Tuna Salad Sandwiches Recipe (2024)

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Doctor D

For me, tuna is one of the four basic food groups; but use tuna packed in oil and skip adding the bottled oil. More flavor.

Margaret

For as long as I can recall my friend has been topping off her sandwiches with potato chips, a highly underryand understated condiment.

Julia Childless

I am the queen of salt but even I would not add more to canned tuna, which I find exceedingly salty. and when pickles or capers are added, even more so. I use Italian tuna packed in oil, squeeze some of it out with can lid. Look forward to posts on this! It’s kind of a sacred sandwich in the US.

Anne-Marie

If you can afford it, consider buying a certified line caught brand of tuna. The extra cost helps keep tuna in our seas for future sandwiches.

Lauren

I've always added pickle relish to tuna salad.

Maudie

I have been using Wild Planet albacore tuna! Delicious! (And, also their chicken.) I mix a little mayo with mustard. Add a spice you prefer. I always liked chips with my tuna but I have been in a healthy eating/activity program at my hospital - via call/Zoom since March 2020 - and have tried to stay on program. Results - about 50 lb loss in 16 months with about 9 months or so to go!

Julie Wagner

Add a cubed Apple and you have something outrageous

wendy

If we’re specifying brands, it has to be Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise.

steve

Instead of chopping the pickle I use “my secret ingredient” which is pickle relish or Sweet Relish. Plus Mayo and chopped celery.

Robyn

I agree with buying tuna packed in olive oil- I prefer Italian tuna oil and drain well. I add capers and less salt. Less mayo and definitely lemon juice. Sounds like a keeper!!thank you NYT for your great recipes daily.

Mirielle

In my home, my mother added "stuff" to tuna fish to stretch it to feed more folks (times were lean). Celery! Yes! A hard-boiled egg! Yes! Diced kosher dill pickle! Yes! Now we are so fancy! We buy tuna in olive oil so we can definitely eliminate that from the recipe. And fresh dill and parsley! Growing in our little window herb garden! Extra salt? Not needed. Especially if using potato chips! Also loved making a chopped salad by adding diced tomato, cucumber and shredded lettuce!

gastronomnivore

The brand of salt is specified because different brands and types of salt have different sizes and shapes of crystals so a given volume measurement will add different amounts of saltiness. Wonder why your results always taste too salty when you follow recipes exactly? It’s because most recipes are written for Diamond Crystal Kosher salt, which has large crystals, and many home cooks use plain old fine iodized salt, which packs a lot more tightly. Cut by 1/2 if you don’t have DCKS.

Cmena07

I cut the mayo in half and add dijon mustard. also use dill pickle relish and red pepper flakes.

Ruth

If you buy tuna packed in olive oil you won't have to add extra oil. Also, why add extra salt? (And why a specific brand?) Add a small shake of cayenne or red pepper maybe? I prefer lettuce to potato chips to top it off, but go with what you like.

Patrick

For a creamier, healthier tuna fish substitute some avocado for mayonnaise. A rough rule of thumb is 1/4 avocado for 1/8 cup of mayonnaise. Mix the the avocado into the tuna salad and then add mayonnaise to your taste

WherryWillie

There are suggestions to substitute avocado for mayonnaise. You could also substitute Dawn dishwashing detergent. I suffered some social pressure for years to love avocados, the taste of which to me is very much like soap. Since of been speaking up, asking cooks to leave it and guacamole as a condiment to be added, I have found many kindred pallets. If you like, please enjoy it on your plate. But I’d like to challenge the assumption that it is universally adored.

Johanna

Tasteless celery can and should be substituted by minced fennel bulb. It is not a dramatic taste change but it is so much better than celery.

Patricia

I used 3 cans tuna and increased the other ingedients proportionally. Used cornichon pickles from Trader Joe's and some green tomato pickles from my sister, but bread and butter pickles would do it; a combination of sour and sweet. I omitted the dill and the salt and didn't miss them. I spread a Dijon vinaigrette with a couple of mashed anchovies on the buns to moisten them. Really delicious!

Frank F.

Sensational recipe!... even though I made the mistake of using Cilantro instead of Parsley! I also used one 7 0z can of tuna in water and the other 5 oz can in oil... all I had on hand. Skipped the chips on the sandwich, but generous piles on the side. Grillos fresh dill pickles! Try not to eat them all before the salad is made. Quite a lot of liquid accumulates as it sits in the bowl. Eliminating the extra oil might help a bit.

Becky

Agree about using oil-based tuna. I add dill relish, hard-boiled egg, bread and butter chips, mayo, apple, celery, onion and omg!

Victoria

I buy Ortiz tuna packed in oil. Drain well, Duke's mayo, garlic powder, dried minced onion and sweet pickle relish. Sometimes I add shredded cheese as well. Always skip the celery blech. Trust me on the onion and garlic!

ann

Have subbed plain yogurt for mayo for many years. Green olives and capers are always in my pantry too when I want to add tang and salt. Add lemon pepper instead of salt, and lemon zest.With or without the yogurt, this goes great over pasta as a tuna puttanesca style, to which chopped lemon also enhances

Mark

I often make tuna salad with curry, raisins and grapes.

Kevin

This may be sacrilege, but I love mixing tofu into my tuna salad. It makes for a bit lighter and creamier version, and as a (somewhat) good Japanese American, I usually have some in the fridge.

Mike Harmon

This is essentially my moms recipe, but she and now me substitute diced sweet pickles for dill ones. Forget the unhealthy chips, substitute alfalfa sprouts.

Mamie Watts

Try adding dried onion flakes, they do not make the salad watery but add the wonderful onion flavor. As for me, tuna, red pepper flakes, black pepper, mayo, dried onion, sweet relish - skip the mustard!

Janet

If you have the chance to pick a fresh green bell pepper, cut it into tiny pieces and add it to whatever recipe you use. It is crunchy and refreshing. The best tuna salad I've made.

Gretchen Robinson

How much mayo???It's missing from the list.

Jay

Canned tuna in water squeezed out. Hand mash with a fork, add ground pepper, French's mustard, sweet relish, only Hellman's mayonnaise, and sometimes when my celery is not fresh I chop up red radishes into fine pieces and add it instead. In fact I prefer the radishes.

Diane

I like to add a few fresh green beans, sliced into small circles, for an added bit of crunch & freshness. Lemon pepper is also very good.

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Tuna Salad Sandwiches Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I mix with tuna to make it taste better? ›

🐟🌶️ Try these genius tips to elevate the flavor of canned tuna like never before! 🤩💥 👉 Mix in some sriracha or hot sauce for a spicy kick! 🌶️🔥 👉 Add freshly squeezed lemon juice for a tangy twist! 🍋😋 👉 Sprinkle in some dried herbs like dill or parsley to enhance the taste!

Why does restaurant tuna salad taste better? ›

The highest-quality tuna is bought fresh from the market or fishmonger, so some restaurants process and cook fresh tuna before incorporating it into the tuna salad. Although time-consuming and expensive, many chefs prefer this approach.

What does Martha Stewart put in her tuna salad? ›

To make it, mix 2 cans of oil-packed tuna in a bowl with thinly sliced celery, a finely chopped apple (we're talking 1/4-inch pieces), mayonnaise, fresh basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Martha serves hers on toasted sourdough but you can enjoy your tuna salad however you prefer.

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.

How to elevate a tuna sandwich? ›

Instead of mayo, add fat-free Greek yogurt to tuna to tame the heat of a good squirt of sriracha sauce. Top with lots of lettuce or chopped cilantro. Tuna Niçoise – Freshen up this French favorite by mixing canned tuna with fresh parsley, garlic and a little olive oil.

What spices taste good on tuna? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making 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.

How does Gordon Ramsay make tuna salad? ›

To satisfy Ramsay's taste buds, you'd have to step it up a notch. As the chef exclusively revealed to Tasting Table, his ideal tuna salad includes "lightly seared" ahi tuna combined with French green bean salad. (You didn't really think he was going to endorse celery, did you?)

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. If you've got some cooked pasta on hand, use it.

What brand mayo is best for tuna salad? ›

Consider products like Hellmann's or Duke's, with a more dense and creamy consistency making them ideal for tuna salad. More viscous or fluid products may cause a more 'wet' tuna salad.”

Which tuna is better for tuna salad? ›

The size of the flakes can vary, and the texture of chunk tuna is often softer and mushier. Chunk tuna is a delicious option when you want to make a tuna salad or spread.

How do you eat tuna if you don't like the taste? ›

1. Add a little moisture to the mix
  1. Oil. Olive, truffle, and even toasted sesame (which I use in my recipe below) are just a few drool-worthy examples. ...
  2. Mustard. If tang is your thang, a sharp Dijon will mask any sort of fishiness. ...
  3. Hot sauces, vinegars, and salad dressings. ...
  4. Hummus. ...
  5. Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Jun 28, 2021

What seasoning goes well with tuna? ›

A mix of parsley, basil, chives, chervil and marjoram, for example, would be splendid, as would one of cilantro, mint and basil. (I would rule out only thyme, tarragon and rosemary, unless you use them in minuscule quantities.)

How to make tuna taste less like tuna? ›

As simple as it sounds, adding a sprinkle of sugar to your canned fish can help diminish the more pungent flavors for which tuna is known — but not always loved — while letting the other ingredients in your salad and sandwich recipes shine.

What to add to tuna instead of mayonnaise? ›

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

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