Apple Tuna Salad Recipe (2024)

This Tuna Salad with Apples is a winner and it doesn’t get any easier! It is loaded, with flaky tuna, creamy avocado, crisp green apples, and crunchy almonds – the combination of flavors and textures makes this Apple Tuna Salad completely irresistible!

We love creamy and comforting salads from Macaroni Salad to Egg Salad and this Apple Tuna Salad is definitely at the top of our list.

Apple Tuna SaladRecipe (1)

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The Best Tuna Salad with Apples

This is hands down the best tuna salad recipe I’ve tried and the flavors are exciting! My sister Anna was the genius behind this recipe and called me to share. I rushed to her house for a taste…and that taste turned into an entire bowl. This salad is fresh, loaded, and delicious; in an “I can’t stop eating it” kind of way.

The surprising addition of green apple and avocado creates a nice contrast between the crisp tartness and delicious creaminess. It also gives this tuna salad a southern spin. There’s some serious chemistry going on in this salad! If you love tuna recipes, check out our Avocado Tuna Salad.

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Ingredients for Apple Tuna Salad

This tuna salad recipe is the elevated version of classic tuna salad with the addition of apple, avocado, and toasted almonds. This may just become your go-to tuna recipe. You will need:

  • Canned Tuna – the main ingredient is a pantry staple. We used tuna in water but canned tuna in oil will work, just be sure it is well-drained.
  • Green Apple – diced green apples add a crisp bite to this and make the salad taste so fresh. If you don’t have apples, you can substitute celery for a more traditional tuna salad.
  • Avocados – add creaminess and flavor so you can get away with using less mayonnaise.
  • Toasted Almonds – add nice texture and crunch. You can easily omit almonds if you don’t have them on hand.
  • Lemon Juice – use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor and avoid concentrate. If you don’t have lemons on hand, try substituting with ½ Tbsp dijon mustard.
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How to Make Tuna Salad with Apples

  1. Toast your almonds in a dry skillet until golden brown. Remove them and let them cool slightly.
  2. Drain the tuna. I open the lid and then press it down firmly over the tuna to drain off as much water as my gigantic muscles (not) can squeeze out. If your tuna is too wet, your salad will be wet = no.
  3. Combine everything in a large mixing bowl and add a pinch of black pepper and lemon juice to taste.
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Make-Ahead

When stored properly, tuna salads can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Since we are working with fish and mayonnaise, keep the salad refrigerated until ready to serve.

To Serve

This salad is a versatile dish that can be served in countless ways! Some of my favorites ways to serve this recipe include:

  • Tuna sandwiches with soft bread or toasted bread
  • Tuna salad wraps in a homemade tortilla or pita wrap
  • Lettuce Wrap – For low-carb options, consider serving inside a lettuce wrap or in a halved avocado
  • As a dip with crackers or tortilla chips
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If you’re looking to change up your Tuna Salad routine, this Apple Tuna Salad is a must-try. It will make your lunches exciting!

More Easy Salad Recipes

  • Broccoli Salad – classic and so creamy
  • Chickpea Salad – easy and comes together fast
  • Greek Salad – Mediterranean-inspired flavors
  • Chicken Salad – a meal in itself & so satisfying
  • Caesar Salad– with homemade croutons and caesar dressing
  • Chicken Avocado Salad – our #1 salad recipe

Apple Tuna Salad Recipe

4.97 from 66 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Apple Tuna SaladRecipe (7)

Tuna Salad loaded, with flaky canned tuna, creamy avocado, crisp green apples, and crunchy almonds – the combination of flavors and textures makes this completely irresistible!

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 3 minutes mins

Total Time: 13 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 8 servings

  • 20 oz tuna in water, (four, 5-oz cans), well drained.
  • 1 medium onion, 1 1/3 cup finely diced
  • 1 medium granny smith apple, seeded and diced
  • 1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
  • 3/4 cup real mayo, or added to taste
  • 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds or chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

  • Toast nuts on a dry skillet until golden. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

  • To drain tuna, I open the lid then press it down firmly over the tuna to drain off as much water as I can squeeze out. If your tuna is too wet, your salad will be wet.

  • Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and add a pinch of black pepper and 1/2 tsp lemon juice, or to taste. Add mayo to taste.

Nutrition Per Serving

209kcal Calories1g Carbs14g Protein16g Fat3g Saturated Fat34mg Cholesterol309mg Sodium147mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar54IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C17mg Calcium1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Apple Tuna Salad Recipe

Amount per Serving

% Daily Value*

Fat

16

g

25

%

Saturated Fat

3

g

19

%

Cholesterol

34

mg

11

%

Sodium

309

mg

13

%

Potassium

147

mg

4

%

Carbohydrates

1

g

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

1

g

1

%

Protein

14

g

28

%

Vitamin A

54

IU

1

%

Vitamin C

1

mg

1

%

Calcium

17

mg

2

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Lunch, Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple tuna salad, tuna salad with apples

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 209

Natasha Kravchuk

Apple Tuna SaladRecipe (8)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Apple Tuna Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does Martha Stewart put in her tuna salad? ›

directions. Combine tuna, celery, apple, mayonnaise, basil, and lemon juice; mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Note: The original recipe calls for Lemonaise instead of Mayonnaise.

Why does restaurant tuna salad taste better? ›

Per The Practical Kitchen, the reason deli tuna salad tastes so different is because it is kept a night or two in the fridge, where "the flavors have time to meld together. The mayo and seasonings absorb into those individual components — the celery, in particular — creating a more cohesive tuna salad experience."

How do you make Paula Deen's tuna salad? ›

Directions. In a mixing bowl, combine the tuna, eggs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, celery, relish, and onion. Season the salad with a big pinch of salt and pepper and stir to combine. Serve on a bed of salad greens or on toasted bread, if you like.

What can I add to tuna instead of mayo? ›

When you're ready to elevate your next lunch or dinner, here are 12 delicious substitutes for mayo in your tuna salad.
  1. Greek yogurt. Maslova Valentina/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Avocado. Irina Rostokina/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Hummus. Tempura/Getty Images. ...
  4. Olive oil. Maryia_K/Shutterstock. ...
  5. Dijon mustard. ...
  6. Ranch dressing. ...
  7. Sour cream. ...
  8. Cottage cheese.
Jan 24, 2024

What can I use to thicken tuna salad? ›

If you don't want to end up with more tuna salad than you can eat before it goes bad, ground nuts and bread crumbs are both options for soaking up the sog. Typically, ground nuts are considered superior because they don't get soggy the way breadcrumbs can.

Is Miracle Whip better than mayo for tuna? ›

More viscous or fluid products may cause a more 'wet' tuna salad.” Less popular for tuna salad among our experts but still mayo MVPs, Kewpie and Miracle Whip both have distinct flavors that don't work as well with tuna, one more savory (Kewpie) and one sweeter (Miracle Whip).

Why is Italian canned tuna so good? ›

During the canning process, tuna is combined with olive oil and allowed to marinate for a set period of time. How long it marinates plays a big role in the overall flavor, and Italian tuna makers know this. They marinate the tuna for up to two months before it's ready for distribution.

What seasonings are good with tuna? ›

Organic Dill Weed: Adds a fresh, tangy kick, perfect for tuna salads. Organic Garlic Powder: A universal flavor enhancer for a savory touch. Organic Paprika (Sweet or Smoked): For a subtle warmth and color, excellent in rubs. Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor.

Can I eat tuna every day? ›

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.

Do you drain tuna before making tuna salad? ›

If you are using canned tuna packed in water, drain it and add in 1 tablespoon of good-quality extra virgin olive oil. If you are using canned tuna packed in olive oil, you can use as is, without draining it.

Which tuna is better for tuna salad? ›

Food Network notes the hearty texture and light flavor of albacore and suggests making tuna salad with a combination of albacore and chunk light. Chunk light contains a mixture of lighter, milder, and generally less-expensive tuna varieties, typically skipjack and yellowfin.

How to make mayonnaise Martha Stewart? ›

Directions
  1. Add yolks, mustard, and lemon juice to food processor: Place egg yolks in a food processor. Add mustard and lemon juice. ...
  2. Pulse: Pulse ingredients until well combined.
  3. Add oil: With motor running, add oil in a slow, steady stream (mixture should become thick and emulsified). Season with salt and pepper.
Dec 8, 2023

What does tuna salad contain? ›

Tuna salad is a light and fresh comfort food classic. Made with a few simple ingredients such as canned tuna, mayonnaise, onion and celery, it's the perfect combination of creamy and crispy. Serve this in a sandwich, wrap it in lettuce, or stuff it in avocado halves for a healthy, throw-together lunch.

What are the ingredients in Save Da Sea tuna salad? ›

Ingredients: young green jackfruit, plant-based mayonnaise (sunflower oil, water, lemon juice and zest, apple cider vinegar, chickpea protein, pea protein isolate, yeast extract, natural flavor, sugars (maple syrup), salt, organic flaxseed oil, beetroot), onion, onion powder, nutritional yeast, black pepper, spices and ...

What is the vegetable broth in StarKist tuna? ›

Vegetable broth is added to some StarKist Tuna products as a flavor enhancer. The broth must consist of two or more of the following: beans (including soybeans), cabbage, carrots, celery, garlic, onions, parsley, peas, potatoes, green or red bell peppers, spinach, or tomatoes.

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