Tuna salad is the perfect meal when you’re craving something light, fresh, and healthy. Made with simple ingredients like canned tuna, mayonnaise, onion, celery, and fresh herbs, it comes together effortlessly. Enjoy it in a sandwich, wrapped in lettuce leaves, and more!
Why You’ll Love This Tuna Salad
Fast and easy salads have always been a staple in my meal prep routine. And I’m not talking about leafy green salads that wilt quickly. Instead, I’m referring to hearty, durable, and delicious options like chicken salad, shrimp salad, salmon salad, egg salad, and my personal favorite—this tuna salad. Not only does it come together in 15 minutes, but it’s also:
- A high-protein meal. Since tuna is low in fat and calories, it’s pretty much pure protein. One can is about 26 grams of protein!
- Great for meal prep. It will last 3 to 4 days in the fridge, which makes it great for a delicious lunch (especially for kids) or a light and fresh dinner that can be served in many ways.
- Endlessly customizable. While this classic version is delicious as is, you can get creative and make it your own, whether that’s creamier, chunkier, or spiced up. More on that below!
Tuna Salad Ingredients
- Canned Tuna: My favorite canned tuna is Wild Planet wild albacore tuna packed in water. I’ll link it in the recipe card below! For more info on why this is my go-to, check out the next section.
- Mayonnaise: Use your favorite brand or better yet, try making my homemade mayonnaise for the freshest flavor and texture. You can also use Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Dijon Mustard: This ingredient might not appear in every tuna salad recipe, but it’s a game-changer. It adds a sharp, tangy contrast to the lighter flavors, making it a must-have in my book!
- Celery and Red Onion: These add a fresh, crunchy texture to every bite.
- Parsley: Fresh herbs like parsley pair beautifully with seafood, especially tuna, adding a burst of freshness.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
Best Tuna To Buy
For tuna salad, I recommend wild albacore packed in water. Albacore has a light, mild flavor that’s less strong or fishy compared to other varieties. Also, water-packed tuna allows the natural flavor to shine while giving you the flexibility to adjust the seasoning.
How To Make Tuna Salad
Prep the tuna and other ingredients. First, drain each tuna can before adding the tuna pieces into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Then, prep all the other ingredients and add them to the bowl—mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, celery, red onion, and parsley.
Mix and serve. Use a fork to mix everything while breaking up any large pieces of tuna for your desired texture. Then, season with salt and pepper and give it another mix.
Tuna Salad Variations
- Tuscan Tuna Salad: This is a delicious no-mayo option that’s layered with bright and fresh Tuscan flavor—from briny olives to sun-dried tomatoes and an abundance of herbs and lemon juice.
- Broccoli Tuna Salad: Give your tuna salad an extra green spin with broccoli rice, diced green onions, and extra herbs.
- Tuna Salad with Pickles: For another briny, tangy flavor, mix in chopped dill or sweet pickles and capers. The sharpness pairs wonderfully with the creamy salad.
- Curry Tuna Salad: Mix in some curry powder, diced apples, raisins, and chopped almonds for a sweet and savory twist. You could also use a bit of Greek yogurt to replace some of the mayo for a creamier consistency.
- Egg Tuna Salad: Add chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and a super filling, satisfying meal.
Ways To Serve
- Tuna Sandwich: Turn it into a classic sandwich with a layer of lettuce and tomato. For a twist, try a tuna melt by preparing a grilled cheese sandwich, then gently pulling apart the bread to layer spoonfuls of tuna salad inside.
- Tuna Wrap: Wrap the salad in tortillas (like my cassava flour tortillas) or use butter lettuce leaves for a light, low-carb option.
- Layer on a salad: I love this tuna salad on a bed of mixed greens or baby spinach for an easy, throw-together lunch. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice for a fresh dressing.
- Stuffed Avocado or Tomato: Scoop the salad into avocado or tomato halves for a fresh and flavorful presentation, like my tuna stuffed avocados!
- Serve as a delicious dip: Pair it with crackers or chips for a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack.
Storage Tip
Tuna salad is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Since it contains fish and mayonnaise, avoid leaving it at room temperature for extended periods.
More Easy Salad Recipes
- Classic Potato Salad: A classic side dish everyone loves.
- Broccoli Salad: Another meal prep favorite!
- Greek Salad: The best throw-together salad.
- Lentil Salad: A great protein-packed side dish.
- Or enjoy these other salad recipes and summer salads!
If you make this tuna salad recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.
Description
Video
Ingredients
- 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 stalk of celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, chives and/or other herbs
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients. Drain the liquid from the tuna cans. Then, add the tuna, mayonnaise, diced celery and red onions, herbs, Dijon mustard, salt and black pepper to a mixing bowl.
- Mix the salad. Stir all of the ingredients together until well combined.
- Enjoy the tuna salad plain out of a bowl, wrapped in lettuce, or in a sandwich. I've got more ideas above!
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.
- Storage tip: Tuna salad is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Since it contains fish and mayonnaise, avoid leaving it at room temperature for extended periods.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
This recipe was originally published April 2020, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!
Tried this recipe and I love it ! Super simple and delicious. Very good for a quick light lunch when you don’t feel like cooking. I definitely recommend it, I have it has a sandwich which cereal bread.
Happy to hear you love this tuna salad recipe :)
Absolutely delicious!
Glad you love this one Hayley!
Perfect recipe! We make this once a week! Tons of flavor and I’ll never use any other tuna after trying wild planet
Happy to hear you’ve enjoyed this recipe so much!
Our favorite go-to tuna salad. It’s simple & delicious. Can be made one day before for a quick morning breakfast.
Absolutely! It’s the best quick recipe to make :)
I’ve always been a mayo and pickles tuna salad person but I am converted! This was so yummy!
Glad you loved this variation of tuna salad!
What is the serving size?
Hi Ashley- the serving size is about 1/2 a cup.
Made this today and absolutely loved it! So easy and flavourful. I’ve added green onion in stead of parsley and a bit of lemon juice to freshen it up. Thans you Lisa!
That sounds great! Glad you enjoyed this tuna salad recipe :)
wow this tuna salad hit the right spot for me its delicious. Thanks Lisa you are a life saver.
So glad you enjoyed this tuna salad!
Hi,
I am just now enjoying this delicious salad. It is super easy and full of tasty ingredients, which is really great, as I am a student in the middle of examination period :D :) .
Thank you so much and greetings from Czech Republic :)
Hi Barbora- A simple and easy recipe to whip up when you’ve got exams! Hope they went well :)
Dare I say… even better than the chicken salad! I loved it.
Haha, yes both are delicious. It’s a toss up for me as well. ;) Glad you loved the tuna salad!
Just made this and it’s so so good!! Really easy to make too so I’m sure it will be a weekly staple in our home. My toddler loved it too :)
Hi Terri- Awesome! Glad both of you enjoyed this tuna salad :)
The best recipie for tuna I tried!!!!! I saw your video and inmmediantley went to the kitchen and did it for dinner… We LOVED it!!!!! I used organic avocado oil mayonaise….
I definitly will try more of your recipies.
Soooo fresh and so easy to do….
Hi Carolina – Wonderful! So thrilled you loved this class tuna salad :) Looks like you’ll need to try my chicken salad next!
Easy and delicious! Loved it!
Hi Luisa- Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed this recipe :)
Perfect amount of crunch and flavor- excellent recipe
Tried it! And it’s lovely 🥰
Hi Zeldenthuis- Happy you enjoyed this tuna salad recipe!
Absolutely amazing tuna salad. I added some diced cucumber, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and substituted shallot for red onion. There is an error in the Tuna Salad Ingredients list, it says 2.5 ounces of tuna. The actual recipe is for 2 – 5 ounce cans of tuna. Thanks for the great recipe!
Hi Kelly – Thanks for letting me know about the mistake! Just adjusted :)
Thank you.
Amazing and delicious recipe! Is there a healthier alternative than mayonnaise that I can use to keep it all together?
Hi Sarah- Glad you enjoyed this tuna salad! You can find a few alternatives written in the post such as yogurt :)
Delicious! Was craving fish salad today. Love your colorful pictures too!
Hi Mari- Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy this tuna salad :)
Just made this and as her other recipes it did not disappoint! I’ve never added parsley to my tuna before but yum.
I honestly don’t remember what my life was like before downshiftology recipes. 😂😍
Haha, so happy you’re loving all my recipes Kristi! This tuna salad recipe is a classic for sure. Hope you enjoy many more in the future!
Yum!! Delicious recipe. I added a small handful of dried cranberries and served on toasted bread with spinach. Will definitely be making again.
Hi Becky – Love the addition of cranberries for this :)
Amazing! I added a little bit of lime to make it a tad tart, and it was fantastic! I am not much of a fan of parsley but I decided to follow the recipe as is, and was not disappointed!
Wonderful! And a squeeze of lime always freshens up recipes. So happy you loved it!
Thanks for this yummy recipe!
I’m getting ready to make it with a squirt or two of Horseradish-mustard – my personal goto!
Awesome! Can’t wait to see how yours turns out :)
Hi Lisa,
I’m wondering if you have a recipe for gluten-free homemade sandwich bread?
Hi Abeer – I currently don’t at the moment, but that is definitely on my to-do list :)
This recipe is HEAVEN! So perfect, so flavorful and so quick to put together. I ate it with pita bread. But Lisa, you did make a mistake – when something is THIS delicious, you must cut the number of servings in half…Thank you!
Hi Ina- Thrilled to hear you loved this tuna salad recipe!
Hi Lisa! With the shelter in-place lifestyle we have all been experiencing lately, I have been upping my salad game by making some of your simple and nutritious salads! Today, I made the BEST Tuna Salad Recipe, which was sooo yummy! I wanted to add abit more protein, so added some garbanzo beans as well! My hubby and I enJOYed it on chopped romaine lettuce 🥬👏🏻🍽🐟
Thank you for all you and sending out a virtual hug, Laura 💗😊
Hi Laura – Wonderful! Happy to hear both you and your hubby enjoyed this salad :) Hope you are staying safe and healthy.
Simply amazing, couldn’t be happier with the result!
Hi Tarek – wonderful! I’m so happy you loved the recipe. :)
So full of flavor and yummy! We took your suggestion and had them open faced on toasted bread with butter lettuce. My husband said he’ll never order tuna fish out again and I’m on the hook to make this when he gets a craving (like again tomorrow!). Thanks Lisa!
Oh yay! I’m so happy you both loved the recipe Jackie! At least this is an easy recipe to be on the hook for. ;)
Thanks Lisa for again a very yummy, easy and healthy recipe. I was literary done in 5 minutes. I added some Greek yoghurt for extra smoothness and put the tuna salad on toasted sourdough with rocket. Sooooo delicious!
Oh yum! Sounds extra creamy and delicious with the Greek yogurt. Glad you loved it Babette!
Delicious, easy and super filling!!! I added some chopped cucumbers for the extra crunch! THANK YOUU!
Hi Andrea – Can never go wrong with added crunch to this recipe! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Thanks for the recipe! I cant wait to try it!
Greetings from Mexico :)
So simple yet so tasty! Never thought of putting mustard or celery in my tuna salad but it made it so much fresher. I didn’t have any chives so I added fresh basil and it still worked, didn’t even need to put it in a sandwich just ate it straight out the bowl and it was such a nice, light change to all the carb based things I’ve been eating.Definitely having again today :-)
Hi Maddie – The celery gives it a nice crunch and mustard for extra flavor :) Glad you enjoyed this recipe!
just dropping a line to thank you! Thank you for sharing it. I never thought a can of tuna could turn to a fantastic recipe like this!!
Hi Valentina- This is always my favorite way to use up canned tuna :)
Love all of your recipes, Lisa – especially this one! I usually eat this on bread, or scooped into a red bell pepper. Here to support so you can continue making wonderful recipes! Favorite food blogger!!
Aww, thanks so much! I’m thrilled you’re loving all of my recipes. I truly appreciate the support! And I love that you stuffed the tuna salad into a red bell pepper. Such a great combo. :)
Excellent recipe! As all your creations. Lisa you are wonderful and you deserve much more than a quick review 💕
Hi Marita – Thanks so much for your kind words :)
Lisa, thanks for reminding me how delicious tuna salad can be. I had gotten lazy and was just adding mayonaisse most of the time. Adding fresh herbs, onion and mustard took it to awhole other level!
You’re more than welcome Susan! It’s amazing what a few simple ingredients can do to tuna salad. So happy you loved it!
I’ve literally made this 2 days in a row! Delicious! The only thing I did differently was I added white vinegar (it’s a Sicilian thing ;). I don’t know why I never thought to add mustard? But bravo 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Best tuna salad I’ve ever had ❤️ Thank you for your content!
Yay, I’m so happy you loved the recipe Allie! The Dijon mustard really does add that special touch. And I’ll have to try it with a little vinegar next time as well. We all learn from each other! :) x
Delicious and the addition of celery is a must – makes it fresh and gives it a bit of texture!
Hi Grace – I’m so happy you loved the recipe! And I agree with the celery. That crispy texture is key! :)
I did not have celery so I substituted with grated carrots instead, yellow onions instead of red and I used dried herbs de Provence. Still turned out great!
Hi Heena – This recipe is definitely very customizable, so I’m glad it turned out great with the carrots and yellow onion!
Perfect and full of flavor! I put mine on a slice of toasted Ezekiel bread and butter lettuce. Also, my kids loved it!
Wonderful! Happy to hear both you and your kids enjoyed this classic tuna salad!
Delicious, nutritious and quick. Thank you Lisa!
Hi Jordie – Glad you enjoyed this classic tuna salad!
Thank you so much! This was delicious! I inadvertently left out the mustard (and substituted cucumbers for celery) and it was still really tasty!
I’m happy you loved it Denise! And the good news is that it’s really flexible. Cucumber or apple are great substitutes for the celery. :)
Delicious! I just had it for lunch on half of an avocado.I
Wonderful! It’s always great piled into half of an avocado and makes for such a tasty lunch. So glad you enjoyed it, Ilene!
Looks damn tasty. I am loving it. Your articles are really awesome and cool to be frank. it makes me crave and make my mouth water! Keep sharing much more cool content often. Cheers to you
Easy and delicious. Ran out of celery so had to sub with apple instead, still tastes awesome. :)
Hi Anita – Apple is a great alternative to the celery and still provides that fresh crunch. I’m happy you loved the recipe!
Okay this truly does look like the ultimate tuna salad! Your photography is so beautiful too!
Thanks so much Chris! That’s so kind of you to say. :) I hope you enjoy the tuna salad!
this is such an easy recipe! Thanks for sharing
It sure is! I’m glad you love it. :)
Enjoy it in a Sandwitch, as a dip or as a Salad. Always super yummy.
Definitely a versatile recipe :)
I add chopped black olives, grated swiss and cheddar, grated carrot and a little more dijon to my tuna salad.
I cannot thank you enough for all your recipes! I look forward to your videos each week.
Hi Joann- That sounds great! And happy to hear you’re enjoying all the content so far :)
What a perfect combo of textures and flavor! I love tuna already, and you just took my tuna game up a notch. Thank you for the great recipe!
Hi Candice- So glad you’re loving all the flavors in this recipe! Definitely one to keep on hand to dress up your canned tuna :)