Whole30 Tuna Salad (No Mayo) made with apples, bell peppers, tahini, fresh herbs, and spices. Loaded with protein, healthy fats, and lots of flavors, it makes an easy and healthy lunch or snack made in minutes!
Last updated on September 14, 2020.
We are bringing canned tuna fish back to life with this flavor-packed Whole tuna salad!
Don’t get me wrong, I love canned tuna fish (and am known to just eat it out of the can haha), but I know it can be really hit or miss with a lot of people. But with fall here and most people’s lives getting a little busier, we could all use some easy meals.
And nothing says easy like healthy tuna salad. I wanted to do a different spin on your classic mayo-heavy tuna salad.
So since I love me some veggies and flavor, I took your typical tuna salad up a notch. I used tahini instead of mayo and packed in some veggies and fruit. I think tahini can really go with anything and has such a delicious flavor, but I love it with tuna! My favorite brand of tahini is Soom – if you are looking to try it, use the code ‘eatthegains’ to save 10%.
The apple and red pepper give this paleo tuna salad a little sweetness, while the lemon juice balances it out. The parsley adds a nice freshness and brings it all together to make this tuna salad pop. Let it sit a few hours too and the flavors get even better! It is an easy and quick solution when you need a healthy lunch fast. It also packs the protein in and is a good dose of anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids!
Whole30 tuna salad (no mayo)
You only need 8 ingredients (plus some salt and pepper) and 5 minutes to whip up this easy tuna tahini salad. It’s full of protein, healthy fats, and some fiber from the fruits and veggies. Make a big batch for meal prep for easy meals throughout the week.
Here is what you need:
- canned tuna – I love the brand Safe Catch
- green apple
- red bell pepper
- red onion
- parsley
- tahini
- lemon juice
- red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper
To make the Whole30 tuna salad, it’s as easy as adding all the ingredients into a bowl and stirring to combine. Either eat it right away or let it chill for a few hours to help the flavors come together. To keep it paleo and Whole30 approved, make sure to use compliant tuna and tahini.
Can you eat canned tuna on Whole30
Canned tuna is a great protein option on the Whole30. There are a few things to be careful about when buying it though. Make sure there are no added oils, broths, or preservatives. I love the brand Safe Catch. The ingredients are just skipjack tuna and sea salt. Even better is their tuna is sustainably pole and line caught to help preserve the marine ecosystem. And it tastes delicious!
How long does tuna salad last in the fridge
Tuna salad can be stored up to 5 days in the fridge in the tightly sealed glass container. Allowing it to sit will allow the flavors to come together more, but if you are using anything crunchy in it, letting it sit for long periods can change the texture of the ingredients.
What to eat with tuna tahini salad
I love to serve this tuna tahini salad in lettuce wraps, on a salad, or just it as is with some veggies and chips on the side. It would also be great on toast or sweet potato toast and in a sandwich – it is super versatile whatever way you want to have it!
Note – chips and bread are not Whole30 compliant, but they are great for your food freedom if you do well with them.
Substitutions for tuna tahini salad
The best thing about Whole30 tuna salad is you can change up the recipe petty easily depending on what you have on hand or your taste preferences, Here are a few suggestions:
- protein – you can easily substitute canned salmon or shredded chicken for tuna in this recipe.
- nut butter – try subbing almond or cashew butter for tahini. Just make sure you are using an all-natural and drippy/runny nut butter so it can easily be stirred into the recipe and it is Whole30 compliant.
- herbs – use any other fresh herb you like. I would suggest parsley or dill.
- fruit/veggies – try grapes or pears instead of the apples or carrots instead of bell peppers. You do want to use something firm that will hold up.
More Whole30 salad recipes
Burger Salad with Special Sauce Dressing
Whole30 Tuna Salad (No Mayo)
ingredients
- 2 5-oz cans wild-caught tuna, drained
- 1 cup diced green apple (1/2 large/105 grams)
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper (120 grams)
- 1/3 cup diced red onion (50 grams)
- 1/4 cup parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste
instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium-size mixing bowl and mix to combine. Enjoy as-is, in a salad, on a lettuce wrap, or however you prefer! Store in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed glass container for up to 5 days.
nutrition
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Kari Johnson says
Really liked this recipe – using tahini instead of mayo adds great flavor. Very bright and crunchy. Will definitely make it again!
Kelly says
Glad you enjoyed it Kari and thanks for trying it!
Lydia says
My new favorite way to eat tuna! I’ll never go back to mayo based tuna salad. This is so fresh and delicious!
Kelly says
So glad you enjoyed it, Lydia! Thanks for trying it!