A tuna salad sandwich on a cutting board with potato chips in the background - 1 Ultimate Tuna Salad - 2 Ultimate Tuna Salad - 3 Ultimate Tuna Salad - 4 A tuna salad sandwich on a cutting board with potato chips in the background - 5 a close up of A tuna salad sandwich with lettuce - 6

This is the Ultimate Tuna Salad recipe. It’s easily made with simple ingredients and packed full of flavor!

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Who doesn’t love a great tuna fish sandwich? It’s lunchtime comfort food. This recipe is incredibly easy to make with canned tuna and a few kitchen staples. Once you try it, it will be your go-to recipe!

Why This Recipe Works

  • Using chopped pickles adds a boost of flavor that elevates the recipe
  • The Mustard Powder adds a hint spiciness.
  • White wine vinegar gives it the perfect level of tanginess.
  • Green onion adds flavor without overpowering the dish like raw onion or shallots often do.

What Tuna For Tuna Salad

As rich and delicious as oil-packed tuna is, it’s not the best choice. Once mixed with mayonnaise, oil-packed tuna will become too greasy.

Canned solid white tuna in water is best as it is flavorful without an oily residue fishy taste.

What Mayonnaise For Tuna Fish

Full fat mayonnaise is best as light mayonnaise tends to be on the sweeter side and changes the flavor profile.

How To Make Tuna Salad

Start with draining the tuna. Add it to a bowl and break it up.

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Dry and chop a large pickle.

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For this recipe, any pickle will work. I’ve used anything from garlic to dill and they all worked great. Use whatever you like best.

In a large bowl, add the tuna, mayonnaise, chopped pickle, celery, green onion, parsley, mustard powder, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.

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Mix well, taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.

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Serve and enjoy.

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How to Make a Tuna Sandwich

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Once you’ve prepared your tuna fish salad, spread it generously over your bread (White sandwich bread, seeded rye, or ciabatta all are great choices).

Add some lettuce, tomato for extra flavor and texture, cover with the second piece of bread and serve.

For Perfect Tuna Fish

  • Any pickle will do. I’ve used anything from garlic to dill and they all worked great. Use whatever you like best.
  • Be sure to drain your tuna well . It may also be worth drying it out on some paper towels. Nothing worse than runny tuna salad!
  • Dry the pickle before chopping . Pickle juice will not only thin out the mayonnaise but change the flavor of the dish.

How Do You Make Tuna Salad Healthy?

To make it healthy (but still delicious) cut back on the mayo, or use low-fat sour cream or plain yogurt in place of mayonnaise.

How Long Does Tuna Fish Salad Last?

Tuna fish salad will keep in the fridge for in an airtight container for up to three days.

Can You Freeze Tuna Salad?

It can be frozen but it’s not ideal as it becomes watery. If it is frozen, it may need to be drained after thawing.

Rate This Recipe

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Ingredients

  • ▢ 12 ounces white flaked tuna in water, drained
  • ▢ 1 stalk celery (chopped)
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
  • ▢ 1 large pickle (chopped)
  • ▢ 2 green onions (sliced into rounds)
  • ▢ ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ▢ ¼ teaspoon mustard powder (or 1 teaspoon of jarred mustard)
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • ▢ salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Drain the tuna well.
  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
  • Use to top a salad, in sandwiches, or to add to pasta salads.

Tips

  • Any pickle will do. I’ve used anything from garlic to dill and they all worked great. Use whatever you like best.
  • Be sure to drain your tuna well . It may also be worth drying it out on some paper towels. Nothing worse than runny tuna salad!
  • Dry the pickle before chopping . Pickle juice will not only thin out the mayonnaise but change the flavor of the dish.

Nutrition

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Ultimate Tuna Salad

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces white flaked tuna in water, drained
  • 1 stalk celery chopped
  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
  • 1 large pickle chopped
  • 2 green onions sliced into rounds
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard powder or 1 teaspoon of jarred mustard
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Drain the tuna well.
  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
  • Use to top a salad, in sandwiches, or to add to pasta salads.

Notes

  • Any pickle will do. I’ve used anything from garlic to dill and they all worked great. Use whatever you like best.
  • Be sure to drain your tuna well . It may also be worth drying it out on some paper towels. Nothing worse than runny tuna salad!
  • Dry the pickle before chopping . Pickle juice will not only thin out the mayonnaise but change the flavor of the dish.

Nutrition

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