This Best-Ever Tuna Salad is an explosion of flavors, featuring the bright notes of fresh dill, the briny kick of capers, and the sweet tartness of dried cranberries, creating a truly amazing taste experience. The addition of homemade mayonnaise elevates the dish to new heights.
🐟 The Ingredients
This recipe features a delightful mix of savory and sweet ingredients that harmoniously work together to create an incredible flavor profile that is both satisfying and refreshing. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and variations) below.
🌿 Substitutions and Variations
- Tuna - Canned tuna is perfectly fine and the best choice. Our favorite choice is Skipjack Tuna packed in water, but almost any variety will work. We don't recommend tuna packed in oil. Rotisserie chicken can be substituted for the tuna.
- Cranberries and Capers - These add a depth of flavor and texture to the salad that helps to elevate the flavor profile. Raisins are an excellent substitute for the cranberries, and chopped dill pickles can be used in place of the capers.
- Vegetables - The celery adds flavor and texture to the salad. Chop it finely if you don't prefer much 'crunch' in the salad. Soaking the red onion in the vinegar adds a depth of flavor and mellows the onion's taste. Scallions or chives can replace the red onions, or just omit them if you don't like the taste of onions.
- Flavor enhancers - Fresh dill and lemon are key ingredients in this tuna salad and brighten the flavor profile. Dried dill can be used in a pinch, but fresh is best. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is ideal, but bottled lemon juice is perfectly acceptable.
See the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Expert Tip
The dressing can be made up to several days in advance. Once you've prepped all of the dry ingredients, simply pour in the dressing and mix to coat.
👩🏼🍳 How To Make Best-Ever Tuna Salad
- Step 1: Soak the onions in apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Drain the onions and add them to a bowl with the tuna, cranberries, celery, capers, and herbs.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the mayo, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Step 5: Chill the salad for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Step 6: Serve on a bed of greens or as a sandwich.
🍽️ How To Serve
- This tuna salad is ideal for serving at a special occasion, such as a bridal or baby shower, a potluck at the church, or just a lovely brunch with dear friends.
- We often will double (or triple) the recipe and place it in a nice serving bowl. Be sure to have slider buns or dinner rolls so folks can build a sandwich.
- For a beautiful presentation, make the sandwiches before guests arrive and place them on a large platter or cutting board. We add a layer of green leaf lettuce on the bottom of each sandwich.
- You can also serve this wrapped in leaves of lettuce. Carb-free, beautiful, and so delicious!
🙋🏽♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
Homemade tuna salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 6 days, making it a great option for meal prep or using up leftovers. It's even better the days after you put it together.
Yes. Tuna is loaded with nutrients and is a great source of protein. Go with plain Greek yogurt in place of the mayonnaise to make it even healthier.
It's important to completely drain the canned tuna before mixing it with the other ingredients. Place it in a fine-mesh colander or sieve and press on the tuna with the back of a spatula or spoon. Sometimes the water will separate after the salad sits in the fridge. Give it a good stir before serving. If necessary, you can add another tablespoon of mayo or mustard.
😋 Other Classic Mayo-Based Salads to Try
Ready to make the best tuna sandwich this side of the Atlantic Ocean? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Best-Ever Tuna Salad
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 7 oz. cans tuna in water we love Wild Planet, drained
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 2 celery ribs chopped
- ¼ cup capers drained
- 2 tablespoon dill fresh, chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 large lemon the juice from
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt start with ½ teaspoon, then add more, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the red onions in a small bowl and cover with apple cider vinegar. Set aside for 15 minutes, and then drain.½ cup red onion, ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- In a large bowl, add the drained tuna, pickled onions, cranberries, celery, capers, dill and parsley.2 7 oz. cans tuna in water, ½ cup dried cranberries, 2 celery ribs, ¼ cup capers, 2 tablespoon dill, 1 tablespoon parsley
- In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper (add the salt in ½ teaspoon increments, to taste).¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 large lemon, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, Freshly ground black pepper
- Add the mayo mixture to the tuna mixture, and using a large wooden spoon, stir the salad to fully incorporate all ingredients.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hours before serving. (Can be prepared 24 hours in advance of serving).
- Serve on a bed of greens or as sandwiches.
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in April 2018, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe with new tips and photography and a fabulous new video in August 2023!
Alisha says
Definitely one of my favorite recipes! I enjoy making this specific recipe with many different Soups. It's always interesting to dip my tuna sandwiches in different homemade Soups to add a little more spin on the flavor, making it an almost new experience everytime! Thank you for sharing!
Kris Longwell says
Homemade tuna salad with homemade soup is nothing short of culinary perfection! We love the way you cook!! Thanks so much for sharing! Stay in touch!!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Alexandra says
Very interesting recipe. I’m just wondering if it really called for 2 12 Oz cans of albacore tuna? Only because I have so much dressing left over and the tuna is already swimming in it. Or perhaps 4 5 Oz cans of tuna? The flavors are delicious - I just want to make sure you really meant 2 5 Oz cans of tuna
Kris Longwell says
Hi Alexandra! That is interesting! When we make this we use two 5 oz cans, but we make sure the tuna is thoroughly drained. Could that be the issue? We truly hope you were still able to enjoy the tuna salad! It's is definitely one of our favorites and a fan favorite, too! And thank you for the 5 Stars!! xo
Valerie says
I don’t know if you, the creator(s) of this recipe are still looking at comments regarding this tuna salad, but here goes. I was looking around for an interesting spin on good ol’ tuna salad, when I came across this recipe. We’re in the middle of a heat wave, and I couldn’t even think about cooking! It sounded so interesting, that I absolutely had to try it. That it did not disappoint would be an understatement. This was a party in my mouth! The balance of sweet (dried cranberries), salty (capers), and that tiny bit of sour (“pickled” onions) came together in this extraordinary balance of flavors. This is truly a next-level creation! It’s my new way to make tuna salad! Thank you for sharing this creation with us!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Valerie! We ABSOLUTELY read every single comment and especially that ones that make us so happy like yours does! Woo hoo! We are thrilled you made the tuna salad and had such great success! It's one of our favorite dishes to make, too! And you are so right...especially when it's hot as blazes outside! You might want to consider making the Best-Ever Tuna Melt! It's to die for!!! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the amazing review! That means the world to us! Please stay in touch and stay tuned...so much more fun and food on the way!!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Dwight Bush says
I have made this recipe a number of times. It was always a hit. The capers, marinated red onions and dried cranberries take this recipe to a new level. Keep sharing your recipes.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Dwight! We can't even begin to tell you how much this means to us! We are so so happy you enjoy this tuna salad recipe and our others, too! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the awesome review! That means the world to us! Please stay in touch! Kris & Wesley
Nancy Durkin says
OMG, I am saving this. I usually like to add grapes and walnuts, but the grapes contribute a lot of water when leftovers are stored.
COLD tuna salad on a hot day - unbeatable!
Kris Longwell says
Nancy!! We really think you'll love this version! And we agree...cold tuna salad on a hot day is such a treat! Let us know if you make the salad and what you think! xoxo
Cathy says
I make this with rotisserie chicken cut into cubes instead of tuna and it is fabulous!
Lynn says
Hi guys. Happy 4th! I can’t believe how good wild planet tuna is! Enjoy!
Melanie says
This is sooo incredible!! I make it regularly & everyone raves. Thanks for such an amazing, easy, fresh & healthy recipe!!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Melanie! That is so wonderful! We are thrilled you are having such great success with the tuna salad recipe and thank you SO MUCH for sharing and for the GREAT review! That means so much to us!! All the best, Kris & Wesley