You are going to love this easy homemade sweet and savory Tuna Salad recipe.
Tasty tuna, crunchy apple, sweet corn, and onion are tossed in a simple yet delicious creamy dressing creating a delectable salad. This recipe makes mouthwatering Tuna Salad Sandwiches that you can prep in just about 10 minutes.
There are so many, many variations of tuna salad. And we've tried quite a few. But most of the time we go back to this version I created a few years ago. It checks all the boxes and is one of our favorite easy recipes.
Why This Classic Tuna Salad Recipe Works
QUICK AND EASY - Most of the work is chopping the apple and onion (use this tool to make your life even easier). After that, you're really just adding ingredients. This recipe will take you 10 minutes, 15 minutes tops.
CUSTOMIZABLE - You can easily make adjustments to this recipe. You can serve this salad over a bed of lettuce, turn it into lettuce wraps, or serve it as a classic tuna salad on toast.
HOMEMADE - Having a solid tuna salad sandwich recipe is going to help you feed your family or loved ones in no time. And unlike the one from the deli, you know exactly what is in the salad.
STAPLE INGREDIENTS - All of the ingredients are things you probably always have in your fridge and pantry.
Ingredients
You can find the complete list of ingredients and quantities in the printable recipe card below.
TUNA - I recommend tuna packed in water. If you prefer to use oil packed tuna, make sure to drain it before using it. You also might want to consider reducing the amount of mayonnaise.
SWEET CORN - You can use any corn you have on hand. Fresh corn is lovely but I typically use frozen or canned corn.
If you choose frozen corn, allow it to defrost for 30 minutes before making the salad. You can also defrost the frozen corn in the microwave. Use a kitchen towel to pat dry any excess moisture.
If I choose canned corn I make sure to drain it properly to avoid excess liquid.
APPLE - I like sweet red apples such as Fuji apples, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Cortland apples. But if you want to add a bit of tartness try making this salad with a Granny Smith apple.
RED ONION - We add this to add a bit of additional crunch and color.
SWEET RELISH - Using Sweet Pickle Relish is a really easy way to inject the salad with tons of delicious flavor. This is one of the few recipes in which I don't even add a pinch of salt.
RELATED RECIPE - Cold German Potato Salad (using just 5 ingredients)
MAYONNAISE - This is what we use for our creamy base.
Variations
GREEK YOGURT - Instead of mayonnaise you can use Greek Yogurt for the dressing. It will still be creamy and a healthy meal to boost.
CELERY - If red onions aren't your thing you can always substitute them with celery. 2-3 finely chopped chalks are a great alternative.
EGGS - Adding a couple of chopped boiled eggs transforms this recipe into a high-protein powerhouse salad.
PICKLES - Add some dill pickles if you want to make this salad more savory.
GARNISH - I don't always add garnish but if you like you can add a few fresh herbs such as fresh parsley.
How To Make Homemade Tuna Salad
- DICE the apple and red onion. DRAIN excess water from the canned tuna.
- WHISK mayonnaise and sweet relish until well combined in a medium bowl.
- ADD all of the ingredients and stir until well combined.
Bonus Tip: If you want to cut down on calories, you can substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise and it'll still be yummy. And I've also made this recipe with a 50/50 ratio of mayo and Greek yogurt. It works really well, too.
How To Serve Tuna Salad
Sandwich - This is my favorite. Two slices of bread with a little bit of lettuce and a couple of tomatoes. Chef's kiss.
Wrap - Similar to a sandwich. I like whole-wheat wraps best but a spinach wrap is also delicious.
Lettuce - Serving this salad on a bed of lettuce is a great option if you're keeping an eye on carbs.
You can serve this salad with a few veggies such as baby carrots, celery sticks, or sliced bell pepper. And if you want to add a bit of a treat, grab a bag of chips. Check out my favorite chips.
Leftovers
STORE - If you have leftovers place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 2 days.
FREEZE - Don't do it. Technically you could. But chances are the defrosted Tuna Salad will be a sloppy mess. And you'd likely be disappointed because it won't have that amazing taste and texture of our fresh Tuna Salad.
PREP TIP - Instead of making the Tuna Salad in a classic mixing bowl and then transferring the leftovers into a food storage container make the salad directly in this storage container with a lid.
This way you'll simply pop a lid on and the leftovers directly into your fridge.
More Easy Lunch Recipes
Egg Salad - Another one of these versatile easy lunch recipes you can enjoy as a salad over a bed of lettuce, as a sandwich, or in a wrap.
Pea Salad - Potluck favorite! Tender peas, crunchy bacon, and hearty Cheddar combined in a creamy salad.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad - A delicious pasta salad perfect as a summer side dish and a staple for parties, picnics, and potlucks.
Amish Macaroni Salad - If you like sweet and savory pasta salad, this recipe is a must-try.
Did you try our recipe? Please take a moment to rate the recipe below!
Tuna Salad
Ingredients
Tuna Salad
- 8 ounces tuna 2 cans packed in water, drained
- 1 medium red apple diced
- ½ cup red onion diced
- ½ cup sweet corn frozen (defrosted), canned, fresh
- ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Open canned tuna and drain excess water.
- In a large bowl combine sweet relish and mayonnaise until well combined. Add tuna, sweet corn, apple, and red onion. Stir until well combined.
- Serve on top of lettuce or as a sandwich.
Michelle
Maike you are very creative, I never thought of adding apple and sweet corn.
Maike
Thank you, Michelle. It's been a family favorite for years. Hope you enjoy it.
Ava
We’ve made this twice now and loved it! Thanks for sharing!