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This White Bean and Tuna Salad is a fresh, protein-packed meal that comes together in minutes. Tender white beans, flaky tuna, crisp veggies and bright herbs that are tossed in a light lemony dressing. Serve it as a quick lunch over greens, tucked into a pita or spooned on crackers for a Mediterranean inspired appetizer.
We love tuna in our house and often make this White Bean and Tuna Salad. It is light but also filling and packed with protein. I love how light it is without the mayo added in. This is meal-prep friendly, high in protein and fiber and a great way to use up those pantry staples like tuna and beans.
This spin on tuna salad mixes fresh Italian parsley, creamy white beans, tuna, onions and a lemony vinaigrette. I first had a salad similar to this one in Barcelona, Spain in college. It is such a nice salad, side dish or add it to a sandwich, wrap or served with pita chips. If you like tuna recipes you also might like this Mediterranean Tuna Salad, Tropical Tuna Stuffed Avocado, Mediterranean Tuna Patties Recipe or this Mediterranean Tuna Pasta Salad.
Why You Will Love this White Bean Tuna Salad
This is so easy to make and can be on the table in under 10 minutes. It is light and fresh. Here is why we love it:
• Great for Meal-Prep: This is such a great side dish to prep on a Sunday for the week ahead. It holds up well and is a filling, quick lunch when you need one.
• Simple Ingredients: You will love how simple the ingredients are in this Mediterranean style tuna salad. Albacore tuna, white beans, onion and celery and mixed with a light lemony dressing. It is the perfect mixture!
• Versatile: You can swap out ingredients or add in more pantry ingredients like roasted red peppers, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes or feta cheese.
Recipe Ingredients
See full list of simple ingredients below in recipe card with exact measurements.
- Tuna: this recipe uses chunky white albacore tuna in water. You can also use tuna in oil which will add a savory flavor. If you have leftover fresh tuna that works also! Just make sure to flake it.
- Beans: white beans are rinsed and drained and added to the tuna salad. It creates a creamy texture and works nicely with tuna. You can mash half of the white beans if you want a creamier tuna salad. If you like bean salads try this Mediterranean Three Bean Salad Recipe, white bean salad or this Mediterranean bean salad.
- Vegetables: red onions and celery are chopped and added in. This adds a nice crunch.
- Lemon Juice: the secret to this tuna salad is the zesty lemon juice. It balances the flavors and adds a sweetness. I suggest freshly squeeze lemon juice.
Ways to Modify this Recipe
- Vegetables: you can add a variety of other vegetables to this salad. I especially like roasted red peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, radish, bell peppers and scallions.
- Cheese: there is a variety of cheese options that would work nicely in this salad. Try feta cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella or cheddar cheese.
- Protein: swap the tuna for canned salmon or fresh baked salmon.
- Beans: I used white beans in this recipe but any bean would be great. I especially love chickpeas or black beans.
- Greens: greens are a great way to dress up this salad. Arugula, kale or spinach work nicely. Make sure to chop it before adding it in.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs take this salad to the next level. Try mint, cilantro, dill or fresh basil.
- Other Ingredients: I love adding salty ingredients like Quick Pickled Red Onions, chopped green olives or kalamata olives, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, capers or banana peppers.
How do you Make this Mediterranean White Bean and Tuna Salad
Step 1: Mix Salad Ingredients: Mix the white beans, tuna, Italian parsley, onion and celery together in a large bowl.
Step 2: Add Lemon Juice and Olive Oil: Drizzle the lemon juice and olive oil over the tuna salad and combine.
Step 5: Serve: Taste the tuna salad and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over a bed of greens, on a sandwich or as an appetizer with crackers.
Serving Tip: This tuna salad works great on its own or served in a wrap, pita pocket, on a bed of greens or with crackers or pita.
Storage Tips
Store the leftover tuna salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You might want to add a bit more olive oil and lemon juice when you serve again.
Recipe FAQ
I find that chunk tuna in water works best (make sure to drain the water) but if you want an even more savory, rich flavor you can use tuna in olive oil. If you can’t find chunk tuna you will want to flake it with a fork.
Yes! Check the labels on all the ingredients but everything in this recipe should be gluten-free.
More Tuna Recipes
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White Bean and Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- 1 – 15.5 ounces can cannellini beans, white beans, drained and rinsed
- 2-5 ounces cans Chunk White Albacore in Water, tuna
- 1/4 sweet onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped (or any herbs like dill, basil or chives)
- 2 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sumac or za'atar, optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Optional: In a medium bowl partially mash the half of the white beans using the back of a spoon or a potato masher.
- In a large mixing bowl mix together the white beans, tuna, onion, Italian parsley and the celery.
- Add the juice of 1 lemon, olive oil, sumac or za'atar (optional) and salt and pepper to taste and gently stir until completely mixed.
- Serve on sandwiches, with crackers or on a bed of spinach or arugula.
Notes
- Store the leftover tuna salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You might want to add a bit more olive oil and lemon juice when you serve again.
- I find that chunk tuna in water works best (make sure to drain the water) but if you want an even more savory, rich flavor you can use tuna in olive oil. If you can’t find chunk tuna you will want to flake it with a fork.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummy and crazy product.
Good Food salad…
Yum!!! This sounds really good! Must try 🙂
Thanks Anna! I hope you like it!
Ooh this sounds fresh and amazing!
It is! I hope you like it!