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.

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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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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:

• Avocado Chicken Salad
• Caesar Salad
• Panzanella Salad
• Creamy Cucumber Salad 
• Egg Salad
• Chickpea Salad
• Maroulosalata