Mediterranean Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Tuna

Mediterranean Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Tuna

Mia

This vibrant Mediterranean Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Tuna brings together the heart-healthy principles of the Mediterranean diet in one satisfying bowl. Tender black-eyed peas provide a creamy, earthy base that pairs beautifully with flaky tuna, crisp vegetables, and briny olives, all brought together with a bright lemon-oregano vinaigrette. It's a no-cook dinner that celebrates fresh, wholesome ingredients while delivering impressive nutrition.

Inspired by the coastal regions where legumes and seafood are dietary staples, this salad offers the perfect balance of plant-based protein from black-eyed peas and omega-3-rich protein from tuna. The combination is not only delicious but also incredibly filling, making it ideal for warm evenings when you want something substantial without turning on the stove.

What makes this dish truly special is its versatility and make-ahead friendliness. The flavors actually improve as they meld together in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining. Crunchy cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, and red onion add textural contrast and fresh flavors, while the lemon-oregano vinaigrette ties everything together with Mediterranean brightness. Each bite delivers a satisfying combination of creamy, crunchy, tangy, and savory elements.

This protein-packed salad is naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals while being relatively low in calories. It's a complete meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor and nutrition—exactly what the Mediterranean lifestyle is all about.

Nutrition

20 minutes
None servings
385 calories
Fat 18.00g
Carbs 32.00g
Protein 25.00g

Ingredients

2 cansblack-eyed peas, drained and rinsed (15 oz cans)
2 canstuna in olive oil, drained (5 oz cans)
1.5 cupscherry tomatoes, halved
1 mediumcucumber, diced
1/2 mediumred onion, finely diced
1/2 cupkalamata olives, pitted and halved
1/2 cupfresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cupextra virgin olive oil
3 tbspfresh lemon juice, from about 1.5 lemons
1 tbspred wine vinegar
1 tspdried oregano
2 clovesgarlic, minced
3/4 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1/2 cupfeta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Whisk
measuring spoons
measuring cups
large mixing bowl
fork
chef's knife
can opener
colander
small bowl or jar
large spoon or salad servers

16:8 Diet

This protein and fiber-rich salad is ideal for 16:8 intermittent fasting, providing sustained energy and satiety from black-eyed peas, tuna, and vegetables to help meet nutritional needs within the 8-hour eating window. The balanced macronutrients and whole food ingredients support stable energy levels throughout the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe aligns with 80/20 principles by featuring predominantly nutrient-dense whole foods including black-eyed peas, tuna, fresh vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil that comprise well over 80% of the ingredients. The minimal additions of feta cheese and olives add flavor while maintaining the recipe's focus on wholesome, anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This salad is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including omega-3-rich tuna, extra virgin olive oil, colorful vegetables, legumes, and anti-inflammatory herbs like oregano and garlic. It avoids processed foods and refined ingredients while emphasizing whole foods that support reduced inflammation and overall health.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with whole, minimally processed ingredients including canned legumes and tuna (preserved simply), fresh vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and natural seasonings. Every ingredient is recognizable in its whole-food form without artificial additives, preservatives, or refined ingredients.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns with DASH Diet principles by featuring potassium-rich black-eyed peas and vegetables, lean protein from tuna, and heart-healthy olive oil while using fresh ingredients and herbs for flavor instead of excessive sodium. The inclusion of fiber-rich legumes, fresh vegetables, and minimal processed ingredients supports cardiovascular health and blood pressure management.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe is diabetic-friendly with its low glycemic index ingredients including black-eyed peas, non-starchy vegetables, and lean protein from tuna that support stable blood sugar levels. The high fiber content from legumes and vegetables, combined with healthy fats and protein, helps slow glucose absorption and prevents blood sugar spikes.

Flexible Dieting

This nutrient-dense salad fits perfectly into a flexible dieting approach with its balanced combination of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats from whole food sources. The recipe uses measurable portions that are easy to track while demonstrating how wholesome, satisfying meals can fit into any macro target.

Flexitarian Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies flexitarian eating by centering on plant-based black-eyed peas as a primary protein source while including tuna as a complementary animal protein. The emphasis on legumes, abundant vegetables, and whole foods with seafood as a supporting ingredient makes it an ideal flexitarian meal.

Gluten-Free Diet

This naturally gluten-free recipe uses only whole food ingredients like black-eyed peas, tuna, fresh vegetables, and olive oil without any wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients. It's a safe and delicious option for those avoiding gluten while providing complete nutrition from naturally gluten-free sources.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features omega-3-rich tuna, fiber-packed black-eyed peas, extra virgin olive oil, and abundant vegetables while avoiding saturated fats, processed ingredients, and excessive sodium. The combination of lean protein, legumes, and monounsaturated fats supports cardiovascular health and cholesterol management.

High-Fiber Diet

This salad is exceptionally high in fiber, providing 8-10 grams per serving from black-eyed peas, fresh vegetables, and olives. The combination of legumes and abundant vegetables delivers both soluble and insoluble fiber to support digestive health and satiety.

High-Protein Diet

This recipe delivers substantial protein from two complementary sources—tuna and black-eyed peas—providing complete amino acids and approximately 25-30 grams of protein per serving. The combination of animal and plant-based proteins makes it an excellent high-protein meal that's also rich in fiber and nutrients.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This balanced recipe provides clear portions of protein from tuna and black-eyed peas, complex carbohydrates from legumes and vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil and feta, making it easy to track macros. The whole food ingredients and portion-controlled servings allow for accurate macro counting while delivering satisfying nutrition.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense salad is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein from tuna and black-eyed peas, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fiber to promote satiety and stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods. The combination of protein, legumes, and vegetables delivers sustained energy while maximizing nutritional value during limited eating times.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe honors intuitive eating principles by featuring a variety of satisfying textures and flavors that provide both pleasure and nourishment without restriction or food rules. The combination of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables creates a naturally balanced, enjoyable meal that respects hunger and fullness cues.

Macro Diet

This recipe offers a well-balanced macronutrient profile with substantial protein from tuna and black-eyed peas, complex carbohydrates from legumes and vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil, olives, and feta cheese. The clearly portioned ingredients make it ideal for tracking macros while providing nutrient-dense, satisfying nutrition.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish that emphasizes extra virgin olive oil, legumes (black-eyed peas), omega-3-rich tuna, abundant fresh vegetables, and heart-healthy ingredients like olives and feta cheese. It avoids processed foods and red meat while highlighting the core principles of Mediterranean eating with its focus on fish, beans, vegetables, and olive oil-based dressing.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health with omega-3-rich tuna, extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, beans (black-eyed peas), and abundant vegetables—all key components of the MIND Diet. It avoids butter, red meat, and processed foods while emphasizing ingredients that promote cognitive function and neuroprotection.

Mindful Eating

This vibrant salad engages multiple senses with varied colors, textures (creamy beans, crisp vegetables, flaky tuna), and bright Mediterranean flavors that encourage slow, conscious eating. The whole food ingredients and diverse components invite sensory appreciation and awareness with each bite.

Weight Watchers

This salad follows Weight Watchers principles with lean protein from tuna, fiber-rich black-eyed peas and vegetables, and nutrient-dense whole food ingredients that promote satiety while supporting weight management. The recipe emphasizes vegetables, legumes, and lean seafood while using healthy fats in moderation, making it a satisfying and point-friendly meal option.

Instructions

1

Open the cans of black-eyed peas and drain them in a colander. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water and shake off excess water. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

2 min
2

Drain the tuna cans and gently flake the tuna with a fork into bite-sized pieces. Add the flaked tuna to the bowl with the black-eyed peas.

1 min
3

Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes. Add them to the bowl.

2 min
4

Dice the cucumber into small, bite-sized pieces, about 1/4-inch cubes. Add to the bowl.

2 min
5

Peel and finely dice the red onion into small pieces. Add to the bowl.

2 min
6

Halve the Kalamata olives and add them to the bowl along with the chopped fresh parsley.

1 min
7

In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.

2 min
8

Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients together vigorously until well emulsified and the dressing appears slightly thickened, about 30 seconds.

1 min
9

Pour the lemon-oregano vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the large bowl.

10

Gently toss all ingredients together using a large spoon or salad servers until everything is evenly coated with the vinaigrette. Be careful not to break up the tuna too much.

1 min
11

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.

1 min
12

If using feta cheese, sprinkle the crumbled feta over the top of the salad and gently fold it in or leave as a garnish.

1 min
13

Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. The salad can be made up to 24 hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions