Avocado Tuna Salad Recipe (VIDEO)
This Avocado Tuna Salad has a simple and surprising combination of ingredients but it just works! This tuna salad can be served on the side with dinner or as a very satisfying lunch because it comes together quickly and is loaded with protein.
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The avocado gives this tuna salad recipe a healthy and highly satisfying creaminess without needing mayo. The lemon juice and cilantro give it incredible fresh flavor – this may just become your new favorite tuna salad.
P.S. Want to know a little secret? This salad is a close relative to the #1 recipe on my site of all time – that’s where the inspiration came from and it was an instant hit!
Ingredients for Avocado Tuna Salad (print the recipe below):
This Avocado Tuna Salad has such simple ingredients and you may already have everything you need to make it (I love it when that happens!!).
What Kind of Tuna is Best for Tuna Salad?
We used drained Chunk Light Tuna in oil for more flavor and it seems to hold it’s form better, but you can substitute for well-drained tuna in water if you prefer.
Make-Ahead Tip: Once you add salt, the salad should be enjoyed within 3 hours of making, or the cucumbers start to lose their crispness. To prep the salad in advance, combine all of the ingredients except the salt, cover and refrigerate. Season with salt just before serving.
I would pass you a fork if I could so you could experience this amazing tuna salad for yourself. It’s worth discovering and this tuna salad recipe is meant to be shared!
KITCHEN EQUIPMENT (affiliate links):
Boos Cutting Board
OXO Fruit Scoop
Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Inch Santoku Knife
VIDEO GEAR (if you’re curious!):
CANON 6D Camera
Canon 80D Camera (auto-focus for overhead shots)
Canon EF 24-105 F4 Camera Lens
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L IS Camera Lens
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L IS USM Camera Lens
Manfrotto Tripod
Manfrotto Video Head
Rhino Slider with Motion Controller
Rhino Arc Motorized Pan Head for Motion
Camera Mount Wireless Lavalier Mic System
Avocado Tuna Salad Video Tutorial:
Watch Natasha make this Tuna Salad Recipe with Avocado! It is mouthwatering good and so simple – definitely an upgrade on classic tuna salad.
Is your mouth watering yet??
Print Friendly for Avocado Tuna Salad:
Avocado Tuna Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 oz tuna in oil, drained and flaked (3 small cans)
- 1 English cucumber sliced
- 2 large or 3 medium avocados peeled, pitted & sliced
- 1 small/medium red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro (1/2 of a small bunch)
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt or to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
-
In a large salad bowl, combine: sliced cucumber, sliced avocado, thinly sliced red onion, drained tuna, and 1/4 cup cilantro
-
Drizzle salad ingredients with 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper (or season to taste). Toss to combine and serve.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
It really is as good as it looks. Avocado and tuna are a winning combination.
So much juiciness and flavour!!! Make this for your next party and your guests will rave about your avocado tuna salad. I hope you love this so much that it becomes a new favorite for you.
Q: What are YOUR favorite tuna recipes?
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Loved this.
I’m happy you enjoyed that!
Waiting for avacados to ripen can’t wait to try this! Keep them coming Natasha!
Thank you Sue!
This salad is absolutely delicious, the lemon dressing was so tasty. Great lunch with excellent nutritional value. I only had 1/2 English cucumber so added some kalamata olives. Delicious!!! Thank you for the recipe. You’re awesome!
Thank you so much for your great comments and feedback! I’m happy to know that you enjoyed this salad recipe.
Wondering what the macros are if I left out the olive oil?
Hi Alex, I don’t currently have a system where we can easily calculate that without changing the entire recipe nutrition label. You might have to figure it out for the amount of oil and then divide.
How big is a serving? Thanks!!!
Hi Megan, this recipe serves 6 as a side dish so just imagine one order of a side dish when you eat out.
Dear Natasha
I have tried some of recipes, some turned well some didn’t, obviously because of me 😊
This one was sooo easy to make and so delicious, I just love it
I can’t stop eating 😄😋
You are great, thanks !
Hi Sonia, I’m so happy to hear that.
Natasha I often make your tuna avocado salad. It’s definitely my favorite. I did take it to a pot luck dinner. Everyone liked it. I add clover leaf jalapeño tuna that has olive oil added to it. It gives it a slight spicy flavour or a kick as some may call it. I just like spicy flavours. I made your gingerbread cookies too and they were devoured quickly.
Hello Nora, so nice to know that you’ve been enjoying my recipes. Thank you for sharing and I hope that you will love every recipe that you will try!
I would also add Feta Cheese cause I love it.
I changed up the dressing with my favorite Ponzu dressing:
Mix together:
3 Tab. Ponzu Sauce
2 tsp. Sesame oil
1 tsp. Soy Sauce
1 tsp. Ginger, grated
1 tsp. Toasted Sesame seeds
I love both ways.
Sounds great! Thank you too, for sharing this with us, we appreciate it.
Hi Natasha,
love your recipes. Can I substitute salmon instead of tuna with this salad
Hi Zai, I think this would still work great with Salmon. You can also check out my Avocado Salmon Salad Recipe if this helps.
This sale is so yummy! My family doesn’t like cilantro so I substituted parsley and added a few cherry tomatoes.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Can you use water packed tuna? I dont like all the oil.
Hi Debby, yes that would work fine, just drain well.
Any thoughts on what to serve with this?
Hi JD, this can be served as a side with dinner or as a very satisfying lunch because it comes together quickly and is loaded with protein. One of our readers wrote in saying they enjoyed this on toast.
This is a perfect and delicious recipe! I love all of your recipes. I also did a version where I mixed a teaspoon of minced jalapeño and zested some lemon into the dressing. It added a nice kick. But yours by itself is perfect as it is 🙂
Sounds great too! Thanks for sharing that with us, Chris. I should try adding that next time.
Natasha, this salad is so easy to make and it is exceptional. Thank you so much for sharing!!!! I didn’t have much cilantro so substituted for parsley instead 😉
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Anna!
I made this with some chopped baby tomatoes and a little creme fraiche to rub on corn tortillas. Filled with your filling and drizzled with some home made chilli infused olive oil. It was exceptional!
I forgot to rate 5 out of 5. Remedied 🙂
Hello Ian, thank you for sharing your good feedback with us. I’m glad you enjoyed this salad recipe!
Hi natasha I tried this salad and it was lovely. can you use dill in this salad too? Can this salad be stored in the fridge and for how long?
Hi, dill would work and I would say not to make it more than 2 days ahead. The lemon juice will preserve the avocados and keep them looking fresh overnight but probably not much beyond that.
Awesome, love it
Thank you for watching!
First time trying one of your recipes. Made the avocado tuna salad. LOVED IT! So many flavors! Will be back to try more.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Kathi! Thank you for that wonderful review!
Hi I prepare this salad adding asparagus and a pinch of chile de arbol flakes. What a delicious!! loveee it
I’m so glad! Thank you for sharing that with us!
How would I cut the recipe down for one person?
Hi Diane, scroll down to the printable recipe card and by the servings slide (the red number) down to one. I hope that helps
My husband and I have been making this every day for the last week! It is SO SO good! We also add Dijon Mustard and jalapeños to ours and it is just perfect! Thank you for the recipe!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Irina!
Made this recipe, for an easy lite summer dinner. My husband tried it and said you better take it away, which meant he really liked it. I found it so delicious it is our new salad. Thank you Natasha.
That is so awesome! You are so welcome and I hope you and your family love every recipe that you try.
This is fantastic. I don’t eat mayo, so this was a really delicious alternative to tuna salad. It was great as is, but I also tried it with a little sour cream and that was great too.
Yum! Thank you so much for sharing that with me Jenn! I’ll have to try that!
I made the tuna avocado salad for the first time today and it was absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS! The lemon vinaigrette was the perfect dressing for this dish. This is going to be a staple in my meal plan from now on.
Super love it! Thanks for your awesome review, Meg.
Can I use parsley instead of cilantro I’m not a big fan of it in the tuna avocado salad will it make a differance
Hi Mary! That should work! I hope you love this recipe!
Hi Natasha,
Thank you for all your receipts,
they all look so good! What would you recommend for this salad other then avocado?
Hi Cindy, Avocados are one of the main ingredients in this recipe but you are welcome to omit them.
The 1st time I tried it, I loved it, but I had a little heartburn I think from the red onion. So, I tried it again and sautéed the red onion for just a few minutes. Still tangy, but slightly milder and sweeter. Still yummy.
Thanks for sharing that with us, Audrey. You can use less onion or omit it next time if it’s still giving you the same effect.
Hi, I absolutely HATE cilantro; it tastes like soap to me, lol! What can I substitute for it? A lot of your recipes call for cilantro in the dressing but I have no idea what to use to fill in for flavor since I won’t use cilantro. Thanks for your help, and btw, I tried your Beef Broccoli and Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira and they were superb! You are so talented.
Hi Sheri, if you are not a fan of cilantro, you can use dill or chives/green onion.
Soooo good! I made half the recipe and ate the whole thing for lunch today. The canned tuna I had was in water, not oil, so I added a little bit more of the olive oil. And I used extra light olive oil, since I love its delicate flavor. Thank you for the recipe!
You’re welcome Irina! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
Looks so tasty healthy thanks
You’re welcome Pat! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
Hi Natasha, I want to ask, since I can’t find cilantro? What can replace cilantro? Thanks. I am planning to make this recipe soon
Hi Maria, dill or parsley should work. I hope you love this recipe!
I made this for dinner with bread. I disappointed with myself coz it turned out not really good. The reason might be that I can’t find the perfect avocado, mine is slightly ripe, then I could not find English cucumber and use the white cucumber instead, and then I could not find red onion so use small onions. Also, can’t find the perfect lemon and use big lime instead.
Good things is that I made only small portion because I couldn’t find everything for this salad.
Only one store open near my place
since this
But will try next time..
Thank you…
Hi Maria, that does make it really difficult when the right ingredients aren’t available and I know some areas are more difficult than others. I feel for you and I can’t wait for everything to turn around for our world!
it’s too easy to make and healthy.
i love the recipe that could be make in no time
Thank you for your great review!
This was a great recipe! My first time using avocados, ever. I used a little extra lemon juice and a Smoked Chili Sea Salt for increased flavor. My picture looks as good as the chefs :).
I will make again!
Wow that sounds awesome! Please share a photo in our Facebook group or page if you have it.
Could you add pasta shells to make this a tuna pasta salad?
Hi Laura, I think that would work great but you would probably need more dressing.
Hi,
Can I use sardine instead of tuna?
Thank you!
Hi Lisa. I haven’t tried sardines yet to advise. Let us know how it goes if you decide to experiment and give it a try!
Wow, delish. I hate making salads, but I made this and enjoyed it very much. Used it to come down from a 48 hr. fast that I do periodically on the Keto Diet
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Maurice! Thank you for that great feedback.
Hi! Thank you for this great recipe! I made this several times for our summer get togethers and everyone really enjoyed this salad, and made it recently because winter is already feeling too long and I needed something fresh, and it was wonderful! Thank you again!
I’m always looking for that taste of summer in the wintertime. Thank you for that awesome review.
Used frozen avocados. Otherwise made it exactly as specified, except I omitted the salt because I served with plain ( but salty) potato chips . Both my husband and I liked it. Definitely simple enough to become a camping go-to! Not sure why I had to find oil packed tuna (my local store only carries 1 brand and they’re tiny cans). So next time, I’ll try water based tuna.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!!
This looks so good. I’m making this tonight. The fat content 20g is really high. Is this due to the avocados?
Hi Angie, yes it is, and you can omit them but keep in mind that avocados are considered a healthy kind of fat.
Found this on facebook and had the ingredients on hand. added a few cherry tomatoes and a tsp. of dried dill. Really GOOD. Will make again. Carlene
That’s so awesome Carlene, I’m so glad you enjoyed that.
I substituted the tuna with my home canned chicken and it was very good ! My hubby Loved it !
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for that wonderful feedback
Yummy. And so quick to prepare. Great for hot weather.
Isn’t it the best! I’m happy you enjoyed that Sandi!
How long will this last in the fridge? I’m only making this for myself so would like to just make one serving at a time so I don’t waste any food, so what would the measurements be for one serving.
Hi Brian, if you click on the number next to “servings” in the recipe card, you can adjust the recipe that way and have it show you the updated list of ingredients for the servings you want. Regarding refrigeration – after adding salt, you should enjoy it within 3 hours as salt will soften cucumbers. If you want to make it a day ahead, I would add everything except the salt, cover and refrigerate, then toss with salt just before serving.
Hi Brian, after adding salt, you should enjoy it within 3 hours as salt will soften cucumbers. If you want to make it a day ahead, I would add everything except the salt, cover and refrigerate, then toss with salt just before serving.
Haven’t made this yet, but almost every recipe I have used from this website for a base cooking-wise has been leaps and bounds ahead of anything else I can find. Started with the teriyaki salmon recipe, which is perfect, and I start any new cooking idea by searching this site and adjusting to personal taste. Thank you for your brilliance, and I look forward to trying your future kitchen endeavors.
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me Dennis.
First I added cooked fresh yellow fin tuna, lime, fresh corn from the cob, roasted habinaro pepper (also from my garden), hint of roasted garlic,and the remainder of the other ingredients. Then it became a 5 star recipe.
Hi Ron! Thank you for sharing those changes with us! I’m happy you enjoyed our version!
This is a definite winner! No fishy taste! Thanks so much for posting this.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Lisa!
Hello Natasha, This was extra tasty!! I made it with vegan toonami instead and it was amazingly tasty. Thank you for sharing !
I’m so happy to hear that Jessica! Thank you for your awesome review!
Do you have to use tuna in oil?
Hi Dianne, canned tuna should work great. Here is what one of our readers wrote “I substituted the tuna with my home canned chicken and it was very good ! My hubby Loved it!” I hope that helps.
I added boiled eggs and a jalapeño. DELICIOUS!! Thank you!! Made plenty for 2 days of lunch for 2 people with a little extra leftover.
That’s so great! I’m so happy you enjoyed that.
Just made this!
Love that I had everything on hand. Simple ingredients but oh so delicious. Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Mary!
Hi what is cilantro
Hi Nikki, cilantro looks very similar to parsley, its flavor is much stronger, however.
Hi Natasha, can you substitute the cilantro for parsley?
Hi Natalie, that should work!
Coriander!
Hi, for those that do not know it is sometimes called “Coriander” .
Yum! Keto comfort food – thanks Natasha
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Linda!
Have been making this for some time. The last time I made it I added chopped tomatoes…. Really good. Am making again tomorrow.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing that with me!
I tweaked this a bit to my tastes… And what I had in hand…but OMG! This is WONDERFUL! I’m trying to not eat the whole batch at once!!!!
Renea
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Oh my goodness, this is DELICIOUS and so HEALTHY. EVERYONE in the family praises this salad and we all agree, it has become one of our favourites. THANK YOU Natasha!!!!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it
Sooooo Addictive, soooo yummmy yummy…
XOXO
From Paris, France
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I’m new to this site. I was looking for some ways to use avocados when I found your recipe for avocado tuna salad. Wow! It’s fantastic! I didn’t have a lemon, so I substituted lime, and I think it’s great. Thank you for sharing your amazing creation, and I really look forward to trying your other recipes!
I’m so happy you discovered our blog. Welcome! 🙂 I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Would this work with crab meat?
Hi Aimee, I honestly haven’t considered using crab meat in this so without testing it, I can’t say for sure how the flavors would meld. I think it’s worth an experiment. We usually make crab salad like this or this version with peas is also very good.
It’s a winner for sure! Had all the ingredients on hand. Great fats and proteins, low carb. It was a great recipe to substitute salt for ground kelp! Will put this in my favorite low carb recipes for sure!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review 🙂
This is awesome !!!
Isn’t it great?! Thanks!
I’m going to try this today with canned chicken. Just picked up everything I needed at Aldi’s.
I hope you love it, Anne! Enjoy!
I’m eating this awesome salad as I’m writing this comment! This salad is so delicious and light. Thank you for sharing this goodness:)!
My pleasure! Thank you for sharing this awesome review with us, Alla!
I just seen your recipe for avocado tuna salad recipe and I will try it tonight sounds yummy , sincerely Christine …
Hi Christine! That’s so great! I can’t wait to hear all about it! Please let us know how you like it.
Natasha, Thank you for sharing your recipes. I love it.
You’re so welcome, Juan! I’m happy you are enjoying them!
Love this recipe…I love to change it up with canned chicken breast and then roll up in a spinach tortilla…makes a fantastic wrap!
Oh that’s a great idea! Thank you for sharing that with me Candice!
OMG!, THIS WAS DELICIOUS. I ADDED SOME GREEN OLIVES, SO GOOD!
So happy you enjoyed that Sandi!
I blackened tuna steaks instead of using canned tuna, it was absolutely delicious.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Felisha!
This salad was very good. I added grape tomatoes to it. I did not add any tuna until I add to a different bowl to eat.
Thank you for sharing that with us!
Why do you list chunk light tuna in the recipe but show it both prepared and unassembled with cans of solid white albacore?
Hi Ronnie, you can use any variety of tuna that you have on hand. These are the ones we had when I photographed the recipe. Both will work well.
I made this for dinner last night cutting it down for one.LOVE, LOVE LOVE this! I bet it would taste great with orzo too. Gonna try it next time. Thank you!!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
can I use the Chicken breast instead of tuna and also not use sea salt and black pepper either I can”t use it either also I don”t do cilantro either.
That should work, Susan! I’d love to know how you like it with the chicken!
Hi Natasha! I was wondering if I made this ahead for lunches for the week if the avocado would last, or if it would turn brown? Thank you! I am excited to make it and I love all your recipes!
Hi Monica, because the avocado will slowly start to brown, I would say not to make it more than 2 days ahead. The lemon juice will preserve the avocados and keep them looking fresh overnight but probably not much beyond that.
Thanks for sharing. Love all your recipes.I think this would be good with can chicken too…
What a great idea! Thanks Betty!
Love it! Simple, fresh, and very tasty.
Thanks for all the recipes, and this
excellent website. Great directions, pics and videos, easy to navigate, and tons of flavor!
Thanks to both of you!
-Mike
Thank you for the thoughtful review, Mike! I’m so happy to hear you are enjoying our recipes
Great recipe! Thanks! I had most of the ingredients, so it was perfect timing to find this. I had a regular cuke, so I took out the seeds. I also had fennel so I finely to get rid of, so added some finely chopped stalks which added a nice crunch and tossed in the fronds. No lemons, so substituting lime was excellent. And then a little hot crushed red pepper (UTICA GRIND has no seeds!)
A BIG hit.
Wow! That sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing your spin on this dish!
What is the serving size?
Hi Chris, there are 6 servings. the serving size is listed in the upper left side of the recipe card. The recipe card is located at the bottom of the post 🙂
SO GOOD! I can’t say it loud enough!
Thank you, I will be making this again and again.
I’m so happy you enjoyed this!
Could you substitute cilantro with something else. Not a fan of it. Maybe spinac , kale, etc..
Kathleen, if you are not a fan of cilantro, you can use dill or chives/green onion. 🙂
Thank you
You’re welcome!
Oh, good thought, thanks! Dill and parsley I have, but I can’t stand cilantro (and so many recipes and restaurants want to put it in everything!).
RK
You’re welcome.
What is the serving size for the nutritional value listed?
Hi Sharon, this recipe serves 6 people as a side salad. The nutritional value would be for 1/6th of the recipe. Hope this helps 🙂
Wow, wow and wow! This salad was fantastic! I mixed the tunas. I used chunk light in oil and solid white albacore. I also added tomatoes. It was so yummy tasting and filling I made it 2 days in a row. A very nice change from the traditional salads. I will now try the avocado chicken salad.
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me :).
I used tuna in water and will definitely get the tuna in oil next time…maybe even salmon. This definitely tasted less fishy the next day too. 6 out of 10.
Thank you Joy.
I honestly could not have predicted how delicious this was going to be looks like I just found a regular lunch! Thank you!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Hi! These look so good! I have shared this recipe in my post 12 Best Keto Meal Prep Recipes for #MealPrepMonday on Keeping It Keto. Thanks for much for your sharing your recipes with the rest of us! ♥ Keto On!
xox
Sarah
I’m so inspired reading your review. Thank you!
Thank you for a beautiful flavourful and nutritious salad. Quick and easy, the whole family loves it! Thank you Natasha.
You are very welcome Amy and thank you for making it 😀