Classic Tuna Salad Recipe Made Healthier
This Classic Tuna Salad is made healthier with a secret ingredient that packs a protein punch and adds great taste. Tuna salad is the perfect lunchbox meal, in sandwich form or as an on-the-go option to be eaten with crackers.
I have to admit, I usually go for a fancier tuna salad, but my son is a huge fan of the classic tuna salad sandwich made with boiled eggs, sweet pickle relish and mayo. And, there’s no mayo going into this girl’s tuna salad! I thought about exchanging the mayo for Greek yogurt, but I had a full container of cottage cheese in the fridge and Landen is a cottage cheese fan, so cottage cheese it was. It turned out to be a great replacement and Landen didn’t say a word about his tuna salad tasting different. Healthier and tasty… win-win!
I love making tuna salad when the kids and I start to get bored with our normal lunchbox meals. It keeps things interesting and it’s so easy to throw together! I used four (2.5 oz) Bumble Bee Premium Light Tuna water pouches, but you could also use two (5 oz) cans of Bumble Bee Premium Light Tuna in the can. I kept things really simple and combined the tuna with boiled eggs, celery, onion, sweet pickle and cottage cheese. This made enough for 5 sandwiches and fed my whole family lunch.
Classic Tuna Salad Recipe Made Healthier
Ingredients
- 4 pouches Bumble Bee Premium Light Tuna in water or 2 (5 oz) cans Bumble Bee Premium Light Tuna in water, drained, 2.5 oz single serve pouches
- 2 eggs, boiled and diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- 2 small sweet pickles, diced
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese, I used fat free organic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper + more to taste as needed
Instructions
- Combine all tuna salad ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Spoon tuna salad onto bread for sandwiches, simply spread it on crackers or use it as a chip dip. Enjoy!
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @kimscravings on Instagram and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!
Something to think about….
Are you a tuna salad sandwich fan? What add-ins do you like in your tuna salad? Feel free to share the link of your favorite tuna recipe!
Check out Bumble Bee’s custom tuna recipes on their recipe page!
What’s your favorite lunchbox meal?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Thanks so much for this! I was really searching for something to replace my mayo, and I had cottage cheese on hand, even! I blended my cottage cheese for texture. This packs a punch of protein, too — 14g per 1/3 cup! Love.
I’m so glad that you liked it! Everyone thinks of Greek yogurt as a replacement, but cottage cheese also works so well. You may enjoy my pancakes, which also include cottage cheese. https://www.kimscravings.com/2014/09/clean-simple-oat-pancakes/
Yum! I like my tuna salad with avocado instead of mayo. Its super creamy and adds a little healthy fat to the mix.
Mmmm… tuna salad sandwich with pickles and celery. YUMMO! I”ve never tried the cottage cheese swap before but adore swapping spicy mustard for the mayo when I’m looking for a change. I’m pretty sure your son would notice this though! Lol thanks for sharing – I’ll be sure to use up some of my cottage cheese this way next time I have some tuna salad craving!
That sounds fabulous. He does love mustard, so maybe he’d be okay with it. 😉
Mhmm tuna salad is a big favorite for me! Kyle and I like to make a big batch and save it in a container in the fridge so we can have a healthy lunch or dinner whenever we want!
Great recipe 🙂
Thanks, girl!
Tuna, cottage cheese and egg is such a yummy combination. I tried your tuna cottage cheese salad you posted a while back and absolutely loved it so I’ll definitely be trying this one!
I’m so glad that you loved the other tuna salad. This one’s a little simpler, but I hope you like it just as much! 😉
I always add pickles or pickle juice to my tuna or egg salad! My grandma taught me that trick and it always makes me think of her 🙂
Yep, I got the pickle idea from my mom and I’m sure she got the idea from my grandma. 😉
I like my tuna salad with sunflower seeds, diced apple, celery slices and diced onion. I will have to try the addition of cottage cheese. I’ll have to get back to you with results!
Yum! I love the sound of that. I love apple in my tuna, but I for sure want to try adding sunflower seeds!