Tuna Salad

5 from 3 votes
3 Comments

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Tuna Salad is a quick and easy lunch or snack that is high in protein and flavor! Make up a batch and eat it with crackers or on a sandwich.

A bowl of tuna salad topped with a lemon slice.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Tuna Salad
  2. Mix-ins and Variations
  3. How to Eat Tuna Salad
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. More Recipes Like This
  6. How to Make Tuna Salad
  7. Tuna Salad Recipe

This classic Tuna Salad recipe is a great dish to have on hand for a quick lunch, snack, or light dinner. The ingredients are budget-friendly, it is high in protein, and it tastes delicious!

Ingredients in Tuna Salad

  • Tuna – for a more subtle tuna taste and a drier texture, use water-packed tuna. For a softer texture and a stronger tuna taste, use oil-packed tuna.
  • Shallot – shallots have a lighter flavor than white or red onions. Perfect for this tuna salad.
  • Celery – celery adds good taste and a great crunch.
  • Sweet Relish – you can also use finely diced dill pickles or sweet pickles.
  • Mayonnaise – We like Best Foods or Hellmann’s mayo.
  • Lemon Juice – fresh lemon juice tastes the best, but you can also use bottled.
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
  • Fresh Herbs like parsley or dill for garnish
Tuna, celery, shallots, relish, lemons, and mayo all in small bowls.


Mix-ins and Variations

  • Use Greek yogurt or mashed avocado instead of mayonnaise for a more healthy tuna salad recipe.
  • Not a tuna fan? Substitute canned chicken instead for a chicken salad or canned salmon for a salmon salad.
  • Add a teaspoon of dijon mustard for more flavor.
  • Mix in chopped hard-boiled egg for more protein.
  • Mix in diced apples, dried cranberries, raisins, or halved grapes.
  • Add diced cucumber, bell pepper, or shredded cabbage.
  • Add spices like dill, curry powder, or cayenne pepper for a flavor twist.
Tuna salad scooped onto crackers.

How to Eat Tuna Salad

  • Eat it like a dip with crackers or celery sticks.
  • Add it to pita bread with tomato slices and lettuce leaves for a tuna pita.
  • Eat it on toast.
  • Eat it right out of the bowl with a fork.
  • For a low-carb option, eat it in a lettuce wrap.
  • Add pasta to make a tuna pasta salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use in tuna salad instead of mayo?

While mayonnaise is the classic tuna salad mix-in, there are other options. You can use plain Greek yogurt or blended cottage cheese. Mash up an avocado and mix it in for a fiber filled option. You can also opt for a lighter option with just some olive oil and lemon juice.

What are healthy options to eat tuna salad with?

Eat it with whole grain seed crackers, whole wheat bread, or in a lettuce cup. Wrap it up in a low-carb or whole wheat tortilla. You can also eat it right out of the bowl with a fork.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover tuna salad in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy within a few days of making. We always consult this guide from the FDA for keeping leftovers.

Read Next: 35+ Easy Lunch Ideas (Quick, Easy & Healthy)

More Recipes Like This

How to Make Tuna Salad

Tuna salad in a white bowl with celery and crackers.

Tuna Salad

5 from 3 votes
Tuna Salad is a quick and easy lunch or snack that is high in protein and flavor! Make up a batch and eat it with crackers or on a sandwich. 
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 20 ounces canned tuna drained well
  • 1 small shallot
  • 3 ribs celery
  • 2 Tablespoons sweet relish
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • juice of ½ a lemon

Instructions

  • Peel and dice the shallot and dice the celery.
    Tuna salad ingredients.
  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.
    Tuna salad in a white bowl.
  • Serve with crackers or on a sandwich.
    Tuna salad on a cracker.

Notes

  • Make sure to drain any excess liquid from the canned tuna. 
  • Use greek yogurt or mashed avocado instead of mayo for a lighter tuna salad.
  • ¼ of a red onion can be used in place of a shallot. 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 288kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 19gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 829mgPotassium: 241mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 224IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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5 from 3 votes

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love having this tuna salad for lunch! It is so good and filling. I can’t get enough of it. I also sometimes like it with toasted bread. Highly recommended!