Healthy Tuna Salad

A flavour-packed Healthy Tuna Salad made with mayo, celery and pickles, and combined with a creamy dill and chives dressing.

Just 5 minutes prep time and no chilling required! This tasty tuna salad is delicious served on it’s own, or make it into a classic tuna sandwich or wrap… or for a healthier low-carb option, serve in lettuce cups or halved avocados.

If you’re looking for a tuna salad recipe that’s:

healthy
PACKED with flavour
super creamy
has the perfect combination of CRUNCH and creaminess
ready in just 5 minutes
low carb

…. then you’ve come to the right place!

You’re going to LOVE my creamy tuna salad with mayo recipe.

Just like my Beetroot Salad with Feta, Roast Pumpkin Salad, Walnut Pear & Parmesan Salad with Rocket, this super easy tuna salad is healthy, delicious and low carb!

Why You’re Going To Love This Recipe

T is SO much to love about this simple and healthy tuna salad recipe:

Quick & easy to prepare – from start to finish, this salad takes just 5 minutes to prepare. Perfect for a last minute lunch or side salad with dinner.
Healthy – this salad is packed full of nutritious, protein-packed tuna which is also high in omega 3 fatty acids! Plus, the celery, onion and pickles add a veggie boost.
Low carb – this healthy tuna salad is a great option for those looking for a flavour-packed low carb salad. It’s also keto friendly too!
Versatile – serve tuna salad on it’s own as is, or make it into a sandwich using your favourite bread or sourdough. Or, for a quick and easy lunch on the run, add it to a wrap! Want to keep things extra healthy? Serve it in lettuce cups or halved avocados.
Meat free meal – you certainly won’t miss meat in this creamy, full of flavour tuna salad.
Conventional and Thermomix – you will find both methods in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Equipment Required

Only kitchen basics are required to make healthy tuna salad!

You will need:

a chopping board and knife
mixing bowl and spoon

Alternatively, you can use a Thermomix to make this recipe.

What You Need

Just 7 basic ingredients are required to make this salad… and you may already have them sitting in your pantry or fridge!

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

Tuna – use your favourite brand of tuna. Here in Australia, I like to use John West branded tuna. Drain the tuna well before using.
Celery – finely dice your celery… this gives the salad the most amazing CRUNCH!
Red onion – finely diced, however if you particularly don’t like onion you can omit it.
Dill pickles or dill cucumbers – finely dice jarred pickles or dill cucumbers.
Mayonnaise – I recommend using whole egg mayo as it gives the tuna salad the ultimate thick, rich and creamy flavour. However, you can use a ‘light’ version of mayo if you prefer.
Herbs – I recommend using a combination of fresh dill and chives and chopping them finely. Alternatively, you can use just one or the other.
Dijon Mustard – this adds a rich flavour to the creamy mayonnaise dressing.

Step By Step Instructions

Wondering how to make healthy tuna salad? It couldn’t be any easier!

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

Step 1 – Prepare The Salad Ingredients

Drain the tuna and place into a mixing bowl.

Finely chop the celery, red onion, pickles and herbs and add to the bowl.

Step 2 – Combine & Serve

Add the mayonnaise and dijon mustard to the bowl and stir until all of the salad ingredients are creamy and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Variations & Serving Suggestions

My favourite healthy tuna salad is truly delicious served on it’s own!

However, you might like to mix things up…

Tuna Salad Variations

Add hard boiled, peeled and chopped eggs to the salad.
Add diced avocado chunks.
Use light mayo instead of whole egg mayo for a lower fat option.
Use greek yoghurt in place of the mayo.
Add a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick!
Stir through some sweet pickle relish.
Add a tablespoon of capers for a flavour punch.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as a salad or side dish, or try one of these suggestions:

Add the tuna salad to your favourite bread, sourdough or rolls.
Use as a filling in wraps.
Serve in lettuce cups (great low-carb option).
Cut an avocado in half, remove the pip, and spoon the tuna salad filling into the avocado half.
Add cooked pasta to make a healthy tuna pasta salad.

Expert Tips

Follow my top tips for the best tuna salad recipe!

Want your salad to be extra creamy? Make sure you use whole egg mayonnaise and stir through a little extra mayo when combining.
For a thick, creamy salad, ensure you drain all of the liquid from the tuna and use a good quality whole egg mayo.
Stir the salad again just before serving to ensure all of the dressing has coated the tuna and diced ingredients.
Storing – healthy tuna salad is best served immediately or within the first 2 days, however you can store tuna salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
This recipe is not suitable for freezing.

FAQ’s

Why is tuna salad healthy?

Tuna is packed full of protein and is high in essential Omega 3 fatty acids. The celery, red onion and pickles add a veggie hit too!

Is tuna salad low carb and keto friendly?

Yes it is! Tuna salad is a great option for those on a keto or low carb diet. T is less than 1g of carbohydrates per serve in my tuna salad recipe.

Can I add pasta to tuna salad?

Cooked pasta makes a filling and delicious addition to any tuna salad – great for feeding a crowd! You can find my tuna pasta salad recipe .

More Healthy Salad Recipes

Hands up if you love a healthy, nutritious and delicious salad!?

Here’s a few of my most popular salad recipes…

A flavour-packed Healthy Tuna Salad made with mayo, celery and pickles and combined with a creamy dill and chives dressing. Just 5 minutes prep time and no chilling required.

Course: Salads
Cuisine: western
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8 serves
Calories: 146kcal

Ingredients

425 g tuna canned and drained
½ cup whole egg mayonnaise see notes
3 stalks celery diced
¼ red onion finely diced
35 g (¼ cup) pickles or dill cucumbers finely diced
2 tbs dill and chives chopped
1 tbsp dijon mustard
salt and pepper to season

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Place the drained tuna into a large bowl.
Add the whole egg mayonnaise, celery, red onion, pickles, fresh dill and chives, dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
Mix until all of the ingredients are combined.*If using a Thermomix – chop the celery, red onion, pickles, dill and chives for 6 seconds, Speed 4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mix for 10 seconds, Reverse, Speed 2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat until combined.
Serve in a sandwich, wrap, lettuce cups or in a halved avocado.

Notes

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS

Want your salad to be extra creamy? Make sure you use whole egg mayo and stir through a little extra mayo when combining.
For a thick, creamy salad, ensure you drain all of the liquid from the tuna and use a good quality whole egg mayo.
Stir the salad again just before serving to ensure all of the dressing has coated the tuna and veggies.
Storing – tuna salad is best served immediately or within the first 2 days, however, you can store tuna salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
This recipe is not suitable for freezing.

Recipe by CookGoodRecipes.com

Nutrition

Healthy Tuna Salad
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Why You’re Going To Love This Recipe

Equipment Required

What You Need