BEST Tuna Filling (for salad & sandwiches)

A classic recipe with my take on it. This tuna filling is the perfect consistency for a sandwich or serve it with lettuce and celery to make a quick and easy salad that is delicious, healthy and simple.

In our house we don’t eat mayonnaise a lot. I mean mum loves mayo but dad and I cannot stand it so I like making recipes that would usually call for mayo by replacing it with other ingredients to achieve that creamy, rich texture without the mayo taste. The challenge here would be to convert mum into liking it as she loves the real deal, hence if she approves I believe I could convince you as well.

Having said this, I feel it is important to mention that tuna filling is used in many ways at home. I like adding it into tart shells to make small canapés, spread it over toast and add hot sauce to make for a quick starter, I also pair this filling with sticky rice, soya sauce, grated carrots and pickled cucumbers to create a “sushi” vibe. I would suggest making a large batch and have it sit in your fridge for the best snack/meal to have all through the week – especially if you are looking for a healthy option.

What is tuna filling?

Tuna filling is essentially canned tuna mixed with an assortment of condiments, spices, seasonings and it is used in salad or sandwiched between slices of bread to make simple but deliciously wholesome easy meals on the go.

Do I need to use canned tuna to make sandwich filling?

Yes. The best filling can be made with canned tuna in oil, preferably olive oil but oil is better. If you are in a pinch and have canned tuna in water you can get away with it by adding a touch more of olive oil in the mixing process. You cannot use fresh tuna to make filling for salad or sandwiches.

What mixes well with canned tuna?

The beauty about this recipe is its versatility, it is very subjective to your palate. I would recommend sauces like tahini, hot sauce, balsamic vinegar, greek yogurt, lime juice and mustard. As for add ons, you must go with garlic but you can add pickles, onion, avocado, celery, olives, peppers, green onions. For herbs I like to use a combination of fresh and dry herbs, fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, coriander, basil and dry herbs like oregano and thyme are delicious options. Season well with black pepper, salt and more lime/lemon juice if needed and finish with more olive oil.

How to make tuna not boring?

The best way to make tuna delicious is adding complimentary flavors to the filling but also adding textural elements into it. I like adding roasted cashews into the filling sometimes for the best crunch. If you like a bit more of a chunky texture add grainy mustard and don’t smash the filling into a fine paste but leave it more thick – this consistency can be adjusted with the yogurt, tahini and olive oil as needed. Season it well to ensure you get maximum flavor out of the can of tuna.

What can I add to tuna instead of mayo?

I like using a combination of greek yogurt, tahini and mustard. This gives the filling s creamy texture but doesn’t have mayo taste. You could add more olive oil to give the filling a richer and more fatty consistency. I have also tried this filling with a creamy cashew sauce that works well here. Coming from someone who doesn’t like the taste of mayo but who’s mum loves mayo – you can trust me on this.

What is the healthiest way to eat canned tuna?

If you are new to my blog, you wouldn’t understand the meaning of healthy as I consider no food to be healthy or unhealthy. Having said this, I think any food consumed in excess is not good for you. The tuna filling itself is relatively nutritious as it is packed with wholesome ingredients that makes it delicious, light and very yummy.

What ingredients do you need to make the BEST tuna filling?

To make this tuna filling we need canned tuna in oil, green onions (scallions), garlic (minced), fresh parsley, pickles, jalapeños, celery, dried oregano & thyme, green chili (deseeded), mustard, greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, crushed black pepper, roasted cashews (chopped). This recipe is subjective to your tastes so feel free to add or subtract the ingredients as needed to fit your palate. I like using capers as well some times, you can use an avocado with a couple of tablespoons of tahini too.

What equipment do you need to make the BEST tuna filling?

To make this simple tuna salad filling recipe we need a mixing bowl, fork or rubber spatula to mix the ingredients together. I have used a knife and chopping board to finely dice the rest of the ingredients.

How to make the BEST tuna filling?

Soak the white part of the diced green onions in lemon juice and set aside (alternatively you can gently sweat the onions with garlic in olive oil on low heat until soft, allow it to cool before mixing into the tuna filling). In a mixing bowl add the yogurt, mustard, olive oil (from the can of tuna) and stir together. Add the pickles, jalapeños, celery, green chili, minced garlic, dry herbs, lemon juice soaked onions with the lemon juice and stir to combine. Add the tuna and any of its remaining oil into the bowl, using a fork mix it together. Add the fresh herbs, green onions (the green part) and stir together. Adjust the seasoning with black pepper, salt and lemon juice.

What is the best way to serve tuna? What flavors pair with tuna?

Spread this filling over toast and enjoy as an open faced sandwich. Sandwich it between two slices of white bread and lettuce leaves to make a simple tuna sandwich on the go. Serve it with ice berg, rocket leaves, baby spinach and celery stalks to make a simple but delicious salad. I love serving it with carrot and cucumber sticks as well. Add a little more yogurt to make it more of a dip like consistency and serve it with chips of your choice.

Looking for more healthy recipes?

Now that we have covered how to make this tuna filling recipe, you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more fun recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on pinterest & instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.