This healthy tuna salad holds a special place in my heart. My favorite grocery store ever is Mother’s Market. They make the best tuna salad ever! I decided to make my version of this tuna salad so I could have it all the time.

What I love about this tuna salad is it does not use mayonnaise and has an array of vegetables and fresh herbs added in. It combines flaky albacore tuna, crisp carrots, crunchy celery, and red bell pepper, along with fresh parsley and dill, infusing the tuna salad with incredible flavors. A kick of green onions, a touch of red wine vinegar, and a squeeze of lemon make this the best tuna salad recipe!

Why You Will Love This Tuna Salad

Easy To Make: This tuna salad is easy to make. Just prep the ingredients, add them to a bowl, mix, and serve!
Flavorful: This healthy tuna salad is bursting with flavor from the fresh vegetables, herbs, and seasonings. Also, the red wine vinegar and lemon juice brighten the flavors.
Meal Prep: It is great for meal prep! We love having this tuna salad ready to go and stored in the refrigerator for a quick and delicious meal throughout the week.
Healthy: This tuna salad is lightened up and made with healthy ingredients. Also, it is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free!
No Mayo: There is no mayonnaise or oil in this tuna salad!

What Is Tuna Salad Made Of?

Tuna salad is a classic! It typically consists of tuna, onion, celery, and mayonnaise. This healthy tuna salad is lightened up and made without mayonnaise or oil! We added celery, carrots, green onions, red onion, and red bell peppers to bulk up the salad and add flavor. Also, we added parsley, dill, and basil for even more flavor. We used red wine vinegar and lemon juice instead of oil, mayonnaise, or Greek yogurt.

Ingredients Needed For Healthy Tuna Salad

Tuna: Use two cans of albacore tuna in water, not oil, and drain the tuna.
Celery: Chopped celery adds a crunchy texture to this salad.
Carrots: Use shredded carrots or grate whole carrots.
Green Onions: Slice green onions and use the green parts only.
Bell Pepper: Dice red bell pepper.
Onion: Finely dice red onion for this recipe.
Parsley: Finely chop some fresh flat-leaf parsley.
Dill: Chop fresh dill or use dried dill.
Basil: Use dried basil in this recipe.
Garlic Powder: Add garlic powder for flavor.
Salt and Pepper: To enhance the flavors of this tuna salad.
Red Wine Vinegar: Add red wine vinegar for flavor. It adds depth, complexity, and a slight tanginess.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeeze some lemon juice. It brightens the flavor of this tuna salad and adds acidity.

How To Make Healthy Tuna Salad

Step 1: Drain the two cans of albacore tuna.

Step 2: Add the drained tuna, chopped celery, grated carrots, sliced green onions, diced red bell pepper, diced red onion, finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, chopped dill, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Then, add the red wine vinegar and lemon juice to the bowl.

Step 3: Thoroughly mix the tuna salad and serve.

How To Serve This Tuna Salad

There are so many delicious ways to serve this tuna salad. Here are some of our favorites:

In A Bowl: Enjoy this tuna salad right out of the bowl!
With Crackers: Dig into this tuna salad with your favorite crackers.
Add To Toast: Add some of this tuna salad to toast.
Make A Sandwich: Make a tuna salad sandwich with your favorite bread. Or, make a tuna salad croissant sandwich.
Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, serve this tuna salad in lettuce wraps.
Green Salad: Top it on green salads.
Avocado: Eat this tuna salad inside of an avocado.
Tomato or Bell Pepper: Add this tuna salad to the inside of a large tomato or bell pepper.
Tuna Melt: Make a tuna melt with your favorite cheese.

Expert Tips

Low-Sodium Tuna: If you use low-sodium canned albacore tuna use 1/2 teaspoon of salt instead of 1/4 teaspoon or salt to taste. Make sure to use tuna in water.
Freshly Squeeze Lemon Juice: For the best flavor, freshly squeeze the lemon juice.
Dice The Vegetables: Finely dice the vegetables to evenly distribute them throughout this tuna salad. Also, finely chop the fresh parsley and dill.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover tuna salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Variations and Substitutions

Red Onion Substitution: If you don’t like the flavor profile of red onion, you can omit it from this recipe and use the sliced green onions. Or, replace the red onion with diced white or sweet onion.
Add Cucumber: Add diced English cucumber to this tuna salad for a crunchy and refreshing element.
Double The Recipe: Easily double this recipe to make even more for meal prep!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes This Tuna Salad Healthy?

This tuna salad is a healthy option. There is no oil or mayonnaise in this tuna salad! Also, we used tuna in water, not oil. This tuna salad contains many fresh vegetables, such as celery, carrots, and red bell peppers.

How Long Does This Tuna Salad Last?

Enjoy this tuna salad within three to four days of making it. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Is This Tuna Salad Dairy-Free?

This tuna salad is naturally dairy-free since there is no mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. Also, it is gluten-free!

More Recipes To Try Next!

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.