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You are here: Home / Recipes / Entrees / Avocado Lime Tuna Salad

Avocado Lime Tuna Salad

Published: Apr 22, 2016 · Modified: Dec 14, 2020 by Marisa Moore·

888 shares
avocado lime tuna salad in white bowl with a fork

Ever have tuna salad without mayo? My version involves avocado, lime juice and crunchy, fresh vegetables.

avocado lime tuna salad in white bowl with a fork

Recipe originally published 4-22-16. Updated 4-1-20.

Upgrade your lunch! This Avocado Lime Tuna Salad uses canned tuna and creamy avocado instead of mayo for a fresh and healthy twist on the classic. Red onion adds some crunch, while lime juice brightens it all up!

Ingredients

  • Canned tuna – preferably in oil, but water also works
  • Avocado
  • Garlic
  • Fresh lime
  • Red onion
  • Cilantro (yes it’s optional – parsley works too)
  • Cracked black pepper
canned tuna, onion, pepper in clear bowl, cut lime and an avocado

This avocado tuna salad is made with canned tuna, crunchy red onion, creamy avocado, fresh lime juice and cilantro. It’s a healthy lunch recipe that happens to be low carb, keto, gluten-free and egg-free.

Tuna, cilantro, avocado, onion, in a clear bowl

To make it, simply mash the avocado in a bowl then stir in the other ingredients. I like to add the cilantro at the end for a pop of color.

avocado lime tuna salad in clear mixing bowl with a fork

I grew up eating tuna salad at least once a week. It was chunk light tuna drenched in mayo with a heaping dose of relish and boiled eggs and served on Merita white bread.

That is traditional southern tuna salad. It’s still a great option.

Healthy tuna salad with a twist

For this version, I swapped the mayo for a tangy lime avocado sauce and added some aromatic vegetables for color and crunch.

Because I like the experience of exploration at lunch, I left the boiled egg off to the side and served the tuna with a side of fresh spinach and sweet mango.

Eat it right away

This tuna salad is best eaten as soon as it’s prepared. Though the salad has a lot of lime juice, the avocado will start to turn brown if left without being covered. If you don’t mind the browning, you can plan to eat it within a day – but I wouldn’t go longer.

It’s a great way to use up leftover avocado.

avocado lime tuna salad in an avocado shell

Want a creamier tuna salad?

Add some yogurt. Greek yogurt adds extra creaminess and protein to the recipe. You can add up to ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt to the recipe. It’s a great way to sneak in some extra nutrition while using up the last of the yogurt to prevent waste.

Avocado Lime Tuna Salad Lunch Box Click to Tweet

Best canned tuna to buy

This depends on personal preference.

Albacore tuna is very firm and usually comes in big flaky pieces that separate easily. It’s perfect for a hearty tuna salad like this one.

Chunk light tuna has a mild flavor and will have a softer texture. So plan to stir it less.

Skipjack is another popular option. It also has a mild flavor but sports a more reddish color which may not look as nice with the avocado.

Concerned about sodium? You’ll notice that If you are concerned about sodium, look for cans of tuna marked as no salted added or low- or reduced-sodium versions.

Packed in oil or water? Both work. I grew up with tuna packed in water. But I’ve grown to prefer tuna packed in oil. It provides a silkier texture that works well in many recipes – including this one.

Avocado Tuna Salad _ Tuna Salad without Mayo

Serve this tuna salad just as is, on your favorite toasted bread, or atop salad greens. You can add chopped sweet peppers or celery to the salad too for extra crunch.

If you’ve been limpin’ through lunch, consider it over.

Making this recipe?
Tag me on Instagram!

If you like this recipe, you’ll like my Herbed Egg Avocado Salad too!

To add a little more to the table, make a trio of tuna salads with this Tuna Toast Snack Board!

avocado lime tuna salad in white bowl with a fork
Print Recipe
4.67 from 3 votes

Avocado Lime Tuna Salad

This avocado tuna salad is made with canned tuna, crunchy red onion, creamy avocado, fresh lime juice and cilantro – no mayo needed. This healthy lunch recipe is low carb, keto, gluten-free and egg-free.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Entree, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy tuna salad
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 157kcal
Author: Marisa Moore

Ingredients

  • 1 medium avocado
  • juice of ½ fresh lime
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2- 6 ounce cans albacore tuna drained
  • 2 tablespoons minced red onion
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Peel and seed the avocado. Scoop the avocado into a mixing bowl and mash with the lime juice, and garlic.
  • Add the drained, flaked tuna, red onion, cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Complete the meal with a little fruit and greens on the side or mixed in. I enjoyed it with mango, spinach and a boiled egg for a protein rich lunch.

Video

Notes

WANT A CREAMIER TUNA SALAD?

Add ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt to the recipe!

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 122IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg
888 shares

Filed Under: Blog, Entrees, Recipes, Soup and Salad

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sara @sarahaasrdn

    April 22, 2016 at 8:08 am

    Yum! I love riffs on the traditional tuna salad! Thanks Marisa!

    Reply
    • Marisa

      April 22, 2016 at 1:42 pm

      Me too, Sara. So many tasty options!

      Reply
  2. EA Stewart

    April 22, 2016 at 1:28 pm

    Your Tangy Avocado Lime Dressing sounds delicious! I think we have similar lunching styles-at home, and preferably in sweats or workout gear 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend Marisa!

    Reply
    • Marisa

      April 22, 2016 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks, EA! I just had avocado toast with a boiled egg and a Cara Cara for lunch – in my leggings and a tank top 🙂 Enjoy the weekend!

      Reply
  3. diane

    April 23, 2016 at 7:29 am

    Your use of avocado and Greek yogurt in lieu of mayo is brilliant! That portable lunch box though..<3

    Reply
  4. Kalee @ The Crowded Table

    April 24, 2016 at 9:25 am

    I’m all about tuna salads, and your variation looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  5. Margaret

    June 02, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    I make my tuna salad with avocado & sauerkraut – such a good kick! I’m looking forward to trying the lime to add the zing.

    Reply
    • Marisa

      June 02, 2020 at 9:19 pm

      That sounds like a great idea! I am going to try your way next!

      Reply
  6. Jason C

    October 22, 2020 at 4:55 am

    4 stars
    That’s a great salad/sandwich. I prefer the foil pack with extra virgin olive oil tuna. Thanks

    Reply
  7. Jill

    December 27, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious! I’m doing an elimination diet and mayo is one of the things bring cut out of my diet. I love tuna sandwiches though. With this recipe I didn’t even miss the mayo. The rest of the fam liked it too. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  8. crystal carey-heckel

    March 02, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    5 stars
    I have made this with jalapeno tuna and pickled onions I make. it’s wonderful.

    Reply

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MARISA MOORE

Hi! I'm Marisa, a registered dietitian nutritionist living in Atlanta, GA. I use this blog to share (mostly) vegetarian recipes, credible nutrition information and a peek into my Southern roots and travels!

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