5 from 1 vote

Life Changing 10-Minute Tuna Salad

April 15, 2023

When it comes to simple, easy, and wallet-friendly lunches, nothing is better than the classic tuna salad. It’s packed with protein, rich in healthy fats, and comes together with a few pantry staples, making it the ultimate recipe to have in your back pocket. And my recipe? Well, it happens to be life changing. That’s right, this Life Changing 10-Minute Tuna Salad is delicious, simple, and one of my favorite recipes year-round!

Two pieces of toast with the easy 10 minute tuna salad spread on top, sitting on a plate on a countertop

With food costs on the rise, it’s important to me to provide your with recipes that don’t use a lot of expensive ingredients. Whether that is a vegetarian-friendly chickpea salad or a chicken caesar wrap, there are so many delicious recipes that prove that you don’t have to break the bank in order to eat healthy. And if that is the name of your game, then let me give you one more recipe to add to your repertoire!

Tuna is one of the cheapest and healthiest ingredients that you can buy. Tuna is an excellent source of lean protein, and it’s also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve heart health. In addition, tuna is also packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, niacin, and selenium. The health benefits go on and on!

I love eating this tuna salad with crackers, on romaine lettuce leaves, or even in a sandwich. No matter which way you decide to serve it, you truly can’t go wrong with this recipe!

All of the ingredients needed to make this 10-minute tuna salad, laid out in a bowl — To make this tuna salad, you will need tuna, cornichons or pickles, celery, red onion, green onion, dill, lemon, greek yogurt or mayo, pickle juice, sea salt, and black pepper

All of the ingredients needed to make this tuna salad, in a bowl, with the olive oil actively being poured on top — To make this tuna salad, you will need tuna, cornichons or pickles, celery, red onion, green onion, dill, lemon, greek yogurt or mayo, pickle juice, sea salt, and black pepper

What You Need to Make This Easy Tuna Salad

This recipe is so easy to make and is made with mostly pantry staples, which means it’s the perfect recipe to whip up anytime!

Tuna: In an age where grocery costs are higher than ever, tuna is truly a life changing ingredient. Not only is it incredibly cheap, but it is also packed with protein and healthy fats to keep you feeling fuller, longer. We’ll be using either canned or jarred tuna for this recipe, packed in either oil or water. Use what you have!
Cornichons: Cornichons, aka small French pickles, are tiny, salty, and perfect for this recipe! If you can’t find cornichons, or don’t have any on hand, you can also use traditional dill pickles.
Celery: Celery is an essential ingredient in tuna salad! It adds fiber and the perfect crunchy texture.
Red Onion & Green Onion: We’ll be using a combination of both red and green onions for the perfect balance of flavors.

A close-up image of a bowl of the tuna salad, sitting alongside a plate of buttered toast — Mix to combine all of your ingredients well, then serve and enjoy! I love to eat this tuna salad on buttered toast or with lettuce wraps

Dill: I like using fresh dill in this recipe, but you can also use dried dill, if you prefer. Both work here!
Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice really helps to brighten up this dish.
Mayonnaise or Greek Yogurt: To give this tuna salad its creamy element, I recommend using mayonnaise or greek yogurt. Mayo is the traditional ingredient to use here, but since I don’t like it, I like using greek yogurt instead. Both taste just as well in this recipe!
Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard is perfectly tangy and tastes delicious in this tuna salad.
Pickle Juice: Make sure to save the juice from your cornichons or pickles- it adds a truly unbeatable flavor to this recipe!
Sea Salt & Black Pepper: A touch of sea salt and black pepper adds the perfect flavor to this recipe!

Mayonnaise vs. Greek Yogurt: Which Creamy Ingredient Should you Use?

Now, because this recipe calls for the addition of either mayonnaise or greek yogurt, you might be wondering: which one should I use?

The truth is, they both work just as well in this recipe. As someone who isn’t fond of mayonnaise (or even vegan mayonnaise), I love using greek yogurt to make this tuna salad nice and creamy. Plus, it adds extra protein, which is perfect if you’re looking to hit those protein goals!

But if getting more healthy fats in is your goal, or you just love a more traditional tuna salad recipe, then you can’t go wrong with using mayo. I highly recommend using my 1-Minute Homemade Mayo in this recipe. There’s both a regular and a vegan variation that work wonderfully in this recipe!

A bowl of the 10 minute tuna salad, sitting on a countertop with a fork stuck into it

How to Make This 3-Step Tuna Salad Recipe

To make this easy tuna salad, start by draining the liquid from your can or jar of tuna. Add the tuna to a bowl and use a fork to mash the tuna finely.

Finally, add your remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss to combine! Serve right away, or store any leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to three days.

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim