# How do you make your tuna salad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 22, 2016, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897 "2016-03-22T22:48:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/1 "2016-03-22T22:48:39Z")
'Really? You’re asking how to make _tuna salad?_ :dubious: ’ No. I’m asking how you make your tuna salad. I grew up with chunk-light tuna packed in oil, drained, and mixed with Miracle Whip and sweet pickle relish. (We were a Miracle Whip household. I know half of you hate it with a passion, but it has its place. Not necessarily in tuna salad.) In my late-teens, when I could have some input on groceries, I made it the same way except for using mayonnaise instead of MW. Later I used chunk-light tuna packed in water. I used to come up with some wild concoctions when I was a teen. Tuna salad might have dijon mustard, loads of pepper, and Bac-O bacon bits. Yeah… For years, I could never get tuna salad that tasted like it did when I was a kid. It finally occurred to me that I needed to use chunk-light tuna in oil. Nowadays I’m using solid white albacore packed in water. (Sometimes I’ll use chunk-light in oil, yellowfin, skipjack, or whatever.) I mix it with mayonnaise – Mrs. L.A. says I never use enough – celery seeds, and tarragon. Mrs. L.A. made some (as above) recently, with the addition of dill. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/2 "2016-03-22T22:53:43Z")
You hit the basic tuna salad of my youth: chunk-light tuna in water, Miracle Whip, sweet pickle relish. These days I add a shake or two of red pepper flakes, maybe a finely diced pepperoncini or two. Stuff into a tomato or serve on toasted white bread with Thousand Island/Russian dressing. Cut diagonally. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/3 "2016-03-22T22:56:08Z")
Chunk light tuna in oil, mayo tempered with a little bit of Miracle Whip, finely chopped celery and cracked black pepper. Maybe a squeeze of lemon juice. I like it better on saltines than I do on bread. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/4 "2016-03-22T23:02:45Z")
Solid white in water. Mayo and a bit of lemon olive oil Salt Pepper Dried thyme or dill, depending on mood Chopped green onion Minced garlic (or a spritz of garlic powder) Diced celery Chopped home-canned sweet pickle Sometimes I’ll add a bit of red pepper flakes or even some chopped jalapeno, if the mood calls for it. Other times, I skip the olive oil and just add some finely grated lemon rind or some lemon juice and maybe a shot of brown mustard. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/5 "2016-03-22T23:10:23Z")
tuna pickle relish more pickle relish mayo dill cracked pepper celery salt ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/6 "2016-03-22T23:13:50Z")
Because of my geography, this popped up at the company lunch one day. It was good. Tuna packed in water little bit of diced onion small amount of mayo (this is a dry salad–you might want to use more0 chopped tomato finely chopped celery cup of peas cup of corn kernels pinch of garlic salt and pepper perhaps a little finely chopped cilantro You could use it on crackers but I think tortilla chips are more in tune with this. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/7 "2016-03-22T23:16:45Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > or even some chopped jalapeno I like sliced jalapeños (from a can) on top of the tuna. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/8 "2016-03-22T23:31:06Z")
White Albacore in water, drained. Sweet onion finely chopped Miracle Whip Paprika Sweet pickles or dill pickles finely chopped A couple of hard boiled eggs finely chopped Dill, Celery Seed Stir together, taste and adjust as needed. Spread on toasted white bread with or without melted cheeese. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/9 "2016-03-22T23:31:43Z")
I usually use canned salmon nowadays. Chopped stalk of celery Chopped green onion Chopped bell pepper (just a little) Lots of dill Mayonnaise Sometimes I go wild and add diced black olives, or sprinkle some paprika on top. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/10 "2016-03-22T23:40:02Z")
It’s Dullsville, but I like it: Tuna in water Mayo Hard-boiled egg, chopped up Black pepper (smidge) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/11 "2016-03-23T00:14:34Z")
Tuna packed in oil (preferably olive oil) Hellman’s mayo Bell’s poultry seasoning Chopped hard-boiled egg Chopped onion Chopped dill pickle Chopped celery ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/12 "2016-03-23T00:21:53Z")
I absolutely hated tuna salad as a kid, and have not had it since. In fact, I hated tuna because I never had the real thing. Why not make it with fresh tuna sashimi… kind of a poke style? Or, lots of restaurants offer a “tuna tartar” which is more than just raw tuna, but with avocado and other filler type things that could easily be modified into a “salad” spread. Just a little bit of mayo to give it spreadiness, and the rest just good, raw ingredients with a kick. I’ve never made this type of salad thing (no chicken salad no egg salad no tuna salad) in my life, so maybe I’m off my rocker on this. Just wondering, though. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/13 "2016-03-23T00:30:53Z")
Tuna Mayo Pickle relish Salt and Pepper Diced Carrot I’m having fresh tuna tonight for dinner, as a matter of fact. I may just turn the leftovers into salad tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/14 "2016-03-23T00:44:43Z")
Tuna Spicy hummus (in place of the mayo/mw) Roasted soynuts (for the crunch, plus the extra protein) Shredded cheddar cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/15 "2016-03-23T01:12:17Z")
Didn’t we just do this? I think we just did this, because I remember thinking “Huh! Pickles in tuna salad! I got to try that!” And I haven’t made tuna salad since. For the record, I would chop up a little kosher garlic dill pickle instead of sweet pickle relish. Otherwise just Hellman’s mayo, salt & pepper. I usually add celery, but the pickle would take its place. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/16 "2016-03-23T01:20:56Z")
chunk light tuna in water mayo finely diced celery coarsely ground black pepper That’s the basic recipe. Sometimes I add some fresh snipped chives, since they don’t upset my stomach like raw onions do. Sometimes I add some dill pickles ,finely diced, especially if there is no celery. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/17 "2016-03-23T01:32:37Z")
Chunk light tuna in water (drained) One diced hardboiled egg One diced stalk (or half stalk) of celery Lite Mayo Dried onion flakes Parsley flakes. Before there was packed in water, we added catsup to cut the oily taste. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/18 "2016-03-23T02:00:30Z")
Albacore tuna in water Chopped hard boiled eggs Finely diced onion, celery and sweet gherkins Hellman’s mayo A squirt of mustard Salt The Yellow Dot Cafe where I buy lunch sometimes puts capers in theirs, and I really like it. I haven’t done that at home yet though. Sometimes I want to make hot tuna sandwiches, and that calls for some finely chopped green pepper as well. Butter the buns, wrap them in foil, and bake 20 minutes or so. My mom made this when I was a kid, and every once in awhile I’ll make them. Must be served with tomato soup. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/19 "2016-03-23T02:05:58Z")
I made tuna salad sandwiches for my lunch every day for four years when I was in high school. Chunk light in oil, hard boiled egg, sweet pickles chopped up, Miracle Whip, on white bread, the squishier the better. Yum. Mention of hot tuna sandwich reminded me of the tuna melts I used to get at a little cafe: thick-sliced sourdough bread, tuna salad (celery, no pickle or egg), big slice of American cheese, mayo, grilled crispy. Yum yum. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897/20 "2016-03-23T02:07:49Z")
Tuna, mayo, bright yellow mustard, salt and pepper. MAYBE sweet relish if somebody was getting married. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-your-tuna-salad/749897.md?page=2)