Broccoli Tuna Salad
Broccoli tuna salad is a fresh variation of a lunchtime favorite. It’s a simple blend of tuna, broccoli rice, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, green onions, and sunflower seeds. It’s a great way to sneak more greens into your tuna salad!
While a classic tuna salad is great, this version might be even better. It’s undeniably delicious, filled with crispy and creamy textures, along with bright flavors. It’s easy to make, and most importantly 100% pantry-friendly – just like a tuna salad should be.
But the best part? It’s got sneaky broccoli inside! You’ve seen me do this before, sneaking greens like spinach into tuna meatballs, or my chicken and rice, and of course I loaded greens into my green shakshuka. And because the broccoli rice is so small, most won’t even know it’s there! That makes it perfect for the kiddos.
Broccoli Tuna Salad Ingredients
Thanks to easy pantry staples, this tuna salad is a speedy recipe to make.
- Canned Tuna: I love to use wild albacore tuna in water, but the choice is yours.
- Broccoli Rice: The small size of broccoli rice is perfect for “hiding” in this recipe.
- Mayonnaise: While you can use a store-bought version, my homemade mayonnaise is super easy to whip up with an immersion blender.
- Dijon Mustard: A hint of spice complements the mayonnaise and tuna well.
- Green Onion: Adds a crisp and refreshing flavor.
- Sunflower Seeds: For little bits of crunchiness in every bite.
- Herbs: I’m using chopped parsley, but feel free to use whichever herbs you like.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below
Let’s Make A Broccoli Tuna Salad
- Make the broccoli rice. Place broccoli florets into a food processor and pulse until it becomes grainy like rice.
- Mix it all together. In a large bowl, stir together the canned tuna, mayonnaise, green onion, sunflower seeds, herbs, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of broccoli rice.
- Enjoy in various ways! While you can eat the salad straight out of the bowl, see below for more ways to enjoy it.
Ways To Serve Tuna Salad
Sometimes I like to eat it straight out of the bowl with a spoon when I’m in a hurry. But if you have a few extra minutes to spare, here’s a few creative ideas!
- Add to a grain bowl. Layer a large spoonful of tuna salad onto a bed of quinoa and leafy greens. Then add some avocado slices and sliced red onions.
- Wrap it up. Use large butter lettuce leaves or my cassava flour tortillas.
- Make it a sandwich. Layer it in between sliced bread with spinach, sprouts, and cucumber slices.
- Serve as an appetizer or snack. Slab it onto seed crackers for a quick and easy bite.
The Perfect Make-Ahead Recipe
The great thing about tuna salad is that it can last for 3-4 days in the fridge. Which makes it a wonderful meal prep option. Just make sure to not let it sit at room temperature for too long since it has fish and mayonnaise in it.
If You Have Leftover Broccoli Rice…
Don’t toss it away! With how light and mild it is, you can add it to just about any meal for an extra dose of greens.
- Make a macro bowl with your choice of protein and roasted vegetables.
- Toss into fried rice with diced up carrots, peas, green onions, and eggs.
- Add more greens to your breakfast by sprinkling some into your breakfast egg muffin mixture or breakfast casserole.
- Freeze it for later and store in Stasher Bags for up to 3 months.
More Easy Salad Recipes
Here are a few of my favorite salads recipes, which I know you’ll love! And if you need more inspiration, check out my official list of 40+ easy and healthy salad recipes.
If you make this recipe, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.
Broccoli Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- 2 5-ounce cans tuna, drained
- 1 cup broccoli rice
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped parsley, chives or other herbs
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Remove the florets from a head of broccoli, place in a food processor, and pulse until the texture resembles rice.
- Add the drained canned tuna, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, broccoli rice, sunflower seeds, green onion, and chopped parsley to a bowl.
- Stir everything together until it's well combined.
- Enjoy the broccoli tuna salad straight out of the bowl, turned into a sandwich, or wrapped in lettuce leaves.
Nutrition
Is it possible to use steamed broccoli instead of fresh one?
Hi Mariana – yes, that will work.
This is so delicious!! Definitely a “keeper” for my recipe collection! Thanks you sharing this.
Glad you loved this recipe!
This is so perfect for lunch! Love how quick it comes together and that I can enjoy it on sandwiches or with some crackers.
Absolutely! It’s such a versatile recipe to use.
Making a lettuce wrap from this salad sounds like the perfect healthy lunch. Thanks for sharing.
Of course! Wrapping it in lettuce is one of my favorite ways to eat this as well :)
This recipe is perfect for me. I just started working on the keto diet and now I can indulge in this. Yummo!
This is a great option for keto, and filled with easy and delicious flavors :)
Looks great! Can’t wait to try this one.
Hope you enjoy Katie!
I love tuna salad! I can eat this for lunch every day! Yum!
It’s the perfect meal for lunch – and easy to make!