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Cool off and relax with this chilled, refreshing Mediterranean Tuna Salad. Using canned tuna, lemon juice, capers, walnuts, and grapes, it’s a quick and easy dish sure to leave you feeling satisfied.
A fresh and nutritious salad all in one
Does your summer consist of making foods that are as refreshing as humanly possible? I know mine does! Though I love the summer heat, it’s always nice to escape to an air conditioned kitchen and whip up a bowl or plate of something fresh, cold, and crunchy.
For me, Mediterranean foods usually fit the bill! Mediterranean recipes traditionally include fresh veggies and lots of whole foods and proteins. The cuisine is known to be light and nutritious!
This recipe for tuna salad is no different. It’s served cold, and it’s filled with lots of fresh ingredients like capers, red onion, and lemon juice. It also uses walnuts and grapes for a unique and flavor-rich touch!
Ingredients used in Mediterranean tuna salad
For this salad recipe, we’re sticking to the essentials. To achieve that delicious Mediterranean meets tuna salad flavor that we’re aiming for, we need only 9 specific ingredients. And that includes salt and pepper!
- Tuna
- Lemon juice
- Mayonnaise
- Capers (or relish/pickles)
- Red onion
- Walnuts
- Grapes
- Salt
- Pepper
Tools used to make this recipe
As expected, you hardly need any tools to bring this recipe to life. You’ll just need tools to cut your veggies and a bowl to put everything in! Oh, and don’t forget measuring cups.
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Stirring utensil
- Measuring cups: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, and 1/2 cup
How to make tuna salad, Mediterranean style
Salads are typically pretty simple to make, and this one is no exception. All it involves is chopping your veggies and then mixing everything together in a large bowl! The whole process should take only around 5-10 minutes. How’s that for a quick meal?
To begin making Mediterranean tuna salad, start by chopping the capers, red onion, walnuts, and grapes.
Then, add them to a large mixing bowl along with the tuna, lemon juice, and mayonnaise.
Add salt and pepper to taste. I usually use 1/2 tsp each.
Enjoy!
Recipe variations & options
There are a number of ways to customize this dish with add ons and variations! Here are some delicious ideas that will thicken up your salad and make it even more filling, should you choose to try them!
Add veggies
Add extra bulk to your salad by including veggies like bell peppers, celery, tomatoes, radishes, black olives, and/or cucumbers! The options are pretty endless.
Include extra protein
Though this recipe already includes lean protein, you can take it one step further by adding chickpeas! It’s a delicious way to sneak in extra oomph.
Pair it with crackers
Did you know this dish doubles as a dip? Think about it! Though it’s a salad, it actually doesn’t include lettuce and works really well when scooped up bite by bite with crackers or chips!
More delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes
If you love your fair share of light and refreshing Mediterranean dishes, here are some more to choose from! The tzatziki makes the perfect appetizer and snack.
- Healthy Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
- Easy Tuna Patties with Spicy Aioli
- Easy Baked Falafel Recipe with Tahini Sauce
- Healthy Greek Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- 2 (4.5oz) cans tuna
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 3 tbsp capers, roughly chopped (or relish/pickles)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 3/4 cup sliced grapes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add 2 cans tuna.
- Mix with lemon juice, mayonnaise, capers, red onion, walnuts and grapes. Stir all together.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
- Serve with crackers, bread, chips.
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Tabitha Anthis says
Also delicious as chicken salad!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Tabitha, so happy you loved it and made it your own!
Alisa says
Nicely balanced and tasty lunch or quick meal. The walnuts are an unexpected crunch and add great flavor. My 2 year old and I just made this for a quick dinner and she loved it.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alisa, so happy you both loved it so much!! 🙂
Jackie B. Vaughan says
We loved it! I substituted sliced hamburger dill pickles & pecans because I didn’t have capers and walnuts. My daughter said it was great and tasted like good chicken salad from Newk’s! It’s a keeper recipe! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jackie, so happy you and your family loved it and made it your own!!
Roseann says
This is my favorite tuna salad recipe!! I make it on repeat. Absolutely delicious!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Roseann, so glad you loved it!
Tara says
This is a delicious twist on an old favorite. I love serving this on a bed of greens or with a side of crackers. I love the addition of grapes to this tuna salad!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Tara, I am so glad you liked it!!
Sarah says
This is delicious! I made a batch for lunches for the week, and it’s not going to last. We love it! It’s super easy and very flavorful! We’ve been putting it on sourdough or dipping with pita chips.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing! Sounds like you need to make a couple more batches! 🙂