Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad

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This lemon-dill tuna salad packs plenty of protein and gets a boost of flavor from sumac, a spice used in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and North African cooking that adds a citrusy touch, enhancing the lemon flavor without overshadowing the other ingredients. Serve this between two pieces of whole-wheat bread as a sandwich, or by itself with tender Bibb lettuce or crunchy celery sticks.

a recipe photo of the Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad
Credit:

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Servings:
1
  • You can make this easy tuna salad quickly by mashing all the ingredients in just one bowl.
  • Instead of mayo, Greek yogurt enriches the salad with extra protein and gut-healthy probiotics.
  • For a tasty, different flavor experience, you can use canned salmon instead of the tuna.

A lunchtime classic gets a fresh upgrade with this Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad. Lemon and dill brighten up the tuna, while sumac enhances the lemon without overpowering the other flavors. We lighten this salad up and add more nutrition by replacing some of the mayo with protein-packed plain yogurt. Dijon mustard comes in with a little zing, and chopped shallots bring a delicate sweetness, while celery sneaks in a welcome crunch. Keep reading for expert tips, including what sumac is and where you can find it.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Tuna salad is best when chilled. Refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 3 days to allow the flavors to meld. When you’re ready to eat it, you can add a little more yogurt or oil if it’s not as spreadable as you want.
  • You can substitute the canned tuna with canned salmon, which will give you a different flavor.
  • Choose a lemon that’s as blemish-free as possible, heavy for its size and gives with gentle pressure.

Nutrition Notes

  • Canned tuna is not only a great timesaver, but also a healthy addition to any meal. Tuna packed in water usually has less calories, fat and sodium than oil-packed tuna, so be sure to check the label. Tuna is a great source of lean protein, antioxidants—including selenium—and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. 
  • Filled with muscle-building protein, Greek yogurt is a healthy choice on its own or, as in this recipe, as a replacement for some of the mayo. Greek yogurt also provides bone-building calcium and vitamin D, as well as probiotics for a healthy gut.  
  • Celery and shallots both contain anti-inflammatory antioxidants that are linked with reduced risk of disease, including heart disease and diabetes. The vitamin K in celery supports bone health.
  • Besides adding fresh, bright flavors to this tuna salad, lemon and dill add their own antioxidants. The vitamin C in lemon and dill supports a healthy immune system and skin, and also helps your body absorb the iron in the tuna.
the ingredients to make the Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 1 servings

  • 1 (5-ounce) can no-salt-added white tuna in water, drained and flaked

  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish

  • 1 tablespoon whole-milk plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt

  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • ¼ teaspoon ground sumac

  • ¼ teaspoon sugar

  • teaspoon ground pepper

  • Pinch of salt

  • Sliced whole-wheat bread, celery sticks and/or Bibb lettuce, for serving (optional)

Directions

  1.  Using a fork, stir and mash tuna, 2 tablespoons each mayonnaise, celery and shallot, 1 tablespoon each dill, yogurt and lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, ½ teaspoon mustard, ¼ teaspoon each sumac and sugar, ⅛ teaspoon pepper and a pinch of salt together until well combined.

    a step in making the Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

  2. Transfer to a plate; garnish with additional dill, if desired. If desired, serve with whole-wheat bread and/or celery sticks, or over Bibb lettuce.

    a step in making the Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is sumac, and what can I do with it?

    Sumac is an ancient spice favored in cuisines from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. It’s a crimson color and one of the easiest ways to add lemony notes to marinades and rubs without excess acid from lemon juice. It’s excellent sprinkled over salads, hummus, fish and more. You can usually find ground sumac at Whole Foods, Fresh Market and online. If you don’t have sumac, lemon juice is a good substitute.

  • What’s the best canned tuna?

    EatingWell dietitians and editors recently revealed the top eight canned tuna brands and all the reasons why. Two popular choices are a water-packed canned tuna from Blue Harbor and an oil-packed Tonnino’s yellowfin. If you can’t find them at your local grocery store or Whole Foods, they’re available on Amazon.

  • What should I serve with Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad?

    When the weather is warm, a cold tuna salad will be extra refreshing paired with sides such as fresh fruit salad, leafy green salad, slices of ripe, juicy tomatoes and cool cucumbers or celery and carrot sticks. You could add some crunchy pickles and your choice of sweet potato or kale chips to complete the spread.

EatingWell.com, August 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

378 Calories
22g Fat
8g Carbs
36g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 1
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 378
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 4g
Added Sugars 1g 2%
Protein 36g 71%
Total Fat 22g 29%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Vitamin A 47µg
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Vitamin D 2µg
Vitamin E 2mg 11%
Folate 20µg
Vitamin K 53µg
Sodium 484mg 21%
Calcium 47mg 4%
Iron 2mg 9%
Magnesium 60mg 14%
Potassium 787mg 17%
Zinc 1mg 7%
Vitamin B12 3µg
Omega 3 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.