Description
This Deli-Style Tuna Salad recipe aims to deliver a classic deli experience with crisp celery and a tangy dressing. It’s a flavorful, satisfying, and family-friendly option perfect for quick weekday lunches.
Ingredients
- 2 (5-ounce/142g) cans solid white albacore tuna in water, well-drained
- 0.5 cup (120ml) full-fat mayonnaise
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced (about 0.5 cup/60g)
- 0.25 cup (30g) finely minced red onion
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 0.125 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Drain The Tuna: Open 2 cans of tuna and drain thoroughly until no visible water remains. Flake the tuna into a medium mixing bowl with a fork, breaking up any large chunks for uniform texture.
- Prep The Veggies: Finely dice the celery and red onion. Aim for small, uniform pieces (about 1/8-inch) for a consistent crunch. This ensures even flavor distribution.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the diced celery, red onion, 0.5 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice to the bowl with the flaked tuna. Mix gently until just coated.
- Season And Mix: Season generously with 0.25 teaspoon salt and 0.125 teaspoon pepper. Gently mix all ingredients until just combined and creamy, being careful not to overmix, which can make the tuna mushy. (If the mixture looks a bit dry, add 1-2 more tablespoons of mayonnaise.)
- Chill And Serve: For best flavor, cover the mixing bowl and chill the tuna salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
Optional add-ins include 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles or relish, 2 large diced hard-boiled eggs, or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or dill. For a lighter version, substitute half or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt or mashed avocado. If the mixture is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or a squeeze of lemon juice. If not crunchy enough, add more finely diced celery. Choose sustainably sourced tuna, crisp celery, vibrant red onions, and freshly squeezed lemon juice for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Assembling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.75 cup (150 g)
- Calories: 280 calories
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: deli style, tuna salad, lunch, easy, quick, high protein, celery crunch, healthy option, family friendly