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Apple Tuna Salad Recipe

This Tuna Salad with Apples is a winner and it doesn’t get any easier! It is loaded, with flaky tuna, creamy avocado, crisp green apples, and crunchy almonds – the combination of flavors and textures makes this Apple Tuna Salad completely irresistible!

We love creamy and comforting salads from Macaroni Salad to Egg Salad and this Apple Tuna Salad is definitely at the top of our list.

Tuna salad with apples and avocado served with crackers

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The Best Tuna Salad with Apples

This is hands down the best tuna salad recipe I’ve tried and the flavors are exciting! My sister Anna was the genius behind this recipe and called me to share. I rushed to her house for a taste…and that taste turned into an entire bowl. This salad is fresh, loaded, and delicious; in an “I can’t stop eating it” kind of way.

The surprising addition of green apple and avocado creates a nice contrast between the crisp tartness and delicious creaminess. It also gives this tuna salad a southern spin. There’s some serious chemistry going on in this salad! If you love tuna recipes, check out our Avocado Tuna Salad.

Freshly mixed apple tuna salad

Ingredients for Apple Tuna Salad

This tuna salad recipe is the elevated version of classic tuna salad with the addition of apple, avocado, and toasted almonds. This may just become your go-to tuna recipe. You will need:

  • Canned Tuna – the main ingredient is a pantry staple. We used tuna in water but canned tuna in oil will work, just be sure it is well-drained. 
  • Green Apple – diced green apples add a crisp bite to this and make the salad taste so fresh. If you don’t have apples, you can substitute celery for a more traditional tuna salad. 
  • Avocados – add creaminess and flavor so you can get away with using less mayonnaise. 
  • Toasted Almonds – add nice texture and crunch. You can easily omit almonds if you don’t have them on hand. 
  • Lemon Juice – use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor and avoid concentrate. If you don’t have lemons on hand, try substituting with ½ Tbsp dijon mustard. 
Tuna salad ingredients: remember the apples, almonds, and avocado

How to Make Tuna Salad with Apples

  1. Toast your almonds in a dry skillet until golden brown. Remove them and let them cool slightly.
  2. Drain the tuna. I open the lid and then press it down firmly over the tuna to drain off as much water as my gigantic muscles (not) can squeeze out. If your tuna is too wet, your salad will be wet = no.
  3. Combine everything in a large mixing bowl and add a pinch of black pepper and lemon juice to taste.
Fresh tuna salad with apple recipe ingredients in a bowl before mixing

Make-Ahead

When stored properly, tuna salads can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Since we are working with fish and mayonnaise, keep the salad refrigerated until ready to serve.

To Serve

This salad is a versatile dish that can be served in countless ways! Some of my favorites ways to serve this recipe include:

  • Tuna sandwiches with soft bread or toasted bread
  • Tuna salad wraps in a homemade tortilla or pita wrap
  • Lettuce Wrap – For low-carb options, consider serving inside a lettuce wrap or in a halved avocado
  • As a dip with crackers or tortilla chips
Apple Tuna salad served with crackers

If you’re looking to change up your Tuna Salad routine, this Apple Tuna Salad is a must-try. It will make your lunches exciting!

More Easy Salad Recipes

Apple Tuna Salad Recipe

4.98 from 71 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Apple tuna salad served with crackers
Tuna Salad loaded, with flaky canned tuna, creamy avocado, crisp green apples, and crunchy almonds – the combination of flavors and textures makes this completely irresistible!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 servings
  • 20 oz tuna in water, (four, 5-oz cans), well drained.
  • 1 medium onion, 1 1/3 cup finely diced
  • 1 medium granny smith apple, seeded and diced
  • 1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
  • 3/4 cup real mayo, or added to taste
  • 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds or chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

  • Toast nuts on a dry skillet until golden. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  • To drain tuna, I open the lid then press it down firmly over the tuna to drain off as much water as I can squeeze out. If your tuna is too wet, your salad will be wet.
  • Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and add a pinch of black pepper and 1/2 tsp lemon juice, or to taste. Add mayo to taste.

Nutrition Per Serving

209kcal Calories1g Carbs14g Protein16g Fat3g Saturated Fat34mg Cholesterol309mg Sodium147mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar54IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C17mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Apple Tuna Salad Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
209
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
16
g
25
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
 
34
mg
11
%
Sodium
 
309
mg
13
%
Potassium
 
147
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
14
g
28
%
Vitamin A
 
54
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
17
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple tuna salad, tuna salad with apples
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 209
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

 

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

4.98 from 71 votes (28 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Sherri
    July 16, 2024

    Natasha I bought your book when it came out but all this popping ads is so annoying. It makes my recipe move and I have to re-look it up. The chicken salad is great but I do not like the lemon in it. Is it necessary?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 16, 2024

      Hi Sherri, The lemon juice does help to keep the avocado and salad fresh.

      Thank you for sharing your concerns and feedback. The only way we can continue providing free recipes is by having ads on our site, so we are not able to remove those at this time. We find that most people would rather see the ads than pay to see the recipes. But we will definitely take note of your feedback and use it to improve our website.

      I appreciate your feedback, and I hope you love every recipe you try.

      Reply

  • Valeria
    May 10, 2024

    Yum ! Loved the crunch of apples for a change
    Made sandwiches for a picnic lunch on a hike.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 10, 2024

      That’s nice! Great to hear that you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Joe
    April 27, 2024

    This tuna salad was amazing. I usually make the usual boring tuna salad with Mayo and onions. When I saw this I had to try it, and now this is my go to Tuna salad for now on. Had it in a wrap with Arugula. Love the crunch of the apple and walnuts. Delicious!

    Reply

  • Linda Ky
    April 6, 2024

    I made this for my party and it was such a HIT!! My MIL even asked for some to take home🤭🥰 I’m so happy Tysm!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 6, 2024

      You’re so welcome, Linda! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Uzo Onunaku
    May 24, 2022

    Natasha – I absolutely ❤️ Your recipes. This tuna salad is off the chain. Where can I purchase the type of crackers used to enjoy and eat this salad. AppreciIated!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 24, 2022

      Hi Uzo! Thank you, so glad you enjoy my recipe. This can be served with any cracker, or you can use a fancy cheese cracker. I believe this one was a multi-grain cracker.

      Reply

  • Joyce Yamshak
    May 24, 2022

    I am going to definitely try this recipe my husband and I love tuna salad..this has a little different twist than mine.
    Would like to add when my cat BJ hears the electric can opener she comes running because I give her the little dish of water I drain out of the tuna, she loves it!.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 24, 2022

      Sounds like a plan, please update us on how you liked the recipe! That is adorbs, I can imagine how cute your cat is!

      Reply

  • Val
    April 3, 2022

    I wonder about the avocado. I made an egg salad for my daughter and the avocado turned brown by the next day! Is there anything to do to help prevent this? FYI, I’m about to make your Egg Salad with the Best Dressing, yummy! I love your recipes, and your enthusiasm.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 4, 2022

      Glad you liked it! The lemon juice does help to keep the avocado and salad fresh. We’ve always finished it up by day 2 but it does keep overnight in the fridge.

      Reply

      • Marci Goss
        April 12, 2022

        If you’ll press a sheet of clear plastic wrap down directly on top of the salad in the bowl it shuts off the air and keeps the avocado from browning.

        Reply

  • Valentina Shtrigel
    March 18, 2022

    I also add shredded carrots. It adds a hint of sweetness to tuna salad. Very delicious. You should try it.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 19, 2022

      Yum! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Peggy Obert
    January 10, 2022

    Hi Natasha,
    I very much love your recipes accept I am allergic to onions.. It seems every recipe has some in it, what can I use instead??

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 10, 2022

      Hi Peggy, are you allergic to all onions? Maybe try a red or green onion if not. Otherwise, you can try celery.

      Reply

      • Carole
        March 27, 2022

        I believe that shallots are a different family and may be worth trying. Check with your allergist or a registered dietitian.

        Reply

    • Patty
      January 11, 2022

      Peggy, me too! I’m not allergic to onion but it bothers my stomach so I get it…..It’s too bad because I love onion, cucumber, and relish in my tuna salad too but all of these things dont agree with my stomach….

      Reply

  • Diane
    January 10, 2022

    Tuna is kinda expensive where I live and sometimes fresh tuna is hard to access as I live in a mountainous region. Would canned tuna work as well for this salad?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 10, 2022

      Hi Diane, that’s exactly what we used here. Canned Tuna – the main ingredient is a pantry staple. We used Tuna in water, but canned Tuna in oil will work. Just be sure it is well-drained.

      Reply

  • Bonnie
    January 9, 2022

    I like tuna but, sometimes it just taste too fishy. I like apples & avocado. Can’t wait to try this recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 10, 2022

      I hope you’ll love this recipe!

      Reply

    • GrammyPammy
      July 22, 2024

      Bonnie, Canned solid white albacore tuna is not fishy. Don’t use chunk light tuna; it’s nasty fishy-tasting.

      Reply

  • Darlene
    July 16, 2021

    Hi Natasha,
    How long does this salad keep in the refrigerator? I’m guessing not too long since it has apples in it.
    Thanks for all your great recipes! ❤️

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 16, 2021

      Hi Darlene, I love it most the day it is made because the apples are freshest on day 1, but it will still be good on day 2 with refrigeration.

      Reply

  • Isabel
    May 2, 2021

    Hello Natasha from Germany! I like your recipes most the salad ones. I add some corn into this salad and it was also very delicious.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 3, 2021

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Anna Marie
    March 3, 2021

    A nice variation. Fresh & delicious. I’ve made so many of your wonderful recipes. Thank you for the cooking tips & inspiration!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 3, 2021

      You’re welcome Anna Marie! I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes!

      Reply

  • Debra Lombard
    February 12, 2021

    I’m constantly going to your page for inspiration and great tips! Thanks for making what I do better!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 12, 2021

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

      Reply

  • Woodslady
    February 4, 2021

    Natasha, I just wanted to let you know I just found some of your recipes, Everyone that I have fixed has been the Best! I like the thoroughness of how to prepare, Makes cooking more enjoyable to read, see, and then taste the final product! I am 72 and I love to cook, but I have been excited with the ease in preparing. Keep up the good work, you and your husband have done a fantastic job!! Look forward to more great food!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 4, 2021

      Thank you for that wonderful compliment. I’m so inspired reading this!

      Reply

  • Erika
    January 4, 2021

    Just made this and it came out great! I used red onions I added the avocado in chunks after mixing, and also put in dried cranberries. Delish!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 4, 2021

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!

      Reply

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