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–+ servings

California Tuna Salad Recipe with Avocado and Meyer Lemon

A fresh, creamy tuna salad made with or without mayo, featuring crunchy celery, onion, relish, and a zesty Meyer lemon finish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Tuna Salad
  • 2 cans (5 oz each) albacore tuna packed in water drained
  • 1 stalk celery finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons white onion minced
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise or substitute Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon dill or sweet relish
  • 2 teaspoons fresh Meyer lemon juice from about 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon each salt, garlic powder, dried dill weed, freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
For Serving
  • Butter lettuce leaves or sourdough bread, flour tortillas, or crackers

Method
 

  1. Drain the tuna thoroughly by pressing the lid of the can against the tuna to squeeze out excess liquid. This step is crucial to avoid a watery salad.
  2. In a medium bowl, flake the tuna apart with a fork until it's finely shredded and has plenty of surface area to absorb the other ingredients.
  3. Add the celery, onion, mayonnaise, relish, lemon juice, parsley, mustard, salt, garlic powder, dill weed, black pepper, and cayenne. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. If you're in a hurry, you can serve it right away. Enjoy in lettuce wraps, on sandwiches, in tortillas, or with crackers.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 24gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 480mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g

Notes

For a lighter version, swap half the mayo with plain Greek yogurt. Always drain the tuna very well to keep the salad from getting soggy. Chill for at least 30 minutes if you can; the flavors really come together. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Feel free to add diced avocado, chopped hard-boiled egg, or a handful of toasted almonds for extra California flair.

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