No Mayo Mexican Tuna Salad

This no-mayo Mexican tuna salad is a healthy, high-protein twist on classic tuna salad made without mayo and instead tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing. It’s packed with fresh, vibrant ingredients like corn, black beans, bell pepper, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeños. This tuna salad is perfect for lunch or meal prep and easy to make in about 20 minutes.

I love how fresh and flavorful this Mexican tuna salad is while still being really simple to throw together. The Greek yogurt dressing makes it creamy without feeling heavy, and I love the mix of crunchy veggies, beans, and a little kick from the jalapeños. For more high-protein salads, try our cottage cheese chicken salad, salmon salad with canned salmon, and cottage cheese egg salad next!

🔍 Quick Look: Mexican Tuna Salad

• ⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes
• ⏱️ Cook Time: 0 minutes
• 🕒 Total Time: 20 minutes
• 🍽 Calories: ~125 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
• 👥 Servings: 4 servings
• 🥣 Key Ingredients: Canned tuna, corn, black beans, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, Greek yogurt, lime, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder
• 📖 Dietary Information: High-protein, gluten-free, meal-prep friendly
• 👩‍🍳 Cook Method: No-Cook Recipe
• ⭐ Difficulty: Easy

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Why You Will Love This Recipe

• High-Protein: This recipe is packed with protein from the tuna, black beans, and Greek yogurt, making it a satisfying and filling meal.
• Healthy: This recipe is healthy and made with wholesome, fresh ingredients.
• No-Mayo: This tuna salad is made without mayo! It comes together with a creamy Greek yogurt dressing instead.
• Easy to Make: It’s quick and easy to make and comes together in just minutes.
• Great for Meal Prep: This recipe is perfect for meal prep and holds up well for lunches throughout the week.
• Flavorful: This recipe is packed with bold, fresh flavor from corn, black beans, bell pepper, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeño. The Greek yogurt dressing brings everything together with lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder for a bright finish.

Key Ingredients

• Canned Tuna: Use two cans of tuna in water for this recipe. Drain it well and flake it with a fork for the perfect texture. Try our Mediterranean tuna salad, cottage cheese tuna salad, and healthy tuna salad next!
• Red Onion: Finely diced red onion adds a sharp bite and boosts the overall flavor.
• Corn: The corn adds a touch of natural sweetness and freshness.
• Black Beans: Black beans add protein and fiber, and a hearty texture.
• Bell Pepper: Bell pepper adds a fresh crunch and crisp flavor. For another delicious recipe, try our healthy Mexican stuffed peppers!
• Tomatoes: Juicy diced tomatoes for incredible flavor.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro ties all the flavors together with a fresh, herby finish.
• Jalapeño: Finely diced jarred sliced jalapeño peppers for a kick of heat.
• Greek Yogurt Dressing: The base of the dressing is non-fat plain Greek yogurt with fresh lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. It’s a creamy, flavorful dressing without mayo.

Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

• Canned Tuna Options: You can use any canned tuna packed in water for this recipe, including albacore, skipjack, yellowfin, or tongol. Tuna packed in water works perfectly here, but tuna in oil also works if you prefer a richer flavor. We kept this recipe a little lighter by using tuna in water, but either option tastes great.
• Jarred Jalapeños: We love using jarred jalapeños for their bold, tangy flavor and easy prep. Start with about 2 tablespoons and adjust based on your spice preference. Add more if desired for more heat.
• Fresh Jalapeño Option: You can swap the jarred jalapeños with one tablespoon of finely diced jalapeño with the seeds removed if desired.
• Cilantro Substitution: If you don’t like cilantro, you can simply omit it or swap it with fresh parsley.
• Greek Yogurt Options: We used non-fat Greek yogurt, but any plain Greek yogurt also works.
• Corn Options: Frozen corn is our go-to since we always have it on hand, and it’s easy to use. Drained canned corn or fresh corn cut off the cob also works, depending on what you have available.
• Tomatoes: We used Roma tomatoes in this recipe, but cherry tomatoes also work beautifully.
• Onion Swap: I love the flavor of the red onion in this recipe, but I’ve also made it with green onions, and you can use that if you prefer a milder flavor.
• Beans: Black beans work perfectly, but if you don’t have them, feel free to swap them with pinto beans, or use a combination of both for variety. Try our white bean tuna salad next!
• Bell Pepper to Use: Any color bell pepper works well in this recipe. We used red bell pepper, but you can use whatever you have on hand.

How To Make Mexican Tuna Salad Without Mayo

1. Drain the tuna and transfer it to a large bowl. Use a fork to flake it apart. Then, add the corn, rinsed and drained black beans, diced red bell pepper, finely diced red onion, chopped tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and chopped jalapeños to the bowl.

2. Gently mix to combine these ingredients in the bowl.

3. In a separate small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.

4. Pour the dressing over the tuna mixture. Then, mix until evenly coated. Serve or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

This Mexican tuna salad is delicious and can be served in so many different ways. Enjoy it on its own or with your favorite crackers or tortilla chips. We especially love it with homemade lavash crackers. It also works great in lettuce cups or over mixed greens for a light, low-carb option. You can also turn it into a sandwich or wrap, or stuff it into a bell pepper or avocado!

Storage Instructions

Store leftover Mexican tuna salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. This recipe is great for meal prep. We love having it ready to go in the fridge for easy lunches throughout the week!

More Healthy Tuna Salads to Try!

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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.