This Avocado Tuna Salad is light, refreshing and so easy to make using simple ingredients. It’s made with chunky tuna, fresh lemon and creamy avocado instead of mayo for the perfect healthy low carb lunch and keto snack.
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Are you looking for a healthy and fresh spin on a classic tuna salad? If you’re a fan of avocado and tuna, this Avocado Tuna Salad is one of our favorite go-to lunches to have on hand.
I am a big avocado fan and love that it adds a natural creaminess to salads like chicken salad and egg salad without having to add mayo.
This avocado tuna salad takes just 10 minutes to make and uses simple pantry and fresh ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It’s perfect for summer when you’re craving something light and healthy and don’t feel like turning on your stove or oven.
Plus, it also works great if you’re Whole30, paleo, gluten free or following a low carb keto diet.
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED:
Here are a few key ingredients and tips when it comes to making the best avocado tuna salad:
- canned tuna – I like to use this wild and sustainably pole and line caught Albacore tuna in water but you can use your favorite canned tuna in oil or water. Leftover salmon or canned salmon would be a delicious option as well.
- diced celery
- finely chopped red onion
- Dijon mustard
- ripe avocado
- fresh lemon juice
- fresh herbs – I used chopped parsley
- salt and black pepper, to taste
OPTIONAL ADD-INS:
- chopped pickles
- sliced green onion
- sliced cherry tomatoes
- chopped hard-boiled eggs
- cucumbers
- sweet pickle relish
HOW TO MAKE AVOCADO TUNA SALAD
- DRAIN THE CAN OF TUNA: Open the can of tuna and drain well. To ensure that all the liquid is drained, you can dump the tuna in a colander and drain over a large bowl for a few minutes while you chop the vegetables.
- PREP THE VEGGIES: Mash 1 avocado then chop the onion, celery, parsley and remaining avocado into chunks.
- COMBINE INGREDIENTS: Add the drained tuna, mashed avocado, Dijon, chopped veggies (plus remaining avocado), fresh lemon, salt and pepper to a large bowl and use a fork or spoon to mash, toss and combine.
- SEASON: Taste and adjust seasonings by adding more salt, black pepper and Dijon mustard to taste.
- ENJOY RIGHT AWAY: You can eat it straight out of the bowl or chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- TO CHILL IN THE FRIDGE: Cover with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container with a lid and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 3 days.
- SERVE: Serve over a salad, in lettuce wraps, stuffed in avocados, as a casserole, in pasta salads or in a sandwich.
CAN I MAKE TUNA FISH SANDWICHES WITHOUT MAYO?
Yes! This avocado tuna salad uses 2 ripe avocados for added creaminess instead of mayo. You can also add Greek yogurt if you’re not following any particular diet such as Whole30 or paleo.
HOW LONG DOES TUNA SALAD LAST?
Keep in mind that since there is avocado in this tuna salad recipe, it can start to turn brown quickly so we usually eat it right away or within a few hours on the same day.
The lemon juice does help prevent some browning but if that doesn’t bother you, then you can store this tuna salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
SO CAN YOU FREEZE WHOLE30 TUNA SALAD?
I would say no. Tuna recipes do not usually freeze well due to their soggy texture.
HOW MANY CARBS ARE IN AVOCADO TUNA SALAD?
The great thing about tuna fish salad is that it is low in carbs and high in protein and fat so the macros fit perfectly if you’re on a keto diet.
Nutritional info for 1 serving of this Whole30 tuna fish recipe:
- 345 calories
- 3g Net Carbs = 5g Total carbs – 2g Fiber
- 25g protein
- 36g fat
- 1g sugar
DOES CANNED TUNA HAVE CARBS?
For a 2-ounce serving size of drained Albacore tuna in water, the macros are:
- 100 calories
- 11g protein
- 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugar
- 0.5g fat
Nutritional info for a 2-ounce serving size of drained Chunk light tuna in oil, is:
- 80 calories
- 10g protein
- 0.5g carbs
- 0g fiber, 0g sugar
- 4.5g fat
VARIATIONS FOR TUNA SALAD RECIPES:
Other delicious ways you can eat tuna salad:
- Whole30 tuna avocado salad with egg
- keto tuna avocado lettuce wraps
- paleo tuna stuffed avocado
- serve with lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes
- classic tuna salad sandwiches or tuna melts that you can make using your favorite keto bread, low carb pita or a regular croissant
FOR POTLUCKS:
- creamy tuna avocado macaroni salad that you can pack for lunch to go on spring or summer potlucks, barbecues, picnics or meal prep for work
- simple tuna avocado casserole for an easy Sunday night dinner
- easy tuna avocado pasta salad for holiday parties, summer barbecues, potlucks and parties
More easy salad recipes:
Tuna Salad is super easy to make and the perfect healthy light lunch or snack. Made with tuna, chopped celery, creamy mayo, red onion and lemon juice. It's low carb, paleo, keto and Whole30 compliant.
- 18 ounce (three 5-ounce) cans of tuna in water , drained well
- 1/4 cup celery , diced
- 1/2 tablespoon red onion , finely chopped
- 2 ripe avocado divided, 1 mashed & 1 cut into small chunks,
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley , chopped
- 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
- 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- fine sea salt or pink salt and freshly cracked black pepper , to taste
DRAIN THE CAN OF TUNA: Open the can of tuna and drain well. To ensure that all the liquid is drained, you can dump the tuna in a colander and drain over a large bowl for a few minutes while you chop the vegetables.
PREP THE VEGGIES: Use a fork to mash 1 avocado. Chop the onion, celery, parsley and the remaining avocado.
COMBINE INGREDIENTS: Add the drained tuna, mashed avocado, chopped veggies & remaining avocado, Dijon, fresh lemon, salt and black pepper to a large bowl and use a fork or spoon to toss and combine.
SEASON: Taste and adjust seasonings by adding more salt, pepper and Dijon mustard to taste.
ENJOY RIGHT AWAY: You can eat it straight out of the bowl or chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
TO CHILL IN THE FRIDGE: Cover with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container with a lid and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 3 days.
SERVE: Serve over a salad, in lettuce wraps or stuffed in avocados for a Whole30, Paleo or Low Carb version.
FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE DIETARY CONCERNS: You can also make tuna salad sandwiches or tuna melts that you can make using your favorite keto bread.
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