Healthy Tuna Salad (Crazy Easy)

Everyone needs a solid healthy tuna salad recipe in their back pocket. My husband Tim and I will never be too old to pack tuna sandwiches along for picnics or weekend hikes! It’s one of those true childhood comforts that always hits the spot. In this recipe, we lighten things up with a bit of greek yogurt for added tang and protein.

Canned Tuna 101: Picking the Right One

So, what’s the deal with all the different kinds of canned tuna on the grocery store shelf? This quickhitter guide will help you pick the best can for your tuna salad.

Different Types of Tuna

• White Tuna: White tuna is 100% albacore tuna and contains a higher mercury level than light tuna. It’s a bit firmer in texture and has a overall milder taste (hence the phrase “chicken of the sea”).
• Light Tuna: On the other hand, light tuna is made of a combination of smaller tuna fish (skipjack, tongol, and yellowtail). It naturally has less mercury and a much stronger fishy flavor. It also has a pinkish hue to it.

Different Sizes & Styles of Canned Tuna

• Solid: Typically on the pricier side, as the tuna comes in one big hunk.
• Chunk: Chunk light tuna is a hodge-podge of different sized chunks.
• Flake: Flake is the finest texture you can find on the shelf.

Types of Liquids Tuna is Packed With

• Water (Recommended): Water packed tuna is said to contain more omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also milder in flavor.
• Oil: Olive oil and vegetable oil are common to packed tuna. You can use either, but be aware that the oil will bring additional flavor to the mix.

Assembling this Easy Healthy Tuna Salad

Before you get to assembling your salad, you’ll want to make sure the can is drained of as much of the liquid as possible.

• Break the Tuna Up: Next, place the tuna in a medium bowl and break up the bigger chunks with a fork.
• Dice the Veggies: Dice the onion, celery, and pickles (we love using dill pickles!) into similar sides pieces. Add them to the bowl of tuna.
• Assemble the Tuna Salad: Next, stir in the mayonnaise, plain greek yogurt, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Serve as you wish and enjoy!

Different Ways to Spice this Healthy Tuna Salad Up

Consider this tuna salad recipe the perfect base for you to tweak to your own taste buds. Find a couple of ideas to inspire you below:

• Fresh Herbs: Parsley, dill, green onions, and chives are all great options and will add a pop of flavor and earthiness.
• Avocado: If you want some added protein and healthy fats, stir in half of a ripe avocado.
• Chickpeas: Add in a cup of chickpeas for added texture and fiber. If you’re vegetarian, you can swap the beans in exclusively.

A Couple Ideas for Serving Healthy Tuna Salad

​There are a million and one different ways to serve this healthy tuna salad. Here are a couple of our favorites:

• Low-Carb Lettuce Wraps: Tuck some tuna salad in a large leaf of romaine lettuce for a low-carb snack or meal.
• Appetizer Tuna Salad: Serve the tuna salad as a dip alongside your favorite crackers or some air fryer potato chips.
• Sandwiches!: Go the classic route and place a heaping pile of tuna salad in between two slices of bread (our recipe for white country bread complements tuna so well).

How Long Does Tuna Salad Stay Fresh For?

Tuna salad is best eaten within 2-3 days after assembling. To keep it fresh, store it in an airtight container in your fridge (this will also prevent the tuna from stinking up your fridge!).

FAQ

Similar Recipes to Check Out

• Russian Canned Stewed Meat (Tushonka Recipe) – Classic Slavic preserved meat
• Olivier Potato Salad – Slavic-style potato salad
• Broccoli Crab Salad – Crunchy broccoli crab salad
• Russian Beet Salad with Garlic – Creamy beet salad with loads of garlic

Recipe

Healthy Tuna Salad (Crazy Easy)

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Servings

4 servings

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This healthy tuna salad is perfect for salads, sandwiches, and so much more. You'll love the pop of tang from the greek yogurt!

Ingredients

• 21 oz canned tuna packed in water
• 1/3 cup purple onion
• 2 medium pickles
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tbsp salt adjust to taste
• 1 tsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Drain as much of the water out of the tuna can as you can. Place the fish in a large bowl and break it apart with a fork.
  
• Dice the onion, celery, and pickled into evenly-sized pieces and add them to the bowl of tuna.
  
• Add in the mayonnaise, yogurt, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
  
• Stir the salad until well-combined. Serve on it's own, on lettuce leaves, or sandwiched in between bread. Enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Tuna Salad (Crazy Easy)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 261 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 7g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 68mg23%

Sodium 1432mg60%

Potassium 367mg10%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 35g70%

Vitamin A 121IU2%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 57mg6%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.