If you're looking for a fresh take on a traditional tuna salad recipe, you've found the right place. This No Mayo Tuna Salad recipe is Mediterranean style, with wonderful flavors from citrus, cucumber, Kalamata olives, capers, feta and no mayonnaise at all. You won't miss the mayo with bright, bold flavors dancing around.
I know many people who simply have a love-hate relationship with mayonnaise. Some love it, some hate it. There is never a middle ground. I'm on the love-it side of the field, particularly if it is homemade. One of my favorite lunch recipes is my Low-Carb Tuna Salad, which is chock full of mayonnaise, shallots, and other delicious ingredients. But if you're wondering, is mayo low carb, or if you’re among those looking for a "tuna salad without mayo" recipe, I’ve got you covered.
So, I created a healthy tuna salad without mayo, bursting with flavors. This recipe was a labor of love at my catering company, where I tinkered endlessly to create a healthy yet simple tuna salad recipe without mayo. Take a look at how to make this no-mayo, Mediterranean tuna salad recipe!
Table of Contents
5 Reasons to Love This Recipe
When I say this is the best tuna salad recipe out there, you have got to believe me! Here are five good reasons you'll love this recipe too because it is:
- Low carb and keto-friendly!
- A tuna salad that has no mayo!
- Mediterranean-style preparation!
- A fresh, unique take on tuna salad!
- Versatile - Add it to a lettuce wrap or over cucumber slices!
Is No Mayo Tuna Salad Low-Carb?
Yes, tuna salad is low-carb. A typical serving of this healthy tuna salad recipe would likely contain 5-7 grams of carbs. It's a great choice for those watching their carb intake while still enjoying a delicious meal!
Tuna Salad Ingredient List
To make a delicious tuna salad recipe, you will need the following simple ingredients:
- 2 cans tuna in water, drained, 12ozunces each
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, chopped
- ¾ cup stalks celery, diced (about 2-3 stalks)
- ¼ cup scallion, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoon flat leaf fresh parsley, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup feta crumbles
- ¾ cup seedless cucumber, diced
- ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Ingredient Substitutions
Missing a few ingredients for this mayo free tuna salad? No worries! Here are some keto-friendly ingredient substitutions to save the day:
- Avocado oil: Swap olive oil for avocado oil for a different flavor profile packed with healthy fats.
- Green olives: If Kalamata olives aren't your jam, try green olives for a tangy twist.
- Red onion: No shallots on hand? Red onion makes a great substitute for that zesty kick.
- Chives: If scallions are not available, chives can step in and add a mild onion flavor.
- Dill pickles: Out of capers? Dill pickles can provide that briny bite you're looking for.
- Balsamic vinegar: You can substitute balsamic vinegar with red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice in this balsamic tuna salad recipe.
Additional Ingredients
Looking to jazz up your healthy tuna salad with some extra keto-friendly goodness? Check out these additional ingredients that pair perfectly with the main lineup:
- Chopped jalapeños: Add a spicy kick to your salad for some extra heat.
- Crispy bacon bits: Add some bacon bits because, well, everything's better with bacon, right?
- Sliced avocado: Creamy avocado slices lend a rich texture and flavor.
- Grated parmesan cheese: Sprinkle on some Parmesan for a savory, cheesy twist.
- Toasted almonds: Crispy, crunchy almonds bring a satisfying texture and nutty flavor to the mix.
Note: These additional ingredients are optional and not part of the original recipe. The recipe card doesn't include the nutrition information for these additional ingredients
Cooking Tools Required
To make this tuna salad with no mayo, you will need the following cooking tools:
- Large mixing bowl
- Can opener
- Knife and cutting board
- Lemon juicer or reamer
- Mixing spoon or spatula
How to Make No Mayo Tuna Salad: Complete Cooking Guide
Cooking Method
- No cook recipe
Preparation Methods
- Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
- Chop olives.
- Dice celery and seedless cucumber.
- Mince shallots and flat leaf parsley.
- Rinse capers.
Cooking Instructions
- Take out a large bowl. Add in the tuna and roughly break apart.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Serve in a lettuce wrap, over a salad, on some cucumbers or in a delicious wrap with some fresh pea sprouts.
- Enjoy cold and happy eating.
💡 My Pro Tip
Here's a pro tip to elevate your tuna salad recipe without mayonnaise: Let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to mingle and develop, resulting in a more harmonious taste. Also, opt for canned tuna in water instead of tuna in oil. If you must use tuna in oil, make sure to drain it well and skip the olive oil in the recipe to avoid an oily overload.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Pop your cans of tuna in the fridge overnight for quicker assembly the next day.
- Save yourself some serious time by opting for pre-pitted Kalamata olives.
- Prepare a batch ahead of time, as it can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days without the mayo.
- Dice celery, mince shallots, and chop parsley ahead of time for faster assembly when you're ready to make the salad.
What to Serve With Tuna Salad?
Looking to round out your meal? Here are some low-carb, keto-friendly pairings for your Mediterranean tuna salad no mayo:
- Spicy Italian Chicken Wings: The bold flavors of these wings complement the healthy high-protein tuna salad, creating a dynamic taste.
- Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb: The savory and fresh herbs in the lamb perfectly complement the Mediterranean flavors of the homemade tuna salad, creating a healthy lunch option.
- Pan Seared Lamb Loin Chops: Enhance your meal with juicy pan-seared lamb loin chops with classic tuna salad creaminess!
- Pork Kabobs: Enjoy a delightful combination of flavors by serving cold tuna salad alongside tender and flavorful pork kabobs.
- Oven Baked Chicken Fajitas: Make a delicious lunch with oven-baked chicken fajitas, offering a Tex-Mex twist to your traditional tuna salad experience.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage Tips
- Due to the fresh ingredients in the salad, it will keep for no longer than 2-3 days in the fridge.
- After storage, it must be mixed to reincorporate any of the separated juices, or they can be drained off if preferred.
Note: This recipe is unsuitable for freezing or meal prep due to the texture and freshness of the ingredients.
Recipe Conclusion
This easy Mediterranean-style tuna salad recipe without mayo is simple, quick, and a classic low-carb lunch! Enjoy it heaped onto crisp cucumber slices or nestled into a fresh Boston bibb lettuce wrap. Try topping it off with vibrant pea shoots or broccoli sprouts for an extra flavor boost.
And if you're feeling a bit more indulgent, why not wrap it all up in a tortilla? Just keep those napkins handy for any drips! So go ahead, whip up a batch of this irresistible tuna salad without mayo and dive into a world of fresh, Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
More Salad Recipes
If you're craving for more salad recipes similar to tuna salad without mayo, check out these hearty salad recipes for classic lunch options:
FAQs
You can make a mayonnaise-free tuna salad by using olive oil, mustard, Greek yogurt, or avocado.
Instead of mayo for tuna, you can use olive oil, mustard, Greek yogurt, or avocado.
Yes, you can substitute eggs for mayo in some recipes, such as using hard-boiled eggs as a binding agent in tuna salad.
Yes!! Greek yogurt tuna salad is a flavorful and nutritious twist on the classic tuna salad recipe.
No Mayo Tuna Salad 🥗
Ingredients
Tuna Salad Ingredient List
- 2 cans tuna in water drained, 12 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup Kalamata olives chopped
- ¾ cup stalks celery diced (about 2-3 stalks)
- ¼ cup scallion sliced thin
- 2 tablespoon flat leaf fresh parsley minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup feta crumbles
- ¾ cup seedless cucumber diced
- ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation Methods
- Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
- Chop olives.
- Dice celery and seedless cucumber.
- Mince shallots and flat leaf parsley.
- Rinse capers.
Cooking Instructions
- Take out a large bowl. Add in the tuna and roughly break apart.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Serve in a lettuce wrap, over a salad, on some cucumbers or in a delicious wrap with some fresh pea sprouts.
- Enjoy cold and happy eating.
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
Recent Low Carb Recipes:
Is it low carb? Learn more about it:
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Hi Scott! Thought I'd stop by and boy the first recipe I see sounds delicious. We are REAL Genova Tonno lovers. That is the only brand we buy --we've become tuna snobs -- I know that's pathetic. This recipe would lend itself well to our canned tuna. Hubby usually makes the tuna salad and I would have to do some sweet talking to get him to put his precious Kalamata olives into the salad but I think I could persuade him 😉 I am pinning the recipe to make later. Thank you for the "different" inspiration for tuna salad.
Scott Groth says
Hi Marisa:
Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts on this delightful salad. How did yours come out?
Have an excellent day in the kitchen!
Scott
Michelle@thelastfoodblog says
I'm a bit of a sucker for tuna mayo salad but I have to say I like the sound of this! I've never tried it with feta, it looks great, will definitely be giving this a go 🙂
Scott Groth says
Hi Michelle:
I like this recipe a lot, but if you're into tuna with mayo, check out my Low Carb Tuna Salad recipe. It's my absolute favorite.
Take care-
Scott
Celeste says
Sounds awesome, actually I can go either way with mayo. There are some in the house who are adverse to it. So I will let you know their reactions! Good luck with the business, it sounds like me, but I'm not brave enough to do this.
Scott Groth says
Hey Celeste:
Thank you for writing. How did your family like the salad?
Take care,
Scott
Sarah Marcus says
I did not use the feta cheese- but the flavors were still really delicious. I also used less olives. Great base recipe though!
Scott Groth says
Hi Sarah:
It's great, you can add or remove ingredients according to your preferences. Thank you for writing.
Hope you have an awesome day in the kitchen!
Scott
Anonymous says
I can't find a quantitative value for the capers. Recipe instructions just I dicate rinsing them. Thanks.
Other than that, this was an excellent recipe for someone who detests sour cream, mayo, and for dietary reasons, doesn't use Greek yogurt