Southern Tuna Salad Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Are you looking for a new twist on tuna salad? My Southern Tuna Salad Recipe is packed with flavors like sweet pickle relish, apples, and mayo. It’s a unique blend of sweet and savory flavors!

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I’ve been sitting here staring at my computer screen for about thirty minutes now, trying to think of something to say about tuna salad.

Tuna salad. Seriously?

It’s one of those things that most of us throw together without much thought. And I’d bet that almost every person reading this makes theirs just a little differently.

Maybe you like pickles in yours, and maybe you don’t. Maybe someone else likes a bit of mustard stirred in or some finely chopped scallion.

BeeBop definitely likes a savory tuna salad. His version includes finely chopped dill pickles, finely chopped green onion, a touch of mustard, and a bit of mayo to bind it all together.

I, however, prefer this sweet-savory version. It has just the right amount of sweetness from the apple and pickles and just the right amount of savory from the tuna and mayonnaise.

Must be my Southern roots. Southerners love their “sweet and salt,” you know. Give us a biscuit with a pat of butter, a slice of salty ham, and a spoonful of sweet peach preserves, and we’re in heaven. Or some perfectly cooked field peas or butter beans with a bit of pear relish on the side. It’s as much a part of us as “please and thank you,” “yes ma’am and no ma’am,” and “y’all.”

So, with a nod to my fellow Southerners who no doubt understood the previous paragraph perfectly, here’s my favorite Southern Tuna Salad recipe.

❤️ Why You’ll Love Southern Tuna Salad

This version with apples and sweet pickle relish strikes the ideal balance between sweet and savory, creating an overall balanced taste.
You’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients and less than 10 minutes to mix them together.
Enjoy it in a sandwich or simply pair it with crackers; the choice is yours.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …

“Love the apples! And gotta have sweet pickles in tuna, it’s the best.”

— Feast on the Cheap

🛒 Ingredients Notes

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Canned tuna – Choose a good quality tuna packed in olive oil for the best flavor. I most often use the Genova brand, but Star-Kist and Bumble Bee are good options as well. You’ll need two five-ounce cans of tuna.
Apple – Choose a tart, crisp apple such as a SweeTango or Honeycrisp for great contrast to the tuna.
Celery – Adds even more crunch and fresh flavor to the salad.
Sweet pickle relish – Mt. Olive is my brand of choice for sweet relish. Use your favorite or homemade if you have it.
Mayonnaise – The mayonnaise binds all the elements of the salad together. If I don’t make it from scratch, we use Duke’s in our household. Of course. It’s made in the South by people who know what mayonnaise should taste like.

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🐟 Tuna Packed in Water vs. Tuna Packed in Oil

I specifically call for tuna packed in oil for this recipe. And, yes, I know. Everyone pushes tuna in water these days, but let’s get real. Tuna packed in water tastes, well, watery. Tuna packed in beautiful rich olive oil tastes rich! “But what about the calories!” you say? What about them? Tuna packed in oil has only 32 calories more per ounce than tuna packed in water. That huge difference in flavor is well worth 32 calories, in my opinion.

🥄 How to Make Southern Tuna Salad

Drained, flaked tuna in a bowl. — **STEP 2.**

All ingredients in a mixing bowl. — **STEP 2.**

Begin by draining and discarding the excess oil from the tuna.
Place the drained tuna in a medium mixing bowl. Using a fork, gently stir (flake) the tuna until it’s loose with no really big chunks.
Add the diced apple, celery, sweet pickle relish, salt, black pepper, and mayonnaise.
Gently stir all the ingredients until well combined.

🍽️ How to Serve

Serve as tuna salad sandwiches using your favorite bread and potato chips on the side. It’s also delicious in a lettuce wrap or as a salad on a bed of lettuce with fresh, sliced, ripe tomatoes and your choice of crackers or melba toast. Or use it as the base for a delicious tuna melt!

🔀 Recipe Variations

For a strictly savory tuna salad, incorporate finely chopped dill pickles or dill relish, green onions, and a touch of yellow mustard.
Finely diced capers are a nice addition.
For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise.
Experiment with different apple varieties to discover your favorite flavor combination.
Try adding fresh herbs such as dill or parsley.
Include a dash of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños for some heat.

🍚 How to Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy within 2-3 days for the best flavor and freshness. Freezing is not recommended.

❓ Questions About Southern Tuna Salad

Can I make tuna salad with fresh tuna?

It’s possible to make tuna salad with fresh tuna that you’ve cooked, but the texture and taste will be significantly different. This recipe, like most you’ll find, is intended for use with canned tuna.

Can I use something other than mayo in the recipe?

Sure. Try using plain or Greek yogurt, sour cream, Miracle Whip (salad dressing), or even mashed avocado.

Should canned tuna be rinsed before use?

No, don’t rinse canned tuna. Especially not tuna packed in oil. However, you do need to press out or drain the excess oil to prevent a greasy, soggy salad.

📖 Recipe