Mediterranean Tuna Salad
This easy Mediterranean tuna salad recipe is crisp, refreshing, and full of bright, savory flavors! Free from mayonnaise, it’s a quick, toss-together option that’s perfect for a quick, light lunch or high-protein meal prep.
We’ve been on a huge chicken salad kick, making our tzatziki chicken salad or creamy BBQ chicken salad pretty much every week. However, recently, we switched things up by using tuna instead.
This isn’t your classic tuna salad recipe, though! Originally the result of needing to use up leftover produce, this Mediterranean tuna salad is light, refreshing, and completely mayo-free. Just chop the veggies, toss everything together in a large bowl, and you’ve got a super nutritious meal perfect for hot summer days!
Ingredients and Notes
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details!
- Tuna – We use canned tuna and recommend looking for options packed in water to prevent the salad from becoming soggy. Make sure to drain it first! If using tuna packed in oil, omit the extra oil.
- Fresh Veggies – Bell pepper, red onion, and cucumber add lots of color, bright, fresh flavor, and a satisfying crunch.
- Herbs and Spices – Fresh basil, fresh parsley, garlic powder, and salt create a savory flavor with a touch of brightness.
- Olive Oil – This creates a “dressing,” adding richness and a subtle peppery taste.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed is best! The acidity adds lots of brightness that we love.
Possible Variations
- Mediterranean Chickpea Tuna Salad: Swap half the tuna for ½ cup chickpeas or cannellini beans for extra fiber and texture. Then, add feta and a pinch of oregano and feta cheese for extra Mediterranean flavor.
- Creamy Avocado Tuna Salad: Mix in ¼ ripe avocado and slightly reduce the olive oil for a creamy version that’s still mayo-free.
- Spicy Mediterranean Tuna Salad: Add ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or chopped pepperoncini for a bit of heat.
- Garlic Lover’s Tuna Salad: Replace the garlic powder with 1 small clove of fresh minced garlic and add an extra squeeze of lemon for bold flavor.
- Greek-Inspired Tuna Salad: Stir in 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta and sliced kalamata olives for a classic Greek twist.
- High-Protein Tuna Salad: Mix in 1 chopped hard-boiled egg for even more protein.
Our Favorite Ways to Serve
Our favorite way to serve this Mediterranean tuna salad is as a dip with crackers. However, it’s also great served between slices of sourdough sandwich bread or stuffed into pita pockets or a tortilla wrap. Or, spoon it into peppers, on top of cucumber slices, or over a bed of greens for a low-carb meal.
More Easy Salad Recipes
Mediterranean Tuna Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 1 (5 oz) can tuna, drained
- 1/4 cup bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup cucumber, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped
- Garnish: 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Gently mix all ingredients together in a bowl until combined.1 (5 oz) can tuna, drained, 1/4 cup bell pepper, finely diced, 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced, 1/4 cup cucumber, finely diced, 1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped, Garnish: 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Serve on cucumber slices, crackers, on a sandwich or by itself.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you enjoy this Mediterranean Tuna Salad Recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!
This tuna salad is SO flavorful and fresh! We love to serve it for lunch or a light dinner with sourdough bread.