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Protein loaded Apple Tuna Salad combines sweet, savory flavors together with juicy bits of apple and crunchy celery in every bite. This is my mom’s recipe for the most delightful, refreshing tuna salad.
Why Make Apple Tuna Salad
This Apple Tuna Salad is a summer staple around my house. My mom has been making it for me for years and it’s the only tuna salad that turned my husband into a canned tuna lover! My mom always rinses the tuna, this helps with a subtle flavor and it reduces the sodium.
- Easy to make. There is no cooking required for this, just add the ingredients into a bowl and mix, mix, mix.
- Customizable. You can add or omit whatever you like with this recipe.
- Meal prep friendly. This recipe works great for making ahead of time and enjoying throughout the week. Just like my Tuna & Egg Salad or Tuna Melts.
Ingredients Notes
- Canned Tuna. I use canned albacore tuna in water for this recipe. It has the lightest flavor and tastes the freshest.
- Apple. Fuji or gala will work best. You can certainly use any color of apple you prefer.
- Celery. Fresh celery adds some color and great crunch.
- Sweet Relish. This is a must! It elevates the salad so much and adds a tangy flavor. You can also use finely chopped pickles if needed.
- Mayonnaise. This is the key to a good tuna salad! Use plain greek yogurt to make it healthier if desired.
- Romaine Lettuce. This is for the salad if you want to make sandwiches, you can also use them as a “wrap” for the tuna for a low carb option.
Steps To Make This Recipe
Step One. Rinse the tuna. This is optional, but I highly recommend it, my mom does it this way and it gives the albacore tuna a lighter flavor and lowers the sodium a bit.
Step Two. Chop the apples and celery into bite sized pieces. Add the rinsed tuna (be sure to shake out any access water) to a large bowl. Add the relish in, using a fork, mash the relish into the tuna a bit to mix.
Step Three. Add the apples, celery and mayonnaise. Give it a taste, add more relish or mayo as desired and build your wrap, sandwich or lettuce cup. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
What To Serve With This Recipe
Apple Tuna Salad goes well with so many sides! I like to serve Crispy Homemade Fries with it, or I will pile it on Air Fryer Garlic Bread.
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes or Brussel Sprouts will also pair great. The options are endless.
Recipe Tips
- Rinse the tuna and ensure excess water is drained, shaken off or you can gently squeeze the tuna chunks to ensure no water is left.
- Taste as you go! You may want extra relish or mayonnaise so I always suggest tasting as you go.
- Serve it on your favorite toasted breads or wraps. Or make it low carb and serve on a lettuce cup.
Other Lunch Recipes To Try
Apple Tuna Salad
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 10 oz cans albacore tuna in water, *or any tuna of choice
- 3-4 Tbsp sweet relish, *use more as needed
- ½ cup apple, diced
- ¼ cup celery, diced
- ¼ cup mayonnaise , *use more as needed
- bread of choice
- romain lettuce
Instructions
- Rinse the tuna in a mesh strainer. This is optional, but I highly recommend it, my mom does it this way and it gives the albacore tuna a lighter flavor and lowers the sodium a bit.
- Shake any excess water off the tuna. Add the rinsed tuna to a large bowl. Add the relish in, using a fork, mash the relish into the tuna a bit to mix and release the flavors.
- Add the diced apples, celery and mayonnaise. Give it a taste, add more relish or mayo as desired. Build your wrap, sandwich or lettuce cup.
Notes
- Rinse the tuna and ensure excess water is drained, shaken off or you can gently squeeze the tuna chunks to ensure no water is left.
- Taste as you go! You may want extra relish or mayonnaise so I always suggest tasting as you go.
- Serve it on your favorite toasted breads or wraps. Or make it low carb and serve on a lettuce cup.
- Make it healthier, use plain greek yogurt if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
A must try! Xoxo
Have you ever made this with canned chicken? Results?
Yes! This will still be just as tasty!
We loved this recipe and have been making it for lunches the last month. Really great and I high recommend
So happy to hear this! Thanks for the feedback.