Name: Italian Tuna Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 (5.4 oz) cans solid white albacore tuna packed in water, drained; 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp mayonnaise; 1 tbsp lemon juice (preferably fresh); 1/2 tsp lemon zest; Salt & pepper to taste; 1/4 cup sliced black olives (preferably marinated in Italian seasoning); 1/4 cup diced red onion; 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves; 2 tbsp capers; 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, quartered

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Introduction

This Italian Tuna Salad is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a light lunch or snack. It combines tender albacore tuna with fresh herbs, olives, and a tangy lemon dressing for a refreshing and satisfying meal.

The image shows two croissant sandwiches stacked on each other on a green patterned cloth. Each croissant is golden brown and flaky with a soft texture. Inside, there is a thick layer of creamy chicken salad mixed with visible chunks of white chicken meat, small pieces of purple onion, black olive slices, bright red cherry tomato halves, and green capers. Nearby, there are a few triangle-shaped crackers and a white bowl filled with the same chicken salad. In the background, a purple onion is cut in half. The whole setting is on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 (5.4 oz) cans solid white albacore tuna packed in water
1/3 cup + 1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp lemon zest
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tbsp capers
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, quartered

Instructions

Step 1: Open the cans of tuna and drain them thoroughly. Place the tuna in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Step 2: Use a sturdy fork to flake the tuna until there are no large chunks left.
Step 3: Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir until the mixture is well combined.
Step 4: Add the sliced olives, diced red onion, chopped basil, capers, and quartered grape tomatoes. Gently toss to combine all ingredients evenly.
Step 5: Serve the tuna salad immediately, or cover and chill in the refrigerator before serving for a cooler, more melded flavor.

Tips & Variations

Use olives marinated in Italian seasoning to add extra flavor.
Fresh lemon juice brightens the salad much more than bottled.
Serve on crusty bread, over greens, with cooled pasta, or as a dip.
Lettuce wraps are a great low-carb way to enjoy this salad like a sandwich.
Make sure to drain the tuna very well to prevent a watery salad.

Storage

Store any leftover tuna salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days. Reheat is not recommended; serve chilled or at room temperature for best texture and flavor.

How to Serve

The image shows three golden-brown croissant sandwiches filled with a creamy salmon salad mixture that contains visible slices of black olives, red onion pieces, cherry tomato halves, and green capers. Each croissant is flaky and slightly open in the middle, revealing the chunky, pale pink filling with colorful vegetable bits. Behind the croissants, there is a large white bowl filled with the same salmon salad, with a wooden spoon resting inside. The croissants and bowl are placed on a green cloth with white circular patterns, surrounded by triangular light-brown sandwich crackers and small bright red cherry tomatoes. The entire scene is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of tuna?

Yes, you can use canned light tuna or yellowfin, but solid white albacore gives the best texture and flavor for this salad.

How long does this tuna salad keep in the refrigerator?

Stored properly in an airtight container, it keeps well for up to 2 days. Beyond that, the texture and flavor may start to decline.