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.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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 Solid White Albacore Tuna in oil for more flavor and it seems to hold its 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.
Nutrition Per Serving
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?
And what is the number 1 recipe on your site that gave you the inspiration for this wonderful looking tuna salad? This is my first time looking at your site and I would like to know. Thanks!
My pleasure Victoria! The recipe I am referring to is this Cucumber Tomato Salad.
I ate this as a kid, Im 50 now and havent had that in many years.
Please let me know what you think now Thomas!
Sounds yummy and low carb-right up my alley.
Thanks for sharing!
It is so good and easy to make! Please let me know what you think Carmen!
You mention this recipe is very close to the number 1 recipe on your site, do you mind replying which recipe that is? I haven’t tried this yet, but it sounds delicious and I will definitely make it after my next grocery run. Thanks so much!
Whoops sorry and nevermind, I see it is the tomato avocado salad!
My pleasure Alina! This is the salad I am referring to: https://natashaskitchen.com/2015/06/01/cucumber-tomato-avocado-salad/
I made this for dinner tonight. It was absolutely incredible!
That’s great Randy! Thanks for sharing your review 😀
We happened to have all ingredients needed for the salad, so we quickly made this recipe yesterday after church. Thought we would have guests, so did the full recipe. They ended up not coming, so my husband and I ate first half for lunch, and the rest past dinner. Children had some too. We all liked it. We both like cilantro, so it was a good combo. Next time I want to try with dill also.
Quick to make! Another advantage 😊.
Awesome! I’m glad to hear the entire family enjoys the recipe! Thanks for sharing Larisa 😀
How many calories is this?
Due to time constraints, I don’t typically include nutritional info, but check out this nutrition analyzer – you can plug in the ingredients from any recipe, select the serving size and it will give you nutritional info, calories, etc. I hope that is helpful to you!
In one serving, there are 195 calories dividing the full recipe by 6 servings. For Weight Watchers, one serving is 9 points. Hope this is helpful.
Sounds like the cilantro makes it pop, but I am one of those that really dislikes Cilantro. Is there another fresh herb you would suggest that would pop flavor with the lemon juice in this recipe? Thanks.
I think fresh dill would also work really well in this salad. I hope you love it!! 🙂
This looks super yummy!! Going to make stat– curious, how long do leftovers keep in the fridge?
Thanks!
I always thought it was best fresh but of you want to make it a day ahead, be sure to add the salt just before serving so the cucumbers don’t soften. Enjoy!
Love the contents, but not the tuna in oil. Used tuna in water and moistened the entire salad with a fat free Italian Dressing. It was delicious
Yum! That sounds great Karen! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Natasha,
This looks great! I’m dieting. Do you have nutrition info for this?
Thanks,
Jackie
Due to time constraints, I don’t typically include nutritional info, but check out this nutrition analyzer – you can plug in the ingredients from any recipe, select the serving size and it will give you nutritional info, calories, etc. I hope that is helpful to you!
Time? What is that? I completely understand. I’ll use the handy tool you sent. Thanks so much!
Since their is lemon in the recipe will that prevent the avocado from browning? I am hoping to make the night before for my lunch .
Hi Kristen, yes the lemon will keep it from browning, but if you are looking to make-it the night before, assemble the full salad, cover and refrigerate but add the salt just before serving. If you add it early, the cucumbers will soften. Enjoy!!
Sounds so great!
Thank you Tieghan! 🙂
Hi from Montréal canada. I just make it and so delicious. Fresh and crispy. And so fast to do. Tks you
That’s great Marie! Thank you for sharing 😀
Made this for lunch today, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
It really is so simple! I’m happy you enjoyed it Sherri 😀
I just made this and it is delicious!! What a great idea!
Thank you Athena! I’m happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Delicious! I am enjoying it on whole wheat toast for breakfast!! I’m holding the dressing and salt aside to add as I serve but I did add lemon juice to the cut avocado. Great combination of all my favorite flavors. Thank you. Natasha.
That is such a smart way to make it ahead! Thank you for sharing and I’m so glad you loved it! 🙂
This is so pretty! It looks delicious
It is so good! Please let me know what you think if you decide to make it Sara! 🙂
I just love this recipe and you explain it all wonderfully. I don’t know why it is that a person would not have this really often!
I’m happy to hear you love the recipe and found my instructions easy to follow! Thanks for sharing your review Carol 🙂
Natasha, this recipe is GENIUS. Who would have thought?. I’m even thinking this would be great on toasted bread (like an open faced sandwich) as a spread for parties😋..
That’s a great idea! I’m happy you like the recipe! 😀
If you make this ahead, don’t the avocados get brown? Or does the lemon juice mitigate that? Thanks!!
Hi Christie, the lemon will keep it from browning, but if you are looking to make-it the night before, assemble the full salad, cover and refrigerate but add the salt just before serving. If you add it early, the cucumbers will soften. Enjoy
This sounds so delicious! I love tuna and avocado…I’m not a mayo fan. I’ve never added cilantro to the mix though…great idea. I’ll be trying this out!
Please let me know what you think Lindsay!