The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever
Fresh and light, this is the VERY Best Tuna Salad ever. Simple to make with every day ingredients, this easy tuna salad recipe will be a weekly staple. Great for the lunchbox or picnic basket!
The best Tuna Salad recipe is a staple in our kitchen. A healthy lunch recipe I know I can get on the table in about 2 minutes flat and always, always have the ingredients readily available at all times.
Tuna Fish is a great recipe for the lunchbox to take to school or work AND it doubles as a fantastic post workout snack when stuffed in an avocado half or used to fill lettuce wraps for a low-carb option. We also use this very same tuna salad recipe as the start of our crusty Tuna Melt Sandwiches….hello, easiest dinner ever.
This is, by far, my favorite way to make Tuna Salad ever and the best way to use a can of tuna. In my opinion, it’s the best ever. I created this classic tuna salad recipe after falling in love with the Whole Foods deli yellowfin tuna fish salad. Their salad was fresh, light and not heavy on the mayonnaise at all. It was packed with tangy flavor and perfectly seasoned.
My version is even better because it’s made fresh at home with pantry staples and you can adjust the amount of add in ingredients as you want. It’s naturally healthy and loaded with crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery and red onion. My kids just can’t get enough when we make a tuna salad sandwich with this recipe.
Ingredients for Tuna Salad
The ingredient list for this Tuna Salad Sandwich recipe is short and simple.
- Tuna – The type of tuna you use does matter a little bit. I use a white Albacore tuna. I prefer to use canned tuna, packed in water and drained thoroughly. You can use tuna in a pouch, as well, or another preferred type of water-packed tuna but be sure it’s not oil-packed tuna. Leftover ahi tuna from your sushi dinner can also be cooked and used in your tuna salad.
- Mayonnaise – Regular mayonnaise is preferred here for because the full fat variety has more flavor and so, you’ll use less of it. Less mayo, healthy tuna salad.
- Carrots – You’ll want your carrots finely chopped so to make that easier, I buy the matchstick cut or shredded carrots and then chop them up from there.
- Celery – Be sure your celery is fresh and washed free of grit. Chop finely like you do the carrots for a little crunch.
- Red Onion – Red onion adds color and a bit of a peppery bite but it’s potent so only add a small amount. AND finely mince! Not a fan of red onion? Substitute with finely chopped green onions.
- Lemon – Lemon Juice and lemon zest adds tons of fresh flavor.
- Parsley – More for color but fresh parsley is also loaded with health benefits. You can also add your favorite fresh herbs like chopped tarragon, fresh thyme or fresh basil.
- Seasoning – I season it simply with kosher salt and black pepper.
That’s it, season with salt and pepper…..you’re ready to go! For the full recipe instructions and ingredients, see the recipe card below.
How To Make Tuna Salad
- Break the tuna up into fine pieces in a medium bowl with a fork.
- Add the veggies, mayonnaise, lemon and seasoning.
- Mix together and chill until ready to serve.
Make the best tuna salad sandwich on your favorite bread or just serve it with a spoon.
Tips and Tuna Salad Variations
To make sure your tuna salad is the BEST ever…..follow these simple tips.
- Always make sure you flake all the chunks of tuna fish with a fork until it’s a shredded consistency. This will guarantee you won’t end up with a dry tuna salad or big bits of tuna throughout your sandwich.
- Want a healthy tuna salad recipe? Swap out half the mayonnaise and adding plain greek yogurt to your tuna salad. It also adds extra tanginess that’s light and refreshing.
- Add cooked macaroni to your salad for an easy Tuna Macaroni Salad.
- Chop up hard-boiled eggs and fold them into the salad for added protein.
- Got apples? They’re a surprisingly tasty addition when shredded or finely chopped then added to your salad.
- Add a tablespoon of chopped fresh dill for a burst of flavor like none other. You’ll love it, guaranteed!
- Use tuna salad to make these easy Tuna Patties.
- Fold in chopped dill pickles or sweet pickle relish for a pop of flavor.
- Add 1 tablespoon dijon mustard to the mayonnaise mixture.
How to Serve Tuna Salad
Aside from the classic tuna salad sandwich, we also love to stuff a juicy summer tomato with this simple recipe. Kids also love it in these easy Tuna Tacos!
More Easy Salad Recipes
If you like this tuna salad, you’ll also love this easy Chicken Salad! It’s fresh, it’s light and so, sooo simple to make.
Or try this savory Ham salad and the BEST EVER Egg Salad.…seriously, it’s award winning!
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Get the Recipe: Tuna Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 5- ounce cans yellowfin tuna in water, drained
- 1/4 cup finely diced carrot
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Place the tuna in a medium bowl and break up with a fork until finely shredded.
- Add the carrot, celery, onion, lemon zest, juice, parsley and mayonnaise to the tuna. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately or cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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20 Comments on “The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever”
I omitted the onion but added cilantro and used fresh lime. Wrapped it up in a flour tortilla with baby red lettuce… absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
That sounds wonderful! Thank you for your comment!
I just made this tuna salad today, and it is delicious! The lemon zest and juice really brighten the flavor. It is a colorful salad instead of being the typical beige tuna salad. Thank you for another great recipe!
Try wild planet’s wild albacore tuna plus half mayo and half miracle whip. Now we’re talking. That tuna has no fishy smell and is worth the extra $$. Te ME adds that missing tang. Just saying.
Good tips! Thank you!
I like the addition of lemon juice – plenty of it! Lemon brightens every flavor. I must try your tuna salad recipe!!
It’s so good! You will love it.
This makes me miss my kids being younger…we always packed a picnic lunch when we visited the zoo. This tuna salad does look delicious!
Thanks, Heather! I didn’t take my daughter to the zoo much but this guy is obsessed with animals…so we get to go quite a bit now.
What a cool partnership between Frito Lay and the AZA. We always pack a lunch when we go to the zoo. I’d love some of this tuna salad with a bag of Fritos on the side!
It was a fun project! 🙂
We love the Philadelphia Zoo! And this looks delicious, everyone here would love it!
Awww, we should meet there sometime.
What a fun trip to the zoo! And this tuna salad looks so delicious and easy. Perfect!
Thanks, Erin!
Oh it has been years since I’ve been to the Philly zoo…thanks for the memories
SO fun! We LOVE going to the zoo and this would make the perfect picnic lunch!
Thanks, Stephanie!
The zoo trip sounded like so much fun! And this great tuna salad looks like it will wind up I my lunch box this week!
It’s so good!!!