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The GREATEST Tuna Salad Recipe

Name: The GREATEST Tuna Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 12 oz. can tuna, drained; ⅓ cup real mayonnaise (see substitutions in post); ¼ cup sweet pickle relish (see substitutions in post); 2 Tablespoons red onion, minced; 1 stalk celery, minced; 1 Tablespoon lemon juice; 1 Tablespoon flat-leaf parsley; 1 teaspoon dried chives (if desired); ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

By: Jessica · Posted: Apr 9, 2023 · Updated: May 10, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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Total Time: 10

Servings: 4 sandwiches

This tuna salad recipe will become your new favorite! Red onion, sweet pickle relish, celery, and a few simple spices will combine for INCREDIBLE flavor!

Quick Overview: In only 10 minutes, this easy recipe will become what you consider, the best tuna salad recipe!

Tuna sandwiches, stacked on top of one another — Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

During the summer months, tuna salad sandwiches are one of my favorite summer recipes to make for a lunch recipe. (But you can have it for main course too! Especially after being outside all day on a hot day!) It’s a great sandwich to rotate between ham salad sandwiches and egg salad sandwiches!

Plus, they’re easy, and don’t require heating up the kitchen!

You can also use the tuna salad to top a bed of lettuce with, eat with crackers and so much more!

Which Type of Tuna is Best?

It’s so nice to be able to keep a can of tuna in the pantry for those last minute meals, like this tuna pasta salad recipe and this tuna casserole, and for this tuna salad recipe, you can use whatever kind of tuna you prefer: albacore, tuna with olive oil, etc.

However, I think the best kind of tuna is white tuna in water, in case you find that helpful! (See “substitutions” and FAQs below if you decide to use something other than what I used!)

Jump to:

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Which Type of Tuna is Best?
Tuna Salad Recipe Ingredients
Substitutions
Variations
How to Make this Tuna Salad Recipe
Recipe FAQs
What to Serve with this Tuna Salad Recipe
Storage
Top tip
Related Recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

Tuna Salad Recipe Ingredients

I’ve had and have made tuna salad sandwiches many different ways over the years but I keep coming back to the classic tuna salad that uses simple ingredients, and that’s what I want to share with you today!

ingredients for tuna salad on table — Ingredients

See the recipe card below for ingredients and instructions for this tuna salad recipe all in one place!

Canned tuna: For this recipe we choose solid white albacore tuna in water and flaked it after draining. You may use other canned tuna if you have a preference.
Real mayonnaise: Mayo is used as a binder for the ingredients to come together in perfect harmony. There are many options for mayo. For this recipe we prefer to use real mayonnaise. Elevate this recipe by using mayo made with olive oil!
Sweet pickle relish: You may substitute dill relish or even chop your own favorite pickles!
Red onion: Depth and savory flavor profile.
Celery: Celery brings a fresh crunch to this elevated dish.
Fresh lemon juice and flat-leaf parsley: Both of these ingredients elevate this dish and bring a freshness to the recipe.
Dried chives and garlic powder: Chives elevate and enhance the flavor profile of this delicious salad.
Kosher salt and ground black pepper: Salt and pepper are perfect companions for tuna!

Substitutions

If you choose canned tuna packed in oil, you may want to reduce the mayonnaise to ¼ cup.
You may use a number of mayonnaise options including mayo alternatives, such as miracle whip, plant based mayo, avocado oil mayo, plain greek yogurt, etc.
You may use dill relish or your own minced sweet pickles or dill pickles instead of sweet relish if you prefer less sweetness.
If you are averse to red onion, try substituting green onion, diced apples or grapes!
Lime juice instead of lemon juice. (I haven’t tried this but I’m sure it would have great flavor!)

Variations

Make a tuna melt: Simply make the tuna salad recipe as stated, and then make it like a grilled cheese sandwich!
Tuna Lettuce Wrap: Serve tis tuna salad recipe on a bed of lettuce or in one giant romaine lettuce leaf as a wrap!
Additional Mix-in ideas: Looking to kick things up a notch? Here are some extra ingredients I’ve added to tuna salad before, that you may want to try: hot sauce, curry powder (like the flavors in our curry egg salad), garlic clove – chopped, (or garlic powder) a teaspoon of dijon mustard (or so), red bell pepper, or fresh dill!

How to Make this Tuna Salad Recipe

In only 10 minutes you’ll have delicious tuna salad ready for bread, a croissant or to even eat with crackers!

drained tuna placed in glass bowl — Pour drained tuna in glass bowl

mayo, onion, celery and relish added to bowl — Add mayo, onion, relish, celery & lemon juice

Drain the water from the tuna and place in a medium mixing bowl.
Next, add ⅓ cup real mayonnaise, ¼ cup sweet pickle relish, 2 tablespoons red onion, minced, 1 stalk celery, minced, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the mixing bowl of tuna.

herbs & seasonings added to bowl — Add herbs & seasonings

tuna mixed with ingredients in bowl — Stir to combine

Then add 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, 1 teaspoon dried chives, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
Combine together using a rubber spatula or spoon. Be sure all of the ingredients are well blended.

tuna salad on lettuce leaf, on top of bread slice — Delicious tuna salad

Hint: To elevate and add heat to this delicious tuna salad recipe, add 1 small minced jalapeno!

close up of tuna salad on bread — Open face tuna salad sandwich

Recipe FAQs

When it comes to tuna and a tuna salad recipe, there may be some questions that you have. Here are answers to the most common questions:

What mixes well with canned tuna?

Canned tuna mixes so well with so many things. Mayo, mashed avocado, lettuce salad, pasta, breadcrumbs, eggs, and so much more. Some of these items mixed in with tuna, make amazing dishes such as tuna salad, tuna casseroles, avocado toast, and even tuna patties.

What can I add to canned tuna to make it better?

Fresh herbs, seasonings, spices, creamy bases, and veggies for a crunch, are always good options to add to canned tuna to make it better! Using tuna as a protein like you would other proteins like salmon and chicken can be a great idea.

Why does restaurant tuna salad taste better?

If you find that your tuna at home doesn’t taste as good as it does when eating at a cafe, diner, or restaurant, it’s possibly because the tuna salad was made earlier, and it has allowed the flavors to combine and settle together in the refrigerator. Try making your tuna salad in advance, and then not only will the flavors have time to blend, but it will be a quick meal idea too!

What can I use in tuna instead of mayo?

Greek yogurt, plain yogurt or Miracle Whip can be a substitute for mayo in tuna, if desired. If looking for a vegan option though, a vegan mayo can be used. Mashed avocado can also be a great substitute for a creamy base.

Should I rinse canned tuna before using?

No need to rinse canned tuna before using it. It’s safe to eat right out of the can.

Is tuna in oil better than water for tuna salad?

This is a personal preference and it could also depend on how you’re serving or using the canned tuna. Tuna in oil can add a slightly different flavor and more calories. Tuna in water could reduce the calories and help capture the true tuna flavor.
The texture of tuna with oil is something to think about, compared to water as well. As far as blending canned tuna with other ingredients, oily tuna can blend well with the other creamy ingredients too.

Tuna salad sandwich with crackers on plate — Serve on bread or with crackers!

What to Serve with this Tuna Salad Recipe

Tuna Sandwich: You can enjoy the tuna salad on only slices of bread, or you can top the tuna salad sandwich with: crisp lettuce, bacon (you can even do bacon cooked in the air fryer or turkey bacon), a slice of onion, avocado halves (or slices), a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, fresh veggies or more fresh herbs, or even top with potato chips for an extra “crunch!”

Tuna Salad: This tuna salad recipe is delicious when served with crackers or even your favorite chips. (You could even use sliced peppers or sliced cucumbers to dip if going low-carb.) It’s also delicious when served on top of a leafy green salad.

Storage

You may store this tuna salad in the refrigerator using an airtight container, for up to 5 days!

Due to the fact that there is mayonnaise in this recipe, refrigerate after 2 hours for food safety reasons.

Top tip

If you choose a solid white canned tuna, you may need to flake the meat after you drain the water.

If you loved this classic tuna salad recipe, then you’ll also love this egg salad recipe, this chicken grilled cheese, and this fried peanut butter and jelly!