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A creamy and flavorful tuna salad featuring tuna, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, celery, red onion, and lemon juice, perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or served over greens. Flexible with ingredient substitutes and customizable add-ins for varied flavors.

  • Total Time: 10-15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans tuna, drained
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (can substitute with Greek yogurt or mashed avocado)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Lettuce leaves for serving

Instructions

  1. Clear and prep your workspace with a large mixing bowl, fork or spoon, cutting board, knife, and measuring cups/spoons.
  2. Open tuna cans and drain well; pat dry with paper towels if still wet.
  3. Dice celery and red onion.
  4. Measure mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt/mashed avocado), Dijon mustard, and lemon juice.
  5. Combine drained tuna, mayonnaise (or substitute), Dijon mustard, diced celery, diced red onion, and lemon juice in the large bowl.
  6. Gently fold ingredients with a fork or spoon until evenly combined, keeping tuna chunky; avoid overmixing.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Optional: Lightly sauté celery and onion before adding to soften flavor and texture.
  9. Optional: Stir in add-ins such as chopped hard-boiled egg, diced pickles, capers, fresh herbs, or hot sauce to taste.

Notes

Make-ahead: Prepare a few hours in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge to allow flavors to meld., Storage: Keep in the refrigerator up to three days in a sealed container; can be frozen for a few months and thawed overnight before serving., Avoid reheating tuna salad to keep flavors fresh., Personalize with flavor twists like Mediterranean, curry, avocado lime, Nicoise-style, or spicy variations., Use fresh ingredients for best flavor and crunch.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes (optional 5 minutes sauté if desired)
  • Category: Salad

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: approximately 1/2 cup per serving
  • Calories: Approx. 200 calories per serving (varies based on substitutions)
  • Fat: Approx. 12g per serving
  • Carbohydrates: Approx. 3-4g per serving
  • Protein: Approx. 20g per serving