Tuna Salad
Tuna salad is a light and fresh comfort food classic. Made with a few simple ingredients such as canned tuna, mayonnaise, onion and celery, it’s the perfect combination of creamy and crispy. Serve this in a sandwich, wrap it in lettuce, or stuff it in avocado halves for a healthy, throw-together lunch.
You really can’t beat a classic tuna salad. As a kid, this recipe was often packed by my mom for school lunches. And as an adult, I often eat it wrapped in lettuce, sandwiched between gluten-free bread or served alongside my flaxseed crackers. I also love tuna stuffed avocados for a tasty, low carb lunch – it’s the best.
It’s incredibly easy to make with canned tuna and a few pantry staples – hooray for simple recipes! So if you’re ever stuck in a lunch rut, having this basic recipe up your sleeve will definitely come in handy.
Tuna Salad Ingredients
All you need for this recipe are a few essential ingredients.
- Canned Tuna: I prefer wild tuna in cans with water, but any variety works.
- Mayonnaise: This is your creamy binder. You can use store-bought or make mayonnaise at home – it’s easy!
- Celery: For that fresh crunch with every bite.
- Red Onion: Finely diced red onion always provides the perfect savory balance.
- Parsley: A few tablespoons of fresh herbs really make this tuna salad recipe the best.
- Dijon Mustard: 1/2 tablespoon
- Salt and Pepper: to taste
How To Make Tuna Salad
To get started, you’ll need to drain your tuna. After cutting the lid with a can opener, press the lid against the tuna and tilt the can to drain all the liquid out over a sink. Remove the lid and place the tuna in a medium sized bowl.
Then, add the mayonnaise, celery, red onion, parsley, and dijon mustard to the bowl. Use a fork to mix everything together, while breaking up any large pieces of tuna. Season with salt and pepper to taste – and that’s it!
Tuna Salad Variations
Not a fan of mayonnaise or want a bolder flavor? Here’s a few suggestions to add some depth to this recipe.
- Replace mayonnaise with regular or greek yogurt for a lighter, creamier option.
- Use mashed up avocado if you want to exclude the mayonnaise.
- Add broccoli rice and turn it into a broccoli tuna salad.
- Add dried fruits such as raisins, or freshly diced apples.
- Make it extra crunchy by tossing in diced up cucumbers or shredded cabbage.
- Spice it up with some curry powder, other spice mixes, or chopped herbs.
- Squeeze lemon juice as you’re mixing for a brighter flavor.
What Goes With Tuna Salad?
While this recipe is great on its own, there’s so many creative ways to serve it.
- Sandwich: Make it into a sandwich along with a layer of lettuce and tomatoes.
- Wrap: Turn it into a wrap with my cassava flour tortillas.
- Lettuce Wrap: Use butter lettuce leaves for a lighter, low-carb option.
- Stuffed Avocado or Tomato: Stuff it into avocado or tomato halves.
- Dip: Serve it with crackers or chips.
How Long Does Tuna Salad Last?
Tuna salad tastes the best when it’s eaten fresh, but it can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Because this has fish and mayonnaise in it, don’t leave it sitting on the countertop for too long in room temperature.
If you want to freeze this, the answer is yes! Just place the salad in a freezer safe container and store for up to 2 months. Just note that after you’ve thawed it in the fridge, drain out the excess liquid once more. Then, give it a good mix before eating.
Tuna Salad Recipe Video
While this recipe is easy to make it always helps to watch a quick video (and learn a few tips). Give it a watch below!
More Easy Salad Recipes
- Chicken Salad (best ever!)
- Egg Salad
- Smoked Salmon, Avocado, And Arugula Salad
- Classic Potato Salad
- Lentil Salad With Cucumber
- Broccoli Salad
- Greek Salad
BEST Tuna Salad Recipe - Easy & Healthy
Ingredients
- 2 5-ounce cans of tuna
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 stalk of celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped parsley, chives and/or other herbs
- 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Drain the liquid from the tuna cans. Then, add the tuna, mayonnaise, diced celery, diced red onion, herbs, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper to a mixing bowl.
- Stir all of the ingredients together until well combined.
- Enjoy the tuna salad plain out of a bowl, wrapped up in lettuce, or in a sandwich.
Lisa's Tips
- If you'd like a creamier texture you can always add more mayonnaise.
- My favorite tuna is albacore tuna and I always purchase Wild Planet brand.
The best tuna salad I’ve had!
So glad you loved this one Dlanie!
Your tuna salad does deserve the name “BEST Tuna Salad Recipe.” The tuna brand recommendation and the lower amount of mayonnaise were on point. In a daring move, I added fresh tarragon :-))
Happy to hear you loved this tuna salad recipe Marian! The tarragon really does make a difference.
I was never fun of tuna and in Argentina we usually eat it with rice.
Love the combination of flavors. Now I have a simple and healthy way to eat tuna. Thanks
Glad you loved this one Cuky!
Looks delicious! In your opinion, how long would leftovers last in the fridge? Thanks!
This will last for about 3-4 days in the fridge.
I made the recipe,I used Miracle Whip instead of Mayo.Used green onions instead of red onions. It was still great. Thanks for the recipe.
Glad this recipe was a success Norma! :)
Ok, all these salads are SOOO amazing. They made me actually love eating salads, and excited to make them!!!!!!!
Happy to hear that Bella! ;)
How big is knee serving size? Thanks!
Hi Megan – I would say between 1/3 or 1/2 cup.
By far the best tuna salad recipe! So happy I found it!! I normally don’t make tuna sandwiches often, but I’ve made this 4x in 1 month. It really is delish!! Thank you so much.
Happy to hear you loved this tuna salad Karen! :)
Ur Recipe Is Excellent !!
It Is Almost Identical To The One I Used @ 42nd Street
But We Also Added Some Capers And A Drizzle Of White Wine
Give It A Try…. It Is To Die For Too…..
What’s the point in sharing a recipe when you don’t indicate how much of each ingredient to use…
Hi there – The ingredients and full instructions will always be listed out towards the bottom of the page in the recipe card.
There are millions recepies for tuna salad.
But THIS IS THE BEST one! It is my favourite!
Hi Suzana – I’m thrilled that you love this tuna salad recipe! Sometimes it’s just those little tweaks that make it the best. Enjoy!