Tuna Salad Sandwich

There are two things that are missing from my blog.

1. Sandwiches

2. Mayo

Sandwiches. Why? I don’t know. I just don’t think to post them. I usually eat the same sandwich when I order one at a deli (turkey, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, pepperoncini, red onions & mustard on a sourdough roll). I usually eat the same sandwiches at home including this one, grilled cheese and peanut butter & bananas sandwiches. Would you like me to make more sandwiches here? Discuss.

Mayo. Why?  Cuz I don’t like it. And even if you tell me that making my own mayo will change me, I don’t believe you and I won’t do it.

NO. Just NO.

In the past, I’ve shown you a simple Tuna Salad with white beans that I like to top on a salad. The key to getting a creamy/spreadable tuna salad like this one here, is Greek Yogurt. And even if you are a fan of mayo, fat free Greek Yogurt makes this much much MUCH healthier. You won’t miss it! When we were kids, my mom occasionally added sweet relish to our tuna. My brother & I loved that, so I continue that tradition in my life now. It adds a little sweetness to this combination and you’ll find that the red onion adds pep and the chopped walnuts provide great texture. If you like a little spicy kick, add Dijon mustard. It’s all up to you. Now…let’s get to one of my favorite sandwiches!

And we’re off!

Ingredient gathering.

Not pictured? Dijon Mustard. Sometimes I add it, depending on my mood.

Put it all in your favorite bowl.

Oh look! I decided to add Dijon mustard! I am in the moooooooooood.

Mix it up. Make adjustments to suit your taste. Add salt & pepper. Throw some parsley in if you want. Stir!

I toasted some of my favorite bread. I added tuna salad on top, with arugula, avocado & tomatoes.

Sometimes I’ll just eat the tuna salad right out of the bowl.

That’s something I’d NEVER do if there was mayo in it. Blech.

I had leftovers for dinner the day I made this sandwich.

I added a scoop on top of some arugula, with tomatoes, avocado, red onions & drizzled Balsamic vinegar on top.

I also ate tots. I love those things.

Enjoy!

Tuna Salad Sandwich

makes about 4 sandwiches

  • 2- 5 oz. cans water packed tuna, drained
  • 1/3 cup Greek Yogurt (I used fat free)
  • 3-4 tablespoons sweet relish
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1/4 red onion, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • salt & fresh cracked pepper
  • 8 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
  • 1 Roma tomato, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups arugula
  • 1 avocado, sliced

In a medium sized bowl, mix tuna, Greek yogurt, relish, walnuts, onions, & Dijon mustard. Stir well to combine. Season with salt & fresh cracked pepper. Adjust according to your tastes. Top a few heaping scoops of salad on toasted bread. Layer with tomatoes, avocado & arugula and serve.

NOTES:

You can totally use olive oil packed tuna, just make sure you drain it! It actually adds nice flavor.

  • Villy @ For the love of Feeding

    Your “usual” from the deli sounds divine, but the one you made is awesome! I wouldn’t change a thing.

  • Edith

    I can’t stand mayo either….HIGH FIVE!!
    Have you ever tried an egg salad, but using avocado and mustard instead of mayonnaise? ….Revolutionary!!

  • Lori H

    I like mayo in things or spread verrrry lightly on a sandwich (no globs, blech). I have all the ingredients to make this today and I will! Thanks for sharing.

  • Diane

    But what about aioli? Do you like aioli?

    • Tracy

      If it’s with calamari and it’s HEAVILY flavored, then I can do a small dippage. Other than that…generally NO. 🙂

  • Nicole @ The Dirty Oven

    I knew there was a reason we should be friends. We are a mayo free household. Matt and I both bonded over how much we hate the stuff. Mustard please. Lovely post.

    • Tracy

      HOOORAY!!! We don’t have ANY in our house. When people come over and ask for some….I’m like….WHO DO YOU THINK WE ARE??! heheh

  • jenny

    Sweet relish in tuna is the only way to do it. Also, you know what’s insane? Tuna salad on TJ’s black pepper-asiago bread. (If they still carry it. Haven’t been able to find it in Boston for a while.)

  • marci

    Wow, this looks amazing! I love red onion in tuna – and dill (relish!).Can’t wait to make. Thanks 😛

  • Lucia

    I loove mayo. But I still loove your sandwich. Going to the kitchen and making it. RIGHT N-O-W!

  • Mira C

    I totes dislike mayo as well, so I actually mash avocado up with the tuna to make it creamy. It’s delish – you should try it some time!

  • Abby@ Totes Delish Blog

    Totes post sandwich recipes! Everyone’s are different and it’s nice to see how everyone makes something simple their own : )

  • jen @ the baked life

    I agree, mayo is so gross. I would ban it from my house, but the husband LOVES IT.
    HE eats it on grilled cheese. BLECH.

  • nicole

    For lunch yesterday, I used Greek yogurt (instead of mayo) to make egg salad for the first time ever. It was delicious! Gonna try it with tuna. Thanks for the recipe.

  • Christina

    I won’t eat just any mayo. It’s gotta be Duke’s. But I’m down with putting Greek yogurt in my tuna salad, and I definitely need to start adding Dijon and red onion.

    • Tracy

      I dunno what Duke’s is! Is it mayo? No like.

    • Becky B

      Nooooooo don’t do it! Helmann’s is better than Duke’s! Even my North Carolina born-and-bred husband won’t go near Duke’s Mayo. (just kidding, to each their own :))

      Duke’s Mayo is a southern favorite, and you either love it or hate it.

  • Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi)

    Nom nom nom. so I love mayo but I also love things without. So this is totally nommy. Yep.

  • Sarah

    Ooh, I love your secret ingredient alert. And loooove your gorgeous dinner. Yum. I’m such a sucker for instagram images + tater tots, both.

  • Adriana

    AWESOMESAUCE. No mayo. I hate mayo. I’m most definitely making this for lunch today. English muffin style.

  • Kristen M.

    Just this past weekend I was searching for mayo-less tuna salad recipes! We’re a no mayo household but the kid is a big fan of tuna. I think he’ll like this mix — lots of flavor!

  • Marie

    I’d love to see more sandwich recipes! We love sandwiches in my household, but tend to make the same ones all the time too. I’m definitely up for trying some new ideas 🙂

  • Natalia

    High Five on the no mayo!!!
    I hate it!!!, I have always used fat free greek yogurt mixed with dijon mustard!!
    The salad and sandwich look so delicious I am make it tomorrow!!!
    I don’t know where to find relish, I live in Spain… but definitely will look for it tomorrow am!!!
    I love your blog!!!!

  • larizza

    i don’t mind mayo and my hubby likes miracle whip (ick!) so i’m definitely going to try greek yogurt! might be a nice compromise for us 🙂
    i also add jalepenos on top; yummers! adds a nice little kick.
    thanks for the awesome sandwich idea.

  • Shoniquoi Jones

    Bring on more Sarnies!

  • Tara

    I am so jealous about how gorgeous your avocados look. I have been trying to buy some for the last couple weeks here in Pittsburgh and they are all no bueno.

  • Val

    I hate mayo too!!! Yes, I love this. All your recipes are awesome!

    Val
    http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/

  • Natasha

    Your blog wipes my tears…and makes my heart smile – in otherwords – YOU ROCK. Nuf said.
    Love the tuna sandwich…ahem…have you ever thought of adding chopped cilantro, dill or…perhaps olives?
    I adore your home, your moxie… and all you offer us…
    Thank you from the bottom of my belly and my heart
    j’inlove
    – Natasha

  • misschels

    I am not a fan of mayo either! I always make my tuna salad with greek yogurt and sweet relish…I think it has to do with my childhood as well! I think your blog definitely has a little sweet spot to store yummy sandwiches! Go for it Tracy! Also, I tried adding a lemon tahini dressing to my tuna salad the other day…best. idea. ever, added a little creaminess, a little bit of fat, and a ton of flavor!

  • Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking

    Walnuts!?!? What the what! I like that extra crunch addition!

  • Amanda Barkey

    the pictures on this post are really really good Tracy! I love the ingredients one for some reason and also the salad one… and I especially love the addition of the little plate of tater tots :)I love mayo but I need to try this greek mayo in my tuna salad thing… must be super zippy!

  • Kelsey

    I am also anti-mayo. However, the fancy deli by my house once left it on my BLT after I SPECIFICALLY requested it be left off and now… now I just pretend it’s not happening. It’s that good. But I can’t talk about it.

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    Want. Need. Love.

    No mayo is the way to go!

  • Kimberly A

    Looks yummy! And I love that it’s so much healthier than traditional tuna salad. I can’t wait to give it a try!

  • D

    champagne vinegar or fresh lemon juice is great in tuna instead of mayo too! …and basically no calories. 🙂 i love the avocado, arug, tomato, tuna combo.

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  • biobabbler

    I love seeing how you live. All the little extras you do for your meal–very inspiring AND add nutrition!

    All looks SO good, tho’ your mayo is my sweet relish, as in NEVER EVER unless there’s a gun to my head and then I’ll STILL try to weasel out of it. ew. AND why try, there’s so much good food, just dodge the icky and move on.

    Greek yogurt is a GREAT idea–gotta try that. I love eating a bowl of tuna salad (saves carbs), and my kitties LOVE the tuna juice. A win (me), win (kitty 1), win (kitty 2). I need to copy YOUR impromptu tuna re-do in the last photo. Lovely. And a great example of what I consider part of your particular genius. That & your photos & your infini-charming child. =) And black and white. And polka dots. (k. stopping now.)

  • Little Gray Pixel

    I might actually eat tuna salad now that you’ve removed the mayo. Blech to mayo. And thanks to you. 🙂

  • Julie

    Have you ever used Vegenaise? It’s the only thing close to mayo I actually enjoy using in anything that calls for real mayonnaise. I can’t stand the taste of mayo! I like the idea of greek yogurt — does it give the tuna salad a tangy flavor, though? And… YES! to the dijon! 🙂

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  • Hayley

    I don’t even like tuna salad. But I had some canned tuna in my pantry and some time on my hands, so I went to the Internet in search of a recipe that excluded the evil mayonnaise. I stumbled upon your blog and this recipe and decided to go for it. Wow! This stuff is delicious, and I’m afraid has made me into a tuna salad lover. Love the recipe and the adorable blog–I’ll be back. 🙂

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    This was awesome! thanks for sharing….talk about cheap, healthy, delicious eating!!

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  • April

    I love tuna salad!

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  • Shuran

    OMG this stresses meowt. But I trust you and you haven’t failed me, SO I’ll try it. Lord help me! The red onion will save me…

  • Gaby

    I love the idea of walnuts! I’m 42 and still follow the recipe my high school boyfriend taught me. It’s a very lazy recipe I make when I’m in a hurry. I’m sure you could use greek yogurt. Mayo, dill pickle relish, lemon juice, a bit of yellow mustard, and a dash of tabasco.

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