(Last Updated On: April 23, 2024)
When you want something quick and easy to make, but never fails to satisfy cravings and tastes delicious, then you must try this easy classic tuna salad recipe. This recipe has a creamy blend of mayonnaise, relish, crunchy red onion, and tuna that come together in perfect harmony.
This easy recipe for tuna salad can be served in a variety of ways. Usually, it is spread between two pieces of bread, also known as a tuna fish sandwich. But, to add some extra flavor to that sandwich, try spreading some on toast and sprinkling cheddar cheese on the top of the tuna salad. Also, adding chopped or sliced hard-boiled eggs to this tuna salad recipe tastes amazing.
🥄 Key Ingredients
- 12 ounce can of albacore solid white tuna in water
- 1/3 cup of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons of red onion diced
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of table salt
👩🍳 How to Make Classic Tuna Salad Recipe
These step-by-step instructions are accompanied by detailed photos for enhanced clarity and guidance.
Step 1. Drain the Can of Albacore Tuna
Drain the water out of the can of tuna, then place the tuna in a medium bowl. After that, separate the tuna into smaller pieces. The easiest way to do that is with a fork.
Note: We love the Kirkland Albacore solid white water-packed tuna from Costco, but you can use oil-packed tuna if you prefer, or whatever is your favorite type of tuna fish. If you can’t find a 12 ounce can of tuna, two 7 ounce cans of tuna will work just fine. The extra tuna won’t affect the basic recipe at all, but you might need to add just a tad bit more mayonnaise in the next step 3.
Step 2. Chop the Onions
You can cut the red onions however you like. We chopped ours, but you can dice them even smaller if you prefer, or slice them into strips similar to julienne style.
Step 3. Add the Mayo, Relish, and Red Onions
Add 1/3 cup of mayonnaise to the tuna, together with 2 tablespoons of relish, and 2 tablespoons of chopped red onions. Stir together with a spoon until thoroughly combined.
Step 4. Add the Seasonings
Add 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder together with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper to the tuna mixture. Mix all together with a spoon until blended well. The tuna salad is now ready to serve.
🌟 Recipe Variations for Tuna Salad
Below are a few different ways to serve tuna salad:
- Add diced dill pickles or dill pickle relish to the recipe instead of sweet relish.
- Spread over the top of your favorite bed of greens or on top of fresh vegetables.
- For extra crunch, toss in a little bit of fresh herbs, chopped celery, diced green onions, or a chopped red bell pepper.
- Spread some tuna salad on top of celery.
- For extra flavor, squirt a bit of Dijon mustard or a squeeze of lemon juice in the mix.
- If you would prefer to have this delicious tuna salad recipe hot, sprinkle a little bit of red pepper flakes on your portion.
- With this tuna salad recipe, you can turn it into a tuna melt.
☝️ FAQs for Tuna Salad
Put any leftover tuna salad in an airtight container, then place it in the refrigerator. Tuna salad can not be stored on the countertop.
✏️ Final Thoughts
Whether you are fixing tuna salad sandwiches with potato chips on the side for an easy lunch, or just want a quick snack, this tuna salad recipe will be a big hit however you serve it. On occasion, I make tuna sandwiches using whole wheat bread along with a small bowl of soup for dinner. It’s an easy dinner to fix, satisfyingly filling, and so yummy.
This classic tuna fish salad is also a great appetizer to serve at parties or special celebrations. For example, serve as little sandwich squares at a party. Another great idea is to spread the tuna salad on Ritz crackers, then put a small slice of cheddar cheese and a slice of dill pickle or cucumber chip on top of them.
With simple ingredients such as red onions, relish, garlic powder, and black pepper added to this tuna recipe, you get a nice kind of crisp and crunchy texture, plus a welcoming taste.
📋 Recipe Card
Classic Tuna Salad Recipe
🫕 Equipment
🧂 Ingredients
- 12 ounces Albacore solid white tuna in water
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet relish
- 2 tbsp red onions (diced)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp table salt
👩🍳 Instructions
- Open the can of Albacore solid white tuna in water and drain the water.
- In a bowl, break up the albacore tuna into pieces with a fork.
- Add the mayonnaise, relish, and diced red onions to the tuna. Mix together.
- Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the tuna mixture. Mix together.
*️⃣ Recipe Notes
- Celery that is diced up in small pieces can also be added to tuna salad.
- Chopped hard-boiled eggs added to tuna salad tastes delicious.
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- This classic recipe for old-fashioned tuna noodle casserole is the perfect dinner for busy weeknights. So tasty and delicious.
A wife, a mother to a son and a daughter, and a grandmother to three granddaughters. Flo loves sharing recipes passed down from her own mother, her mother-in-law, and her grandmother as well as new recipes created with her daughter, Tamara Ray.
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