Description
Fresh, creamy, and full of zesty flavor, this tuna salad recipe is everything a quick lunch should be. Light mayo, lemon juice, celery, and onion keep it clean and crunchy, while lettuce and sprouts make it sandwich-ready. Bonus: add a little extra mayo and lemon juice and you’ve got a tasty dip for chips and toasts!
Ingredients
- 1 can tuna packed in water, drained - clean protein that’s light but filling.
- 3 tablespoons light mayo - I use Hellmann’s, but pick your fave.
- 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice - the zesty kick that makes everything pop.
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil - smooth and rich, balances the mayo.
- Salt and pepper, to taste - because seasoning is life.
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped - hello crunch.
- 1/3 red onion, finely chopped - brings bite and flavor.
- Fresh lettuce (red and green) + arugula if you have it - for layering and freshness.
- Alfalfa sprouts - the perfect garnish for texture and that earthy touch.
Instructions
- Season the tuna: Pop the drained tuna into a bowl, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and break it up with a fork until it’s nice and fluffy.
- Mix the magic: Stir in the mayo, lemon juice, olive oil, celery, and onion. Mix until creamy and combined.
- Taste check: Adjust seasoning — a little more lemon, maybe another grind of black pepper.
- Bread time: Grab two slices of your favorite bread (I use whole grain for that nutty flavor).
- Assemble: Pile on the tuna salad, add lettuce, top with sprouts, and sandwich it all together.
- And that’s it — your easy tuna salad sandwich is ready.
Notes
Texture matters: Drain the tuna well so your salad doesn’t get watery.
Swap the mayo: Try Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed option.
Go low-carb: Skip the bread and serve it in lettuce wraps or stuffed into avocado halves.
Add-ins to love: Sweet relish, chopped pickles, a dash of Dijon mustard, or even a hard-boiled egg turn this into the best tuna salad recipe tailored to your taste.
Bonus trick: Add one more tablespoon of mayo and another of lemon juice, and suddenly you’ve got yourself a creamy dip. Perfect with tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted bread as an easy appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Worldwide
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 sandwichs
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 14 gr
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 gr
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg