Matthew McConaughey might be known for his iconic roles in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Dallas Buyers Club and True Detective. But recently, it’s his culinary skills that have people talking. On a recent episode of the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast, McConaughey revealed his unconventional tuna salad recipe, and the internet can’t decide whether it’s genius or unhinged. With wasabi, apple and even green peas, the salad is anything but ordinary—and the reactions are just as wild. But even if you’re hesitant to say “alright, alright, alright” to his version, McConaughey and the internet says it’s worth trying. Here’s how to make Matthew McConaughey’s tuna salad.
How McConaughey’s tuna salad took over TikTok
The buzz began when McConaughey casually mentioned his tuna-making prowess during the November 11 podcast episode to hosts Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer. While on the topic of Asian condiments, the actor declared, “I’ve been using wasabi pretty liberally lately, to mix up even with tuna fish salad; I’m a tuna fish salad master.” He then went on to describe his fridge-clearing Sunday ritual of whipping up a batch that lasts him the week. McConaughey’s description of the ingredients—wasabi mayo, crispy jalapeño chips, apple and even corn—immediately caught listeners’ attention.
Soon after, Darlene Schrijver of The Salad Lab (@thesaladlab), known for creating viral salad recipes like the Jennifer Aniston Salad, posted a video of McConaughey’s recipe. The clip quickly gained over 20 millions of views on TikTok and Instagram combined, sparking equal parts admiration and confusion. One commenter proclaimed, “This recipe is UNHINGED. I can’t wait to try it!” while another joked, “The apple is DIABOLICAL.” Clearly, McConaughey’s salad was destined for internet fame.
@thesaladlab Matthew McConaughey Style Tuna Salad with mayonnaise lemon juice vinegar, wasabi, red onions, gherkins, corn, peas and a little agave #MatthewMcConaughey #tunasalad #mealprep #yum #thesaladlabofficial #matthewmcconaugheytunasalad @MatthewMcConaughey
What’s in Matthew McConaughey’s tuna salad?
For those curious (or brave enough) to try it, here’s a rundown of the key ingredients in McConaughey’s tuna salad:
- Base: Good-quality tuna, mayo, wasabi paste, lemon juice, white wine vinegar and Italian dressing.
- Mix-ins: Red onion, dill pickles, crispy jalapeño chips, apple, corn, green peas and a touch of agave syrup for balance.
- Serving suggestion: Pair with ketchup-topped pickles for dipping, as McConaughey recommends.
It’s worth noting the Oscar-winning actor swears by refrigerating the salad overnight to let the flavors “coagulate.” Apparently, patience is key to achieving “a home run” with this recipe.
How to make Matthew McConaughey’s tuna salad recipe
If you’re ready to channel your inner Texan like McConaughey, here’s a copycat version from Allrecipes based on his podcast description:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup mayonnaise, plus more as desired
- 2 tsp. white wine vinegar
- 1 Tbs. lemon juice
- 2 tsp. wasabi paste
- 2 tsp. Italian dressing
- 3 Tbs. finely chopped red onion
- 3 Tbs. finely chopped dill pickles
- ⅓ cup crispy jalapeño chips
- ¼ cup chopped apple
- ½ cup fresh corn kernels
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 10 oz. tuna packed in olive oil, drained
Directions:
- Whisk together mayo, vinegar, lemon juice, wasabi and Italian dressing.
- Add finely chopped red onion, pickles, jalapeño chips, apple, corn and peas. Stir until well combined.
- Gently fold in drained tuna, adding more mayo if needed.
- Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight for the best flavor.
- Serve with extra pickles (and ketchup, if you dare).
What fans are saying about McConaughey’s recipe
Social media users have been divided on the salad’s merits. Some balked at the green peas and apple, and many criticized the omission of classic tuna salad ingredients like celery or hard boiled eggs. Nonetheless, others were pleasantly surprised. One TikTok user commented, “Listen, I’d devour this!” Meanwhile, another confessed, “Made this it’s excellent!!”
A reviewer from TODAY agreed, praising the salad’s bold flavors and crunchy texture while admitting they’d skip the peas next time. Regardless of personal tweaks, most reviewers agreed the recipe’s balance of sweetness, spice and tang makes it memorable.
Whether you’re a tuna salad purist or love experimenting with bold flavors, McConaughey’s creation offers something for everyone. It’s part culinary adventure, part homage to the actor’s charmingly eccentric personality—and a recipe you’ll be talking about long after the last bite. So, would you try it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
