mercury choices.

The flavor: what makes it taste so good

Plain tuna tastes like a sad desk lunch. However, a little chipotle, lime and cilantro turn it into something you actually crave.

• Chipotle chili powder for deep, smoky heat
• Fresh lime juice and zest for tang
• Red onion and celery for crunch and bite
• Cilantro and a pinch of cumin for a fresh, earthy finish

What you need

Here’s a quick look at the ingredients. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Tuna filling: light tuna in water, plain Greek yogurt, lime, chipotle chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, red onion, celery, fresh cilantro, sea salt
• To serve: Bibb lettuce leaves, jalapeno

Also, a note on fat: we cook with extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, butter or ghee. They taste better, and they’re real food.

How to make tuna lettuce cups

First, drain the tuna well. Next, stir it with the yogurt, lime, chipotle, cumin, onion, celery and cilantro. Then spoon it into lettuce leaves and add a few slices of jalapeno. The full recipe card is below.

Chipotle Lime Tuna Lettuce Cups

Smoky chipotle lime tuna in crisp Bibb lettuce cups. No cooking, about 125 calories and 22g protein per serving.

5minutes

22gprotein

125calories

2servings

Servings

1x2x3x

Vegan Cook mode Print Pin it

Ingredients Uncheck all

Tap to check off as you go.

Tuna filling

• 2 cans (5 oz) light tuna in water well drained
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 lime zested and juiced
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp red onion finely diced
• 1 stalk celery finely diced
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
• 1 pinch sea salt

To serve

• 6 Bibb lettuce leaves or little gem
• 1/2 jalapeno thinly sliced

Instructions

Tap a step to mark where you are.

1. Drain the tuna very well and flake it into a bowl with a fork.
2. Add the Greek yogurt, lime zest and juice, chipotle powder, cumin, garlic powder, red onion, celery, cilantro and salt. Stir until creamy.
3. Taste and add more lime, chipotle or salt.
4. Spoon the filling into the lettuce leaves, top with jalapeno slices and eat right away.

Calories 125Protein 22gCarbohydrates 5gFat 2gFiber 1gper serving, estimated

Serving ideas

Serve them cold with a few cherry tomatoes or radishes on the side. Also, a squeeze of extra lime right before eating makes them pop.

Nutrition at a glance: each serving has about 125 calories, 22g protein, 5g carbs and 1g fiber. Numbers are estimates and change with your exact ingredients.

Swaps and variations

• Use canned wild salmon instead of tuna.
• Swap the lettuce for cucumber boats or endive leaves.
• Want it creamier? Mash in a spoon of ripe avocado.
• Less heat? Use smoked paprika instead of chipotle.

Make-ahead and storage tips

Mix the tuna filling up to 2 days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Then fill the tuna lettuce cups right before eating so the lettuce stays crisp.

Frequently asked questions

Save this one for your next long day. Want more? Try our Cajun shrimp cucumber bites next.

This article is for general information and is not medical or nutrition advice.