This Best-Ever Tuna Salad is an explosion of flavors, featuring the bright notes of fresh dill, the briny kick of capers, and the sweet tartness of dried cranberries, creating a truly amazing taste experience. The addition of homemade mayonnaise elevates the dish to new heights.
🐟 The Ingredients
This recipe features a delightful mix of savory and sweet ingredients that harmoniously work together to create an incredible flavor profile that is both satisfying and refreshing. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and variations) below.
🌿 Substitutions and Variations
- Tuna – Canned tuna is perfectly fine and the best choice. Our favorite choice is Skipjack Tuna packed in water, but almost any variety will work. We don’t recommend tuna packed in oil. Rotisserie chicken can be substituted for the tuna.
- Cranberries and Capers – These add a depth of flavor and texture to the salad that helps to elevate the flavor profile. Raisins are an excellent substitute for the cranberries, and chopped dill pickles can be used in place of the capers.
- Vegetables – The celery adds flavor and texture to the salad. Chop it finely if you don’t prefer much ‘crunch’ in the salad. Soaking the red onion in the vinegar adds a depth of flavor and mellows the onion’s taste. Scallions or chives can replace the red onions, or just omit them if you don’t like the taste of onions.
- Flavor enhancers – Fresh dill and lemon are key ingredients in this tuna salad and brighten the flavor profile. Dried dill can be used in a pinch, but fresh is best. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is ideal, but bottled lemon juice is perfectly acceptable.
See the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Expert Tip
The dressing can be made up to several days in advance. Once you’ve prepped all of the dry ingredients, simply pour in the dressing and mix to coat.
👩🏼🍳 How To Make Best-Ever Tuna Salad
- Step 1: Soak the onions in apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Drain the onions and add them to a bowl with the tuna, cranberries, celery, capers, and herbs.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the mayo, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Step 5: Chill the salad for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Step 6: Serve on a bed of greens or as a sandwich.
🍽️ How To Serve
- This tuna salad is ideal for serving at a special occasion, such as a bridal or baby shower, a potluck at the church, or just a lovely brunch with dear friends.
- We often will double (or triple) the recipe and place it in a nice serving bowl. Be sure to have slider buns or dinner rolls so folks can build a sandwich.
- For a beautiful presentation, make the sandwiches before guests arrive and place them on a large platter or cutting board. We add a layer of green leaf lettuce on the bottom of each sandwich.
- You can also serve this wrapped in leaves of lettuce. Carb-free, beautiful, and so delicious!
🙋🏽♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
Homemade tuna salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 6 days, making it a great option for meal prep or using up leftovers. It’s even better the days after you put it together.
Yes. Tuna is loaded with nutrients and is a great source of protein. Go with plain Greek yogurt in place of the mayonnaise to make it even healthier.
It’s important to completely drain the canned tuna before mixing it with the other ingredients. Place it in a fine-mesh colander or sieve and press on the tuna with the back of a spatula or spoon. Sometimes the water will separate after the salad sits in the fridge. Give it a good stir before serving. If necessary, you can add another tablespoon of mayo or mustard.
😋 Other Classic Mayo-Based Salads to Try
Ready to make the best tuna sandwich this side of the Atlantic Ocean? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Best-Ever Tuna Salad
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 7 oz. cans tuna in water we love Wild Planet, drained
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 2 celery ribs chopped
- ¼ cup capers drained
- 2 tablespoon dill fresh, chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 large lemon the juice from
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt start with ½ teaspoon, then add more, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the red onions in a small bowl and cover with apple cider vinegar. Set aside for 15 minutes, and then drain.½ cup red onion, ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- In a large bowl, add the drained tuna, pickled onions, cranberries, celery, capers, dill and parsley.2 7 oz. cans tuna in water, ½ cup dried cranberries, 2 celery ribs, ¼ cup capers, 2 tablespoon dill, 1 tablespoon parsley
- In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper (add the salt in ½ teaspoon increments, to taste).¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 large lemon, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, Freshly ground black pepper
- Add the mayo mixture to the tuna mixture, and using a large wooden spoon, stir the salad to fully incorporate all ingredients.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hours before serving. (Can be prepared 24 hours in advance of serving).
- Serve on a bed of greens or as sandwiches.
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in April 2018, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe with new tips and photography and a fabulous new video in August 2023!
Annemarie says
Wow, that is some next level tuna salad! I love that it’s not too heavy on the mayo and is instead packed full of flavor from all the other ingredients. You wouldn’t think that cranberries AND capers would work, but they do. And I’ll definitely give Wild Planet tuna a thumbs up. That’s the only one I buy these days.
krislongwell says
Thanks, Annemarie!! It’s so good! All the flavors really compliment each other beautifully! Wild Plant all the way!! Let us know when you make this and what you think!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Marisa Franca says
We’ve been making tuna salad for years and we thought we had it down pat. Now, we had jalapenos to it but I really like your addition of cranberries to it. Gives it that little sweetness. Hmmmm! May just take your recipe and give it a try — we do like our spice so I may sneak in some jalapenos.
krislongwell says
Everything about what you just said sound fantastic!! We LOVE a little heat, and add it whenever possible. Please let us know when you make this, and how you tweaked, and what you think!! Love it!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
tina says
Tuna salad is our favorite lunch time go-to but I could easily eat this for dinner. Love all of the flavors in this, so robust with the red onion, capers and mustard with the slightly sweet contrast of raisins. I’m going to surprise my hubby with this, he loves tuna salad and this trumps anything I have made before, thanks for sharing this!
michele says
I must admit I was a little hesitant to have both cranberries and capers in my beloved tuna salad. BUT>… holy wow, Im a convert now. The perfect combo of salty, sweet with the tuna! You have a convert here!!
Patty says
Oh you guys are so funny, it was a pleasure watching your video and this tuna salad is really the best ever! I love capers and I also think that the addition of cranberries is a great idea! Like Wesley I can make my own sandwich but if you want to make me one Kris, I’ll be happiest!
krislongwell says
Hi Patty! Thank you SO MUCH! The capers and cranberry combo in this salad (along with the dill and fresh lemon) is what really makes it sing! I’ll make you a sandwich anytime, Patty! Thanks again, xoxo Kris & Wesley
Meg says
There are people who don’t like capers?! Well more for me then, I love them. My grandma cans her own tuna and I guarantee you when I get some from her, I’ll be coming over here to try this. Because I love everything in this salad!
krislongwell says
Wow! I want some of your grandma’s home-canned tuna! And right? How could you not like capers? They are soooo good in this tuna salad. Thanks again, Meg! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Julia says
Dill is a must with any fish for me! I cannot imagine eating fish without it. And I love the idea of capers in this salad. But cranberries? Oh my, it’s such an amazing twist on a classic. A little salty and briny from the capers, a little sweet from the cranberries. This salad has everything!
krislongwell says
Capers, dill….and cranberries!!! We think it’s super yum!! Thanks so much!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Sarah says
I looooove tuna salad with capers! I’m a die-hard capers fan, and I always reach for capers instead of relish when I make tuna salad. Or you know, when I want a snack. (I’ve been known to eat them with a spoon.) And the cranberries must give this a nice sweet and tart surprise- this sounds so good!
krislongwell says
Hi Sarah! Aren’t capers just the best? And we really do think the cranberries, along with the dill, dijon, mayo and lemon balance this salad out very nicely. Thanks so much!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Susie says
This does look like the BEST Ever Tuna Salad. I love all the ingredients you have in here. especially that it is not heavy on the mayo, the sweet cranberries, and the tart capers. It looks super balanced. I can’t wait to try it.
I love that you put it in the lettuce cup. That would make a perfect summer lunch!
krislongwell says
Thank you so much, Susie! We thinks its balanced just right, too! It’s get in a good tuna melt, too! Thanks again! xo Kris & Wesley
Deloris Cole says
Hi I am try making chicken salad today
Kris Longwell says
Woo hoo! Let us know how it turned out!
Gloria says
Well you can never go wrong with a great tuna recipe. This looks fantastic. Love all the additions and flavours happening here. Perfect for lunch or dinner.
krislongwell says
Thanks, Gloria!! We agree, a good tuna recipe is a real keeper, and we really love this recipe!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Kristy Turner says
Another FANTASTIC recipe! Made this last night and this is truly next level gourmet. I will never go back to traditional. Thank you for sharing! <> from Texas
krislongwell says
Thank you so much, Kristy!!!! We are soooooo glad you like it! We just love this tuna salad, too. Try it on an amazing tuna melt…so good! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Amanda says
Knowing firsthand how epically amazing your chicken salad is, I’m going to have to whip up a batch of this tuna salad ASAP! I absolutely LOVE capers and the balance of the sweet and salty with the cranberries must pair so well with the tuna. We’ll definitely be making this for lunch later this week!
krislongwell says
If you like the chicken salad recipe, you’re gonna love this one, too!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Amanda says
I never really think about tuna salad much which is crazy considering how much I love chicken salad and other people’s tuna salad. I love the flavor profile here and it makes me want to have tuna salad all the time now!
Carmy @ carmyy.com says
I LOVE a good tuna salad! I almost always have a can of tuna at home in my pantry for a last minute tuna salad or just as is. I’ve never added apple cider vinegar to mine though so I’ll have to give it a try next time and see how I like it! I’ll have to add dill too! Great ideas here!
krislongwell says
Thanks so much, Carmy! It’s pretty darn yummy! Let us know if you give it a go! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
Tuna salad has always been one of my favorite homey lunches. My grandfather had a way of preparing it that was both flavorful and spicy, but this one sounds even better with dill and cranberries. I’ve never tried Wild Planet tuna before — usually get the Costco brand, but I’ll be on the look out for it!
krislongwell says
Hi Lisa! Thanks so much! We’ve used Costco, too, and it’s tasty. Actually, we find with the flavor profile of this salad, you can’t go wrong, as long as it’s a decent brand. Thanks so much and we are big fans of Garlic & Zest! Best, Kris & Wesley
The Foodie Journey says
That looks absolutely delicious! Made me realized I really don’t make Tuna Salad often enough (ahum… or ever) but it is definitely a recipe I will be trying soon. I am not the biggest fan of capers, but I am sure that the cranberries and dill bring an amazing flavor and texture! And red onions and dijon mustard are always a great addition to any dish!
krislongwell says
Thank you! We’re pretty sure you’ll like this if you give it a go! And sure! Leave the capers out! This recipe is very adaptable! Hope you like it a lot! xoxo Kris & Wesley
krislongwell says
Thanks, Sylvie!! Really appreciate it. We often go with chicken salad, or egg salad, but everytime I make this tuna salad, we remember why we love it so very much. And as part of a tuna melt, amazing! Thanks again. xoxo Kris & Wesley