Tuna Salad NO Mayo made with olive oil-packed tuna, crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, and chives in a grainy mustard vinaigrette. Fresh, vibrant, and you wonโt miss the mayo!
Authorโs Note
So Good, Youโll Forget About the Mayo!
Donโt get me wrong, Iโm a big fan of mayo. And honestly, I love a good mayo-filled tuna salad. But sometimes, Iโm craving something a little lighter and fresher. Thatโs where this salad comes in, and I canโt get enough of it!
It has all the right textures and the best lemon Dijon vinaigrette that ties everything together. My husband loves it in a sandwich on toasted sourdough with mayo (ha!), greens, and tomatoes. My kids go for it with crackers, and I like it best straight out of the bowl!
Ingredients In Tuna Salad No Mayo
A few ingredients worth diving into:
| Star Ingredient | Quick Tip |
|---|---|
| Olive-Oil Tuna | Drain the can over a bowl and save a spoonful of that flavorful oilโit whisks right into the vinaigrette. |
| Ripe Avocado | Press near the stem; a slight give means itโs perfect. Dice, then splash with lemon to keep that bright green. |
| English/Persian Cucumbers | Thin skin and tiny seeds mean no peeling and less water. Pat dry after dicing for extra crunch. |
| Stone-Ground Mustard | Coarse seeds add pop and depth. Start with 1 tsp, taste, and add more if you love it. |
Why I Skip The Mayo In This:
This lemon-Dijon dressing holds everything together like mayo and adds flavor, but itโs lighter and lets the tuna stand out.
Whatโs Inside the Vinaigrette:
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Fresh lemon juice
- Red-wine vinegar
- Dijon & stone-ground mustard
- Pinch of celery seed, salt, and pepper
| 2 Tbsp Regular Mayo | 2 Tbsp Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~200 kcal | ~110 kcal |
Quick Tip
For this no mayo Tuna Salad, I recommend using a canned tuna packed in olive oilย for the best flavor. My personal favorite is Genovaโsยฎ albacore tuna. Tuna packed in olive oil is richer and has a fresher flavor.
Variations
Tuna Salad, Your Way!
- Mediterranean: Swap chives for parsley, add olives & capers.
- Spicy Southwest: Add roasted corn, black beans, lime juice, chipotle flakes.
- Greek Yogurt Creamy: Stir 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt into half the batch for a creamier effect without the mayo.
Storage
Tuna Salad No Mayo Meal Prep
- Pack in 8-ounce glass jars, layer vinaigrette at the bottom, tuna on top.
- Keep avocado half intact until morning of serving. Best enjoyed within 2-3 days.
More Tuna Recipes:
Tuna Salad NO Mayo
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard see note 1
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon celery seed optional
- 1-1/2 tablespoons seeded and minced jalapeรฑo optional, 1 jalapeรฑo
- 1/4 cup diced fresh chives
- 1-1/2 cups diced Persian cucumber or English cucumber
- 1 medium ripe avocado diced
- 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna in olive oil well-drained
- Salt and pepper
- Serving suggestions see note 2
Instructionsย
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl. Use a whisk to briskly whisk until smooth and emulsified.
- Thoroughly drain the tuna and add to the bowl on top of the vinaigrette.
- Finely mince jalapeรฑo (see note 3), dice chives, dice cucumber(s), and dice avocado. Add to the dressing bowl. Gently mix to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I add 1/4 up to 1/2 teaspoon of each).
- Chill for 10โ15 minutes if time permits, otherwise dig in right awayโeither straight from the bowl, with crackers, in a sandwich/melt, in a lettuce wrap, or whatever youโd like! Always re-stir leftovers.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Quick Troubleshooting FAQ
- Too watery? Pat cucumbers dry.
- Tastes bland? Add a pinch of sea salt, then lemon.
- Need extra creaminess? Mash half the avocado before stirring.
This is my motherโs favorite. Sheโs not back to school (lol), but she always asks me to make this. I use one can of tuna in oil and the other in water and that work well!
Haha, so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Stephanie! ๐