What’s in this Easy Tuna Salad Recipe?
Flaky tuna fish mixed with crunchy walnuts, sweet apples, creamy mayonnaise, and zesty lemon juice means this lunchtime salad is loaded with amazing flavors!
Canned Tuna: I prefer tuna packed in water with a dolphin-safe label. You can buy cans or packets. I recommend light or skipjack tuna because they are both lower in mercury than albacore. Apple: You can use any kind of apple you like. For a sweeter taste, use Fuji or Honeycrisp. For a tart taste, use Granny Smith. Walnuts: These give the salad an added crunch that’s so satisfying! Mayonnaise: This binds all the ingredients and creates that deliciously creamy texture. To really send this classic salad over the top, consider serving it with homemade mayonnaise. Red Onion: If red onion sounds too strong for you, soak them in ice water for 10 minutes. Green onions will create a milder taste. Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is always best. Seasonings: I like to season my tuna salad with a simple sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Herbs: Fresh cilantro or parsley both work well as garnishes.
Pro Tip: You can use oil-packed tuna, but I recommend draining it over a fine-mesh sieve and rinsing with cold water before using.
Tasty Variations
Here are just a few easy ways you can customize this easy tuna salad recipe:
Swap the tuna for canned chicken for an easy chicken salad. Replace the mayonnaise with regular or Greek yogurt for a lighter, healthier option. Swap the apples for diced grapes. Add dried fruits, such as raisins, dried cranberries, or dried figs. Use any nuts you like, such as pecans or almonds. Make it extra crunchy by tossing in diced up cucumbers or shredded cabbage. Add chopped pickles or sweet pickle relish for a tangy flavor. Spice it up with some curry powder. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over top for a brighter flavor.
How to Store
Store leftover tuna fish salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Enjoy cold or add to a tuna melt! I do not recommend freezing this recipe, as it ruins the texture.
How to Serve Tuna Salad
This easy tuna salad recipe is so versatile, you can have a different lunch every day of the week! That means it’s a great recipe for meal prep, for you, the kids, and the whole family. Serve it on sandwich bread, in a wrap, or make sliders with dinner rolls. Pile it on a bed of green lettuce for a tasty salad, or use it to make lettuce wraps. Use it like a dip and eat it with tortillas chips, wonton chips, pita chips, or naan. Or just have a bowl of it with some simple sides, like sautéed vegetables, sweet potato chips, potato wedges, or refrigerator pickles.
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