The key to a really delicious tuna salad is keeping it simple. Buy fresh ingredients to mix with the canned tuna, and everything will come together. For this Low-Carb Tuna Salad recipe, we will add crunchy celery, snappy shallots, and the secret ingredient: celery seeds. Take a look at the full recipe to see how it all comes together.
This Recipe is: Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Paleo
Table of Contents
7 Reasons to Love This Recipe
Here are 8 reasons why you’ll love this low-carb tuna salad:
- A decade of happy eaters can't be wrong.
- Crunchy veggies and creamy mayo in every bite.
- Perfect for lettuce cups and a refreshing lunch.
- Ideal on cucumber slices for quick appetizers.
- Keto-friendly and irresistibly delicious.
- Simple enough for any home cook.
- Great lunch option any day of the week.
Is Tuna Salad Low-Carb?
Yes, tuna salad is low carb. Wondering how many carbs in tuna salad? The good news is, there is only 1 g net carbs in tuna salad per serving, which makes it a perfect option for those following low-carb diets.
A Super-Easy Low-Carb Tuna Salad Recipe
I've been making tuna salad as far back as I can remember. It is one of my favorites for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a quick afternoon snack. Over the years, I've been tinkering with the recipe... some days adding in different mustards, relishes and other combinations that sometimes turn out good and other times, not-so-good. The recipe in this post is the perfect balance of tuna, crunch, flavor and texture. You have to try it!
You're going to see a couple of simple ingredients in this low-carb tuna salad that you might not see in a lot of recipes. The first of these ingredients is shallots. I love shallots with tuna. The mixture of mellow garlic and onion flavors really complements the tuna while adding brightness to the overall dish. It's a lovely ingredient. We're also going to use celery seeds. These little seeds aren't sold in every grocery store, so you might want to call to see if your local market stocks them before heading off to pick some up. I know that overseas you can search for days and never find celery seeds. Why add them since we already have celery? Because they provide a really vibrant celery flavor and aroma that is just delightful. When you open the jar of celery seeds you'll see just what I mean. Lastly, we're going to add lemon juice for brightness. Lemon and fish are perfect with one another...a relationship which is no different with this tuna salad recipe.
Differences in Canned Tuna
Way back in the day, my mom told me that I should only buy canned tuna that was labeled as solid white Albacore tuna in water. She told me that the whole tuna is of higher quality than the chunk type. She also said that water-packed tuna was better for you than oil-packed tuna. Pretty solid advice. I can't say that I disagree with any of these points over 30 years later.
On a more practical note, I like using tuna in water more than oil for two reasons. First, it stinks up my kitchen less. The oil tends to have a lingering smell that I don't find appealing. Second, the tuna in oil has a richer flavor but I find it more difficult to control how much mayonnaise I add into the recipe. Sometimes it just needs less than my recipe calls for and I end up with a loose tuna salad. Nobody wants a oily tuna salad. Gross.
Mayo in Tuna Salad
For this recipe, I used olive oil mayo off the shelf. I realize this is not a preferred paleo option. If you are strictly paleo, substitute it with your own mayo, and it will be even more delicious! I like to make a lemon shallot mayo that tastes incredible. If you make your own, the possibilities are just about limitless.
When you are choosing your mayo off the shelf, take a look at the ingredients and choose the one that has the LEAST amount of ingredients...and no high-fructose corn syrup at all! Leave the "whips" on the shelf. They're just chock-full of stuff that you don't want to eat.
If you're wondering Is Mayo Low Carb check out the in depth article to dig into its carb content and nutrition value. And, if you need any help with label reading, I have a very easy guide for you!
Low-Carb Tuna Salad Ingredient List
You'll need the following ingredients to make low-carb tuna salad:
- 3-4 celery stalks, diced (approximately 1.5 cups)
- 2 12 ounce cans of tuna, solid white Albacore in water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup shallot, diced finely (approximately 1 medium shallot)
- 1 ¼ cup olive oil mayo
- 1 tablespoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon salt
Ingredient Substitutions
Here are some easy swaps to keep your low-carb tuna salad delicious:
- Shallot: Use red onion or green onion.
- Olive oil mayo: Make my paleo mayo or use regular mayo without sugar.
- Celery seed: Omit if not available.
- Lemon juice: Use lime juice or apple cider vinegar.
Additional Ingredients
Looking to jazz up your healthy tuna salad? Here are some tasty additions:
- Fresh herbs: Try some fresh dill, parsley, tarragon, or even chives for extra flavor.
- Zest: Add some lemon zest for a nice tartness.
- Pickles: Chop up some dill pickles, green olives, or pickled red onions. For some heat, add my fresh quick pickled jalapeno peppers.
- Veggies: Add shredded carrots or finely diced radish. Serve on thick-sliced tomatoes for a burst of flavor.
Note: These ingredients are optional and are not included in the main recipe.
Tools Required
You'll need the following tools to make low-carb tuna salad:
- Can opener
- Large bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Mixing spoon or spatula
How to Make Low-Carb Tuna Salad: Complete Guide
Cooking Method
- No-cook recipe
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
- Dice celery stalks and shallots.
- Seed celery.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice.
Instructions
- Drain the tuna and add to a large bowl.
- Add all remaining ingredients to the bowl & mix well.
- Taste, adjust seasonings and taste again.
- Serve cold and happy eating!
Step 1: Add all the ingredients into a bowl. The tuna will break up while you are mixing everything together.
Step 2: When it is mixed, the mayo should act as a binder and provide moisture to the tuna salad.
Step 3: Just grab a fork and take a bite. It is so good that you won’t be able to resist!
💡 My Pro Tip
I like to add everything to the bowl before I start mixing. Why? First, it's easier to see if I've added everything I need before it's all mixed up. Second, breaking up the tuna while mixing everything together helps the salad bind better than if you break up the tuna beforehand. I'm not sure why, but it just seems to work.
After mixing everything, I quickly taste it and adjust the seasonings. Depending on the day, I might add a bit more lemon or a touch more mayo. Remember, we're working with fresh ingredients that have varying flavor potency. So, taste, adjust, and taste again!
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Chill your cans of tuna ahead of time. This reduces the time needed to chill the completed tuna salad after making it. Remember, a chilled tuna salad is a happy tuna salad.
- Dice everything ahead of time. Tuna salad involves some chopping. You can either keep the chopped ingredients separate or add them to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Use store-bought mayo. It saves the time of making it, although my paleo mayo recipe is ready to go in under 5 minutes!
What to Serve with Low-Carb Tuna Salad?
Looking to round out your meal with this keto tuna salad recipe? Here are some tasty pairings:
- Lettuce wraps: Serve the tuna salad in crisp lettuce cups for a refreshing low-carb meal and hearty flavor.
- Coleslaw: Add coleslaw on the side with this flavorful keto tuna salad for some refreshing extra crunch.
- Pickled Jalapeno Peppers: Serve this perfect tuna salad with pickled jalapenos, simply spoon the salad onto a plate or into a bowl. Garnish generously with pickled jalapenos for a spicy kick and extra tangy flavor.
- Sandwiches: My refreshing tuna salad is a great sandwich filling. Make tuna salad sandwiches for a satisfying and flavorful meal option.
Storage Tips
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Some liquid may be at the bottom; simply drain it off and mix in fresh mayo to refresh before serving again.
Recipe Conclusion
When you first bite into this Low-Carb Tuna Salad recipe, you'll be sold. All the flavors just work really well together, begging you to take a second bite. And it's going to taste incredibly fresh with the crisp celery and mellow shallot flavor. You're going to love it.
Want a perfect pairing? If you're a potato chip lover, buy some Sea Salt & Vinegar chips. When I was eating potato chips, this combination was my absolute favorite. The high acid on the chips balanced out the creamy deliciousness of the classic tuna salad. Just perfect. If you're not eating chips, add the tuna salad into a lettuce wrap. The crunch is delightful and the experience will bring a smile to your face.
As always, if you like what you're reading, let me know! you can join in the conversation and see more pictures and stuff on Facebook and Instagram. Let's explore food together. Happy eating.
More Lunch Salad Recipes
Looking for more low-carb lunch salad recipes? Check these out:
FAQs
Yes, tuna is good for a low-carb diet because it is high in protein and contains very few carbs.
No, canned tuna does not have a lot of carbs; it is a low-carb food option.
The carb content in tuna with mayo is very low, typically around 1-2 grams of carbs per serving, depending on the mayo used.
LOW CARB TUNA SALAD
Ingredients
- 3-4 celery stalks diced (approximately 1.5 cups)
- 2 12 ounce cans of tuna solid white Albacore in water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup shallot diced finely (approximately 1 medium shallot)
- 1 ¼ cup olive oil mayo
- 1 tablespoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
- Dice celery stalks and shallots.
- Seed celery.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice.
Instructions
- Drain the tuna and add to a large bowl.
- Add all remaining ingredients to the bowl & mix well.
- Taste, adjust seasonings and taste again.
- Serve cold and happy eating!
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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28 Responses
I make all my tuna salad with cottage cheese instead of mayo. The result is high protein, spreadable and filling. Just smash the mix together with a fork and spread of rice cakes or apple slices.
Hi Ms. Carter:
I love substituting cottage cheese in for a ton of stuff. I've never made it with tuna before- do you use it in the same proportion as you would the mayo? I'm intrigued and would love to give this a shot.
Thanks for the suggestion-
Scott
I must try cottage cheese next time
It does sound intriguing- right?
Great comprehensive post! Will try this next time I make a tuna salad sandwich!
Hi Leah:
Thanks very much- I hope that you like it!
Scott
Looks delicious! I'll definitely need to try celery seed next time!
Hi Lisa:
The celery seed really gives it an awesome flavor. I hope that you like it!
Take care,
Scott
You all must try adding or substituting chopped apple in the tuna salad.I always loved tuna salad but hated when my mom put chopped onion in it. The apple is a good substitute,a nice crunch without the burn!
Hi Harold:
Good suggestion. I don't love the burn that some onions can have either, which is why I use shallot for so many recipes.
Have an excellent day in the kitchen!
Scott
I used to think Solid White tuna was superior too....but it has much more mercury than the chunk light stuff. So in that sense, I would say it is inferior to chunk light.
Hi Anon:
The mercury content in fish is something I’m going to have to research a bit more. I’ve been curious about it for a while. Thanks for posting!
Have an incredible day!
Scott
Ridiculously good. That's all I have to say about this recipe. Oh- if you're reading this- make it. So good.
Hey Deb:
Thanks for taking the time to write your thoughts about this deliciousness. It is truly amazing.
Have a fantastic day in the kitchen!
Scott
Do you have the nutritional value of your tuna salad? It sounds delicious but we've just started the keto diet and need to count everything! Thanks.
Hi Bonnie:
I just added the information and changed some of the information on the recipe itself. Please keep in mind that the service I use for nutritional data doesn't allow me to choose how many ounces the cans of tuna might be... and it also doesn't tell me what size they are using for the nutritional data either!
I'm on day 10 of transitioning full keto again and had this yesterday for lunch with my family. I hope you like it!!
Take care and let me know if you have any other questions.
Scott
Thanks for sharing this it's really helpful