Tuna Salad Sandwich

4.86 from 28 votes

By Katie

January 31, 2025

97 comments

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If you’re craving a good tuna sandwich, you’ve come to the right place. This Tuna Salad Sandwich recipe is quick, easy, and packed with fresh, simple ingredients that deliver savory flavor in every bite. Made with canned tuna, green onions, and dill pickles, this is the kind of tuna recipe you’ll want to bookmark for lunch or a light dinner. Pair it with crisp lettuce leaves and your favorite veggies for a satisfying meal that’s as classic as it is delicious. If you like Tuna Salad you should also try my amazing Chicken Salad Sandwich. Both are great on a croissant!

A croissant sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and a creamy tuna salad filling sits invitingly on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love this Tuna Salad Sandwich Recipe

This tuna salad sandwich recipe is the perfect combination of simplicity and versatility. This recipe really activates the ol’ taste buds with crunch from celery, green onions, and lettuce, combined with tuna and a sweet, vinegar splash from banana peppers! So delicious! Whether you’re short on time or just looking for a quick, delicious recipe, this one comes together in under 10 minutes.

A delectable array of ingredients for a tuna salad sandwich, featuring flaky croissants, fresh sliced vegetables, creamy mayonnaise, and savory tuna, artfully arranged on a marble surface.

Ingredients Needed for Tuna Salad Sandwiches

I add in a lot of crunchy, vinegary ingredients because I love the bite vinegar gives, but you are welcome to adjust this tuna salad sandwich as you’d like! This is just a starting point; make it, taste, and adjust the ingredients as you like.

Tuna – It can’t be a tuna salad without tuna! 2 cans will do for this recipe. White albacore or chunk light tuna works well. You can use the kind packed in water or oil. Whatever your preference. Drain well!
Dill Pickles, Celery + Green Onions – These bring not only flavor to the base of the salad but also texture! The contrast in texture makes this recipe rise above the rest.
Real Mayonnaise – The creamy goodness that holds it all together—trust me, this is the key to perfection.
Salt + Black Pepper – these are always invited to the party, super important for flavor. Season to taste.

A bowl of tuna salad with diced celery sits on a table, ready to fill freshly baked croissants for a delightful tuna salad sandwich. Nearby, a pepper grinder awaits to add the perfect final touch.

Substitutions for Mayonnaise

If you don’t love mayonnaise, there are a couple of substitution options out there. Try Miracle Whip, sour cream or greek yogurt – full-fat or low-fat, the option is yours.

Tuna Salad Variations

And here’s a whole bunch of ways to customize this recipe! So feel free to get to chopping and add these to your tuna salad mixture:

Swap green onions for red onion for a sharper bite.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice or fresh herbs like parsley or basil for brightness.
Mix in a spoonful of dijon mustard or sweet pickle relish for a zesty twist.
Incorporate diced red bell pepper or spicy pickles for extra crunch.
Turn it into a tuna melt by adding cheese and toasting it on your favorite bread.
Add any of these veggies, fruit or eggs to your tuna salad: avocado, hard boiled eggs, chickpeas, cucumbers, black olives, nuts (pecans, almonds, cashews, etc.), seeds (pumpkin or sunflower), or apples.

How to Make a Tuna Salad Sandwich

This Tuna Salad Sandwich recipe comes together really quickly and is a great salad to have during the summer with fresh veggies from the garden! For more details, including ingredient measurements, seethe printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are the step-by-step directions:

1. Make Tuna Salad

In a medium bowl, combine the tuna (drained well), green onions, pickles, celery, and creamy mayonnaise. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well until the tuna mixture is creamy and cohesive.

A bowl featuring a mix of chopped tuna, pickles, green onions, and cucumber captures the essence of a deconstructed Tuna Salad Sandwich, perfectly complemented by croissants in the background.

Mayonnaise is being poured from a green bowl into a larger bowl containing tuna, chopped celery, and pickles, creating the perfect mix for a delicious tuna salad sandwich.

2. Slice Croissants

Now take some bread and give it a slice, if needed. You could use regular sandwich bread for this recipe but I love to use croissants. I’d even argue that this is the best bread to use for a tuna salad sandwich. Croissants are buttery, flakey, and hold up well to all the fillings. Buy store-bought or make homemade croissants.

A hand using a scooper serves tuna salad with chopped ingredients from a bowl, ready to create the perfect tuna salad sandwich. Croissants and a pepper grinder linger invitingly in the background.

A scoop of tuna salad spread is placed on a sliced croissant. In the background, there are sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and crisp lettuce on a plate.

3. Assemble Tuna Sandwich

Now, spoon that yummy tuna onto one side of the sliced croissant. And any toppings you desire! These are the toppings that I like on my sandwich, but feel free to add whatever you like!

tomato
cucumber slices
lettuce
mild pepper rings
more pickles!

A slice of croissant serves as the elegant base for a delightful tuna salad sandwich, elevated by two generous scoops. In the background, a fresh plate of lettuce, cucumber slices, and tomato slices completes the scene.

A croissant sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cucumber slices, and a delicious tuna salad filling sits on a board. More lettuce and tomato slices accompany the tuna salad sandwich on a white plate in the background.

What to Serve with Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Tuna salad sandwiches pair wonderfully with a variety of sides to round out your meal. Here are some great options:

Potato Chips: Classic, crunchy, and always a favorite. Try my Homemade Kettle Chips!
Fresh Veggies: Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or cherry tomatoes add a healthy, refreshing touch.
Soup: Easy Tomato Bisque or a Cream of Mushroom Soup pairs beautifully for a comforting combo.
Side Salad: A simple green salad or a creamy Coleslaw complements the flavors of the tuna.
Pickles: Add extra tang with dill or spicy pickles on the side.
Fruit Salad: A mix of fresh fruits like grapes, apples, or berries provides a sweet balance.

Three croissant sandwiches featuring a delightful tuna salad filling are artfully arranged on a wooden board, each accompanied by fresh lettuce, ripe tomato, and crisp cucumber.

Storage + Make Ahead Directions for Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad will last in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Because of this, you can make tuna salad sandwiches all throughout the week!

To Make Ahead: Prepare the tuna mixture and store it in the fridge. Assemble sandwiches just before serving for the best texture.

Can I freeze Tuna Salad? No, tuna salad doesn’t freeze well due to the mayonnaise. Stick to storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.

More Tuna Recipes to Try!

This tuna salad sandwich recipe is one of my favorite ways to use canned tuna. Whether it’s your first time making it or you’re a tuna fish sandwich pro, you really can’t go wrong with this simple, delicious recipe. Serve it with potato chips, corn chips, or a side salad, and you’ve got yourself a winner! The printable recipe card is below! You’ll want to save the best tuna fish salad sandwich recipe!! Enjoy, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.