The Tuna Itself Can Be Packed In Oil Or Spring Water Purchased In Italy Or The Key Foods Come In A Tin Can Or Glass Jar I Do Not Care What I Do Care About: Does The Salad Itself Have The Proper Amount Of Mayonnaise Is The Tuna Properly Mashed Into Just The Right Texture Is It Bright With Acidity And Oniony Withonions Have You Included Celery And Perhaps Too Much Dill Is Iceberg Lettuce Involved In Any Way This Tuna Salad Says Yes Unequivocally To All Of Those Questions
Directions
Finely chop half the onion , thinly slice the remaining and set aside .
Combine the finely chopped onion in a medium bowl with lemon zest and the juice from about ½ a lemon, season with salt and pepper. Let sit 5 minutes or so, to kind of lightly pickle and macerate .
Add the celery, half of the dill and the mayo. Mix well, like youre making a dressing . Add the tuna to that and using a fork, mix until it resembles the tuna salad you want to see in the world .
Scatter the lettuce and remaining sliced onion onto a large plate, squeeze the other half of the lemon over and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the tuna salad in and on the lettuce, like youre creating a little edible arrangement. Scatter with capers, if using, and remaining dill.
Cut the toast into triangles and spread with a bit of softened butter or mayonnaise, or both if youre truly going for it.
Eat like lettuce cups, like a salad, or like open faced toast.
Easy Tuna Salad Recipe
This is, by far, my favorite Tuna Salad recipe ever. In my opinion, its the best ever. I created this tuna fish recipe after falling in love with the Whole Foods deli yellowfin tuna 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 its made fresh at home and you can adjust the amount of the add in ingredients as you want. Its naturally healthy and loaded with crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery and red onion. My kids just cant get enough.
The ingredient list for this Tuna Salad Sandwich recipe is short and simple.
This is what youll need:
Thats it, season with salt and pepper..youre ready to go!
You May Like: Fat Free Salad Dressing Brands
Is Tuna Salad Healthy
It certainly can be! On its own, tuna is a very healthy protein, containing B6, B12, vitamin A, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. When buying canned tuna, choose the fish packed in water instead of oil to avoid extra fat and calories.
Like any protein, the nutritional value is determined by how you prepare it. Tuna preparation can vary greatly. You can make it the star of a simple meal, such as tuna wraps, or a contributor in heavier dishes like tuna noodle casserole. For something a bit more different, try this canned tuna sushi recipe.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Tomato For Caprese Salad
Read Also: Bbq Ranch Salad And Go
Delicious Ways To Serve Tuna Salad
- Classic sandwich. Cant ever go wrong with traditional! Use sandwich bread, rolls, or a croissant.
- On top of lettuce. Ditch the bread and make it low carb by placing tomato slices on a sturdy lettuce leaf, topped with a scoop of the salad. So pretty!
- Stuffed tomatoes. Hollow out large tomatoes and stuff with the tuna salad. Perfect for a brunch.
- Tuna stuffed avocado. Remove the pit from a ripe avocado and replace it with the tuna salad. I LOVE this tuna stuffed avocado recipe.
- Make tuna melts! We love a tuna melt with the tuna salad, some herbs, ripe tomato, and melty cheese on toasted bread. Yummo.
Tips To Make Tuna Salad
Recommended Reading: Chicken Salad Chick E Gift Card
Recommended Reading: Ken’s Salad Dressing Nutrition
How To Buy The Healthiest Canned Tuna
The techniques for buying the healthiest canned tuna may surprise you!
- line and pole caught many of the very large tuna manufacturers use unethical fishing practices for catching tuna. Theyll use very large nets to catch the tuna, but they also catch sea turtles and other marine life. To avoid this, look for the term line and pole caught.
- Chunk light the fancy types of tuna-like albacore and yellowfin may seem like the better choice, however, those larger fish actually contain more mercury than the smaller fish.
- Olive oil or water If you cant find tuna packed in olive oil, go for water. Most of the canned tuna you find on the shelves are packed in GMO soybean oil which is unhealthy.
How To Serve Tuna Salad
For me, the next best thing to a plain ol tuna sandwich is a tuna melt. Thats a grilled cheese sandwich with tuna salad. Slap some cheese on the sandwich, butter the bread on the outside, and grill it in a pan until the bread is crisp and golden, and the cheese melts.
You could do something similar with a tortilla, too. Just place cheese in the center, top with tuna salad, fold it like a burrito, and grill it to seal it. But theres more! Make a wrap with pita or flatbread and add some greens and sliced tomatoes or cucumbers.
You could also serve this as a true salad on top of greens with some extra vegetables to round it out.
Tuna salad makes a simple mid-afternoon snack when paired with crackers or spread onto celery sticks. You can also take the virtuous route and top your greens with a scoop of tuna salad for a healthy lunch.
Recommended Reading: Where Can I Order A Salad
Is Canned Tuna Healthy
I say, yes! Canned tuna is an excellent source of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals and is low in saturated fat. Ounce for ounce, tuna is lower in calories, fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol than even the leanest cuts of beef and chicken.
I feel that canned tuna definitely deserves a spot in a healthy, balanced diet. Just be sure to moderate your intake as large sport fish, like tuna, are known to contain mercury.
Here Are 10 Different Ways To Make Tuna Salad That Your Family Will Love
Growing up, mom made us tuna fish sandwiches. Those were her specialty. I think she would put everything she had on hand in that tuna fish, i.e., apples, celery, eggs, and whatever else she could find in the refrigerator. We loved it and never complained. When winter came, she fixed warm tuna casseroles with that familiar can of soup. My dad raved about those casseroles my mom made. Never once did we have a tuna salad, though.
Now that Im a mom, a healthy mom, we have salads all the time, including tuna salads. I have made tuna salad many ways that my son and my husband will eat, which makes me very happy because these salads are healthy.
Related: Tuna Pasta Main Dish Recipe
Im a huge fan of Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna. Its ingredients are 100% pure tuna nothing else. For disclosure reasons, I am a Wild Planet Ambassador. Nonetheless, when shopping for tuna, read the ingredients to see why Wild Planet is the best choice for your tuna salads. Also, read up on their story about how they catch their foods by pole & line its worth the read. AND you may find a few awesome albacore wild tuna salad recipes of their own.
Recommended Reading: Homemade Salad Dressing With Olive Oil
If You Get Tired Of Tuna
If you hate canned tuna and are reading this far , of course you could substitute the tuna for rotisserie chicken or thin strips of steak for an equally as quick and delicious salad.
I actually cant believe I wrote such a long post about a simple salad like this one. I guess I really do think its that good.
I hope you try making this simple tuna salad for dinner one day soon! If you do, let me know in the comments below what you thought. Maybe it will become your favourite tuna salad, too!
Recommended Reading: Best Foods Mayo Potato Salad Recipe
Southern Tuna Salad Tips
You May Like: How To Make Homemade Pasta Salad
How To Make Tuna Salad Without Mayo
Prep the ingredients. Slice your celery, chop your onion and peppers. Grate your carrots. Open and drain your cans of tuna. Place them all in one big mixing bowl.
Make the dressing. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon, herbs and salt in a small bowl or mason jar.
Mix the salad. Pour the dressing into the mixing bowl and mix with a fork until the salad is combined. Adjust the seasoning to your liking with salt and pepper.
Simple Canned Tuna Recipes
Looking for an easy and convenient lunch? These canned tuna recipes are just the ticket!
Youll be absolutely amazed at how you can turn boring canned tuna into scrumptious entrees.
From salads to casseroles to pizza, these dishes are so delicious, you wont believe they came from a can.
Transform canned tuna into show-stopping gourmet dishes with these easy-peasy recipes. Lets get cooking!
Dont Miss: Michaels Grill And Salad Bar
You May Like: Clear Glass Salad Plates Bulk
A Healthier Tuna Salad
A lot people who are on a weight loss diet will turn to tuna because of its high level of protein 3 oz of albacore tuna has 20g of protein but only about 100 calories. However, if youre eating tuna as a traditional tuna salad with mayonnaise, you may be consuming unnecessary calories and fat. 1 cup of mayo has more than 1400 calories and 24g of fat.
This healthy tuna salad is full of flavor, light on calories and super easy to whip for lunch any day of the week! Swap the mayo for greek yogurt and dijon mustard and save those calories for a treat later.
Dont Miss: Panera Bread Chicken Caesar Salad
What To Serve With Tuna Salad
As a child, my Mom would make “tuna fish sandwiches” just about everyday, with a side of Fritos and a glass of milk. That was lunch! Now that I’m a big girl, I like to branch out a little with my tuna …
One of my favorite things to serve with this recipe is sliced avocado and tomato! Or, put a big scoop on a bed of romaine, top with a little shredded cheese and you’ve got a delicious salad!
If you’re looking for a little variety, serve this with sliced cucumbers or with a bowl of cut honeydew, cantaloupe or watermelon on the side!
You May Like: Salad Diet To Lose 10 Pounds In A Week
Here’s What You’ll Need:
One 5-oz. can of tuna mayonnaise, pickle relish, finely chopped celery and red onion, Old Bay seasoning and a boiled egg which is optional.
Tuna generally comes either packed in oil or water either way, you’ll want to drain it first.
This recipe doesn’t include boiled egg, but if you like an egg in your tuna salad, boil one and add it in.
One of the biggest debates in Southern kitchens is about the brand of mayonnaise. Deep South cooks prefer Duke’s, where others swear by Hellman’s.
It’s really up to you, but be sure to use real mayonnaise and not “Miracle Whip Salad Dressing.”
Southern Tuna Salad Faq
What tuna is best for tuna salad?
Chunk light tuna is best for tuna salad. It has the lowest mercury levels and is great for combining with other ingredients to make a salad.
What ingredients are in tuna salad?
Traditionally, tuna salad ingredients are mayo, dijon, relish, and celery with some lemon, salt, and pepper.
What spices go well with canned tuna?
Spices that go well with canned tuna are smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, coriander, cumin, and tons more. Just be sure you use spice combinations that pair well together.
What can I use instead of mayo in tuna?
use your favorite aioli in tuna to give your tuna salad better flavor. For a lighter option, use greek yogurt.
How do you make tuna taste good?
To make tuna taste good, use an aioli as a base, spice it up with yummy seasonings, and add your favorite vegetables.
How much tuna should I eat per week?
The most tuna you should eat per week for chunk light is about 12 oz. If youre using large tuna fish like yellowfin or albacore, stick to about 6 oz. per week. If youre a child or pregnant, go with 6 oz. or less no matter the type.
Read Also: Can You Eat Tuna Salad On Keto
How To Make Tuna Salad Is Really Easy Today We Are Sharing A Quick And Simple Salad Recipe
This salad is one of those simple things in life because it is easy to make, fast, low-carb, and delicious. Ready to learn how to make the best low-carb tuna salad? Join me in the bistro kitchen!
There are a lot of ways to make tuna salad. The secret to a good salad is to not saturate it with a ton of mayonnaise but just enough to enhance the flavor.
Tuna is a great ingredient when you grill it on the barbecue. It also works great in a salad. You can use it as the main ingredient.
This is a very cheap salad recipe. The cost of a can of tuna is really low. It also fits great in a keto diet or low carb lifestyle.
It only contains 6.6 grams of carbohydrates. So if you are on a low carb or Keto diet you can definitely eat this salad.
- Salt and pepper to taste
How Long Does Tuna Salad Last
Tuna salad can last in your fridge for three to five days. Be sure to store it in a sealed container and refrigerate it right away to lock in freshness. If you notice that your tuna salad has changed in flavor, color or smell, pitch it.
Whether you try our recipe above or develop an original dish that incorporates your favorite crunch, seasonings and dressing, rest assured that a delicious tuna salad recipe is only a few minutes away. If you need more ideas, these canned tuna recipes are light, fresh and always tasty.
Read Also: Honey Baked Ham Potato Salad
Create A Free Account To Save Recipes
VARIATIONS ON CLASSIC TUNA SALAD
- Southern tuna salad: Southern tuna salad is basically tuna salad with the addition of relish and hard boiled eggs. This recipe already calls for relish to get a satisfying salty crunch, so all youd have to add is chopped hardboiled egg.
- Light tuna salad: Lighten this recipe up by using greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, and get tuna packed in water instead of oil. For a healthier version, you can also add chopped veggies to this dish. Try cucumber, fennel, or jicama.
- Spices: Add spices like curry powder or celery seed to add some variation to your tuna salad recipe.
- Heat: Make this spicy by substituting dijon with spicy mustard, and adding some diced jalapeno peppers.
- Avocado: Add healthier fats to make this an avocado tuna salad, by replacing some of the mayo with pureed avocado. Or just add cut up avocado pieces to the tuna salad.
- Pickles: If you dont have relish, add chopped dill pickle with a splash of pickle juice to the tuna salad.
- Fresh tuna: This recipe is typically made with canned tuna, but if you have fresh you can cook it through, allow to cool, then chop into pieces and follow the recipe as usual.
- Tuna melt: You can use this recipe to make a tuna melt sandwich. Place on toasted bread with lettuce and tomato on a baking sheet with a slice of Swiss or provolone cheese on top, and broil for 1 minute. You can also do this in a toaster oven.
HOW TO STORE TUNA SALAD
Pin this recipe now to remember it later
Hot Tuna Salad Recipe
Packed with protein and flavor this hot tuna salad is a twist on the traditional sandwich favorite. Just like the hot chicken salad recipe Ive shared, this recipe is the perfect warm lunch served alongside a fresh salad.
I know Ive said this many times, but one of my favorite things about making classic recipes like this hot tuna salad recipe is that Im immediately taken back to my childhood. Packed with tons of protein and flavor this hot tuna salad is super simple to make.
My mom talks of how she made this when she was in college to get an inexpensive, yet filling lunch. The combination of flavors are unique and satisfying. I personally like the pops of flavor from the peas.
Speaking of the peas, I would use canned peas in this recipe. The nutty flavors that come from the canned peas are my favorite in this recipe in contrast to fresh peas.
You May Like: Salad Dressing With No Sugar Or Carbs