You are going to love this Low Carb Tuna Salad recipe. It’s healthy, simple and classic. The best part? It’s so quick and easy – there’s no chopping and you can have it ready in less than 5 minutes!
Mindy’s Recipe Snapshot
Method: This is a no-cook recipe.
Key Ingredients: Tuna, mayo and pickle relish.
Ease: This could not be easier, or quicker!
Top Tip: Adjust the amount of mayo based on how creamy you want your tuna salad.
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I’ve been making this simple keto tuna salad recipe for years. Even before keto was a thing. I use three simple ingredients for this easy recipe; canned tuna, mayo and pickle relish. We always have everything on hand to make it.
We used to only eat it this as a tuna salad sandwich. But, we’ve broadened our horizons and eat it on lettuce, or stuffed into avocado halves or mini peppers. You can also put this on a low carb tortilla.
When I was a kid I ate this yummy tuna on flour tortillas with lettuce and tomato. I didn’t realize at the time that the wrap wasn’t really a thing until baseball’s Bobby Valentine came up with the idea around 1982. I’d already been making them at least a year or two. Too bad I wasn’t famous, I could’ve been known for inventing the wrap. Oh well… There’s a great article at delish.com that gives the rundown on the invention of the wrap. I thought it was interesting so I thought you might too.
Ingredients
See recipe card for exact measurements and full recipe.
Ingredient Notes
Our simple recipe has just three ingredients. There are many things that can be added to this, depending on personal preference. See below for some suggestions.
- Tuna: I like wild caught skipjack flaky tuna packed in water. You can use tuna packed in vegetable oil. You can also use albacore tuna.
- Mayonnaise: We use olive oil mayo, but any kind works great. Virtually any mayo is no carb.
- Relish: We love sweet pickle relish in our tuna salad, but dill can be used.
How to make it
- Drain the tuna.
- Place all of the ingredients into a medium bowl and stir until combined.
Tips
- We like our tuna to be very creamy. You can adjust the amount of mayo based on how creamy you like it.
- Make sue to drain off as much of the liquid as possible so your tuna salad isn’t too wet.
Substitutions and Additions
- Not a fan of mayo? Use part or all plain Greek yogurt. This will add carbs, probably anywhere from 3-12 grams per serving. You can replace some of the mayo with light sour cream. It has 1-2 grams of carbs per serving so it would a good choice to stay low carb.
- Swap the sweet pickle relish for dill relish. Or, you can use chopped sweet or dill pickles.
There are so many ingredients that can be added to tuna fish, below are some suggestions.
- Dijon mustard – a tablespoon or two, or dried mustard – a teaspoon or two.
- Add a couple of tablespoons of fresh parsley or chives.
- Dried or fresh dill would be good in this, maybe ½ – 1 teaspoon dried and a couple of tablespoons fresh.
- Red onion, green onion , or yellow onion would be the perfect addition to this tuna salad, anywhere between 1-3 tablespoons (or more if you like).
- Dried spices like onion powder, garlic powder, salt or black pepper are great additions.
- Add a splash of fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, maybe about a tablespoon.
- A couple of stalks of diced celery would give this nice crunch.
- A couple hard boiled eggs would give more protein and still be low carb.
Serving Suggestions
- Place a serving on a bed of lettuce for a quick meal.
- Stuff each half of an avocado for a meal packed with healthy fats.
- Make a wrap – place a serving on a lettuce leaf or low carb tortilla.
- Serve on mini peppers for a hand held snack or meal.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
We use four drained 5 ounce cans. You just need a total of about 20 ounces.
No, if you make the recipe as written it doesn’t contain dairy.
It can be. While the main ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, some brands may add ingredients or use processing methods that introduce gluten. If this is important to you, be sure to check the labels and choose certified gluten-free brands.
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Low Carb Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cans tuna 5 ounces each
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
Instructions
- Drain the tuna well and place in a medium bowl.4 cans tuna
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir until combined.½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- Serve.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.