Classic Tuna Salad

Here are the keys to making the very best tuna salad you’ll have! It’s an easy lunch or dinner on a lettuce wrap, sandwich, or with crackers.

You can totally wing tuna salad, stirring together a bit of this and that from your pantry. But do you want to make the best tuna salad? This one is it. It’s perfectly creamy, bright and tangy, and so irresistible you can’t stop eating it. One bite in, you’ll declare it “the best!” too. (Promise.) Alex and I eat mostly plant based recipes, but we’re big seafood fans. And a tuna salad sandwich is such an inexpensive and easy lunch or dinner, it’s part of our healthy recipe repertoire. Here all the secrets to making the very best tuna fish salad…ever.

What’s in the best tuna salad?

Clarification: what’s in our best tuna salad? Here are all the ingredients we found to be 100% necessary to make a premium, classic tuna fish salad:

• Tuna: either water packed or oil packed work
• Veggies: celery, red onion, and dill pickles are all a must!
• Creamy sauce: both Greek yogurt and mayo work in combo to make a seriously creamy salad
• Flavor: Lemon, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper
• Secret ingredient: Parmesan cheese: just 1 tablespoon makes the flavor pop!

Mix it all together, and bam! You’ve got that classic lunch recipe, mastered.

Mayo & Greek yogurt work together

We didn’t want our tuna salad to be too mayo-y (you know the type). So our secret to using less mayo? Use Greek yogurt too. Greek yogurt helps to make the salad ultra creamy while keeping the calories low. It also keeps it from being so rich that it feels uncomfortable after you eat it. Mayo and Greek yogurt work perfectly together: we also use this trick in our Healthy Ranch Dressing to keep the calories low.

Parmesan makes it shine!

Now, we know what you’re thinking. Parmesan cheese isn’t a classic tuna salad ingredient. And it’s totally optional! But if you add just a touch, it gives it an even more savory, delicious and irresistible flavor. If you don’t have it on-hand, don’t go out and buy it especially! But if you have a container of shredded Parm on hand (which we often do), add a sprinkle and experience the magic.

Ways to serve tuna salad (including gluten-free)

There are obviously lots of ways to serve tuna salad. But there are some creative ways you might not have thought of. Here are some of our favorites:

• Sandwich: Who doesn’t love it in sandwich from? Try No Knead Bread, Artisan Bread, or Homemade Bread for the bread.
• Wrap: Roll it up in a tortilla or spinach wrap.
• Lettuce Wrap: Serve it rolled up into butter lettuce leaves.
• Crackers: Serve with crackers: these Homemade Almond Crackers are a great gluten-free option.
• Croissants: Make it fancy and serve it on a croissant. This works as a nice brunch, bridal shower, or baby shower option.
• In an Avocado: Stuff an avocado with tuna salad and you’ve got a tasty gluten-free lunch.
• Over Greens: Serve it as a salad itself! Add some sliced tomatoes or other veggies for color.

Tuna salad variations

There are so many ways to change up tuna salad! Again, you probably have lots of ideas of your own. But here are some ideas on mix-ins you could add:

• Tuna melt! Go grilled cheese style for the World’s Best Tuna Melt.
• Chopped hard boiled egg. Go to our Tuna Salad with Egg.
• Curry powder: Start with ½ teaspoon and add more to taste.
• Chopped avocado: Add chopped avocado to this recipe OR try our Avocado Tuna Salad that substitutes avocado for the mayo.
• Chopped herbs: Basil or chives would add great flavor.
• Diced apple or raisins: If you like sweet and savory, add a bit of fruit.
• Shrimp: Make it with shrimp instead! Try Classic Shrimp Salad.

More tuna recipes

Got more cans of tuna? Try these tasty tuna recipes:

• The Classic Tuna Melt is one of the greats, in our opinion
• Go for Crispy Tuna Cakes for a hearty and delicious meal
• Nicoise Salad makes a stunning lunch or dinner with a zingy dressing and lots of colorful veggies.
• Go for creamy Classic Tuna Pasta Salad, a protein-packed quick and easy dinner or make ahead lunch
• Try your hand at this Maki Sushi Recipe made with canned tuna!

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Tuna Patties (aka Tuna Cakes!)

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Classic Tuna Pasta Salad

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Niçoise Salad

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Classic Tuna Melt

This tuna salad recipe is…

Pescatarian and gluten-free.

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