A good tuna salad recipe never gets old. If you want to know how to make a lighter, healthier version this is it! Canned tuna, avocado, red onion, and fresh herbs take this classic lunch recipe to another level.
Why you'll want to make this healthy tuna salad recipe on repeat!
Tuna salad has always been one of my favorite lunches. As a kid, I probably ate a tuna salad sandwich with mayo and pickles at least once a week.
This recipe is my grown-up version of a classic tuna salad, full of fresh herbs and chunks of ripe avocado. It's simple, satisfying, and super easy to make!
- Quick and easy lunch: This meal comes together quickly, in less than 10 minutes.
- Meal prep: You'll have a nutritious lunch choice ready to go throughout the week.
- Versatile: This tuna salad can be enjoyed by itself or in a tortilla wrap, pita bread, or with sourdough seed crackers. For a low-carb option, scoop into lettuce leaves. Romaine lettuce works great for holding the tuna salad. It's delicious piled high on a butter croissant too!
- Dietary preference: This tuna recipe is suitable for anyone following a gluten-free, paleo, whole 30, keto or whole foods diet.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Canned Tuna: Start with a good quality canned tuna that's solid packed in water. I like to make sure that the tuna has been checked for mercury levels so I recommend yellowfin or albacore tuna from Safecatch.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh dill and parsley are delicious in a tuna salad, but sometimes I like to change it up and use basil or mint. Dried herbs can be substituted, make sure to adjust the amount because they are stronger than fresh herbs.
- Mayo: Homemade mayonnaise is used in this recipe but you don't have to make your own. Just substitute with any mayo of your choice. You can also swap the mayo out for plain greek yogurt to make it even lighter!
- Avocados: Ripe avocados add fiber and healthy fat to the salad. To check the avocado for ripeness, press your finger into the outside of the avocado. The flesh should give a little when you press on it.
- Onions: If raw red onions are too strong for your taste, use chopped green onions for a milder flavor.
- Optional: Add even more texture and a little crunch by mixing in chopped dill pickles, sweet pickle relish, celery, or lemon juice.
How to make the best tuna salad recipe
Putting this tuna salad together couldn't be easier so, let's dive straight into the details!
- Dice the red onion, fresh herbs, and avocado and place them in a medium bowl.
- Drain the tuna and add it, plus the mayo and dijon mustard, and stir to combine.
- Taste to see if you'd like to adjust the ingredients or add salt and pepper. Chill for at least one hour before serving.
Serve
So what goes with tuna salad? Here are just a few ways that you can serve it.
- Cold sandwich: Pile high between two slices of bread with lettuce and tomato.
- Hot sandwich: Place between two pieces of bread with sliced cheese and brown on both sides in a skillet to create a tuna melt.
- Salad: Serve piled high on a bed of lettuce.
- Low-carb wrap: Create lettuce wraps to make a low-carb, gluten-free option.
- Low-carb snack: Spoon on top of thick slices of cucumber and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top.
- Meal prep: Make a healthy lunch by combining slices of raw carrots and cucumber.
How long does tuna salad last?
This tuna salad will stay good for up to 5 days in the fridge, in a covered airtight container.
More easy lunch recipes
- chicken lettuce wraps
- blistered cherry tomato toast
- curried chicken salad with mango chutney
- grilled cheese sandwich
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Tuna Salad
INGREDIENTS
- 2 (5oz.) cans solid packed tuna (drained)
- 1 avocado (diced)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup red onion (diced)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste if desired.
- Chill in fridge for at least one hour before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Michelle Caudle says
This looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it!! I did want to point out that the nutrition facts need to be checked. There is definitely more than 1 gram of protein per serving! I don’t know if any of the other numbers are off or not.
Amy says
Yes, thank you for catching that! It has been updated.