As summer hits, tuna salad is back in the dinner rotation as a cool and creamy addition. It’s the kind of dish you can throw together in minutes and still impress with. Whether layered between slices of soft bread, piled onto crackers, or eaten straight from the bowl with a fork, tuna salad is a timeless staple.

Now, a small but surprising addition is giving the classic a fresh twist. In a recent feature from Simply Recipes, a home cook shares her discovery of how just one tablespoon of this sweet, vibrant red pepper can completely transform an ordinary tuna salad.

Known for its mild, slightly tangy flavour and eye-catching colour, jarred pimento adds both visual appeal and a subtle sweetness that brightens the entire dish.

“Pimento is known for its little pop of sweetness and stunning bright red colour,” she wrote. “I felt it would make a fantastic addition to my usual tuna salad recipe.”

Curiosity got the better of her one afternoon, and with her daughter watching on, she scooped a spoonful of chopped, jarred pimento from the fridge and stirred it into a bowl of tuna, mayo, and dill pickle.

The result was a hit. “We both tried it and agreed it was a delicious modification,” she said.

Start by stirring together mayonnaise, chopped dill pickle, and a spoonful of drained jarred pimento in a mixing bowl.

Then, after draining a can of tuna, flake it into the mixture and gently combine until everything is evenly coated.

A sprinkle of black pepper finishes the dish, which can be enjoyed immediately or, even better, after a night in the fridge.

In fact, the cook recommends making it a day ahead. Like many chilled salads, this version improves after resting overnight, giving the flavours time to meld. The next day, a quick stir is all it takes before serving it on toast, crackers, or crisp lettuce leaves.

This sweet and savoury upgrade is also easy to scale up, which is helpful because, as the author notes, once people taste it, they’ll want their own serving. And while pimento provides a standout twist, the possibilities for customisation are endless.

A splash of lemon juice can add brightness, a pinch of garlic powder brings depth, and a dash of hot sauce lends a gentle kick. The recipe welcomes experimentation, making it a perfect base for whatever you have on hand or feel inspired to try.