Classic tuna salad recipe close up.
A quick, easy, and tasty classic tuna salad recipe that is packed with flaky tuna, crunchy red onions, and creamy mayonnaise. This timeless dish offers a perfect blend of flavors and textures. Ideal for sandwiches, salads, or as a delicious dip.

Recipe updated: April 23rd, 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.

Close up of classic tuna salad recipe in a bowl and on a Ritz cracker.

🥄 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
Classic tuna salad recipe ingredients.
Classic tuna salad recipe ingredients.

👩‍🍳 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.

Albacore, mayonnaise, relish, and red onions in a bowl.
Albacore tuna, mayonnaise, relish, and diced red onions in a bowl.

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.

Garlic powder, salt and pepper added to the tuna mixture.
Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the tuna mixture.

🌟 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.
Tuna salad mixture in a bowl.
Tuna salad in a bowl.

☝️ FAQs for Tuna Salad

How do I Store Leftover 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.

Tuna salad sandwich.
Tuna salad sandwich.

✏️ 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.

A close up shot of classic tuna salad recipe.

📋 Recipe Card

Classic tuna salad recipe close up.

Classic Tuna Salad Recipe

Avatar for FloFlo
A quick, easy, and tasty classic tuna salad recipe that is packed with flaky tuna, crunchy red onions, and creamy mayonnaise. This timeless dish offers a perfect blend of flavors and textures. Ideal for sandwiches, salads, or as a delicious dip.
4.34 from 3 votes
Cost $4
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course: Lunch, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings 3

🫕 Equipment

🧂 Ingredients
  

👩‍🍳 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.
 
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

💙 More Simple Recipes You Will Love

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Avatar for Anonymous

    3 stars
    Thank you for sharing this recipe

4.34 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment