If there’s one recipe every home cook should have, it’s a perfect tuna salad. Creamy, crunchy, and packed with bright flavor from lemon, celery, and onion, this version is simple yet incredibly satisfying.
Whether you pile it on toast, crackers, sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or melt it with cheese for a classic tuna melt, this easy tuna salad comes together in just 5 minutes using pantry staples.
Once you try this version, it might become your go-to tuna salad recipe forever.
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Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 6 sandwiches
- Yield: ~3 cups tuna salad
- Cuisine: American
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Ingredients
- 4 (5-oz) cans tuna packed in water, drained
- 1 cup mayonnaise (or less to taste)
- ⅓ cup celery, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons red onion, minced
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
1️⃣ Combine Ingredients
In a medium bowl, mix together:
- Tuna
- Mayonnaise
- Celery
- Red onion
- Sweet pickle relish
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
2️⃣ Season
Add salt and black pepper to taste.
(Suggested: ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper)
3️⃣ Serve
Serve immediately or chill until ready.
Perfect served on:
- Toast
- Sandwich bread
- Crackers
- Lettuce wraps
- As a tuna melt
Pro Tips
✔ Use high-quality tuna for best flavor
✔ Drain tuna well to prevent watery salad
✔ Start with less mayo and adjust to taste
✔ Chill 30 minutes for deeper flavor
Ingredient Substitutions
Mayonnaise Substitute
- Greek yogurt
- Avocado mayo
Relish Options
- Dill relish
- Finely chopped pickles
Add More Crunch
- Chopped cucumber
- Shredded carrot
Storage Tips
Refrigerator
Store in airtight container up to 4 days.
Freezing
Not recommended mayo separates.
Nutrition (Per ½ Cup Serving)
- Calories: 345
- Protein: 19g
- Fat: 29g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
FAQs
Can I make tuna salad healthier?
Yes — replace some mayo with Greek yogurt.
What’s the best tuna for tuna salad?
Tuna packed in water works best.
Can I meal prep this recipe?
Absolutely. It keeps well in the fridge for several days.
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes.
The Best Tuna Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine drained tuna, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, sweet pickle relish, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
- Mix well until the tuna salad is creamy and evenly combined.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
This Best Tuna Salad Recipe proves that simple ingredients can create incredible flavor. Creamy, tangy, and packed with texture, it’s perfect for quick lunches, meal prep, or easy dinners.
Keep a few cans of tuna in your pantry, and you’ll always have a delicious meal just minutes away.