This classic Southern tuna salad is creamy, flavorful, and protein-packed! It’s perfect for sandwiches, salads, and a quick snack, made with simple ingredients like canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, and pickle relish.
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What is Southern Tuna Salad?
Southern tuna salad takes a simple classic and makes it even better! The secret? A mix of both dill and sweet pickle relish for the perfect balance, plus chopped hard-boiled eggs—a true Southern tradition.
Whether you pile it onto a sandwich, tuck it into a wrap, or serve it over greens, this recipe is as versatile as it is delicious. It’s also easy to double if you’re feeding a crowd! If your mom or grandma used to whip up a comforting tuna salad sandwich, one bite of this will bring back all the nostalgia.
And if you love this, you’ll also want to try my Chicken Salad Chick Copycat—another creamy, flavor-packed favorite. For something a little different, check out this Tuna Pizza for a fun twist!
Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ingredients
- Tuna – I like to use water-packed tuna for this recipe. You may use oil-packed tuna if preferred! Use your favorite; I like albacore white tuna.
- Eggs – Just like with potato salad, adding hard-boiled and peeled eggs provide more protein and texture to the salad recipe.
- Celery – Fresh celery adds a subtle crunch to the texture of the tuna salad, mince finely for those who don’t love it.
- Red Onion – Chopped red onion gives the salad a deeper flavor and vibrant pops of color.
- Pickle Relish – Use dill relish or sweet pickle relish, depending on your taste, or both!
- Mayonnaise – I recommend using high-quality mayo for the best flavor. I like avocado mayo.
- Dijon Mustard – A little Dijon mustard adds spice to the salad recipe.
- Kosher Salt and Pepper – Season it to your taste!
- Celery Salt – Celery salt is mixed with celery seeds to add a slightly bitter and earthy flavor to the tuna salad.
- Smoked Paprika – Adding smoked paprika, gives a subtle but unique flavor, like in this 10 Vegetable soup.
- Fresh Herbs – Optional, but adds great flavor, add a little fresh dill, thyme, basil or rosemary!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
- An egg slicer makes mincing hard-boiled eggs easy! Slice one way, rotate 90 degrees, and slice again for perfect little pieces—great for tuna or egg salad.
- I love using this small mixing bowl with a lid—the ideal size for making and storing tuna salad in the fridge! And don’t forget the can opener!
How to Make Tuna Salad Recipe with Egg and Relish
Before getting started, hard boil the eggs, then plunge into an ice bath of cold water and allow them to cool. You can make these up to 3-4 days ahead.
Finely chop the celery and red onion with a sharp knife, or use an alligator chopper. Take the bite out of red onions by soaking them in ice water for 10 minutes. Use the same ice bath as your hard-boiled eggs. Drain and enjoy!
And once the eggs are peeled, chop them into tiny bits or use an egg chopper.
Mix all of the dressing ingredients in a medium or large mixing bowl and add the mayonnaise, spices, and pickle relish. TIP: Make your dressing in the bowl you’ll mix the tuna salad in, less dishes to wash!
Next, drain the tuna and add it to the mixed dressing. Then drop in the chopped eggs, celery, and red onions and mix well to combine.
Serve this classic healthy tuna salad recipe immediately. However, you may also make it ahead of time. Store the recipe in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Fresh Tips
- The finer you chop the veggies for this recipe, the more the flavors really blend and the less likely your picky eaters will turn up their noses to it!
- You must drain the canned tuna, or the salad will be runny with the excess liquid.
Variations & Substitutions
- If you prefer your tuna salad on the sweeter side, use all bread and butter pickles or all sweet relish.
- Add more bulk to the recipe without doubling it using an extra hard-boiled egg.
- Sprinkle in finely chopped fresh dill to heighten the dill pickle flavor. Or add in some fresh chives or parsley.
- Toss in a dash of Old Bay Seasoning.
- For moister tuna salad, add one tablespoon of mayo at a time.
- Squeeze in some lemon juice for a citrus kick.
- Include chopped red bell peppers for extra flavor and color.
- Use green or yellow onion instead of red or a combination of the two.
Make it a Tuna Macaroni Salad (Tuna Pasta Salad)
Add up to ½ box of cooked elbow macaroni to the salad mixture and 1 cup of fresh or frozen peas. You might need to add up to an additional ⅓ cup of mayo. Stir to combine and refrigerate for an hour or more before serving.
Storage Tips
Refrigerator: Store this easy tuna salad in the fridge in an airtight container for three to five days.
Freezer: For longer storage time, freeze the tuna salad in a freezer-safe bag or container. It helps to freeze the salad in portions, I love these silicone freezer cubes. Plus, it makes thawing a lot quicker. Place in the fridge overnight to thaw for a snack or meal the next day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Peeling hard-boiled eggs can be a real headache. Avoid making a mess by first carefully dropping the eggs into the pot of water only after it has come to a boil. This helps the shell’s membrane not to stick to the egg’s protein.
Secondly, some people sprinkle a little salt into the boiling water, which is known to help with the peeling. And finally, make peeling the hard-boiled eggs a little easier by submerging them in an ice bath for 5 to 15 minutes after boiling
White tuna in water has a milder flavor, while light tuna typically sourced with Yellowfin and Skipjack tuna, is a bit stronger, but a softer tuna. Use tuna packed in oil or water, just drain well. Bottom line, use the tuna you normally would use!
If you’d like to swap the mayo for another similar ingredient, such as Miracle Whip, or plain Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
Yes! You sure can and it’s so easy! Place in an airtight freezer container or baggie and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, give it a good stir and enjoy!
Ways to Serve Southern Tuna Salad
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Use the following ideas to inspire your use of this delicious southern tuna salad:
- Low-Carb Option – Top a bed of romaine, spinach or butter lettuce leaves with the tuna salad and a juicy ripe tomato wedge. Or make tuna salad lettuce wraps for the whole family to enjoy a tasty light dinner.
- Classic Tuna Salad Sandwich – Lightly toast the bread to avoid it getting soggy. Try it with lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and a homemade bread recipe, like some challah, Basic Sourdough Bread, or stuffed into pita bread.
- Keep it Simple – Serve this simple tuna salad recipe with buttery crackers, crispy potato chips, or Air Fryer Steak Fries.
- Southern-Style – This southern tuna salad is perfect for serving with more of your favorite southern recipes, like a refreshing Mint Julep, Southern-Style Green Beans, and Sweet Cornbread.
How to Make an Open-Face Tuna Melt
A little known fact about me: I dislike making lunch! Not because I don’t like eating lunch, but it’s just a thing with me! Let’s not get into the psychology of why! 🙂
So, an open-face tuna melt is one of my go-to lunches! Because I can make this southern tuna salad recipe ahead of time, enjoy it on some lettuce, and then make open-face tuna melts for a light lunch or dinner!
Split an English muffin (try my sourdough English muffins) or your favorite bread (lightly toasting first so as not to get soggy). Place toasted muffin halves or toast slices on a baking sheet, then spoon ¼-⅓ of a cup of tuna salad onto each muffin half, spreading to cover the muffin.
Preheat the broiler, then top the tuna with a slice of your favorite cheese—try pepper jack, cheddar, Swiss, Havarti, or Muenster.
Broil for 1-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly – watch closely!
What to serve with Southern Tuna Salad
- More Salads – We love this Tropical Mango Salad and this antipasto salad or like shown above, with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers and avocado, drizzled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a little salt and pepper.
- Make a batch of beer bread, or these Cheddar Bay Biscuits (so delish).
- Crudite Platter – For a super flavorful, healthy meal!
- For dessert enjoy these Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- Or fresh Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade or this Passion Tea Lemonade.
This is a great recipe for meal prep – make ahead and assemble as desired!
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 5 ounce cans canned albacore tuna in water, drained (see notes)
- 2 large hard boiled eggs peeled, chopped fine
- ¼ cup celery chopped fine, about 1 small stalk
- ¼ cup red onion chopped fine
- 2 tablespoons pickle relish dill or sweet, or use 1 tablespoon of each
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise I like Chosen Avocado Oil mayo, see notes for alternatives
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add mayonnaise, spices, pickle relish and stir to combine the dressing. Tip – Use a bowl with a lid, so you can make and store your tuna salad in the same bowl.2 tablespoons pickle relish, ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, ¼ – ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon celery salt, ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Add the drained tuna, eggs, celery, red onion and mix well to combine. Serve immediately or may be made ahead of time, store in an airtight container and refrigerate, covered for up to 3 days.2 5 ounce cans canned albacore tuna, 2 large hard boiled eggs, ¼ cup celery, ¼ cup red onion
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Notes
- Low-Carb Keto Tuna Salad – Make lettuce wraps or serve on a bed of your favorite lettuce.
- Classic Tuna Salad Sandwich Lightly toast the bread to avoid it getting soggy. Try it with lettuce and fresh tomatoes on your favorite bread.
- Keep it Simple – Serve this simple tuna salad recipe with buttery crackers, crispy potato chips, or Easy Air Fryer Steak Fries.
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- Split an English muffin or your favorite bread (lightly toasting first so as not to get soggy). Place toasted muffin halves or toast slices on a baking sheet, then spoon ¼-⅓ of a cup of tuna salad onto each muffin half, spreading to cover the muffin.
- Preheat the broiler, then top the tuna with a slice of your favorite cheese—try pepper jack, cheddar, Swiss, Havarti, or Muenster.
- Broil for 1-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly – watch closely!
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- Soak red onions in an ice bath while chilling eggs to reduce sharpness.
- For a sweeter egg tuna salad, use sweet relish or bread and butter pickles.
- Add an extra egg for more bulk.
- Mix in finely chopped dill for extra pickle flavor.
- A dash of Old Bay adds a nice kick.
- For a creamier texture, add mayo one tablespoon at a time.
- Squeeze in lemon juice for brightness.
- Toss in chopped red bell peppers or green onions for crunch.
Nutrition
Erin
This is the real deal tuna salad, and I absolutely loved it! Best lunch EVER.
Thanks Erin!
Stephanie
This was a great recipe for road trip tuna sandwiches. Everyone enjoyed the meal and it wasn’t messy to eat or make.
So perfect! Thanks Stephanie!
Charles
Hi,
Your low carb option works well for us-and the Mint Julep! Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome!
Dannii
I love tuna, but can get a bit bored of having it the same way. This was delicious, and made a nice change.
Yay! So happy to hear!
Megan
I’m not usually a tuna fan but this was awesome, thank you!
So glad you loved it!
Ned
This was perfect for an easy lunch time weekday meal! I’m so busy during the week, it was nice to have delicious food quickly. Thank you!
Thanks Ned! Appreciate you!
Dana
It’s the pickle relish for me! Adds such a nice flavor. This was absolutely delicious!
Thanks Dana!!
Min
BEST tuna salad recipe! I’ve made this several times and have wanted to write a review but didn’t get to it unt now. Love the flavor and texture. Pickled relish is a must!
So glad you loved it!
Lynn
Yes to RELISH! It makes all the difference! SO so good!
It does! Thanks Lynn!
Sheila
Loved your tuna salad recipe, especially the bite of crunch from celery and red onion! As a Southern lady, I can vouch that good tuna salad must be made with hard-boiled eggs and sweet pickle relish!
Thanks for your Southern vote! So appreciate your kind words!
Sue Foreman
Not just Southern. I grew up with this recipe in the midwest.
Very delicious! My favorite!
That’s great to know, do you do anything different than what I show here? I love how recipes adapt and morph throughout the country! Have a great day!
Tasia
The mixture of sweet and dill pickle relish and the hint of smoked paprika take this tuna salad to the next level! Our new favorite!
Thank you Tasia, it really is a favorite!