Classic Tuna Salad
Classic tuna salad combines flaked tuna with creamy mayonnaise, crunchy celery, and a touch of tang for a quick, protein-rich dish. It is versatile and comes together in minutes from pantry staples. Serve it on toast, in a sandwich, over greens, or scooped with crackers.
- ⏱ 5 min
- 📊 easy
- 🍽 For Two
Ingredients
- 2 cans canned tuna
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 stalk celery
- 2 tbsp red onion
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Open the cans of tuna and drain them well, pressing the fish against the lid to squeeze out as much liquid as possible for a firmer salad.
- Flake the drained tuna into a bowl with a fork, breaking up any large clumps into an even texture.
- Finely dice celery and red onion, then add them to the bowl for crunch and a touch of sharpness.
- Add mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a small spoonful of mustard, then season with salt and black pepper.
- Fold everything together gently until the tuna is evenly coated and the vegetables are well distributed.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more lemon or mayo as needed, then chill for 15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Serve the tuna salad on toasted bread, over crisp lettuce, or with crackers.
💡 Chef's tip
Drain the tuna thoroughly and even press it gently to remove excess liquid, because waterlogged tuna dilutes the dressing and leaves the salad bland and runny.
Draining the tuna really well before mixing keeps the salad creamy rather than watery, so it holds together on bread instead of sliding off.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Protein: 26 g
- Carbs: 3 g
- Fat: 16 g
