Emulsifier Free Lemon-Dill Tuna Cucumber Cups
Bright, fresh, and genuinely satisfying, these little cucumber cups are loaded with herby tuna filling and finished with a hit of lemon that makes every bite pop. The real win here is the mayo — a coconut-based AIP version that binds everything together without any of the synthetic emulsifiers hiding in conventional jarred mayonnaise. Most store-bought mayo relies on additives like soy lecithin or polysorbate 80 to hold its texture, so swapping in a clean alternative is what makes this recipe work for anyone avoiding those ingredients. Fresh dill, lemon zest, celery, and chives do the heavy lifting on flavor, so nothing feels like a compromise. The cucumber rounds act as crisp, cool vessels that keep things light and naturally gluten-free without any crackers or bread required. Scoop out the wells, mix the filling, spoon and serve — it's an effortless assembly that looks far more impressive than the effort involved. These are ideal for a quick lunch, a party platter, or any time you want something clean and craveable without scanning a single ingredient label.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the tuna filling
- 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna packed in water, drained
- 3 tbsp coconut-based aip mayo
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp celery, finely diced
- 1 tbsp chives, finely sliced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
For the cups
- 2 large english cucumbers
For serving
- fresh dill sprigs, for garnish (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Slice the cucumbers crosswise into rounds about 3/4-inch thick — you should get 18–20 rounds per cucumber. Use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop a shallow well into the center of each round, leaving the bottom intact so the cup holds its filling.
- 2
In a mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna, coconut-based AIP mayo, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh dill, celery, chives, salt, and ground ginger. Stir until evenly combined and the tuna is broken into small, uniform flakes.
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