The Recipe · No.850 · Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad, and Where to Source It

Drain the tuna well and go easy on the mayo. Too much mayo drowns it; you want just enough to bind, then celery and onion for crunch and a hit of lemon or pickle relish to cut the richness. Good tinned tuna in oil makes a world of difference.

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Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep10 min
Cook0 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineAmerican
Greedometer ●●●●● Angel food Level Easy
About as virtuous as dinner gets.
Cook it with
No-cook
Suits
Gluten-freeDairy-free
Contains  eggs · fish
Straight Answers
Can you make Tuna Salad in an air fryer? — Not needed

It’s a salad — nothing to air-fry once it’s tossed. You can crisp a topping in one, though: croutons, bacon, or chickpeas in a single layer while you build the rest.

Can you freeze Tuna Salad? — Best fresh

Not really — the vegetables and dressing turn to mush once thawed. Salads are a make-fresh thing.

Can you make Tuna Salad ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it actually wants a few hours in the fridge for the flavors to settle. Make it ahead and give it a stir before serving.

Is Tuna Salad gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Tuna Salad vegan? — No

No — it contains seafood, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Part One
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Tinned tuna
A good olive-oil-packed tuna, drained well. A quality tinned fish is worth it.
2 cans
Source it →
Mayonnaise
Just enough to bind. A good egg mayo.
1/4 cup
Source it →
Celery, onion, lemon
Diced celery and onion for crunch, lemon or relish for brightness. Fresh, bought local.
to taste
Local / market
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.
Part Two
The Method
  1. DrainDrain the tuna well and flake it into a bowl.
  2. MixFold in the mayo, diced celery and onion, and a squeeze of lemon.
  3. SeasonSeason with salt and pepper and adjust the lemon.
  4. ServeOn toast, in a wrap, or over greens.
Part Three
The Toolkit

Mixing bowl · Fork · Chef's knife

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