Easy Keto Tuna Salad Recipe
Looking for a quick, delicious, and healthy lunch or dinner? This keto tuna salad is about to be your new go-to meal. With fresh, simple ingredients, healthy fats, and a prep time of just 5 minutes, you’ll have a satisfying, protein-packed meal that’s perfect for any time of the day. Plus, it’s low in net carbs, gluten-free, and full of vibrant flavors. You’ll love this delicious meal!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Easy Keto Tuna Salad
This low carb tuna salad is a combination of tuna, creamy mayo (try my homemade keto mayonnaise!), fresh dill, and crunchy celery creating a dish packed with flavor that’s equal parts refreshing and satisfying. If you’re following a keto or low-carb diet, this salad fits perfectly into your low-carb meal plan, no need to sacrifice taste!
What makes this salad even better is its versatility and ability to make it unique to your taste preferences. You can enjoy it on its own, spooned over a crisp bed of greens, stuffed into a low-carb wrap, or as a spread on a slice of low-carb bread. The possibilities are endless, making it a go-to recipe for any time of the day. The resulting tuna salad is juicy, flavorful, and light-tasting.
Ingredient Notes
- Tuna: Tuna is protein-packed and so yummy! You can also use canned salmon or canned chicken if you prefer.
- Mayo: Mayo ties everything together and adds such a creamy texture. For a dairy-free option, try avocado mayo. You can also substitute mayo for Greek yogurt.
- Green onion: I love the mild flavor of green onions in this, but you could also use a yellow or red onion that is finely chopped.
- Celery: Celery gives this salad it’s perfect crunch! If you’re out, finely diced cucumber can work in a pinch.
- Fresh dill: I always love fresh dill. You could use dried dill, but start with just 1 teaspoon and then add more to taste (dried dill is stronger tasting than fresh). Or substitute fresh parsley!
- Tomato: Juicy and sweet, tomato slices add a fresh pop of color and flavor. Cherry tomatoes halved or quartered can also be used as a bite-sized option.
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper: Black pepper is totally optional but brings a little bit of heat to your salad!
How to Make the Best Keto Tuna Salad Recipe
Step 1: In a medium bowl, mix the tuna (make sure it’s drained and well-squeezed), mayonnaise, chopped green onion, celery, and fresh dill. Stir until everything is evenly combined. The mayo will bring a creamy, delicious texture that wraps around each bite of tuna, making it irresistibly flavorful.
Step 2: Enjoy your salad spooned onto a juicy tomato, over a bed of lettuce, stuffed into a wrap, or as a dip for your favorite veggies.
See the exact ingredient amounts in the full recipe card below!
Expert Tips
- My go-to tuna brand is Wild Planet Skipjack Tuna.
- Make sure to drain and press out any excess water from the canned tuna to avoid a watery salad.
- Everyone’s palate is different, so don’t be afraid to adjust the salt, dill, or mayo to suit your taste.
- Feel free to mix in some extras like chopped dill pickles, capers, or a squeeze of lemon juice for an extra burst of flavor.
- If you’re not a mayonnaise lover but still want a delicious tuna salad, check out my avocado tuna salad – it’s mayo free!
Recipe Variations & Serving Suggestions
- My favorite way to enjoy tuna salad is on thickly sliced summer tomatoes. They add the perfect amount of acid to complement the tuna. Obsessed.
- I’ve done my keto tuna salad in a bowl and scooped it up with celery, cucumbers, or bell peppers. It’s also delicious in a lettuce cup, over romaine or butter lettuce, or on keto bread.
- Stuff this tasty salad into avocado halves, or serve it as a snackable dip with low-carb veggies.
- Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or a sprinkle of garlic powder or paprika for an extra layer of flavor.
- Try using this salad as a filling for chaffles! Chaffles are those crispy, cheese-based waffles that are a keto favorite.
Storage Tips
Make a big batch of this easy tuna salad and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can use albacore, chunk light, or even tuna packed in olive oil for a richer flavor.
Yes! This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just store it in an airtight container and give it a quick stir before serving.
To make sure it’s fully paleo, just be mindful of the mayo you’re using. Traditional store-bought mayo can sometimes contain non-paleo ingredients like soybean oil. Go for a paleo-approved mayo made with avocado oil or make your own at home. Also, double-check your tuna to ensure it’s packed in water or olive oil without any added sugars or preservatives.
To make this recipe egg-free, swap out the regular mayo with an egg-free version like vegan mayo, which is often made from avocado or coconut oil. Another great alternative is to use mashed avocado – t’ll give your tuna salad that creamy texture without the eggs, plus a boost of healthy fats. You can also try plain, unsweetened coconut yogurt for a tangy twist!
More Easy Keto Recipes
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Easy Keto Tuna Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 5- ounce can of tuna, drained and water squeezed out with a paper towel
- 1/3 cup mayo, or however much you like!
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
- 1 stalk of celery, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 large tomato, cut 1/4″ thick
- kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, combine the tuna, mayonnaise, green onion, celery and dill. Stir to combine.
- You can serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- My favorite way to serve is on top of thickly sliced tomato that has been sprinkled with kosher salt.
- As always, lots of tips, FAQs and substitution info in the Recipe Notes!
Notes
8 Comments on “Easy Keto Tuna Salad Recipe”
This is one of my go to lunches. I use bread instead of the tomato, but the tuna salad is absolutely perfect! Good balance of tuna to mayo, I love the dill and the green onions. Super yum and very filling! Not to mention it comes together in about 5 minutes. Win!
I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you, Lauren!
I LOVED this! Perfect texture and the dill was the perfect addition! We did it on crackers with tomatoes topped with the salad – so simple and so filling!
Oh, this makes me so happy! Such a quick and easy meal! I’m so honored!
Just made this for lunch and it was fabulous – a huge upgrade from the my typical, lackluster tuna sandwich. I tried half of the tuna salad on carbonaut gluten free toast with leafy romaine and tomato; the other half on salted, tomato slices. Loved both! Super fresh, uncomplicated and flavorful – doesn’t get any better than that 🤷♀️ This recipe will be going into my regular rotation. Thank you 🙌
Hi Paige! I am so glad you liked this recipe! Switching things up is so worth it. Happy lunching!
This falls into the “why didn’t I think of this” category. So simple yet so delicious!! We have a lot of tomatoes in the garden and this is a great way to use them . Fresh, healthy, delicious and easy. What’s better than that? Try it…..you won’t even miss the bread!
Hi Lisa! Isn’t it crazy how the bread isn’t missed at all? With super juicy, delicious tomatoes, you don’t even realize it’s gone! Love this. Thank you for being here!