My parents started making tuna salad sandwiches this way years ago, and as far as I’m concerned theirs is the best and only way to make a tuna fish sandwich. This really is the best ever tuna sandwich.
Canned Tuna for Tuna Salad
A good tuna salad sandwich starts with the the tuna salad. And a good tuna salad must have high-quality canned tuna. If you have leftover cooked tuna steaks, then by all means use them instead of the canned tuna.
Both Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have excellent canned tuna packed in olive oil that work perfectly for tuna salad. (The brand I like at Whole Foods is Wild Planet.)
Tuna packed in olive oil may be more flavorful than tuna packed in water, but check on the quality of the oil. It may be better to use tuna packed in water, drain it, and then add a bit of your own high quality extra virgin olive oil. This requires a bit of experimentation with brands. Once you have decided on the best canned tuna, your tuna salad (and tuna salad sandwich) won’t disappoint.
Best Ever Tuna Salad Sandwich Recipe
PrintIngredients
- 1 (5 or 6 ounce) can of tuna fish (drained, if packed in water, drain it, and add a teaspoon of good quality olive oil to the tuna)
- 1/3 cup of cottage cheese
- 2 Tablespoons of mayonaise
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 Tbsp of capers
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch or two of dill
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- (optional - lettuce and sliced tomatoes)
- Sliced bread, lightly toasted
Method
Mix all of the ingredients. Serve on toast, either open faced, or in a regular sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes. For a low carb option, serve on sliced lettuce.
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Elise Bauer is the founder of Simply Recipes. Elise launched Simply Recipes in 2003 as a way to keep track of her family's recipes, and along the way grew it into one of the most popular cooking websites in the world. Elise is dedicated to helping home cooks be successful in the kitchen. Elise is a graduate of Stanford University, and lives in Sacramento, California.
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MIL used chopped walnuts. Pretty good. Also the recipe calls for tuna ‘fish’. Why do we say ‘fish’ after tuna but not after other kinds of ‘fish’?
I’ve been trying to make a good tuna salad for many years and had not come close until I made this delicious recipe! It’s not only good, it’s great! Just made it again and doubled it this time.
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Just so delish! The difference in oil-packed tuna is marked, and fresh lemon and capers make this salad bright. A very welcome change from my ‘same-old’ recipe. I accidentally used too much dill, and subbed seeded cucumber for celery (what I had on hand, and from the garden!), and the flavor still shined. I ate it on toast while my husband enjoyed a tuna croissant. Thank you for consistently simple, delicious recipes!
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For sure the best tuna salad! I spoon it into endive spears, or romaine leaves …. awesome and particularly refreshing in the hot summer months!
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I am a fan of using cottage cheese in salad, one of my favorite is “Men’s Favorite Salad” recipe from the 60’s.
But you are right on with this Tuna Salad!