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The Best Tuna Salad Recipe

This post was last updated on September 19, 2024 at 4:42 pm

July 10, 2021 by Tamara J. 7 Comments

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Take Me to the Recipe

This is the Best Tuna Salad Recipe because it is chock full of layers of delicious flavor! Super creamy from the mayo, with a tiny hint of spice from the diced jalapenos. I promise you will crave it time-and-time again!

Be sure to checkout this Creamy Chicken or Turkey Salad and this Blackened Salmon BLT while you are here!

Table of contents

  • Ingredients needed for tuna salad:
  • Options to mix with canned tuna:
  • Seasonings and spices that pair well with tuna:
  • How to prepare tuna salad without mayo:
  • Related:
  • Is tuna salad keto friendly (low-carb)?
  • Serving options:

Ingredients needed for tuna salad:

One of the best things about this tuna salad, is the simplicity of it! Here are the few ingredients you need to make it:

  • Can of albacore tuna
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard
  • Onions
  • Sweet pickle relish
  • Jalapeno (optional, but HIGHLY recommended)! Trust me, it is not too spicy, and adds an amazing kick that you did not know you needed!
  • Seasonings

Options to mix with canned tuna:

Another great thing about tuna salad is the versatility. Omit, or add whatever you like. We have made several different variations. Including tuna salad made with Greek yogurt. Some made with hard boiled eggs- this is a family favorite, but a whole different recipe!

If sweet pickle relish is not your thing, replace it with dill pickle relish. This is definitely another favorite of ours. When we add boiled eggs, the pickle relish adds a nice balance!

Seasonings and spices that pair well with tuna:

Ground cumin is such a delicious spice to add to tuna salad! Now, you may question this addition, but just trust me. It is absolutely delicious. Along with ground cumin, play around with garlic and onion powder.

Try to stay away from adding too much salt, as tuna is slightly salty on its own. Even more, the pickle relish adds a briny, salty flavor as well. So salt-free seasonings are always best.

How to prepare tuna salad without mayo:

Greek yogurt is an excellent substitution for mayonnaise when making tuna salad. Add some Greek yogurt, and a touch of yellow mustard for a delicious creamy flavor. Another great substitution is sour cream.

Related:

  • Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
  • LOW-CARB CHEESEBURGER SALAD
  • Kale Salad with Blackened Salmon
  • Creamy Turkey or Chicken Salad
  • Cobb Salad with Cilantro Lime Marinated Shrimp

Is tuna salad keto friendly (low-carb)?

Absolutely! There are very few carbs. Even better, there are so many healthy Omega-3 fats in tuna. So it is actually a very healthy, keto-friendly food. Keep in mind that the sweet pickle relish will add some carbs though. If you are trying to keep it completely low-carb, sub the sweet pickle relish with dill pickle relish.

Serving options:

For this recipe we actually served the tuna salad in pickle boats! It was a fun and delicious way to eat the salad. Scoop most of the flesh out of the pickle (you can add it to the salad if desired). Then you simply add the tuna salad right into the hollowed out pickle. Be sure to use large pickles for this.

Another serving option is to use cucumbers. Follow the same steps, hollow out the middle, and scoop the salad into the cucumber. This is a fun hands-free way to enjoy it! Often times, people eat tuna salad with crackers, or make a sandwich out of it. All of these are absolutely delicious, as the tuna is the star of the show anyways!

📖 Recipe

The Best Tuna Salad Recipe

This is the Best Tuna Salad Recipe because it is chock full of layers of delicious flavor! Super creamy from the mayo, with a tiny hint of spice from the diced jalapenos. I promise you will crave it time-and-time again!
Print Recipe SaveSaved! Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Course: lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: tuna, tuna salad
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 253kcal
Author: Tamara J.

Ingredients

  • 1 can Albacore tuna drained
  • ¼ cup Onions diced
  • 1 tablespoon Sweet pickle relish
  • ½ tablespoon Jalapeno diced (optional but highly recommended)!
  • 1-1.5 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Ground cumin
  • Sprinkle of salt optional

Serving Options

  • 2 large Pickles cut lengthwise and middle scooped out
  • Jalapenos to garnish
  • Cilantro to garnish

Instructions

  • Open the can of tuna. Drain the water out of the can by pushing the lid down into the tuna. Press firmly and tilt the can over the sink until all of the water is drained out.
  • Add the tuna into a medium to large bowl. Dice the onions very finely and add them to the bowl. Next, add the sweet pickle relish.
  • Cut the jalapeno lengthwise and remove the seeds and membrane (white stringy part). If more heat is desired, leave the seeds and membrane in tact.
  • Dice the jalapeno very finely and add them to the bowl. Next add the mayonnaise, mustard, black pepper, ground cumin, and salt. Add more mayonnaise if a more "wet" and creamier texture is desired.
  • Stir all the ingredients together until everything is fully incorporated. Serve immediately or cover with a lid or plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 3 days.
  • Serving Options
    As pictured here, you can serve the tuna salad in a "pickle boat." It is a delicious, low-carb, keto friendly option.
  • Simply cut the large pickle in half lengthwise. Remove some of the flesh by scooping it out with a spoon. Add the tuna salad directly into the hollow you created.
  • Garnish with additional jalapeno and/or chopped cilantro if desired.

Recommended Products

Kirkland Albacore Solid White Tuna in Water - 8 Cans (Total Net Weight 3.5lbs)
Kirkland Albacore Solid White Tuna in Water - 8 Cans (Total Net Weight 3.5lbs)
MOSFiATA 8" Super Sharp Professional Chef's Knife with Finger Guard and Knife Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel EN1.4116 with Micarta Handle and Gift Box
MOSFiATA 8" Super Sharp Professional Chef's Knife with Finger Guard and Knife Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel EN1.4116 with Micarta Handle and Gift Box
Folkulture Serving Spoons or Salad Servers for Modern Kitchen, Stainless Steel Serving Utensils - Spoon and Fork for Serving Salad, 12-inch Cooking Utensils Set with Marble Handle, Pearl White
Folkulture Serving Spoons or Salad Servers for Modern Kitchen, Stainless Steel Serving Utensils - Spoon and Fork for Serving Salad, 12-inch Cooking Utensils Set with Marble Handle, Pearl White
HANSGO Long Handle Wooden Cooking Mixing Oval Spoons, 6PCS 12 Inch Long Wooden Spoons Wooden Tasting Spoons Large Cooking Spoons
HANSGO Long Handle Wooden Cooking Mixing Oval Spoons, 6PCS 12 Inch Long Wooden Spoons Wooden Tasting Spoons Large Cooking Spoons
bamfitwell Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove
bamfitwell Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove
Meal Prep Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set, Home, Refrigerator, and Kitchen Food Storage Organizers | Ecofriendly, Reusable, Heavy Duty By WHYSKO (With Black Lids)
Meal Prep Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set, Home, Refrigerator, and Kitchen Food Storage Organizers | Ecofriendly, Reusable, Heavy Duty By WHYSKO (With Black Lids)

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 35g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 549mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog and tag me in your photo on Instagram or Facebook!

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Thanks for sharing!

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Comments

    5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Jazz says

    August 18, 2021 at 2:44 pm

    Making this tuna salad reminded me of home and my childhood. Love the inclusion of sweet relish and the jalapeno was a nice touch, too!

    Reply
  2. Jazz says

    August 18, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    5 stars
    Making this tuna salad reminded me of home and my childhood. Love the inclusion of sweet relish and the jalapeno was a nice touch, too!

    Reply
  3. Jen says

    August 18, 2021 at 1:33 pm

    Love this tuna salad recipe! It was easy to make, delicious and the jalapeños were the perfect touch because they added some heat.

    Reply
  4. Chenée says

    August 18, 2021 at 6:11 am

    5 stars
    This tuna salad was perfect! The best balance of flavors and it was so fun to have it in the pickle boats!

    Reply
  5. Robin says

    August 15, 2021 at 10:59 pm

    The pickle boat idea is genius - my family loved it!

    Reply
  6. Dee Moore says

    August 15, 2021 at 10:56 pm

    This recipe was not only super easy, but flavorful! The jalapeño boats added the right about of heat and the and pickles, salty, sour taste!

    Reply
  7. Marta says

    August 12, 2021 at 3:29 am

    Tuna salad is a regular lunch meal in our home. Our kiddos love it. We tried your recipe and it was amazing!

    Reply

HEY, Y'ALL!

I'm Tamara! I'm a Southern girl who has cooking in her blood. A wife and busy mom of four awesome kids. I love sharing fun family ideas, money saving life hacks, and have a variety of fool-proof family-friendly recipes for the family on the go. Learn more about Tamara


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