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Home » Recipes » Soul Food Classics

Published: Jul 25, 2024 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

Southern Tuna Salad Recipe

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Overhead view of tuna salad ingredients combined in glass mixing bowl with spatula.
Close up front view of tuna sandwich cut in half and stacked on white plate.
Overhead view of sandwich cut in half on white plate.
Tuna sandwich on white plate cut in half.
Four process photos to make tuna salad on pin with text overlay.
Sandwich cut in half on white plate on pin with text overlay.
Overhead view of tuna salad ingredients combined in glass mixing bowl with spatula.

Make this Southern Tuna Salad Recipe for a light lunch, dinner, or filling side dish to pair with a meal. It’s a classic recipe that only requires a few basic ingredients. Creamy, flavorful, and delicious!

For a meatless version be sure to try making a batch of Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad. If you’re craving more salad recipes, try making some Warm Macaroni Salad, Egg Salad, or Lemon Pasta Salad.

Overhead view of tuna sandwich on white plate on black tile surface.

There’s nothing like classic tuna salad.

It really is the best and can be served in so many different ways. It can be piled on top of your favorite bread to make a good tuna sandwich, especially with a couple of slices of tomato and some lettuce leaves. Or serves on top of a bed of greens and enjoyed as a salad. Growing up my mom would always pair it with some saltine crackers. And of course, her version always included eggs. 

It’s an easy recipe to make using just a few ingredients. This recipe is great to make in advance and add to the weekly lunch rotation. 

Let’s get started!

Tuna Salad Ingredients

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make tuna salad in separate bowls on black tile surface.
  1. Tuna - Any variety or brand that you prefer will work, including light tuna. I usually go with wild white tuna that’s canned in water.
  2. Hard-Boiled Eggs - Adds more bulk and protein to the tuna salad. Boil four eggs until hard and use a box grater to grate them into smaller pieces. 
  3. Mayonnaise - This will bind the tuna salad together. Use any mayo that you prefer and can find at your local grocery store. I love using Duke's Mayonnaise.
  4. Sweet Pickle Relish - Provides a tart and sweet flavor that's a classic touch to any southern-style tuna recipe. May use dill relish, chopped dill pickle, or sweet salad cubes instead. 
  5. Fresh Parsley - Chop some fresh parsley to add a bit of freshness to the salad. 
  6. Salt and Ground Black Pepper - Seasons the tuna salad, if you prefer to use more or less, then feel free to adjust the measurements to your desired taste. 

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and full instructions.

How to Make Tuna Salad

Begin the full recipe by hard boiling the eggs and using a box grater to grate each egg into a medium size mixing bowl. Set aside. 

Open the can of tuna and drain off the water. Add to the bowl with the grated eggs. Add the mayonnaise, sweet relish, fresh parsley, salt, and ground black pepper. 

Overhead view of ingredients to make  tuna salad added to glass mixing bowl.

Stir all of the ingredients together until combined.

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Tuna salad ingredients combined in glass mixing bowl with spatula.

Use it to make a tuna salad sandwich, tuna melt, or serve it on a bed of lettuce. Serve it with your favorite crackers or potato chips. Enjoy!

Overhead view of sandwich on white plate cut in half with the bowl of tuna salad in the background.

Tuna Fish Recipe Tips & Tricks

  • Try not to over-prepare the hard-boiled eggs. Use your hands to mash them into small pieces, roughly chop them with a knife, or use a box grater to grate them.
  • If you're boiling the eggs, begin with a large pot of cold water over medium-high heat before adding the eggs.
  • Add some chopped red onion, red bell peppers, or celery for additional flavor and crunch.
  • Use your favorite slices of sandwich bread to make the best-tasting tuna salad sandwiches. Make it fancy by cutting off the crust, perfect to serve at gatherings and baby showers. You may also lightly toast the bread if you prefer, add lettuce, mayo, Dijon mustard, and freshly sliced tomato.

Storage Tips

Storage. Store the tuna salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Do not leave it at room temperature or out on the countertop for any length of time to prevent spoilage.   

Reheating. This tuna fish recipe can be served cold straight from the refrigerator or heated to make the best tuna melt sandwich.

Freezing. This particular recipe is meant to be enjoyed shortly after it's made and should not be frozen or stored in the freezer for later.

Close up front view of tuna sandwich cut in half and stacked on white plate.

Want More Easy Salad Recipes? Try These:

  • Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad
  • Warm Macaroni Salad 
  • Lemon Pasta Salad 
  • Ranch BLT Pasta Salad
  • Egg Salad Recipe
  • Potato Salad Recipe with Egg
  • Deviled Eggs with Miracle Whip
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Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas and ways to enjoy this Classic Southern Tuna Salad Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of tuna salad ingredients combined in glass mixing bowl with spatula.

Southern-Style Tuna Salad

LaKita Anderson
Make this Southern Tuna Salad Recipe for a light lunch, dinner, or filling side dish to pair with a meal. It’s a classic recipe that only requires a few basic ingredients.
4.83 from 23 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 227 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 9 ounces tuna, drained
  • 4 large eggs, hard boiled and grated
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Begin the full recipe by hard boiling the 4 large eggs and using a box grater to grate each egg into a medium size mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • Open a 9 ounce can of tuna and drain off the water. Add to the bowl with the grated eggs. Add the 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, ¼ cup sweet relish, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper.
  • Stir all of the ingredients together until combined. Use it to make a sandwich or serve it on a bed of lettuce and enjoy it with your favorite crackers. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Try not to over-prepare the hard-boiled eggs Use your hands to mash them into small pieces, roughly chop them with a knife, or use a box grater to grate them. 
  • If you're boiling the eggs, begin with a large pot of cold water over medium-high heat before adding the eggs.
  • Add some chopped red onion, red bell pepper, or celery for additional flavor and crunch.
  • Use your favorite slices of sandwich bread to make the best-tasting tuna salad sandwiches. Make it fancy by cutting off the crust, perfect to serve at gatherings and baby showers. You may also lightly toast the bread if you prefer, add lettuce, mayo, Dijon mustard, and freshly sliced tomato.
Calories: 227kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 19gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 214mgSodium: 684mgPotassium: 188mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 575IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword tuna salad
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

Original post date 01/04/2023. Updated 07/25/2024.

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Comments

    4.83 from 23 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Marquita says

    January 30, 2025 at 11:07 am

    5 stars
    Been using this recipe for a year and want you to know I love it. I don't include parsley but use everything else. I can eat it on a sandwich, crackers, or by itself lol thanks for the recipe

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      February 25, 2025 at 12:11 pm

      Thank you so much Marquita! I'm glad that you're enjoying the tuna salad, it's great with or without the parsley 🙂

      Reply
  2. Paula says

    January 20, 2023 at 3:23 pm

    5 stars
    I have mixed tuna and hard boiled eggs for years. It is a great combination. It was served that way when I went to college. I was hooked. I have never served it with just crackers. Great idea. I also serve on lettuce, or ciabatta, or similar bread. Now, I am going to make for lunch tomorrow!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 20, 2023 at 5:43 pm

      Thank you Paula! It's been my favorite way to have tuna for years as well and on ciabatta sounds delicious!

      Reply
  3. Tristin says

    January 15, 2023 at 6:13 pm

    5 stars
    My new favorite tuna recipe! Loved the flavor of this tuna, made an amazing sandwich!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 17, 2023 at 3:14 pm

      Thank you so much Tristin, glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  4. Amanda says

    January 15, 2023 at 5:29 pm

    5 stars
    This tuna salad was perfect! I loved the hard-boiled egg addition, and the parsley addd such a nice fresh flavor.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 17, 2023 at 3:03 pm

      Thank you Amanda! I agree, both add some nice flavor!

      Reply
  5. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

    January 15, 2023 at 4:53 pm

    5 stars
    Oh what a lovely twist on a classic! I swear I would have starved throughout college if it weren't for tuna fish and eggs! This sounds amazing and I can't wait to try it this week!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 17, 2023 at 2:57 pm

      Thank you Lori, same with me and college but also add in some of cup of noodles too 😉

      Reply
  6. Natalia says

    January 14, 2023 at 7:10 pm

    5 stars
    By far the best tuna salad recipe! So happy I found it!! I normally don’t make tuna sandwiches often, but I’ve made this four times in one month. It really is delish!! Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 14, 2023 at 7:11 pm

      Thank you so much Natalia!! So glad to hear that you're enjoying the tuna salad recipe 🙂

      Reply
  7. Helene says

    January 12, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    5 stars
    I am a big fan of tuna salad and make all kinds, but this one is good. It's quick, easy, and has a lovely Southern flair.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 14, 2023 at 7:01 pm

      Thank you Helene! Happy to hear you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
  8. Pam says

    January 11, 2023 at 5:59 pm

    5 stars
    I once had tuna salad at a restaurant that was so good and I've been looking to find something similar ever since and this is it! The hard boiled eggs and the relish really make it extra special!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 14, 2023 at 7:01 pm

      Thank you Pam! The eggs and relish do really make a difference 🙂

      Reply
  9. Lauren Michael Harris says

    January 11, 2023 at 9:59 am

    5 stars
    This is how my grandmother always used to make tuna salad. I hadn't had it in so long - this was so good and definitely brought back happy memories!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 11, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Thank you Lauren, happy to hear you enjoyed the tuna recipe 🙂

      Reply
  10. Bernice says

    January 10, 2023 at 5:51 pm

    Who would have thought combining two classics could be this delicious? I've never had eggs in tuna salad (except for nicoise) and it really works! I'm so happy to have found a new quick lunch salad to add to the rotation.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 11, 2023 at 10:36 am

      Thank you Bernice! It really is a great pairing, hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
      • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

        January 15, 2023 at 8:13 pm

        5 stars
        I loved the mix of eggs and tuna! I love that I can make a batch of it on weekend to eat for lunch during the week. So convenient!

        Reply
        • LaKita says

          January 17, 2023 at 3:14 pm

          Thank you Sandhya! It is a great lunch option!!

          Reply
  11. Kathryn says

    January 10, 2023 at 3:06 pm

    5 stars
    This tuna salad made such a delicious lunch and I love the tuna and hard boiled eggs combo, so easy to whip up too! Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 10, 2023 at 5:19 pm

      Thank you Kathryn, yes it's so so easy to whip up!

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

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