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 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?
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!