Classic Tuna Salad Recipe (VIDEO)
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 one of our favorite comfort foods filled with protein and veggies. We love easy and healthy recipes like our Tuna Apple Salad and this Tuna Avocado Salad, and of course this Classic Tuna Salad.
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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.
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 runny.
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.
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.
Variations and Add-Ins
Like any salad recipe, this tuna salad is easily customizable. Swap the tuna for chicken instead (or, see our recipe for Fancy 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
- Curry Powder
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).
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 to Try
- Avocado Tuna Salad
- Classic Potato Salad
- Fancy Chicken Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Egg Salad
- Chickpea Salad
Classic Tuna Salad Recipe
This Classic Tuna Salad recipe is light and fresh and great for meal prep. It's packed with protein and flavor, with tender tuna, celery, and chopped boiled eggs.
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 real mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, then mix. Season to taste with black pepper.
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Love all of your recipes, I have made this one so many times it is always delicious. Thank you so much.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Dave!
Hello, I’m sorry to ask the same question that a lot of people have already asked but I was also wondering how many oz of tuna is needed? I looked at the pictures and read the section that talked about it but it doesn’t say anywhere on the can in the pictures how many oz it is. Starkist has a 5 oz can and a 12 oz can. I went to wildplanet.com and it looks like they only offer a 5 oz can option. Would it be 10 oz total for this recipe? Thank you so much for your help with this. I love all your recipes, keep up the great work 🙂
Hi Michelle! No worries. I actually updated the recipe card to be more specific since I was getting this question a lot. I used 5 ounce cans (10 ounces total). I hope you love the recipe! 🙂
I cant make out the size of the tuna in the cans. What size are they?
Hi Monica, I recommend looking at the “What Is the Best Tuna for Tuna Salad?” section of the recipe. We have photos of the packaging we used and the type of tuna that’s best.
This is absolutely delicious! Added a little fresh chopped parsley I had on hand for color. Next time I will make a double batch. Thanks for the recipe!
That sounds like a great plan. I hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes that you will try!
Hi Natasha,
I love all your of your recipes. I wanted to know what size tuna cans that you used in this recipe .
I look forward to trying it with the eggs add in.
Thank you, Denise, for your good comments. I recommend looking at the “What Is the Best Tuna for Tuna Salad?” section of the recipe. We have photos of the packaging we used and the type of tuna that’s best.
Love how quick & easy this salad was to whip up. It truly was delicious! We had it on lettuce and loved how refreshing it was 😋😋 Thank too Natasha for always sharing such fabulous recipes 💗
You’re so welcome, Amy! So glad you enjoyed our tuna salad.
Can I used sweet pickles instead of dill? This is very similar to my Mom’s recipe except she added sweet relish but I would like to try gherkins!! Thank you.
Hello Carol, I haven’t tested that to advise but feel free to experiment! We’d love to know how it goes.
WHAT SIZE CANS OF TUNA DO YOU USE? I ONLY KNOW OF ONE SIZE BUT SINCE PAM ASKED THE QUESTION I THOUGHT THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT SIZES.
Hi Betty, I recommend looking at the “What Is the Best Tuna for Tuna Salad?” section of the recipe. We have photos of the packaging we used and the type of tuna that’s best.
I add a cup of cooked quinoa and serve it on the romaine; no bread required.
My husband wasn’t sure about me adding the eggs into the salad, but I did anyways and we both absolutely loved it! He said it was the best tuna salad sandwich he’s ever had. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Hi Yuliya! That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you for trying my recipe. I’m so glad it was enjoyed.
Looks delicious! What brand of mayo do you prefer? Miracle Whip? Hellmans?
Hi Rick! I linked it in the recipe card, I used Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise. 🙂
Just wondering what size cans of tuna are used in this recipe? Thanks!
Hi Kathy, I recommend looking at the “What Is the Best Tuna for Tuna Salad?” section of the recipe. We have photos of the packaging we used and the type of tuna that’s best.
Very similar to what I do. The only difference is I don’t use sour cream because I like to use a squeeze of lemon. Also as a serving suggestion use pocket and stuff them full. Goes great with white wine
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Joseph!
Looks very tasty and is fast to make. Tomorrow will be my……breakfast!!!
I hope you love it, Elzbieta!
Similar to my recipe except I prefer tuna in olive oil, most of which gets drained, but adds flavor. Will have to try adding sour cream!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Valli!
I would love to try this. What size cans of tuna? I missed that in the recipe. Thanks!
Hi Pam, I recommend looking at the “What Is the Best Tuna for Tuna Salad?” section of the recipe. We have photos of the packaging we used and the type of tuna that’s best.
I have made your tuna salad & it is delicious!! It’s been a while, but thanks for reminding me that I need to make it again!!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you love this recipe. 🙂
The sour cream added a nice tang, and the boiled eggs were a tasty addition. So good!
Thank you for trying my recipe, Kara! So glad you love it.
I’ve never had eggs in my tuna salad before, but it was a surprisingly great addition! Loved it!
That’s great to hear, April. Thank you for trying my recipe. 🙂