Ultimate Mediterranean No-Mayo Tuna Salad
Discover your new favorite lunch with this Ultimate Mediterranean No-Mayo Tuna Salad! Bursting with fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-Dijon dressing, this vibrant salad is a healthy and satisfying choice. It’s packed with flavor and perfect for those following a Mediterranean lifestyle or anyone looking for a delicious alternative to traditional tuna salad.
- Total Time45 minutes
- Yield6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 3 cans (≈5 oz/142 g each tuna in olive oil, drained and flaked)
- 1½ cups marinated artichoke hearts (drained and roughly chopped)
- ¾ cup Kalamata olives (pitted, halved or quartered)
- ¾ cup red onion (finely chopped)
- ¾ cup English cucumber (diced)
- ½ cup roasted red peppers (jarred, drained and chopped)
- 3 tbsp capers (drained)
- ½ cup fresh dill (finely chopped)
- ½ cup fresh mint (finely chopped)
- ½ cup green onions (thinly sliced)
For the Zesty Lemon-Herb Dressing (Adjusted)
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil (reduced from 1/2 cup)
- Juice of 1 large lemon (≈3–4 tbsp)
- 2 –3 cloves garlic (minced (reduced from 6))
- 1½ tsp Dijon mustard (increased from ¾ tsp)
- 1½ tsp dried oregano
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt (or to taste (reduced from 3/8 tsp))
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Macerate the garlic: In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice and the minced garlic; let sit 10 minutes to mellow the sharpness.
- Make the dressing: Whisk in Dijon, oregano, pepper, and salt. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking until emulsified.
- Prep the brined items (optional but recommended for lower sodium): Briefly rinse and pat dry the olives, capers, artichokes, and roasted peppers.
- Combine the salad: In a large bowl, add the drained, flaked tuna, artichokes, olives, red onion, cucumber, roasted peppers, capers, dill, mint, and green onions.
- Dress & toss: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated. Adjust salt/pepper to taste.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate 20–30 minutes for flavors to marry.
- Serve: Spoon into lettuce cups, pita, or enjoy as is.
Notes
Serving Suggestions & Storage:
- This tuna salad makes an excellent appetizer served with pita chips or slices of crusty bread.
- For a satisfying low-carb meal, consider serving it in avocado halves or large lettuce wraps.
- Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within 2 days.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories: 312 kcal | Total Fat: 23.6 g (Saturated Fat: 3.5 g) | Total Carbs: 10.1 g (Fiber: 3.6 g, Sugars: 2.1 g) | Protein: 17 g
These values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 312