We can’t get enough of this quick and easy Classic Tuna Salad recipe. It’s 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 enjoy tasty lunches for days.
Tuna salad is definitely a comfort food and we love that it’s filled with protein and veggies. Plus, you probably already have all of the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.
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The Best Tuna Salad Recipe
On busy work days, nothing beats a fresh tuna salad: packed with protein, quick to throw together, and made from pantry and refrigerator staples. When we’re anticipating a full week, we’ll make this creamy salad recipe a day or two ahead to have on hand for quick homemade lunches.
This is perfect to serve in a kid-friendly tuna sandwich or stuffed inside a toasted croissant. Or, serve it over mixed greens or in lettuce cups for a low-carb option. The versatility makes this tuna recipe one of our favorite meal prep ideas. It’s a fantastic, protein-packed, feel-good lunch that anyone can make.
Easy Tuna Salad Video
Watch Natasha make the best tuna salad in minutes with only 7 ingredients. You’ll soon see why it’s one of our favorite make-ahead meal ideas.
Ingredients
Our favorite tuna salad calls for just a handful of pantry staples. Below is a short overview of what you’ll need to make it, with the full details available in the recipe card.
- Tuna – We like to use the tuna flakes or chunks that come in water as opposed to oil. It makes the salad lighter. See below for details.
- Boiled Eggs – Check out our tutorial for how to cook Perfect 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-carb option, use plain Greek yogurt.
- Sour Cream – We prefer to use a combination of mayo and sour cream, for extra tang.
- Salt and Pepper – add these to taste. Sometimes I don’t add salt at all since there is plenty of flavor from the pickles and dressing.
What Is the Best Tuna for Tuna Salad?
- Canned – When making tuna salad, we prefer albacore tuna in water as it’s healthier and has a fresh, light flavor. Wild Planet™ is currently our go-to brand as its products taste great and it’s also sustainable.
- Packets – Another option is StarKist™ tuna, which comes in tear-open packets and doesn’t require any draining, with 17g of protein per package.
Pro Tip
Remember to fully drain the water from canned tuna beforehand, otherwise, your tuna salad will turn out wet which dilutes the dressing.
How to Make Classic Tuna Salad
It couldn’t be easier to make this creamy tuna salad. Gather your ingredients, and then add them to a large mixing bowl along with the mayo and sour cream. Toss to coat, and season everything with a generous crack of black pepper.
Pro Tip
Tuna salad tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had a chance to mingle together. See further on for make-ahead and storage tips.
Tuna Salad Variations
Like any salad recipe, this tuna salad is easily customizable. Swap the tuna for chicken instead (or, see our recipe for Chicken Salad), or stir in cooked macaroni for a tuna pasta salad. There are tons of ways to change up the ingredients and seasonings to suit your tastes.
For even more flavor, stir in a spoonful of Dijon mustard or squeeze in fresh lemon juice. Or, shake in some crushed chili flakes for a spicy kick. Here are some more salad add-in ideas to try:
- Avocado
- Crumbled Bacon
- Cucumber or Cherry Tomatoes
- Green Onions
- Capers
- Green Apples
- Toasted Nuts
- Raisins or Craisins
- Fresh Herbs or Garlic
Ways to Serve Tuna Salad
Tuna salad is the ultimate make-ahead meal. One easy recipe makes 5 or more exciting lunches. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this classic tuna salad:
- Lettuce Cups – Serve this salad spooned into Bibb lettuce, butter lettuce, or Romaine hearts or leaves.
- Sandwiches – Go the classic route, and enjoy a tuna salad sandwich between toasted bread. Choose whole wheat slices for a healthier option, or roll your salad up into a wrap with Homemade Tortillas or Pita Bread.
- Tuna Salad – Add mixed greens to a bowl, scoop tuna salad over top, and enjoy.
- Croissant – Slice a croissant in half and fill it with tuna salad. If you have time, toast the croissant in the air fryer or toaster oven until it’s just crisp on the outside. It tastes as though it’s fresh from the bakery!
- As a Dip – Serve this tuna salad with your favorite crackers (we love Ritz crackers, Pita Chips, or artisan crackers).
Common Questions
Yes, this tuna salad will still come out great using tuna that’s canned in oil. Consider adding a bit less mayo.
You can substitute the mayonnaise in this recipe with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter option. Or, replace mayo with mashed avocado.
Yes, you can substitute tuna with cooked shredded chicken for a chicken salad instead.
Definitely. If you’re making this salad for a crowd, go ahead and scale up the ingredients as needed.
Make-Ahead
This tuna salad tastes incredible when it’s made fresh, but it also keeps well for up to 3 days. Here’s how to store it:
- To Refrigerate: Store your tuna salad in an airtight container in the fridge (this will keep the tuna salad from absorbing refrigerator odors). You should refrigerate immediately and keep the salad chilled until ready to serve.
- To Serve: Drain off any accumulated liquid and stir just before serving. Season to taste with salt and freshly cracked black pepper just before serving.
We grew up eating tuna salad, and it’s still one of our favorite classic comfort foods. We’ll never run out of ways to turn it into a healthy weekday lunch. What’s your favorite meal prep idea? Let us know in the comments!
More Easy Salad Recipes
Classic Tuna Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 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.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
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!
Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Minnie!. I’m all smiles to hear this!
Every thing you make is delicious! Enjoy all your videos and your fun to watch 💕
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?
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.
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.
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! 🙂
Thank you so much, Tami!
Is the eggs a typo? Just want to make sure.
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.
lol. I thought the eggs were the typo. Never seen eggs in tuna salad recipe before. i will give it a try.
Thank you
Mmmm
I would use 2-3x the eggs.
I love tuna with eggs.
Me too. Somehow discovered that/this years ago, and would not make tuna salad without!
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🙌
Hi Margaret! That’s wonderful to hear. I’m So glad you’re enjoying the recipes. Thank you for sharing.
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.
Hi Jarmila! Wow, that’s awesome. I’m so glad I had a recipe for you. Thanks so much for sharing that with me.
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 😋
I also use red onion in tuna salad so it’s pretty.