Chive & Onion Tuna Dip is a big crowd pleasing appetizer or savory lunch to enjoy. Paired with crispy garlic bread or crackers. Ready in less than 30 minutes.

Why Make This Tuna Dip

This tuna dip is a great appetizer or light lunch. It’s loaded with lean protein and it’s affordable since it’s made with canned tuna.

You can customize the flavors quite a bit with this dip. Chive and onion is my go-to flavor with this dish but another fun change up is to add a few tablespoons of buffalo sauce. You can serve this dip in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option or pair it with fancy crackers or garlic bread. This dip goes great with my Pan Fried Feta by the way.

Ingredients Needed

Canned Tuna. I suggest a high quality tuna like Wild Planet Albacore.

Cream Cheese. I love to use chive & onion flavored cream cheese. Since this tuna dip is baked, the cream cheese makes it so creamy.

Mayo. I love to use Kewpie mayo, its extra tangy and delicious. Regular mayo will also work well.

Seasonings. Salt, pepper, garlic powder are needed to flavor this, you can also do a small dash of dried dill and basil although not required for great flavor.

All other ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card below. 

Recipe Variations

Canned Tuna. You can also use canned salmon, or baked salmon. Additionally smoked varieties will also work well.

Cream Cheese. You can make this dairy free by using dairy free cream cheese and dairy free alternatives. You can also use sour cream in place of the cream cheese, however the dip will not be as thick.

Chives. You can use any fresh herbs of choice, it elevates the flavor a bit.

Cheese. Use manchego, mozzarella, or blends of chesses. Pepper jack is also great.

Flavor Variations

There are so many flavor variations to experiment with. I love to add a few tablespoons of buffalo sauce or sriracha to the mix to make it buffalo/spicy flavor.

You can also add pickles, different olives, sun dried tomatoes and more. This is a great dip to customize to your liking!

How To Make This Recipe

Step One. Preheat the oven to 375º. Throughly drain the tuna. Add it to a large bowl and flake with a fork. Add the seasonings, cream cheese, mayo, chives and onions, save some onions and chives for garnish later. Mix it really well.

Step Two. Add the tuna to an oven safe ramekin (10-12 oz sized). Place the ramekin on a cookie sheet to ensure any possible overflow doesn’t create a mess. Add cheese to the top and diced olives. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the dip is melted and bubbling.

Step Three. Top with green onions and chives. You can also top with lemon or orange zest for an extra oomph but it’s not necessary. Serve it warm with a side of toasted bread or crackers. You can also eat it for lunch with lettuce wraps.

Recipe FAQs

Recipe Tips

Consider Extra Add Ins If you want! adding ingredients for texture, like chopped celery, bell peppers, or water chestnuts. They can add a pleasant crunch to the dip.

Tuna Selection. Choose canned tuna in water or oil, depending on your preference. Drain the tuna well before adding it to the mix.

Keep it Warm. If you’re serving the dip at a party or over an extended period, consider using a small slow cooker or a warming dish to keep the dip at a consistent temperature.

Make It Healthier. Use less mayo or sour cream or replace one with greek yogurt. You can also serve with fresh veggies over crackers and bread.

Recipe Pairings

This dip is great on it’s own but you can pair it with other great appetizers like my Balsamic Bruschetta or Overnight Bread. Consider making my Garlic Air Fryer Bread as a pairing as well (yum).

Other Tuna Recipes To Try

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