This avocado tuna salad is loaded with chunks of tuna, avocado and colorful veggies for a fresh and lighter take on the classic dish! It’s the perfect lunch or dinner that’s packed with protein and nutrition.
I eat a salad almost every day, such as caprese salad or rainbow quinoa salad. Tuna salad is always a lunch time favorite; I’ve modernized this dish with a zesty lime dressing, plenty of creamy avocado, and an assortment of crisp veggies. It’s a quick and easy meal you can feel good about eating.
I’m always looking for more ways to get more seafood into my diet, and this avocado tuna salad has to be my new favorite! It only takes about 15 minutes to make and is full of flavors and textures to keep things exciting.
Tuna salad ingredients
The main components of this recipe include tuna, avocado, red onion, cucumber and cilantro. The dressing is made with lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.
How do you make avocado tuna salad?
This recipe starts with canned tuna, which is drained and flaked in a bowl. Mix the tuna with avocado, thinly sliced red onion, cucumber and cilantro and red onion to form the base of the salad. A simple lime dressing goes over the top, then the final step is to toss, eat and enjoy!
Tips for avocado tuna salad
- I use water packed tuna versus oil packed tuna so that I can control the fat content of the recipe.
- Try using a mandoline to thinly slice your onion. You can also used minced onion or shallots if you prefer.
- Choose firm but ripe avocados. You want to make sure your avocados are on the firm side so that they won’t get mushy when you toss the salad together.
- This salad can be made up to 6 hours before you plan to serve it. Simply omit the avocado, then stir in the avocado right before serving.
- While I typically use cilantro in this recipe, you can also try parsley, chives or even fresh dill.
Recipe FAQs
Avocado pairs perfectly with canned tuna! The mild flavor and creamy texture of the avocado complements the fish nicely. Tuna salads tend to be creamy and are often made with mayonnaise. In this recipe, you can skip the mayo because the creaminess of the avocado is a great substitute.
Avocado tuna salad is a great addition to a healthy diet. Tuna is high in protein and low in fat and calories, and the vegetables in the salad are also full of nutrients. The dressing is olive oil based, and olive oil is considered to be a healthy fat.
Tuna Salad Variations
This is a basic recipe, but there are so many different ways to customize it to your tastes!
- Vegetables: You can add other veggies to the mix such as corn, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers or olives.
- Beans: Add some canned beans for an extra dose of protein and fiber. Some of my favorite options include black beans, chickpeas or cannellini beans.
- Cheese: Sometimes I like to sprinkle a little cheese into the mix such as feta or crumbled cotija.
How to serve tuna salad
There are so many different ways to serve this tuna salad, and they all happen to be super delicious.
- Bread: Serve your salad on toasted wheat bread with lettuce and tomato.
- Pita: Stuff your salad into half of a pita bread.
- Chips: Scoop up the salad with tortilla chips.
- Lettuce Cups: Spoon the salad into romaine or butter lettuce leaves.
- Tomato: Stuff the salad into a hollowed out tomato.
- Wrap: Spread a spinach tortilla with a little mayonnaise. Add the tuna salad and roll up tightly. Cut in half and serve.
No matter how you choose to serve this salad, you’ll find yourself making it on the regular. It’s just that good!
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Avocado Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cans tuna water packed, drained
- 1 cup English cucumber quartered and sliced
- 1 avocado seeded, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the tuna, cucumber, avocado, red onion and cilantro in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin and salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the tuna mixture; gently toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- I use water packed tuna versus oil packed tuna so that I can control the fat content of the recipe.
- Choose firm but ripe avocados. You want to make sure your avocados are on the firm side so that they won’t get mushy when you toss the salad together.
Jacqueline says
I have to say you had me at avocado! Yum!
Tara says
OH MY GOSH. The name caught my attention so I decided to make this for lunch. It was perfectly spiced and everything blended so well. The onions add a lovely crunch.
Ieva says
Lovely salad! We made this for lunch a few times now and enjoy it every time!
Charla says
Love this salad because it is such a great way to get a balance of healthy omega fats and protein at the same time.
kushigalu says
Love this protein-packed dinner recipe. I will be making this soon. Thanks for sharing.
Cheryl says
Avacado and tuna is a delicious combination! Thanks for the recipe.
Jessicaca says
Such a great lunch idea! Now, I just need to get into the habit of prepping lunch! 🙂
Erin says
This avocado tuna salad is delicious and so easy to make!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
mmmm tuna and avocado, such an amazing combo!! I can’t wait to try this!
annie says
I made this for lunch this week, delicious and easy!
jade manning says
This looks so healthy and full of nutrition I cannot wait to make this!!
mia says
I am going to make it for lunch today
Catalina says
This tuna salad looks fabulous! Easy and delicious dinner idea!
Demeter says
Loving those huge chunks of avocado! Looks like a light lunch option.
Beatrice says
This is really good! I’ve even filled puff pastry with it and served it for a shower!