Tuna Salad Recipe (with Video)

This quick and easy Classic Tuna Salad recipe is light and fresh, packed with protein, flavor, and texture thanks to tender tuna, crunchy dill pickles, celery, and chopped boiled eggs. Make it once for meal prep, and you will enjoy tasty lunches for days.

A classic tuna salad recipe served on a sandwich on a white plate, with a red and white checked cloth underneath.

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Helpful Reader Review

“I can’t tell you how many times I have made this tuna sandwich recipe since discovering it. I love it. So simple and so good. Thank you so much.” – Monica ★★★★★

Tuna Salad Video

Make the best tuna salad in minutes with only 7 ingredients, so try this recipe the next time you’re looking for make-ahead meal ideas.

The Best Tuna Salad Recipe

I grew up eating tuna salad for lunch since tuna is one of the less expensive ways to enjoy seafood, and it’s a crowd-pleaser. Tuna salad is packed with protein, quick to throw together, and made from pantry and refrigerator staples. When we’re anticipating a full week, we’ll double the recipe a day or two ahead to have it on hand for quick homemade lunches. I’m especially happy that my daughter loves my tuna salad sandwiches!

Serve in a kid-friendly tuna sandwich or stuffed inside a toasted Croissant, or fresh Pita pocket. Toast it on a piece of Sourdough Bread with a slice of cheese on top for the best Tuna Melt, or you can serve it over mixed greens or in lettuce cups for a low-carb option. The versatility makes this tuna salad recipe one of my favorite meal prep ideas.

Ingredients

My favorite tuna salad recipe calls for just a handful of pantry staples.

  • Tuna – I like to use the tuna flakes or chunks that come in water for a lighter salad (see below for details). Remember to fully drain the water from canned tuna or your tuna salad will turn out wet, which dilutes the dressing.
  • Hard-boiled Eggs – Check out my tutorial for how to cook Hard Boiled Eggs.
  • Dill Pickles – We love the salty crunch that pickles bring to this salad. If you aren’t a fan, feel free to leave them out.
  • Celery and Onion – Diced celery and onion for added flavor and texture.
  • Mayonnaise – Use the real stuff for the best flavor, or as a lower-calorie option, use plain Greek yogurt or avocado as in my Avocado Tuna Salad Recipe
  • Sour Cream – I add this to mayo for extra tang.
  • Salt and Pepper – add these to taste since there is plenty of flavor from the pickles and dressing.
The ingredients for the best lunch recipe including canned fish, onion, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, sour cream, pickles, celery

What is the Best Tuna for Tuna Salad?

  • Canned – When making my tuna salad recipe, we prefer albacore tuna in water as it’s healthier and has a fresh, light flavor, but oil-packed works too (consider reducing the mayo a bit). I prefer wild-caught tuna.
  • Packets – Another option is tuna in tear-open packets, which doesn’t require any draining, with 17g of protein per package. 
Two packets of StarKist chunk light in water next to two cans of Wild Planet canned fish.

How to Make Classic Tuna Salad

It couldn’t be easier to make this creamy tuna salad recipe. Once you have everything chopped, it comes together fast.

  • Combine all the ingredients on the list and then mix gently until all the ingredients are coated in dressing. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
Side-by-side photos showing the process of mixing the ingredients together for tuna salad.

Pro Tip

Tuna salad tastes even better the next day, since the flavors have had a chance to mingle together. See further on for make-ahead and storage tips.

Tuna Salad Recipe Variations

Tuna salad tastes the best when it brings you back to your childhood, so the recipe is easily customizable to make the salad your own.

  • Swap the tuna for chicken instead (or, see my recipe for Chicken Salad)
  • Stir in cooked macaroni for a tuna pasta salad
  • Add spices, like dill, paprika, garlic powder, and curry powder to fit your taste.
  • Stir in a spoonful of Dijon mustard or squeeze in fresh lemon juice
  • Shake in some crushed chili flakes for a spicy kick.
  • Add fruits, nuts, or veggies to the ingredients, like Avocado, Crumbled Bacon, cherry tomatoes, chives, capers, green apples, toasted nuts, raisins, or craisins.
Tuna Salad served in a croissant on a blue plate

How to Serve Tuna Salad

My tuna salad recipe is the ultimate make-ahead meal, because one easy recipe makes 5 or more exciting lunches.

  • Lettuce Cups – scooped onto Bibb lettuce, butter lettuce, or Romaine hearts or leaves.
  • Sandwiches – Choose toasted whole wheat slices for a healthier option, or roll them into Homemade Tortillas or Pita Bread.
  • Tuna Salad – Add mixed greens to a bowl, scoop tuna salad over top, and enjoy as a gluten-free option.
  • Croissant – Fill a Croissant and then toast it in the air fryer or toaster oven until it’s just crisp on the outside. It tastes like it’s fresh from the bakery!
  • As a Dip – Serve this tuna salad with your favorite crackers (we love Sourdough Discard Crackers, Ritz crackers, Pita Chips, or artisan crackers).

Helpful Reader Review

“I grew up enjoying tuna salad “stuffed” home-grown tomatoes, with a bit of lettuce underneath. Especially best during summer tomato season! Vinegar tip sounds perfect!” – Tracy ★★★★★

Classic tuna salad served over a bed of greens on a white plate, with a fork.

Make-Ahead

Fresh or refrigerated, this tuna salad recipe tastes amazing! Here’s how to store it:

  • To Refrigerate: Spoon into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing the tuna salad since mayo can separate and change textures.
  • Serve: drain off any accumulated liquid and stir chilled just out of the fridge.
Tuna Salad served over lettuce cups on a white plate with pepper on top

I grew up eating creamy tuna salad, and it’s still one of my favorite classic comfort foods. We’ll never run out of ways to turn it into a healthy weekday lunch packed with protein and veggies.

Tuna Salad

4.98 from 68 votes
Tuna salad sandwich on a plate
My tuna salad recipe comes together in a single step, and uses only a few staple ingredients to make a classic lunch favorite! Gather the ingredients and follow this single step. The salad tastes great in a sandwich, on top of a bed of lettuce, or scooped on a cracker. Double the recipe for ready-made lunch all week.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 4 servings (1/2 cup each)
  • 2 (5 oz) cans tuna in water, well drained
  • 2 boiled eggs, peeled and diced
  • 3 baby dill pickles, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stick, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise*
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • fine sea salt, to taste
  • cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and gently mix until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Notes

Storage:
Pack into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Serve chilled from the refrigerator.
 
*Substitute mayo or sour cream with plain Greek Yogurt for a lower-calorie dressing.
*You can use tuna packed with oil, but be sure to drain it well, and consider reducing the amount of mayo.

Nutrition Per Serving

227kcal Calories3g Carbs18g Protein16g Fat4g Saturated Fat7g Polyunsaturated Fat4g Monounsaturated Fat0.03g Trans Fat130mg Cholesterol682mg Sodium261mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar321IU Vitamin A2mg Vitamin C76mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Tuna Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
227
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
16
g
25
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
 
0.03
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Cholesterol
 
130
mg
43
%
Sodium
 
682
mg
30
%
Potassium
 
261
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
3
g
1
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
18
g
36
%
Vitamin A
 
321
IU
6
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
76
mg
8
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best tuna salad recipe, how to make tuna salad, tuna salad recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 227
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

More Easy Salad Recipes

My tuna salad recipe is one of our favorite lunches. Once you try it, you’ll want to check out these other delicious salad recipes:

4.98 from 68 votes (33 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Jane Ashe
    August 12, 2025

    We use sweet pickles in our tuna salad (potato salad too!) as that’s the way my mom always made it and it’s a hit!!!🥰

    Reply

  • KarenTheCondimentQueen
    August 6, 2025

    Great recipe but I use sweet gherkins instead! A family thing…

    Reply

  • Pamela
    August 4, 2025

    Was quick and easy but most of all it was delicious

    Reply

  • TASNIM
    July 30, 2025

    Was browsing looking for your tuna salad. Will make it on friday as we have a bring and share event. I will omit the pickles , can’t digest it. Btw thank you so much for all your recipes. Really appreciate all your efforts posting your recipes and vidéos.

    Reply

  • Juls
    July 29, 2025

    Delicious. This recipe reminds me of my mother’s dinner recipe where she also added chopped american cheese, chopped green pepper in place of celery, stirred up and then placed in hotdog buns, wrapped in foil, and heated in the oven for 30 mins. Thanks Natasha. This is a great recipe I will use for lunch!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 29, 2025

      You’re very welcome, Juls!

      Reply

  • Phil
    July 24, 2025

    excellent. Easy to make and my wife loved it. Thanh you.

    Reply

  • Tonya
    May 15, 2025

    This tuna salad is the best, it’s not boring like the stuff I make, thank you.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 15, 2025

      I’m so glad you liked it!

      Reply

  • Minnie
    April 18, 2025

    Thank you Natasha! I introduced your channel to my daughter who is studying overseas and she is now your top fan. Thank you for keeping the recipes simple and wholesome. Love you!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 18, 2025

      Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Minnie!. I’m all smiles to hear this!

      Reply

  • Charlotte Mook
    April 13, 2025

    Every thing you make is delicious! Enjoy all your videos and your fun to watch 💕

    Reply

  • Cynthia L.
    April 12, 2025

    This sounds outstanding but I do not recall ever seeing baby dill pickles. Sweet yes, but not dill. Is there a certain brand I need to look for?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 12, 2025

      Hi Cynthia! I don’t have a specific brand to recommend. Any pickle can work, but we like using baby dill pickles because they are crunchier.

      Reply

  • Judy
    March 16, 2025

    I’ve been making this since I was a kid(now 73)my mother used to make it except she always scooped it out with a big ice cream scoop & served it on a bed of iceberg lettuce.

    Reply

  • Tami
    February 2, 2025

    You are my number one go to, Natasha! I’m never disappointed. I love your video tutorials and I watch even when I don’t need to! 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 2, 2025

      Thank you so much, Tami!

      Reply

  • Jaclyn Blazanovic
    January 17, 2025

    Is the eggs a typo? Just want to make sure.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      January 17, 2025

      HI Jaclyn, there are boiled eggs in this recipe. Can you share where the typo is? I’m not exactly sure what the question is.

      Reply

      • Jaclyn Blazanovic
        January 18, 2025

        lol. I thought the eggs were the typo. Never seen eggs in tuna salad recipe before. i will give it a try.
        Thank you

        Reply

        • Susan
          April 12, 2025

          Mmmm
          I would use 2-3x the eggs.
          I love tuna with eggs.

          Reply

          • Cynthia L.
            April 12, 2025

            Me too. Somehow discovered that/this years ago, and would not make tuna salad without!

  • Margaret Linharess
    January 8, 2025

    None of your recipes have failed me so far!
    As for this tuna salad, it was one of the best I’ve tasted.
    The only change I made was that I replaced the sour cream with plain greek yogurt!
    Thank you🙌

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 8, 2025

      Hi Margaret! That’s wonderful to hear. I’m So glad you’re enjoying the recipes. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Jarmila
    November 29, 2024

    After twenty-five years of marriage, my husband told me today, that he really likes tuna salad. I quickly started looking for your website in the hope of seeing a tuna salad recipe. We just had a dinner with your tuna salad. I have never had such a delicious tuna salad as this in my life. Thank you.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 29, 2024

      Hi Jarmila! Wow, that’s awesome. I’m so glad I had a recipe for you. Thanks so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Maria
    November 16, 2024

    I have made this salad twice now. So delicious!! I added chopped fresh parsley and replaced the yellow onion with red. Love the crunchy and creamy texture combination 😋

    Reply

    • Susan
      April 12, 2025

      I also use red onion in tuna salad so it’s pretty.

      Reply

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