Here’s a quick and easy summer tuna salad that lets you hold the mayo! Fresh veggies, capers, fresh herbs and some great tuna is all you need.
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Why we love this recipe ❤️
I have loved tuna salad of all shapes and sizes since forever (my no-mayo tuna mustard salad is a year round fave!) , but in the summer (and sometimes in the winter because it is SO DANG EASY AND DELICIOUS this is the no-mayo tuna salad I turn to again and again.
Tuna tossed with fresh local tomatoes and some celery, fresh herbs, a handful of capers and the olive oil from the tuna jar – that’s all you need to make a tuna salad that is summertime delicious.
And just to be perfectly clear, I ❤️ mayo. To the extent that I have a super easy recipe for homemade mayo that I make on the regular. But sometimes it’s fun to shake up your tuna salad!
Ready for some easy, perfect tuna salad, hold the mayo? Let’s make it!
Ingredients you need 🐟
Ingredient notes and substitutions 📝
- Tuna: You do need to use an oil-packed tuna for this recipe, because that tasty oil is an essential part of the delicious dressing!
- Tomatoes: We like cherry tomatoes for this recipe because they are so easy to cut up and they magically hold their flavor all year long. But if you have a big juicy summer tomato, then go for it!
- Capers: You can find these little pickled berries in the condiments section of your grocery store.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
How to make this recipe 👩🏻🍳
STEP 1: Empty the tuna (yes, oil and all) into a mixing bowl and flake it into bite-sized pieces with two forks.
STEP 2: Add chopped celery, cherry tomatoes (and any other veggie that catches your fancy!), some chopped basil (or any other herb that catches your fancy!), some capers and give it all a good toss. And…you’re done!
Recipe FAQs 🧐
I mean, technically you can, but the olive oil tuna is packed in is what gives this tuna salad its delectable flavor. It is playing the part of the mayo!
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! I have added fresh corn kernels, chopped cucumber, spiralized zucchini…you do you, veggie-wise! You can also mix up the herbs if you like…parsley, oregano and thyme will all be great.
It can! Store it in the fridge for up to a day, and give it another good toss before you serve it up.
Pop your question in the Comments section under the recipe card and I will answer pronto!
Equipment we used for this recipe 🥣
These are some of my favorite kitchen tools! These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you buy through my links at no extra cost to you. (Which helps pay for all that bacon I keep buying! 😄) And I only share things I use and love. I’m so grateful for your support!
- Measuring Cup: We love these angled cups that show the measurements on both the inside and outside of the cup.
- Cutting Board: These sturdy, dishwasher-safe cutting boards come in all different sizes.
- Pyrex Mixing Bowls: These classic sturdy bowls come in all different sizes and are great for everything from mixing ingredients to being casual serving bowls.
- Tongs: We have this essential kitchen tool in all sizes from short to extra long.
- Measuring Spoons: These handy magnetic spoons are not on a ring, so you can just pick the one you need.
Other tuna salad recipes we love! 🥗
We want to know what you think! 🤔
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below the recipe card.
Summer Tuna Salad
Here’s a quick and easy summer tuna salad that lets you hold the mayo! Fresh veggies, capers, fresh herbs and some great tuna is all you need.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 six ounce can or jar of tuna, packed in oil
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 stalk celery, sliced
- 1 tablespoon capers
- Salt and fresh pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped herbs (basil, parsley, thyme are all good — mix them up!)
Instructions
- Empty the tuna (with the oil) into a mixing bowl and flake it into small pieces with two forks.
- Add all the other ingredients and give it a good toss.
- You’re done! ?
Notes
-
- Tuna: You do need to use an oil-packed tuna for this recipe, because that tasty oil is an essential part of the delicious dressing!
-
- Tomatoes: We like cherry tomatoes for this recipe because they are so easy to cut up and they magically hold their flavor all year long. But if you have a big juicy summer tomato, then go for it!
-
- Capers: You can find these little pickled berries in the condiments section of your grocery store.
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