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 to put on tuna to make it taste better? ›

Start by doctoring up a can of tuna with mayonnaise, lemon, and cilantro—think spicy tuna with the spice on the side. Then add rice and crunchy seasoned carrots and cucumber for the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Serve with your favorite condiments such as soy and hot chili sauce.

What does Martha Stewart put in her tuna salad? ›

How to Make Martha's Favorite Tuna Salad. This is an extremely straightforward 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.

What is the best seasoning for tuna? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making Tuna

Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor. Organic Black Malabar Pepper: A classic pairing for a simple seared tuna steak. Organic coriander Powder: Offers a lemony, floral note, excellent for an exotic twist.

What to add to tuna instead of mayonnaise? ›

Instead of mayonnaise, you can make tuna salad dressing with plain yogurt or whipped silken tofu. You can also add lemon vinaigrette (¼ cup olive oil, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard, fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chives and salt and pepper to taste).

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.

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 seasonings taste good on canned tuna? ›

Some basic seasonings to use for canned tuna include salt, black pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro.

How do you make tuna salad without fishy taste? ›

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.

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.

Why is my tuna salad watery? ›

Whether the tuna wasn't drained well enough, or the veggies weren't thoroughly dried after you washed them and the water ended up in the salad, or overly juicy pickles are possibly the culprit -- whatever the soggy cause may be, the best way to fix watery tuna salad is by adding a dry ingredient that can absorb the ...

Is tuna salad healthier than chicken salad? ›

If your iron levels are solid but you could use some more zinc, potassium, or phosphorus, then chicken is a better choice. In the end, the choice between tuna and chicken boils down to what you need. Whichever you choose, you're guaranteed lots of lean, low-calorie protein, with vitamins and minerals galore.

How to make tuna taste less fishy? ›

Also, you can marinate the fish in a mixture of lemon juice, vinegar, and water for 30 minutes. This will help to neutralize the fishy taste. Cooking the fish using a cooking method that will not allow the fishy flavor to become pronounced, such as grilling, baking, or steaming can help as well.

What is the most delicious part of the tuna? ›

The most delicious and the most expensive is the Otoro, the part located under the belly and near the gills of the fish. This is the fattest part of the meat, which is loved by diners. Chutoro is the belly of a tuna located at the back of the tail.

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