Matthew McConaughey's Tuna Salad is Outrageous in the Best Possible Way
As a millennial, there are few Hollywood heartthrobs as near and dear to me as Matthew McConaughey. I caught my first glimpse of him in the 2001 rom com, The Wedding Planner, and continued to swoon as the years passed (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, anyone?). However, these days Mr. McConaughey is catching my eye for a completely different reason: his cooking.
McConaughey is no stranger to the kitchen. He's gone viral for his genius addition to his burger patties and his simple, highly-customizable chicken salad, but I think I can safely say those two recipes have nothing on his tuna salad. Originally shared in 2024 on the podcast Two Bears, One Cave the recipe quickly took off and has been making the rounds online ever since.
Now that it's summer—and peak no-cook meal season—we're here to remind you that McConaughey's tuna salad isn't just a flash in the pan. It's easy, satisfying, endlessly adaptable, and absolutely worth making (again).
Related:
What Makes Matthew McConaughey's Tuna Salad So Special?
Like the man himself, McConaughey's tuna salad recipe is quirky, but there's absolutely no denying that it's the total package. His tuna salad features the usual ingredients, like red onion, mayonnaise and lemon juice, but it also features so much more.
Among the most unexpected additions to McConaughey's tuna salad are wasabi paste, green apples and crispy jalapeños chips. If that trio of ingredients didn't send you running for the hills, I'd like to ask that you lay any (completely reasonable) skepticism to the side.
But wait, there's more. The recipe also includes agave syrup, fresh corn, frozen peas, white wine vinegar and Italian dressing. It's easy to write it off as excessive, but each and every ingredient plays its role in this recipe. The end result is a flavor-packed textural extravaganza. The crunch from the jalapeño chips and green apple? Pure. Genius. The touch of heat from the wasabi paste? Brilliance.
Related:
😋😋🍳🍔
How to Make Matthew McConaughey's Tuna Salad
While he provided no formally written recipe, you can find McConaughey's Tuna Salad on various blogs and websites online. Here, though, is the gist of how to make it:
First, finely chop the red onion and dill pickles and roughly chop the green apple. Next, drain your cans of tuna.
In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, vinegar, wasabi paste, lemon juice and Italian dressing. Stir until everything is well combined and then add in the onion, pickles, jalapeño chips, corn, peas and green apple.
Finally, fold in the tuna. Make sure you stir long enough to really mix everything together. You can either serve the salad immediately or pop it in the refrigerator until you're ready to dig in.
Related:
Tips for Making Matthew McConaughey's Tuna Salad
Measure with your heart.
McConaughey didn't provide any specific measurements on the podcast, so this recipe is yours to customize. Feel free to go with your heart's desires here. After all, it's pretty clear there are no rules for this recipe.
Take it easy with the acidic ingredients.
On the Two Bears, One Cave podcast, McConaughey warns not to overdo it on the lemon juice and white wine vinegar. The agave syrup will balance out the tartness, but a bit of caution is recommended when adding the acidic elements.
Go for tuna canned in oil.
Tuna that's been canned in oil is more flavorful and has a better texture than tuna packed in water. It's worth splurging on a nice tuna for a special recipe like this.
This salad was made to be sandwich-ified.
This tuna salad screams out to be used in a sandwich. It's the ultimate tuna salad for a tuna melt. Grab two slices of thick crusty bread, some cheddar cheese and you're good to go.Matthew McConaughey's Tuna Salad is Outrageous in the Best Possible Way first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Budget-friendly spin on classic summer treat goes viral: ‘Road trip luxury'
A budget-friendly recipe is going viral for channeling an Italian delicacy with just two ingredients that can be found at most roadside rest stops: coffee and an ice-cream sandwich. 'It's July and you know what that means: It's gas station affogato season,' New York-based travel expert and television host Samantha Brown recently posted on social media. Advertisement An affogato, which means 'drowned' in English, is typically served with fresh espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. But Brown, host of the PBS show 'Places to Love,' was forced to improvise while on a recent road trip stateside. 'You're seeing everyone in Italy, Positano, the Amalfi Coast, but you're at a Gulf station off the [Massachusetts Turnpike],' she said. To make the experience 'fancy,' she grabbed a cup of black coffee and an ice-cream sandwich from the gas station. With her ingredients resting on top of an air pump, Brown dunks the frozen treat into the cup and takes a big bite. Advertisement 'Delicious,' the mom of two exclaims. 'Back in the car,' she adds. 3 To make the experience 'fancy,' she grabbed a cup of black coffee and an ice-cream sandwich from the gas station. TikTok/@samanthabrowntravels The dessert 'blends a high-brow treat with the realities of an American road trip,' Brown said on Instagram and TikTok, where her videos had gotten over 3.1 million views and counting. Advertisement Many followers commented that they loved the relatable tip. 'A little road trip luxury,' one woman said on Instagram. 'Got to love that!' Advertisement 3 An affogato, which means 'drowned' in English, is typically served with fresh espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. kapongza – 'Road trip across Ohio and Pennsylvania coming up,' another woman wrote. 'I need to try that!! And dream of the Amalfi Coast.' 'As someone who's crushed I couldn't go to Italy this summer, this is priceless,' a TikToker commented. Brown said she prefers to enjoy the snack with the most basic ice-cream sandwich: the kind wrapped in paper. 3 'As someone who's crushed I couldn't go to Italy this summer, this is priceless,' a TikToker commented. TikTok/@samanthabrowntravels 'I don't use a Klondike bar or a Chipwich,' she told 'It's the quintessential ice-cream sandwich.' The idea came to Brown while on a road trip years ago with her two young children. She had a hankering for coffee-flavored ice cream, but there was none to be found. Advertisement 'So I was like, 'Wait a minute, why don't I make my own?'' she said. 'Desperate times called for desperate measures.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Elvis Presley's Final Moments With Linda Thompson Revealed
Elvis Presley's Final Moments With Linda Thompson Revealed originally appeared on Parade. Elvis Presley's longtime girlfriend, Linda Thompson, shared a heartfelt video reflecting on the last time she saw the King of Rock and Roll alive. She recalled the deep bond they shared while also revealing how he 'lied through his teeth' during a pivotal moment in their relationship. Despite her heartbreak, Thompson's words offered a glimpse into the love and complexity that defined their long union. The Grammy-nominated lyricist reposted a TikTok video clip to Instagram, where she spoke of the last time she saw the King of Rock and Roll alive. She shared his last words to her in November 1976. "The last time I saw Elvis alive, he was playing the Cow Palace in San Francisco," she began. During the trip, the entertainer asked Thompson if she wanted to return to Memphis to visit her family, saying he brought his private plane for her to fly back home. "I responded, 'Really? You brought the plane in just for me? Are you sure you didn't bring in another girl from Memphis?'" she questioned. Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 He responded, "'No honey. You know I wouldn't do that.' I remember looking into his gorgeous blue eyes and he was so sincere and just lying through his teeth." It was shortly after that conversation that Thompson decided she would leave her life with Presley at Graceland behind. She admitted that Presley was likely "shocked and hurt" at her departure, but ultimately, she believes he understood. She shared further details in the post's caption. "I was just telling this story last night at dinner to a couple of friends and co-writers from Nashville! Elvis finished by saying, 'And no matter what you may hear or read, I love you and I don't love anybody else.'" She continued, "He even had tears in his eyes as he professed that love. There was, however, another girl in a holding pattern on the floor below in our hotel, waiting to get the OK to come up. Elvis was not monogamous in any of his relationships." Shortly after Thompson left Graceland for good, Presley began a relationship with Ginger Alden. In January 1977, he and Alden became engaged after two months of dating. Elvis Presley died in August 1977. He was 42. Elvis Presley's Final Moments With Linda Thompson Revealed first appeared on Parade on Jul 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rarely Seen ‘90s Iconic 'It Girl' Looks Unrecognizable in Recent Interview
Rarely Seen '90s Iconic 'It Girl' Looks Unrecognizable in Recent Interview originally appeared on Parade. After staying largely out of the public eye, Tara Reid made a stunning return to the red carpet, and fans couldn't be more thrilled to see the beloved actress back where she belongs. The 49-year-old star appeared at the screening to promote her latest project – marking not only her return to acting but her debut as a producer. Reid, who became the ultimate '90s "It Girl" through her iconic roles in and later the franchise, looked radiant as she opened up about her most challenging role yet. The Wyckoff, New Jersey native was refreshingly honest about the intense emotional journey the film required, admitting it took her six months to recover from the demanding performance. Speaking about her preparation process, Reid revealed the profound impact of the role: "This movie was the hardest I've ever done in my life. It actually took me at least six months to kind of get back together again. It's the darkest I ever had to go to, you know?" Her vulnerability and honesty during the interview struck a chord with fans, who flooded social media with supportive messages. Comments ranged from former classmates sharing memories of her kindness to fans celebrating her beauty and resilience. Many emphasized how wonderful it was to see her back in the spotlight, with one fan writing, "Glad you're back girl, you're so beautiful." 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 What makes Reid's return particularly meaningful is her evolution from actress to producer. Taking on both roles in "Dr. Quarantine" represents a significant career milestone, showcasing her growth and determination in an industry that can be notoriously challenging for women. The actress has always been known for her genuine, down-to-earth personality, and that authenticity shone through during her interview. Her willingness to discuss the emotional toll of demanding roles demonstrates the depth and commitment she brings to her fans who grew up watching Reid light up screens in the late '90s and early 2000s, seeing her return to red carpets feels like welcoming back an old friend. Her appearance serves as a beautiful reminder that some stars never lose their sparkle – they just choose when to shine. Rarely Seen '90s Iconic 'It Girl' Looks Unrecognizable in Recent Interview first appeared on Parade on Jul 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.