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Dairy Free Tuna Salad

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Are you ready to elevate your lunchtime game with a fresh, vibrant twist? This dairy free tuna salad recipe is a creamy and satisfying dish that will have you ditching traditional tuna for something truly extraordinary!

a white bowl with a scoop of tuna with carrots mixed it. There is a tomato wedge on top

This isn’t just any tuna salad recipe; it’s a blend of wholesome ingredients that satisfy both your taste buds and dietary needs. Whether you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or simply looking for a lighter, more exciting meal, this recipe is about to become your new go-to!

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Easy Meal Prep Idea

Tuna salad is the perfect recipe for healthy meal prepping, offering both convenience and versatility. Not only does it come together quickly with just a few ingredients, but it also stores well in the fridge, making it a perfect make-ahead option for busy days. 

By preparing a batch of tuna salad at the beginning of the week, you can easily grab a nutritious lunch or snack on the go, saving valuable time and effort. Plus, its adaptable nature means you can mix in your favorite veggies, spices, or dairy-free dressings to keep things exciting and personalized. With tuna salad, you’re not just meal prepping; you’re setting yourself up for a week of delicious, hassle-free meals!

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It only takes about 10 minutes to put together but it can be enjoyed for several days, and in many different ways. Here are just a few of my favorite ways to enjoy this light lunch:

– Open-face tuna melts

– Tuna sandwich between two slices of your favorite healthy bread

– Tuna lettuce wraps

– Over a bed of lettuce

– Mixed with chickpea pasta for a tuna pasta salad

​Any leftover tuna salad should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. 

a scoop of tuna salad on a round rice cake sprinkled with parsley

Is Mayonnaise Dairy Free?

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Mayonnaise is dairy free, so a classic tuna salad recipe is already free of dairy. It is made with eggs, oil and usually an acidic ingredient like vinegar or lemon juice. They also have preservatives to give it a long shelf life. 

In this healthy tuna salad recipe, we will switch out the mayonnaise with simple ingredients like extra virgin olive oil for healthy fats, and crisp celery and apples to add some flavor dimension. if you want a creamier texture, add a scoop of dairy free sour cream, but this is completely optional! 

How To Make Tuna Salad

Tuna salad is incredibly easy to make but there is a bit of chopping involved. If you don’t want to practice your knife skills, you can use a vegetable chopper with a container to speed up the process. 

First, gather the ingredients for this easy tuna salad. 

  • Apples – Any variety will work. Kids typically like a sweeter apple like Fuji or Braeburn. If you want a tangy apple, try a Granny Smith or a Pink Lady apple. 
  • Celery – Crunchy celery gives the dish a nice crunch factor. If you aren’t a fan, bell peppers or other fresh veggies make a great substitute
  • Carrots – Grated carrots add a tiny bit of sweetness 
  • Dried Thyme – Any fresh herbs will work here. Try fresh parsley, fresh basil, fresh dill or celery seeds

This recipe is incredibly versatile so add any other ingredients that you have on hand. Here are a few ideas:

  • Garlic Powder or Fresh Garlic
  • Red Wine Vinegar or Lime Juice ​- for acidity
  • Red Onions – This is one of my favorite mix in’s but I only add it if I won’t be taking it to work!

We hope you enjoyed discovering this delightful dairy-free tuna salad recipe as much as we enjoyed sharing it with you! With its creamy texture, vibrant flavors, and nutritious ingredients, this salad is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.

Whether you’re prepping for a busy week ahead or just looking for a tasty, satisfying lunch, this versatile recipe has you covered. Don’t forget to experiment with your favorite add-ins and dressings to make it uniquely yours.

More Recipes You’ll Enjoy!

Tuna Salad with no Mayo

Tuna Salad with no Mayo

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

My picky eaters don't like fish but they sure love this dairy free tuna salad recipe!

Ingredients

  • 2 Cans Tuna, Wild Caught
  • 1 Apple, small
  • 1 Celery Stalk
  • 1 Carrot
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 teaspoon thyme, dry or fresh
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

  1. Open the tuna cans, drain the tuna and put the tuna in a medium bowl
  2. On a large cutting board, dice the apple and celery into finely chopped pieces.
  3. Using a grater, shred the carrots
  4. Add the Olive Oil,  apples, celery, carrots, thyme and salt and pepper to the tuna and mix well.
  5. Serve with toasted english muffins or rice cakes!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 198Saturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 229mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 17g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you store leftover tuna salad?

Leftover tuna salad should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I prefer a glass container since plastic can hold onto the fishy smell

What type of canned tuna is best?

Any canned tuna will work in this recipe. If you are not a huge fan of fish, I would recommend trying albacore tuna. Although it costs more, it has less of a fishy flavor.

By on June 14th, 2019

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6 thoughts on “Dairy Free Tuna Salad”

  1. Tuna salad is a great option for lunch, love that you added a variety of ways to serve it! Thanks so much for sharing your tasty options 🙂

    Reply
  2. I have been planning to create my own version of Tuna salad, that’s why I’m currently looking for a canned tuna. I think your suggestion of combing tuna and apple seems like a great idea because I agree with you that the latter’s sweetness will be able to unwrap the various flavors of tuna. I’m glad you shared this; next time I’ll try pairing it with English muffin and rice crackers.

    Reply

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