Keto Tuna Salad

Name: Keto Tuna Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 14 oz canned tuna (400g); 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120g); 1/2 cup celery (finely diced, 60g, 2 stalks); 1/4 cup red onions (finely diced, 25g, 1/4 onion); 1/4 cup sugar free pickles (finely diced, 30g); 1/4 cup fresh dill (finely chopped, 20g); 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (15g); 1 tbsp lemon juice (12g); salt and black pepper (to taste)

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This keto tuna salad recipe is so creamy and bursting with flavor! It takes only 10 minutes prep time and is a filling, high protein lunch.

This low carb tuna salad is so delicious that it is up there with my all time lunch favourites - my bell pepper sandwich and this keto chicken salad.

It is packed with protein, filling and satisfying yet light and refreshing.

I love to make a double batch and have lunches ready to go for several days. Sometimes we spread it on sandwiches and other times we spoon it into halved bell peppers.

It also tastes so good as a tuna melt, with or without bread. Seriously, this is is the best tuna salad you'll ever eat.

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🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Recipe Variations
Recipe FAQs
Serving Suggestion
More Salad Recipe
Recipe

🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe

Bursting with flavor from fresh dill, lemon juice and sugar free pickles
Creamy texture
Easy, quick recipe - ready in 10 minutes
Keto friendly - just 1g net carbs per portion
Great for meal prep, keeps fresh for several days

Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need:

Canned tuna - I always buy canned tuna in olive oil because it has a tender and juicy texture. For a lighter version, choose tuna in water. This has a fuller and hearty flavor. Avoid tuna in vegetable oil.

Mayonnaise - I love making my own keto mayonnaise with a light olive oil. You can also buy keto friendly mayo with avocado oil. For a lighter version, replace some of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream.

Celery - Chop the celery ribs very finely. They lend freshness and add a lovely crunch to this low carb tuna salad.

Onion - Red onion is my personal preference here. Just like the celery, they add crispness and colour. The green parts of spring onion (scallions) are also a good choice.

Pickles - The sour and salty tang is essential for a classic tuna salad. I used finely chopped cornichons, which are sugar-free gherkins. Some people also like to use dill relish.

Dill - Fresh dill is best. If you can't get it at all, ½ teaspoon dried dill works too.

Lemon juice and mustard - Adding fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard to the mayo makes the dressing taste amazing. Don't omit it.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Instructions

It is really easy to make a keto tuna salad, Here are the basic steps.

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions.

Tuna and chopped vegetables and herbs in a bowl.

Step 1: Drain the tuna and put it in a large mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped celery, onions, pickles and the chopped dill. Stir to combine.

Step 2: In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lemon and mustard to make the dressing. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Tuna salad in a large mixing bowl and a spoon.

Step 3: Pour the dressing onto the salad and stir to combine. Adjust the seasoning and serve.

Katrin's Top Tip

Let the salad sit in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. This gives the flavours time to meld and it will taste even better.

Recipe Variations

Below are ideas for add-ins and flavor variations:

Diced cucumber (remove the seeds first)
Halved cherry tomatoes - I would stir them in right before serving as they release liquid over time and can make the salad soggy.
Hard-boiled egg - Egg and tuna go really well together - that's why I also have a tuna salad recipe with egg on my website.
Red or green bell pepper - finely diced.
Chili flakes or hot sauce - 1 teaspoon of sriracha sauce adds a whole new flavor dimension.
Minced garlic - This is a really interesting addition, and I often add it. I use 1 small clove, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
Parsley or cilantro - These are good alternatives if you cannot source dill. Always choose fresh herbs over dried.

Recipe FAQs

How to make tuna salad without mayonnaise?

You can replace the mayo with Greek yogurt or sour cream. The salad will still be creamy.

Can I make a tuna melt with this?

Yes! Spread the tuna salad on my almond flour bread and top with grated cheddar cheese. Pop it under the grill until the cheese has melted.

How to store keto tuna salad?

Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir before eating.

Can you freeze tuna salad?

This recipe is not suitable for freezing.

Halved bell peppers filled with tuna salad on a plate.

Serving Suggestion

I like to serve this keto tuna salad on a slice of my favorite low carb bread. If I don't have bread in the house, I sometimes make a quick slice of this 90 second keto bread in the microwave.

The salad is also fantastic served on flaxseed crackers or these crispy chia seed crackers.

Instead of making a sandwich, spoon the salad on cucumber slices or into halved bell peppers. We also enjoy it in a lettuce wrap. Romaine is a good option because the leaves are sturdy.

Serve with a glass of avocado milk or avocado smoothie for an additional nutrient boost.