The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (2024)

by The Mama Maven

When I was 17, I worked in the kitchen at Surprise Lake Camp. I was one of the two Second Cooks on Teenside (the oldest campers in camp – ages 13 to 15). The head cook was a guy named Lenny, who was sweet and treated me like a daughter. I had no kitchen knowledge, but I was great at following directions. He taught me to make the best tuna salad ever and in the years that have followed, I still follow his basic recipe. I wasn’t the best cook back then, in fact, I really didn’t find my legs in the kitchen until around 12 years ago, the summer of my first pregnancy with my now 11-year-old son. But this tuna salad is still my basic recipe and wows my family.

The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (1)

Ingredients:

2 cans white albacore tuna
2 tablespoons mayo
2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
3 tablespoons sweet relish
Paprika to taste
Garlic Salt to taste

Instructions:

You can play around with the amounts and ingredients, but this is the basic recipe I follow. And it’s delicious!

First, drain your tuna. I prefer to use white albacore, but use any type of tuna you prefer.

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Add your mayo. I enlisted my 11-year-old son to help me make this today. Teaching my kids how to cook is a priority. It helps with listening to directions and strengthening little hands (all three of my kids have low muscle tone and weak hands).

Add your mustard – I prefer to use spicy brown, but if you want to try a different mustard, like dijon, that will work also.

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Add your relish.

Don’t forget the paprika – it gives it a little kick up that is needed.

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Serve with or without bread. Link to my youtube video –https://youtu.be/WDLok9fwsq0

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So, how do you like to make your tuna salad? Do you have any secret ingredients that you add? I’d love to hear your ideas!T

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The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (7)

The Best Tuna Salad Recipe

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Cuisine American

Equipment

  • mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 cans white albacore tuna
  • 2 tbsp mayo
  • 2 tbsp spicy brown mustard We love Gulden's
  • 3 tbsp sweet pickle relish
  • paprika to taste
  • garlic salt to taste

Instructions

  • First, drain your tuna. I prefer to use white albacore, but use any type of tuna you prefer.

  • Add your mayo. I enlisted my 11-year-old son to help me make this today. Teaching my kids how to cook is a priority. It helps with listening to directions and strengthening little hands (all three of my kids have low muscle tone and weak hands).

  • Add your mustard – I prefer to use spicy brown, but if you want to try a different mustard, like dijon, that will work also.

  • Add your relish.

  • Don’t forget the paprika – it gives it a little kick up that is needed.

  • Serve with or without bread.

Keyword tuna, tuna salad

he Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever

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Reader Interactions

The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (8)

Comments

  1. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (9)Maritza says

    I added half of a jalapeño, finely diced and chopped hard boiled egg to fill me up some more since I used this recipe for a low carb wrap. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

  2. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (10)Yvette says

    This Is The best tuna salad recipe. I’ve made it several times. I add a little bit of shredded carrots and celery, and season it with some additional shakes of Mrs. Dash. The sandwich bread gets a little added smidge of mayo before piling up the tuna and everyone loves it. Thank you so much!

    Reply

    • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (11)The Mama Maven says

      I love that you added carrots and celery! Yum!

      Reply

  3. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (12)Emma says

    I like to add chopped celery and chopped green olives and grated cheese. Gives it a crunchy texture and a saltiness from the olives. And of course the tuna and mayo.???

    Reply

    • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (13)The Mama Maven says

      Ooh, my husband would love chopped green olives in his tuna!

      Reply

  4. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (14)Cheri'e Bouchet says

    A couple of my favorite secret ingredients are curry or horseradish…..not to much just enough to add a little surprise flavor….my family and friends…love it even the ones who normally do not like tuna…just a thought

    Reply

    • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (15)The Mama Maven says

      I am definitely a horseradish fan — great idea. My oldest child loves curry, I’ll let him know about this.

      Reply

  5. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (16)Patti says

    Garlic powder, finely chopped purple or green onions, finely chopped celery, boiled eggs, & dill relish are ingredients I add to mine!

    Reply

    • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (17)The Mama Maven says

      Awesome — I love this!

      Reply

  6. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (18)Nancy says

    Everyone needs to know how to make tuna salad – it’s a basic life skill – LOL! When I use your recipe, I would leave out the mustard and add a bit more mayo and finely chopped sweet onion. I sometimes make it with dill relish but usually make it with sweet relish. When I make tuna salad with sweet relish, I sometimes add chopped apple with the skin on.

    Reply

    • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (19)Nancy says

      Oops – I forgot to mention that I also use chopped egg in my tuna salad.

      Reply

  7. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (20)Nicole says

    I made this but with eggs. I didn’t use relish because I didn’t have any. I poured a little pickle juice in it. I also used regular mustard and smoked paprika. It came out wonderful.

    Reply

    • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (21)The Mama Maven says

      Pickle juice — that’s a great substitution.

      Reply

  8. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (22)rochelle haynes says

    I love tuna sounds good love to try this

    Reply

  9. The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (23)Cindy says

    I like using white albacore tuna in water. I like cold tuna salad. I put the cans in the fridge before I make it or I have to put the tuna in the fridge before serving.

    Reply

    • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (24)The Mama Maven says

      I never thought of putting cans in the fridge. Great tip, Cindy!

      Reply

      • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (25)Sharon Perry says

        I love crushed dried Tarragon, finely sliced green onions and I chop dill pickles along with the sweet relish. Try it before you nix the idea. I think you will like it.

        Reply

      • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (26)jolee says

        I always keep my tuna in the refrigerator!
        I use mayonnaise, Wickles relish, A dash of celery salt, garlic sa!t and about 1/4 tsp curry powder! Salt and pepper as needed!

        Reply

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The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever (2024)

FAQs

What does Martha Stewart put in her tuna salad? ›

Ingredients
  1. 12 ounces good-quality tuna, packed in oil, drained.
  2. 2 stalks celery, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced.
  3. 1 apple, such as McIntosh or Gala, peeled, cored, and cut into ¼-inch pieces.
  4. 3 tablespoons light mayonnaise, preferably Ojai Cook's Lemonaise Light.
  5. 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves.
Dec 21, 2022

Why does restaurant tuna salad taste better? ›

The highest-quality tuna is bought fresh from the market or fishmonger, so some restaurants process and cook fresh tuna before incorporating it into the tuna salad. Although time-consuming and expensive, many chefs prefer this approach.

What to put on tuna to make it taste better? ›

Start by doctoring up a can of tuna with mayonnaise, lemon, and cilantro—think spicy tuna with the spice on the side. Then add rice and crunchy seasoned carrots and cucumber for the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Serve with your favorite condiments such as soy and hot chili sauce.

How do you make Paula Deen's tuna salad? ›

Directions. In a mixing bowl, combine the tuna, eggs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, celery, relish, and onion. Season the salad with a big pinch of salt and pepper and stir to combine. Serve on a bed of salad greens or on toasted bread, if you like.

What should I season my tuna with? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making Tuna

Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor. Organic Black Malabar Pepper: A classic pairing for a simple seared tuna steak. Organic coriander Powder: Offers a lemony, floral note, excellent for an exotic twist.

What sauce to mix with tuna? ›

13 Sauces That Pair Well With Tuna
  • Soy sauce in wooden cup - Alter-ego/Shutterstock.
  • Yogurt sauce with herbs - Magone/Getty Images.
  • Dijon vinaigrette in bowl - Jane Damiani/Shutterstock.
  • Mayonnaise in a bowl - Valentyn Volkov/Shutterstock.
  • A bowl of fish sauce - posmguys/Shutterstock.
Oct 11, 2023

How do you make tuna salad not runny? ›

Hard-boiled eggs are at the top of the list. Not only do hard-boiled eggs add a rich, creamy flavor and texture to tuna salad, but they'll work wonders to soak up any excess liquid.

Do you drain tuna before making tuna salad? ›

If you are using canned tuna packed in water, drain it and add in 1 tablespoon of good-quality extra virgin olive oil. If you are using canned tuna packed in olive oil, you can use as is, without draining it.

How to make mayonnaise Martha Stewart? ›

Directions
  1. Add yolks, mustard, and lemon juice to food processor: Place egg yolks in a food processor. Add mustard and lemon juice. ...
  2. Pulse: Pulse ingredients until well combined.
  3. Add oil: With motor running, add oil in a slow, steady stream (mixture should become thick and emulsified). Season with salt and pepper.
Dec 8, 2023

What does tuna salad contain? ›

Tuna salad is a light and fresh comfort food classic. Made with a few simple ingredients such as canned tuna, mayonnaise, onion and celery, it's the perfect combination of creamy and crispy. Serve this in a sandwich, wrap it in lettuce, or stuff it in avocado halves for a healthy, throw-together lunch.

What are the ingredients in Save Da Sea tuna salad? ›

Ingredients: young green jackfruit, plant-based mayonnaise (sunflower oil, water, lemon juice and zest, apple cider vinegar, chickpea protein, pea protein isolate, yeast extract, natural flavor, sugars (maple syrup), salt, organic flaxseed oil, beetroot), onion, onion powder, nutritional yeast, black pepper, spices and ...

What can I add to tuna instead of mayo? ›

When you're ready to elevate your next lunch or dinner, here are 12 delicious substitutes for mayo in your tuna salad.
  1. Greek yogurt. Maslova Valentina/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Avocado. Irina Rostokina/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Hummus. Tempura/Getty Images. ...
  4. Olive oil. Maryia_K/Shutterstock. ...
  5. Dijon mustard. ...
  6. Ranch dressing. ...
  7. Sour cream. ...
  8. Cottage cheese.
Jan 24, 2024

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