Classic Tuna Salad

A classic tuna salad recipe is one of my go-to easy lunches during the warmer summer months. Flaky tuna is mixed with crisp celery, onions, dill pickles, and a creamy mayo dressing. Perfect for tuna salad sandwiches or creamy tuna melts with some coleslaw on the side! 

With just a few basic ingredients probably already in the fridge and pantry, you can whip up a salad or sandwiches or even scoop it into half an avocado for a fancy (and low carb) dish!

How to Make Tuna Salad

Tuna is a great protein that requires very little prep making it the perfect addition to tuna casseroles,  tuna macaroni salads or even just to top a bed of lettuce! Because it’s so easy to make, tuna fish is a great lunch recipe!

1. TUNA: Drain a can of flaked tuna in water. Albacore tuna has the freshest flavor, any brand will do as long as it’s packed in water. Put the tuna into a bowl and use a fork to separate the pieces.
2. ADD INS: Add diced celery, chopped dill pickles, the sliced green onion and mix well. These all add great flavor and crunch, you can add in your own favorite including sweet dill pickles or diced cucumber!
3. DRESSING: Gently fold in the mayonnaise, the Dijon and lemon juice. If you’d like to cut some of the calories, replace some of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. Add a little salt and pepper to taste and keep and serve cold! If you’ve got fresh herbs on hand, add them in! Don’t be afraid to add a dash of your favorite spice mix.

I like to serve tuna salad sandwiches on whole wheat bread or a darker loaf like rye. It’s also delicious on croissants like shrimp salad!

How Long Does Tuna Salad Last?

If it doesn’t get eaten up first because it really IS that good, tuna fish salad will keep in the fridge for a few days. Because it has fish and mayonnaise in it, be careful to not leave it out on the counter for too long.

Make that tuna fish sandwich and put the tuna salad back in the fridge in an airtight container to keep it as fresh as possible! The best tuna salad is fresh and safe to eat!

Can You Freeze Tuna Salad?

Tuna salad, tuna pasta salad, even tuna macaroni salad can be frozen, but may need to be drained after it is thawed out. Pasta freezes well, but you made need to correct it with freshly cooked pasta or extra chopped celery and onions to restore the crunch from the celery and pickles.

More Easy Salads

• Sweet Potato Salad – the perfect side dish
• Creamy Carrot Salad – so fresh
• Caprese Salad – one of my favorites!
• The Best Potato Salad Recipe (Easy) – a classic!
• Ham Salad – super flavorful

4.8 from 25 votes

Review Recipe

Tuna Salad

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Author Holly Nilsson

Course Lunch, Snack

Cuisine American

This easy tuna salad recipe is one of my go-to easy lunches during the warmer summer months. It's perfect in tuna salad sandwiches or next to some coleslaw!

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Ingredients

• 12 ounces white flaked tuna in water drained
• 1 stalk celery finely diced
• 2 dill pickles finely chopped
• 1 green onion sliced
• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon dijon
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

• Drain the tuna well.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
• Use to top a salad, in sandwiches or to add to pasta salads.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 366, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 783mg, Potassium: 208mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 210IU, Vitamin C: 1.7mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1.6mg

Keyword tuna salad, tuna salad sandwiches

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