How Matthew McConaughey Brings The Heat To Tuna Salad

Known for his iconic roles in classics including "Dallas Buyers Club" and "Interstellar," Matthew McConaughey has become a household name and face. Whether you are a devoted McConaughey fan or a curious foodie, this celebrity's take on tuna salad, which he shared on the "2 Bears, 1 Cave" podcast, is well worth learning more about. Known to many as his "badass tuna salad," McConaughey's adaptation of this iconic and versatile dish features a long list of ingredients: mayo, lemon, vinegar, wasabi, agave nectar, dill gherkins, crispy jalapeño chips, apple, red onion, frozen green peas, and corn.

These seemingly miscellaneous ingredients might seem like McConaughey simply grabbed random fresh foods and condiments from his kitchen and threw them all in a bowl, but they actually come together to form a culinary experience almost as surprising as the actual flavor of circus peanuts. Just be sure to have a glass of water at hand if you want to try out McConaughey's flavorful ingredient combinations yourself, since one flavor stands miles apart from the others: spiciness.

Wasabi in tuna salad is a hot take, literally. While the heat of peppers is usually generated by a chemical known as capsaicin, the real kicker in wasabi is a chemical known as allyl isothiocyanate. This small but mighty chemical is the reason why wasabi sends its heat through your mouth and up your nasal passages.

If you follow in McConaughey's footsteps and add some crispy jalapeño chips to the mix, then you will be hit with a one-two punch of spice in your tuna salad. Still, there is no need to be intimidated by the inclusion of jalapeño, as it is mild compared to the hottest pepper in the world. The fried jalapeños also contribute the perfect crunch when added just before serving.

While the spiciness these ingredients add might seem intimidating, it is perfectly balanced by the sweeter additions to McConaughey's tuna salad, such as agave, as well as other stand-out flavors, such as that of the pickles, a common ingredient for upgrading tuna salads. The spice easily draws the attention of your taste buds without overwhelming your entire palette.