Healthy Tuna Salad (2024)

Healthy Tuna Salad (1)Yumna Jawad
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5 from 3319 votes

This recipe for Healthy Tuna Salad is lightened up by using greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise; it has less calories and less fat, but is still so flavorful

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This healthy tuna salad is one of my favorite lunchtime meals that makes me full and satiated. I make it healthier by swapping the mayonnaise for greek yogurt, loading it up with crunching celery. You can serve it on its own, on top of greens or in a sandwich. It’s a delicious lightened up tuna salad.

Healthy Tuna Salad (2)

A healthier tuna salad

A lot people who are on a weight loss diet will turn to tuna because of its high level of protein – 3 oz of albacore tuna has 20g of protein but only about 100 calories. However, if you’re eating tuna as a traditional tuna salad with mayonnaise, you may be consuming unnecessary calories and fat. 1 cup of mayo has more than 1400 calories and 24g of fat.

This healthy tuna salad is full of flavor, light on calories and super easy to whip for lunch any day of the week! Swap the mayo for greek yogurt and dijon mustard and save those calories for a treat later.

Ingredients to make tuna salad

  • Tuna: I like to use white albacore as it has a great chunky and firm texture that doesn’t disappear when you mix it with the other ingredients
  • Celery: Celery adds a wonderful crunchy texture as well as a hit of freshness.
  • Red onions: I prefer to use red onion in salads as it is much milder than white. Mince it finely so that it’s not overpowering.
  • Greek yogurt: I use Greek yogurt rather than mayonnaise, to make this wonderfully creamy. Greek yogurt is also a great source of protein and probiotics.
  • Lemon juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a wonderful zingy taste that cuts through the yogurt.
  • Dijon mustard: Mustard adds some tang and spice and works so well with the other ingredients.
  • Salt and pepper: To help bring out all of the other flavors.
  • Parsley: Fresh parsley really lifts this dish and makes it light and fresh tasting. You can use other fresh herbs like cilantro or dill.
Healthy Tuna Salad (3)

RECIPE VIDEO TUTORIAL

How to make healthy tuna salad

  • In a mixing bowl, stir together the ingredients for the dressing: Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and parsley until well combined.
  • Add the drained tuna on top, along with the celery and red onions and gently mix
  • You can serve it immediately or let it cool in the fridge for half hour.
Healthy Tuna Salad (4)

Tips To Make Tuna Salad

  1. Dice all of the ingredients very finely. This will make everything easier to combine and eat.
  2. Use tuna in water not oil. Oil packed tuna has more fat, but water packed tuna is more solid, making it perfect for this salad.
  3. Customize this healthy tuna salad with add-ons. You can add in additional ingredients like capers, pickles, cucumbers, tomatoes or boiled eggs.

Frequently asked questions

How long does tuna salad keep?

Once you have made the salad, place it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It will keep well for 3 to 4 days.

How do you serve tuna salad?

This is great on its own or served on top of a simple green salad. It makes a great sandwich spread or serve in in lettuce leaves for a light low carb lunch. It’s also a great topping for baked potatoes.

Can you freeze tuna salad?

Yes, you can freeze tuna salad. However the Greek yogurt may release extra moisture, so you may find that you need to drain it after you thaw the tuna. You can liven it up with fresh celery and onions if necessary.

Healthy Tuna Salad (5)

More summer salads

If you make this healthy-ish feel good Healthy Tuna Saladrecipe, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me onInstagram so I can repost on my stories!

Healthy Tuna Salad (6)

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Healthy Tuna Salad

This recipe for Healthy Tuna Salad is lightened up by using greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise; it has less calories and less fat, but is still so flavorful

5 from 3319 votes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 115

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Video

Ingredients

  • 2 5- ounce cans white albacore tuna in water drained
  • 2 celery stalks minced (about ¼ cup)
  • 2 tablespoons minced red onion
  • cup 2% Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and parsley until well combined.

  • Add the drained tuna on top, along with the celery and red onions. Gently stir until well combined.

  • Serve on its own or in a sandwich or on toast.

Notes

Storage:Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last about 3-4 days in the fridge.

Substitutes:For best results, follow the recipe as is. However here are some common substitutes that would work well in this recipe.

  • Instead of Greek Yogurt, you can use regular yogurt, sour cream or leave it out all together.
  • You canswitch the dijon mustardto yellow mustard, or leave it out.
  • Use any herbs you’d like instead of parsley.

* Please note nutrition label does not include the bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 480mg, Potassium: 220mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 188IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American

Course: Main Course

Healthy Tuna Salad (2024)

FAQs

How healthy is tuna salad for you? ›

The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in tuna fish may help to reduce the level of omega-6 fatty acids and LDL cholesterol that can accumulate inside the arteries of the heart. Studies have shown that eating more omega-3 is associated with reduced rates of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks.

What is the healthiest way to eat tuna? ›

Healthy tuna recipes
  1. Tangy tuna burgers. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  2. Spinach omelette. A star rating of 2.8 out of 5. ...
  3. Tuna & butterbean salad. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  4. Storecupboard tuna bean salad. ...
  5. Spicy tuna quinoa salad. ...
  6. Tuna Niçoise protein pot. ...
  7. Healthy tuna pasta. ...
  8. Asparagus & tuna salad.

What to add to tuna instead of mayonnaise? ›

Instead of mayonnaise, you can make tuna salad dressing with plain yogurt or whipped silken tofu. You can also add lemon vinaigrette (¼ cup olive oil, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard, fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chives and salt and pepper to taste).

Is eating tuna every day healthy? ›

Fish is a very healthy protein choice and eating canned tuna once or twice a week is safe. Canned tuna is an inexpensive source of protein that can be safely stored on your shelf. Tuna can contain small amounts of mercury but has many health benefits and is safe to eat a few times per week.

Is tuna with mayo healthy for you? ›

Tuna is a healthy food. But when folks make tuna salad, they tend to go overboard on the mayo adding tons of extra calories and fat. One cup of mayo has a whopping 1440 calories, 160 grams fat, and 24 grams saturated fat. It'll also tack on almost 50 percent of your daily recommended amount of sodium.

Is canned tuna good or bad for you? ›

Is canned tuna fish good for you? Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus. Tuna also contains healthy omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA.

Is it better to eat tuna in water or oil? ›

Oil vs Water

Tuna packed in water will contain fewer calories and less fat but also allows for the loss of omega 3 fatty acids to occur. Water-packed also dilutes the natural juices and flavors contained within the fish and can lead to a more rounded and less refined taste.

What kind of canned tuna is healthiest? ›

Canned tuna is healthy: all types of tuna are high in protein and feature omega-3 fatty acids, yet lower in saturated fat and calories. However, albacore does have slightly more fat and calories than light tuna such as skipjack or yellowfin—which means it has more omega-3 fatty acids.

Is tuna better for you than chicken? ›

Tuna is significantly lower in cholesterol

Surprisingly, lean chicken breast is somewhat high in cholesterol. It has more than twice as much per serving as any water-packed variety of Chicken of the Sea tuna: Boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked: 131 mg cholesterol.

What does Martha Stewart put in her tuna salad? ›

How to Make Martha's Favorite Tuna Salad. This is an extremely straightforward tuna salad. To make it, mix 2 cans of oil-packed tuna in a bowl with thinly sliced celery, a finely chopped apple (we're talking 1/4-inch pieces), mayonnaise, fresh basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

What can I mix with canned tuna? ›

Dress up your canned tuna in these healthy recipes.
  • 01 of 05. Tuna Cakes: Add Eggs, Herbs & Breadcrumbs. ...
  • 02 of 05. One-Pot Pasta: Add Pasta, Olives & Lemon. ...
  • 03 of 05. Tuna Melt: Add Greek Yogurt, Veggies, Cheese & Bread. ...
  • 04 of 05. Niçoise Salad: Add Potatoes, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Green Beans & Dressing. ...
  • 05 of 05.
Aug 19, 2022

How to tell if canned tuna is bad? ›

Recognizing Signs Of Spoilage

If you notice extreme changes in the tuna can's shape -- ditch it. A bulging tuna can is a common sign of spoilage, indicating gas production from microbial activity and chemical reactions inside the can.

Can you eat tuna out of the can? ›

If you're a fan of canned tuna, you'll be happy to know it's safe and ready to eat straight out of the can since it is pre-cooked for your convenience. Canned tuna is a wonderful seafood option, considering not everyone has access to fresh fish, not to mention it's super affordable.

What does tuna do to your body? ›

Tuna is especially abundant in omega 3 fatty acids. They're brilliant for the body and are thought to help lower cholesterol, boost brain function and improve eye health. It's an excellent source of vitamin B12. Tuna is rich in vitamin B12, a form of B vitamin responsible for helping the body form new red blood cells.

How often should you eat tuna salad? ›

Yes. Canned light tuna is in the “Best Choices” category and it is fine to eat 2 to 3 servings per week. We recommend that you eat a variety of fish. You may wish to try other affordable fish in the “Best Choices” category such as canned salmon or sardines, frozen fish, or fresh fish that are at a reduced price.

Is tuna salad healthier than chicken salad? ›

If your iron levels are solid but you could use some more zinc, potassium, or phosphorus, then chicken is a better choice. In the end, the choice between tuna and chicken boils down to what you need. Whichever you choose, you're guaranteed lots of lean, low-calorie protein, with vitamins and minerals galore.

Is tuna salad healthier than lunch meat? ›

The highest-fat lunch meats are bologna, salami and loaves (olive loaf, pickle loaf, etc.). Canned white tuna has a lot going for it. It is lower in fat than chicken, low in saturated fat, high in protein and contains heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

What is the healthiest canned tuna? ›

For tuna varieties, skipjack earns the Best Choice label from the FDA, while yellowfin and albacore receive the Good Choice label. The FDA suggests avoiding bigeye tuna, which has the highest levels of mercury. Before consuming canned tuna, it is best to consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

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