My caper tuna salad is an easy lunch recipe which combines high-quality tuna with the tangy zest of capers, creating a satisfying blend of flavors that’s both delicious and nutritious! This tuna salad recipe is easy to prepare and sure to become a staple in your home! Enjoy it on a bed of crisp greens, as a hearty sandwich filling, or with some whole grain crackers for a healthy and wholesome meal.
If you love this easy lunch recipe, you will love my zesty quinoa salad, low carb chicken lettuce wraps, and my meal prep kale and quinoa salad jars.
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Ingredients
- Albacore Canned Tuna: Albacore tuna is mild-flavored and it’s known for its firm texture and meaty taste! It’s also packed in protein and extremely lean, making it a great and healthy component of any dish!
- Lemon Juice: I use citrus to brighten the flavors of this dish and add tanginess.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: Both of these oils are heart healthy! I add them in for their rich flavor and nutritional benefits.
- Avocado Mayo: I like using these creamfy spread made with avocado to provide a healthier alternative to traditional mayonnaise.
- Dijon Mustard: Smooth, tangy mustard with a hint of spice that adds depth to this delicious tuna salad.
- Briny Capers: Small, pickled flower buds that add a burst of tangy, salty flavor to dishes. This is the star of the dish and what makes it so yummy!
- Kosher Salt: I add a pinch of kosher salt to bring out the flavors of the dish. I make sure not to use too much or this dish can get very salty quickly.
- Black Pepper: Common spice used for seasoning with a sharp, pungent flavor.
- Red Onion, Finely Diced: Red onions are mildly spicy onions with a vibrant color, used for adding crunch and flavor to dishes.
- Pickle Chips, Finely Diced: I add in these tangy pickles to provide a crunchy texture and sour flavor.
- Fresh Dill, Finely Chopped:I use dill to enhance this dish with a hint of freshness.
Serve with:
- 100% Whole Wheat Pita
- Whole Grain Crackers
- Bed of greens such as arugula or Lettuce
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients according to the descriptions above (finely dice your onions and pickle chips and chop your fresh dill.
- Add all of the ingredients into a large bowl and mix until everything is well combined. Stuff your caper tuna salad into a large whole wheat pita like I did or feel free to serve on a bed of arugula, lettuce (as a lettuce wrap), or with whole grain crackers. Enjoy!
Hint: You can store the tuna into glass air-tight container bento boxes for an easy and healthy tuna salad meal prep. Store lettuce or bread separately, and if you are using crackers make sure to put them into a plastic baggy or wrap them very well in plastic wrap before placing in the fridge so they don’t get stale.
Substitutions
- Avocado Mayo – Feel free to use regular mayo if you don’t have avocado mayo on hand. You can also use greek yogurt as well but be aware that this recipe will no longer be dairy-free if you do this.
- Gluten-Free -This recipe is gluten-free on it’s own, if you serve with a pita bread, make sure to choose a gluten-free variety and if you’re serving with crackers, make sure the crackers are gluten-free.
This recipe is pescatarian friendly and dairy-free.
Variations
- Spicy – add chili pepper flakes and make sure to use the jalapeno to make this recipe spicy
- Chicken Salad– Use canned chicken salad instead to make this recipe a delicious chicken salad.
- Tuna Melt– Add the tuna recipe into sandwich bread, top with cheese and toast to make a tuna melt that can be enjoyed for an easy dinner or lunch.
This recipe is toddler and kid-friendly! I will suggest possibly skipping the onions to make this recipe a little more kid-friendly, however, depending on your kiddo this may not be necessary.
Equipment
All you need to make this caper tuna salad is a:
- A Medium Bowl
If you are meal prepping, you might want to consider these glass bento box containers
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.
Storage
Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
FAQ
I generally don’t recommend to freeze tuna salad, especially if it contains mayonnaise or other creamy ingredients. Freezing can change the texture and may cause it to become watery when thawed.
Yes, my caper tuna salad can be made ahead of time! It’s a convenient dish for meal prep or to have on hand for quick lunches.
Yes! This caper tuna salad can be a nutritious option! Tuna itself is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, while capers add a burst of flavor without many calories.
If you don’t have capers, you can substitute for green olives. You can also skip the capers since we also have pickles in the recipe. They provide a similar tangy and salty flavor that complements the tuna well!
Lunch
Looking for other healthy lunch recipes like this? Try these:
Jump to: Recipe
Caper Tuna Salad
Equipment
- 1 Medium bowl
Ingredients
- 3 Cans Albacore Tuna
- 1 Lemon Juiced
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
- ¼ Cup Avocado Mayo
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 3 Tablespoons Briny Capers
- ½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ Small Red Onions Finely Diced
- 9 Pickle Chips Finely Diced
- 3 Tablespoons Fresh Dill Finely Chopped
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients according to the descriptions above (finely dice your onions and pickle chips and chop your fresh dill.
- Add all of the ingredients into a large bowl and mix until everything is well combined. Stuff your caper tuna salad into a large whole wheat pita like I did or feel free to serve on a bed of arugula, lettuce (as a lettuce wrap), or with whole grain crackers. Enjoy!
- Hint: You can store the tuna into glass air-tight container bento boxes for an easy and healthy meal prep. Store lettuce or bread separately, and if you are using crackers make sure to put them into a plastic baggy or wrap them very well in plastic wrap before placing in the fridge so they don’t get stale.
Notes
Nutrition
FOOD SAFETY
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Cassie Keller says
So easy, and I feel so good after eating it! I used this recipe as a meal prep for my lunches this week, and I look forward to it each day. The capers are a game-changer!
christina.klapper says
Thank you so much Cassie!!!! I am so glad you love it!! & aren’t they?? such a small little addition but makes a big difference in my opinion!