I never get tired of an excellent tuna salad recipe, and of the hundreds of versions I’ve made, this version is the best. Serve on toast, crackers, a bed of greens, or grilled as a very delicious tuna melt.
Prep time: PT5M
Total time: PT5M
Rating
5 stars (2539 reviews)
Keywords
comfort food, healthy, no-cook, quick, tuna salad
Ingredients
4 (5-ounce) cans tuna packed in water (drained (see note 1))
1 cup mayonnaise (or less to taste (see note 2))
1/3 cup celery (finely chopped (about 1 rib))
2 tablespoons red onion (minced, about 2 small slices)
2 tablespoon sweet pickle relish ((see note 3))
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic (minced)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Categories
Appetizer
dinner
lunch
Salad
Cuisine
American
Steps
In a medium bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, celery, onion, relish, lemon juice, and garlic.
Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Serve immediately or cover and chill until serving.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 0.5 cup
Calories: 345 kcal
Carbohydrates: 3 g
Protein: 19 g
Fat: 29 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg
Sodium: 516 mg
Sugar: 2 g
Reviews
Jim on 2026-08-14 (5 stars): the addition of the lemon juice acts as a "neutralizer" when it comes to "fishy" smells as it cuts through the rich fatty oils of most fish
Lauren on 2026-08-08 (5 stars): I’ve been looking for a tuna recipe so I don’t have to keep spending $12 on the one I get from the diner. I’ve tried a few but they didn’t really come close. Saw this one and tbh I didn’t think much of it because it was pretty basic, but oh my gosh it is SO GOOD!!!! I think the lemon gives it something extra, I wouldn’t have thought to put lemon in tuna salad. I did use just 2/3 cup of mayo and I might use just a little less next time but that’s just personal preference. This was really yummy! Thank you!
Heather on 2026-08-07 (5 stars): I make this tuna salad almost weekly. It is phenomenal! The only change I make is I add 2 tsp dried dill and an extra clove of garlic. I cannot have tuna without dill! Delicious!
Kathy C on 2026-08-06 (5 stars): Have made this twice now. Delicious! One time I forgot to put the lemon juice in, still was fantastic. Thank you for posting this wonderful recipe!
Mike on 2026-08-03 (5 stars): Made this recipe and it's fantastic! I did cut back half on the onion but everything else was spot on! I've made tuna salad hundreds of times but always stopped short of all the added goodies this one calls for. I'll never cut it short again! thank you very much!
joyce fowler on 2026-08-02 (5 stars): I have been searching for the perfect tuna salad and this is it. Just a simple delicious tuna salad with no need for further embellishments. I used 1/2 cup of Hellman's lite mayonnaise and substituted garlic powder for fresh garlic. The entire family gives it a thumbs up and 5 stars.
Shelly Blackburn on 2026-08-01 (5 stars): Great recipe
