Monday Low Carb Lunch: Tuna Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipe
A bell pepper filled with tuna salad is a colorful Monday low carb lunch. No bread, built-in portion control, and looks way more put-together than it took to make.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- bell pepper 2 pieces
- canned tuna in water 8 oz
- celery 1 stalk
- red onion 2 tbsp
Seasonings/Sauce
- mayonnaise 2 tbsp
- lemon juice 1 tsp
- salt 0.25 tsp
- black pepper 0.25 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
9 g
16%
Protein
22 g
39%
Fat
10 g
45%
Cooking steps
-
1
Slice the bell peppers lengthwise and remove seeds, keeping stem attached for structural support.
-
2
Drain the canned tuna thoroughly to avoid excess moisture, then transfer to a mixing bowl.
-
3
Finely chop celery and red onion, and add them to the tuna.
-
4
Add mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until evenly combined, being careful not to mash the tuna.
-
5
Fill each pepper half completely with the tuna salad, packing lightly for a clean presentation. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The key ingredient is canned tuna, which not only defines the core flavor and protein profile of the stuffed bell peppers, but also provides the texture that complements the crisp peppers.
Q. How do you keep the tuna salad from getting watery?
Properly draining the canned tuna in step 2 is crucial. This prevents excess moisture from making the filling soggy. Also, mixing gently ensures the salad maintains its structure without becoming mushy.
Q. What helps the stuffed peppers stay crisp and not overcooked?
Since the bell peppers are served raw and only filled, there's no risk of overcooking. Keeping the stem attached adds structural support so the peppers remain crisp during serving.
Q. How many calories and what is the protein-to-carb ratio per serving?
Each serving contains 225 kcal, with 22g protein and 9g carbs. The protein-to-carb ratio is approximately 2.4:1, making this an excellent choice for those seeking a high protein, low carb meal.
Q. Is this recipe diabetic friendly and suitable for low carb diets?
Yes, with just 9g carbs per serving and a nutritionally balanced profile (16% carbs, 39% protein, 45% fat), it meets the requirements for both diabetic friendly and low carb tags.
