Buffalo Tuna Dip

Name: Buffalo Tuna Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp unsalted butter; ½ shallot (finely minced; about 2 tbsp); 1 stalk celery (finely diced; about ¼ cup); 2-3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 (5oz) cans canned tuna (drained to 8oz total; light or unsalted recommended); ½ cup buffalo sauce; 6 oz cream cheese; 2 tbsp ranch dressing; ½ cup shredded cheese (I used half mozzarella, half sharp cheddar); 1 green onion (thinly sliced; for garnish); Salt and pepper

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This easy Buffalo Tuna Dip is the ultimate dipping snack! Canned tuna is a budget-friendly addition to an American classic while making it super flavorful and creamy! Plus, you only need 10 ingredients and 20 minutes to pull together this delicious protein-packed dip.

A cast iron skillet with Buffalo Tuna Dip, topped with green onion, celery leaves, celery, and shallots.

Jump to:

🧀 The Best Buffalo Dip
🧂 Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳 How To Make Buffalo Tuna Dip
💭 Top Tips
🥡 Storing & Freezing
📖 Recipe FAQs
🍽 Looking For More Appetizers?
📋 Recipe
💬 Reviews

🧀 The Best Buffalo Dip

You may have heard of Buffalo Chicken Dip but once you try Buffalo Tuna Dip, you'll never go back! It's every bit as creamy, cheesy, and delicious - but with an extra hint of umami and seafood twang. Tuna is my secret weapon in recipes like this one and Hawaiian Mac Salad with Tuna - it's the perfect flavor-booster!

This Buffalo Tuna Dip is a high-protein, crowd-pleasing recipe. Even those who aren’t big fans of fish will be coming back for more thanks to the tangy and spicy buffalo flavor. But the best part is that this dish comes together in minutes with just 10 simple, budget-friendly ingredients. It even features a few hidden veggies for an easy snack or appetizer you can feel good about.

Whether you’re looking to use up your last can of tuna or need something to take to your next Super Bowl party, this extra creamy and cheesy Buffalo Tuna Dip is perfect for every occasion! Tangy, decadent, and cheesy, it’s best served hot, warm, or at room temperature for a simple treat no one can resist. Pair it with Tteokkochi (Korean Rice Cake Skewers), Honey Chipotle Shrimp Tacos, and Lemon Dill Hummus for a show-stopping spread for game day, holiday parties, potlucks, and more!

Why You'll Love It

Quick and easy: All you need are 10 ingredients and just 20 minutes to put together this delicious protein-packed dip. If you've been invited to a last minute gathering, this Buffalo Tuna Dip is perfect to whip up!
Simple: This Tuna Salad Dip is made with 4 minimal steps and uses pantry staple ingredients that you probably already have. Plus it's all made in one pan or pot for easy clean-up.
Unique: Buffalo chicken is so typical. Why not switch it up with a familiar yet unique protein? Tuna is mild yet flavorful and accepts the buffalo sauce so well. This dip will be a fun conversation starter and trust me, everyone will be requesting it for the next party too!

🧂 Ingredients

Butter: A classic ingredient in buffalo sauce. I recommend unsalted butter for better control of the seasoning.
Shallot, garlic, and green onion: Key flavor components to help enhance the savory flavors of the dip. Feel free to substitute with onion, chives, or your favorite herbs.
Celery: Sneak in some extra nutrients while providing a nice crunch.
Tuna: I used canned tuna for affordability and convenience. I recommend using either light or unsalted versions, and MSC certified brands for sustainability. Feel free to use freshly cooked tuna if you prefer!
Buffalo sauce: Any brand of buffalo sauce will give this dip its iconic tangy buffalo flavor. My favorite is but Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce is also a popular choice.
Cream cheese: This gives the dish extra bulk and contributes to its irresistibly creamy consistency. Use full-fat for the best consistency and flavor.
Ranch dressing: Adds extra depth and tang to the dip. It also helps to thin out the dip a little to make it spreadable.
Shredded cheese: You can use any type of cheese you'd like. I prefer half mozzarella, half cheddar. Mozzarella is mild and milky, which helps to make Buffalo Tuna Dip extra creamy. Cheddar cheese adds bold flavor and vibrant color - I recommend sharp cheddar for even more flavor. You could also use Colby Jack, Mexican blend, or even blue cheese crumbles.

Substitutions & Variations

No cream cheese on hand? Substitute it for half sour cream and half mayonnaise instead. It yields the same tangy flavor and smooth texture we want to achieve.
Skip the ranch dressing, and mix powdered ranch seasoning with 1-2 tablespoons of milk instead. Or, use a blue cheese dressing instead!
Not a fan of tuna? Swap it out with canned salmon or chicken for a classic buffalo chicken dip instead.
Give this Buffalo Tuna Dip a smoky element by adding in 1-2 drops of liquid smoke. Just be sure not to add too much as a little goes a long way!
Kick up the heat. Feel free to include finely chopped jalapeños, a dash of extra hot sauce, or more buffalo sauce if you'd like it spicy.
Take the buffalo flavor to the next level by using Buffalo Tuna packets.

👩🏻‍🍳 How To Make Buffalo Tuna Dip

⬇️ Please scroll down to the recipe card to see full ingredient amounts and instructions.

Sweating shallots, celery, and garlic in butter.

STEP ONE: First, melt butter in your small skillet or pot. I'm using a classic 10¼-inch cast iron but an 8-inch would work even better. Then add the minced shallot and celery, along with a pinch of salt.

Cook until they start to get translucent, about 1-2 minutes, before stirring in garlic for 30 seconds.

Mixing in tuna, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, ranch, and cheese.

STEP TWO: Next, add buffalo sauce and drained canned tuna. Cook for a full minute, constantly stirring, to allow tuna to absorb some of the buffalo sauce and flavor.

STEP THREE: Turn heat down to low and add cream cheese, ranch, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until cheese is completely melted and incorporated. If you'd like a thinner dip, add more buffalo sauce, ranch, or milk until you reach your desired consistency. Season to taste.

Transfer to serving bowl and top with green onion. Buffalo Tuna Dip is best served warm or room temperature.

A cast iron skillet of Buffalo Tuna Dip with chips in it, surrounded by celery sticks and more chips.

💭 Top Tips

Turn the heat down to low when adding cheese. High heat can cause the cheese to break (separate), which will make the dip oily. Simply let the residual heat melt the cheese.
Serve this Buffalo Tuna Dip with celery, carrots, crackers, chips, bell peppers, or tortilla chips for easy dipping.
If serving a crowd, you can keep this buffalo style tuna dip warm for long periods of time in a slow cooker, Crockpot, or cast iron skillet. Just be sure to set slow cookers on the lowest heat so that it does not dry out. And if the skillet it hot, put a towel or silicone holder on the handle for guests.
Repurpose leftovers into brand-new meals so nothing goes to waste! Use them to make delicious wraps, Buffalo Tuna melts, sandwiches, or quesadillas. Or, for a lighter option, use the leftover dip to top off your favorite salad!
To make Buffalo Tuna Dip in the slower cooker, add all the ingredients and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours. I recommend stirring the dip every 30 minutes or so to make sure all of the ingredients combine completely and do not burn.

🥡 Storing & Freezing

Storing: Let leftovers cool completely and transfer to an air-tight container. This Buffalo Tuna Dip will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: I do not recommend freezing cream cheese-based dips. The texture will change and cause the dip to separate, resulting in an unpleasant, grainy texture.

Reheating: Enjoy leftovers cold or slightly warmed up. You can easily reheat the dip by warming it in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring in between. Alternatively, add it to a small pot over medium heat on the stove and heat until your desired temperature is reached, stirring often.

Make Ahead: This Buffalo Tuna Dip is so easy and simple to make, I recommend preparing it fresh. However, if you want to prep in advance, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days!

📖 Recipe FAQs

Does Buffalo Tuna Dip taste like buffalo chicken dip?

Yes, these two dips taste almost identical in flavor! Tuna dip just has a very subtle seafood, briny flavor that makes it more irresistible !

Is this dip greasy?

Canned tuna is not considered an oily protein. So, if you find your dip is a bit oily, it’s likely because the ingredients are not fully combined. Simply give them a good stir, and your dip should be good as new!

Is buffalo sauce the same as hot sauce?

Commonly confused with one another, buffalo sauce and hot sauce are not the same things. Hot sauce is a spicy blend of cayenne pepper, vinegar, and salt. Meanwhile, buffalo sauce is enhanced with the addition of butter and other ingredients for a thicker, creamier sauce that still contains plenty of spice.