Apple Tuna Salad Recipe
This Tuna Salad with Apples is a winner and it doesn’t get any easier! It is loaded, with flaky tuna, creamy avocado, crisp green apples, and crunchy almonds – the combination of flavors and textures makes this Apple Tuna Salad completely irresistible!
We love creamy and comforting salads from Macaroni Salad to Egg Salad and this Apple Tuna Salad is definitely at the top of our list.
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The Best Tuna Salad with Apples
This is hands down the best tuna salad recipe I’ve tried and the flavors are exciting! My sister Anna was the genius behind this recipe and called me to share. I rushed to her house for a taste…and that taste turned into an entire bowl. This salad is fresh, loaded, and delicious; in an “I can’t stop eating it” kind of way.
The surprising addition of green apple and avocado creates a nice contrast between the crisp tartness and delicious creaminess. It also gives this tuna salad a southern spin. There’s some serious chemistry going on in this salad! If you love tuna recipes, check out our Avocado Tuna Salad.
Ingredients for Apple Tuna Salad
This tuna salad recipe is the elevated version of classic tuna salad with the addition of apple, avocado, and toasted almonds. This may just become your go-to tuna recipe. You will need:
- Canned Tuna – the main ingredient is a pantry staple. We used tuna in water but canned tuna in oil will work, just be sure it is well-drained.
- Green Apple – diced green apples add a crisp bite to this and make the salad taste so fresh. If you don’t have apples, you can substitute celery for a more traditional tuna salad.
- Avocados – add creaminess and flavor so you can get away with using less mayonnaise.
- Toasted Almonds – add nice texture and crunch. You can easily omit almonds if you don’t have them on hand.
- Lemon Juice – use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor and avoid concentrate. If you don’t have lemons on hand, try substituting with ½ Tbsp dijon mustard.
How to Make Tuna Salad with Apples
- Toast your almonds in a dry skillet until golden brown. Remove them and let them cool slightly.
- Drain the tuna. I open the lid and then press it down firmly over the tuna to drain off as much water as my gigantic muscles (not) can squeeze out. If your tuna is too wet, your salad will be wet = no.
- Combine everything in a large mixing bowl and add a pinch of black pepper and lemon juice to taste.
Make-Ahead
When stored properly, tuna salads can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Since we are working with fish and mayonnaise, keep the salad refrigerated until ready to serve.
To Serve
This salad is a versatile dish that can be served in countless ways! Some of my favorites ways to serve this recipe include:
- Tuna sandwiches with soft bread or toasted bread
- Tuna salad wraps in a homemade tortilla or pita wrap
- Lettuce Wrap – For low-carb options, consider serving inside a lettuce wrap or in a halved avocado
- As a dip with crackers or tortilla chips
If you’re looking to change up your Tuna Salad routine, this Apple Tuna Salad is a must-try. It will make your lunches exciting!
More Easy Salad Recipes
- Broccoli Salad – classic and so creamy
- Chickpea Salad – easy and comes together fast
- Greek Salad – Mediterranean-inspired flavors
- Chicken Salad – a meal in itself & so satisfying
- Caesar Salad– with homemade croutons and caesar dressing
- Chicken Avocado Salad – our #1 salad recipe
Apple Tuna Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 oz tuna in water, (four, 5-oz cans), well drained.
- 1 medium onion, 1 1/3 cup finely diced
- 1 medium granny smith apple, seeded and diced
- 1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
- 3/4 cup real mayo, or added to taste
- 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice, or to taste
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds or chopped walnuts, toasted
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Toast nuts on a dry skillet until golden. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- To drain tuna, I open the lid then press it down firmly over the tuna to drain off as much water as I can squeeze out. If your tuna is too wet, your salad will be wet.
- Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and add a pinch of black pepper and 1/2 tsp lemon juice, or to taste. Add mayo to taste.
Natasha – I absolutely ❤️ Your recipes. This tuna salad is off the chain. Where can I purchase the type of crackers used to enjoy and eat this salad. AppreciIated!
Hi Uzo! Thank you, so glad you enjoy my recipe. This can be served with any cracker, or you can use a fancy cheese cracker. I believe this one was a multi-grain cracker.
I am going to definitely try this recipe my husband and I love tuna salad..this has a little different twist than mine.
Would like to add when my cat BJ hears the electric can opener she comes running because I give her the little dish of water I drain out of the tuna, she loves it!.
Sounds like a plan, please update us on how you liked the recipe! That is adorbs, I can imagine how cute your cat is!
I wonder about the avocado. I made an egg salad for my daughter and the avocado turned brown by the next day! Is there anything to do to help prevent this? FYI, I’m about to make your Egg Salad with the Best Dressing, yummy! I love your recipes, and your enthusiasm.
Glad you liked it! The lemon juice does help to keep the avocado and salad fresh. We’ve always finished it up by day 2 but it does keep overnight in the fridge.
If you’ll press a sheet of clear plastic wrap down directly on top of the salad in the bowl it shuts off the air and keeps the avocado from browning.
I also add shredded carrots. It adds a hint of sweetness to tuna salad. Very delicious. You should try it.
Yum! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Hi Natasha,
I very much love your recipes accept I am allergic to onions.. It seems every recipe has some in it, what can I use instead??
Hi Peggy, are you allergic to all onions? Maybe try a red or green onion if not. Otherwise, you can try celery.
I believe that shallots are a different family and may be worth trying. Check with your allergist or a registered dietitian.
Peggy, me too! I’m not allergic to onion but it bothers my stomach so I get it…..It’s too bad because I love onion, cucumber, and relish in my tuna salad too but all of these things dont agree with my stomach….
Tuna is kinda expensive where I live and sometimes fresh tuna is hard to access as I live in a mountainous region. Would canned tuna work as well for this salad?
Hi Diane, that’s exactly what we used here. Canned Tuna – the main ingredient is a pantry staple. We used Tuna in water, but canned Tuna in oil will work. Just be sure it is well-drained.
I like tuna but, sometimes it just taste too fishy. I like apples & avocado. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
I hope you’ll love this recipe!
Hi Natasha,
How long does this salad keep in the refrigerator? I’m guessing not too long since it has apples in it.
Thanks for all your great recipes! ❤️
Hi Darlene, I love it most the day it is made because the apples are freshest on day 1, but it will still be good on day 2 with refrigeration.
Hello Natasha from Germany! I like your recipes most the salad ones. I add some corn into this salad and it was also very delicious.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
A nice variation. Fresh & delicious. I’ve made so many of your wonderful recipes. Thank you for the cooking tips & inspiration!
You’re welcome Anna Marie! I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes!
I’m constantly going to your page for inspiration and great tips! Thanks for making what I do better!
Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles
Natasha, I just wanted to let you know I just found some of your recipes, Everyone that I have fixed has been the Best! I like the thoroughness of how to prepare, Makes cooking more enjoyable to read, see, and then taste the final product! I am 72 and I love to cook, but I have been excited with the ease in preparing. Keep up the good work, you and your husband have done a fantastic job!! Look forward to more great food!!!
Thank you for that wonderful compliment. I’m so inspired reading this!
Just made this and it came out great! I used red onions I added the avocado in chunks after mixing, and also put in dried cranberries. Delish!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Delish o I love the flavors of this recipe with the green apples and the toasted almonds
Thanks for your good feedback!
Simply Delicious. I made this today, my daughter loves it. This will be my go to recipe!
I’m so happy to hear that Dionne! Thak you for that amazing review!
I used green onion and it was very good too!
Great idea Peggy! Thank you for sharing that with me!
Oh..I forgot the rating…loved it! All your recipes have been very good so far! Anytime I need a recipe I check your website first! Awesome job Natasha!!
Aww that’s the best! Thank you for that wonderful compliment!
I made it with green onion and was very good too!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Would red onion be a better choice for making this type of salad? Seems like a lot of regular onion to me.
TY
Red onion would be great too!
My family doesn’t like raw onion in their tuna salad. So I spread my onion on a large plate, sprinkle the onion with olive oil and microwave for 2 minutes. PERFECT : )
Sounds great! The good thing about this recipe is that you can adjust it according to your own preference.
That is so amazing! Everyone at my house loved it!
So great to know that, Toni. Thanks for sharing and for giving this recipe an excellent review!
Tuna Salad is a must have recipe! Love that this one uses avocado, now i know it’ll be amazing!
Yes, it really works well! Thanks for your excellent rating!
I love that you added apple! It not only gave it a sweet crisp taste but it was a nice texture too. Delicious!
So glad you loved that, Jen. It does give a special taste to the the salad!
So glad you loved that, Jen. It does give a special taste to the salad!
HEALTHY????!!!!
With 1 CUP of mayo????
I don’t think so!!!!
Hi Susan, keep in mind that is for 8 serving which comes to about 2 Tbsp per person and you could definitely use less if you prefer less.
Is just as delicious when using Fat-Free Mayo too. This is a wonderful recipe we make often!
Thank you for sharing that Victoria!
I tried this today and I’m in love! It was so good! I’m curious to what you think about if i wanted to switch it up and try canned chicken instead of tuna. Just for something different every now and then.
Hi Courtney, that should work great!
Courtney I also thought this would be great with chicken. I make a chicken salad that my nephew’s Cuban grandmother always made that has green apples, green olives, celery, potatoes, hard boiled eggs and mayo and everyone loves it. The apples give it nice sweet crunch.
I’ve commented on Natashas’ delicious Tuna Salad recipe before. It is still my go-to recipe and my family and friends love it. I also add plenty of diced fresh celery to mine for extra fresh crunch and because we love celery in my house. Thank you again Natasha!!!
You’re welcome, Victoria! Thank you for the wonderful review.
Delicious! I’ve made this recipe a few times. The only thing I didn’t like was the raw onions the first time, so I substituted them with green onions and it was perfect! Also, I use whatever apple & nuts I have on hand (used toasted chopped pecans today)
Love your recipes, Natasha!
Thanks so much for what you do!
That’s a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Kate!
I knew I had to try this once I read all the fantastic reviews, but I’ll admit I was still skeptical (not usually a fan of fruit in savory salads). I’ve never been so wrong! This salad is as advertised – absolutely amazing! Easily the best tuna salad I’ve ever had – and that includes delis and other restaurants. Definitely a keeper. I love your recipes, Natasha!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review Justyna!!
Wow! Absolutely delicious! My husband and I both love it. This will become our number one tuna salad recipe.
Hi Tricia, I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Followed recipe exactly. Never thought the combo would taste so good. Thanks for another tasty recipe.
You’re so welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
Delicious Tuna Salad! The depth of flavor that the toasted almonds and apples give is fantastic. Sometimes we add a bit of fresh chopped parsley. We love it and prepare it often. Thank you Natasha!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for that great review!
Excellent! I used avocado mayo instead of regular mayo.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
I came across this on Pinterest and was intrigued by the ingredient combo. Fast forward to lunch today and I just tossed my regular recipe in the bin. This recipe is genius! I didn’t have almonds so I went on without and halved the recipe. Safe to say the ingredients went back on the list for my Saturday shopping. Pardon me while I lick the bowl….
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite! I’m so happy you discovered our blog!
Natasha, ” Dis” is some great tuna! I love this Tuna Salad Recipe! It is delicious and the toasted almonds add a great depth of flavor.
Thanks and keep the recipes coming.
Thanks Victoria! We plan on it! Another great one coming this Friday!
I feel so bad leaving this comment, I had to miss two ingredients, nuts since my wife cannot have them due to medical reasons, and the avocado was not in the cards this time. Taste test however, outstanding, the apple and the lime/lemon juice is key here, the juice needed to prevent the apple from discoloring but provides excellent flavor. I used a brown onion this time, next time I will use a red onion. Overall impression, another recipe that is worthy of 10 stars. Thank you, Natasha, even though I had to omit some items, for a excellent recipe. Next review will be with fresh cooked tuna and red onion.
You’re welcome Lee! I’m glad to hear the recipe was a success. Thanks for sharing your helpful review!
I am looking forward to making this, minus the nuts, and I will try the tuna first using fresh cooked tuna, and the chicken variant that some of the viewers have suggested, will comment on these shortly, thank you Natasha for another great recipe.
You’re welcome Lee, please do let me know what you think!
Can I use red onion instead of a regular one?
Hi Otilia, yes that would work great!
I had no idea tuna could taste so good! This recipe is brilliant. So simple yet super fresh & delicious!
I’m glad you love the recipe as much as I do Brandi! Thanks for sharing your outstanding review!
Thank you Natasha for these wonderful healthy recipes, I have a nice collection that i can turn to if i am wondering what to have for our next meal.
My pleasure Ray! I’m glad to hear how much you’re enjoying the recipes. Thanks for following!
This recipe is GENIUS! I was skeptical at first because it didn’t seem to pack much of a flavor punch- but it’s so deliciously refreshing that you don’t need to add anything else, not even salt! This recipe will become one of my go-to’s for the summer.
Awesome! I’m glad to hear you enjoy the recipe as much as I do! Thanks for sharing your excellent review Tania!
This was excellent! I made it for dinner tonight as in needed something quick and cool (temps are in the upper 80s here now). Even my 2yo ate some. Thank you!
You’re welcome Beth! I’m glad to hear the whole family enjoys the recipe! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!
If I can’t finish it on that day, how long can I keep it in the fridge?
Salt? Cucumbers? Did I miss something?
Oh dear, I was completely thinking of my other tuna salad!! I updated my reply so it makes way more sense! 😉 Thanks Beth!
Hi May, I love it most the day it is made because the apples are freshest on day 1, but it will still be good on day 2 with refrigeration.
I’m writing this comment while eating the salad. It’s truly delish. I’m keep saying “mm..mm” with a full mouth of salad😉. Your recipes are always the best !❤ Thank you Natasha!
My pleasure Kim! I’m happy to hear you enjoy my recipes! Thanks for the wonderful compliment 😀
I would put this amazing recipe under Main Course ’cause its good enough to eat as a meal! Thank you Natasha!
LOL! You’re welcome. I’m so happy to hear how much you love it Kristina! 😀
Hi Natasha,I have made this a few times now,and it’s always hit. 🙂 I have also substituted the tuna,and used chicken, which the kids like better. Thanks for a great salad recipe. 🙂 I will bookmark your site and keep looking for some yummy recipes to try. 🙂
That’s a great alternative! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review 😀
Great recipe,,I used chicken breast I had and needed to use,,everything else I used stated in the recipe and no add ins…came out great …thxs..Wife enjoyed..
You’re welcome William! I’m glad to hear you both enjoy it! Adding chicken sounds delicious 🙂
Like some others we become stagnate in making tuna. How refreshing the re ipe you posted. Excellent! Thank you.
You’re welcome Lynn! 🙂
Hi Natasha,
Just wondering if you edited the recipe? I swear I made it before but with cumin or curry powder added to it?
Hi Katrina, I haven’t changed anything about the recipe and I also haven’t tested those add-ins so maybe you were experimenting with them? I’m not sure, but I definitely have not changed the recipe 🙂
Hi Natasha! Thanks for the recipe. I have my daughter and her friend visiting with me and this morning the stars aligned!! I was looking for a different way to do tuna spread and stumbled upon your recipe and i happened to have all the ingredients needed. They loved it!!! I did what you suggested and brolied for 2 minutes with cheese. They both asked for more. Haha! This is a keeper for me. Thanks, natasha!
That’s so awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m glad you all enjoyed it.
The best tuna salad of all time!
Thank you for the great review! 🙂
How long does this keep? Does the avocado turn brown at some me point or does the lemon keep it fresh. Thanks very much, can’t wait to make this
We’ve always finished it up by day 2 but it does keep overnight in the fridge and the lemon juice does help to keep it fresh.
My family is addicted to this tuna salad! We are from the deep South where tuna salad always consists of mayo, relish and boiled eggs. We had been eating it that way for so long and we all felt like we needed a change…this recipe did not disappoint! I send it through Pinterest to friends all the time now!
Thank you for that wonderful review! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂 P.S. Thank you so much for sharing it with your friends on Pinterest – I sure appreciate that!
I’m anxious to try this recipe but the ingredients are vague. 4 cans tuna, but how many ounces per can? It helps SO much to state the size of the ingredient, like 14 oz can, etc. Thanks!
Hi Pat, sorry I totally missed that each can is 5 oz. I hope the picture of the tuna cans helped to figure it out if you needed the answer sooner, but I did update the recipe to clarify. Thanks for asking! 🙂
I just tried it today! Omg! Really the best tuna salad I ever had! Thanks so much for the recipe! 👍🏼😄
I’m so happy you loved it! You’re very welcome 🙂
Great recipe. Added a Thai pepper and a little ginger for kick. Love the apple and avocado.
Mmm I love your add-in ideas! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hi Natasha, you’re right, this is one of the best tuna salad recipes I’ve ever had – my boyfriend’s recipe is now a close 2nd! 🙂 I made this today for lunch, so here’s how I improvised slightly coz this is what I had in my fridge/freezer: to the tuna-avocado mixture, I used toasted walnuts instead, lime juice, added cucumber, Empire apples, mixed the mayo with French’s mustard with horseradish, s&p and topped it all onto a fresh croissant; but for your other readers, just TRY the tuna melts – they don’t disappoint! Also, I can get ‘no drain’ cans of solid white tuna by Goldseal up here, not even a half tsp of water squeezed out. Thanks for a tasty and healthy lunch! Janet
Thank you for the fantastic review! 🙂
Just made this…so delicious!
Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Hi Oksana, you’re very welcome :). I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This tuna salad ROCKED my world! So yummy on toasted Gluten Free whole-grain bread. Best homemade tuna salad I’ve ever made, thank you!
I happen to be at my sisters house and I read that comment to her. She loved hearing it since that was her recipe. Thank you for sharing your great review!
Mmm… this sounds amazing! 🙂 I’m excited to try this version. My family and I also make it even healthier by eating tuna salad as lettuce wraps – we buy the hearts of romaine from Costco and use them as lettuce bowls for lettuce tacos.
Oh my goodness that sounds amazing as lettuce wraps! Thanks for the great idea!
I made this and it was good cold. I tried toasting it on bread with cheese and I didn’t like that at all.
Hi Masha, I’m glad you liked it cold. What kind of cheese did you use when toasting?
I like tuna salad better than melts too. 🙂 didn’t try this particular recipe hot though
Just made this salad and o gosh i can hardly breathe right now😱😟. It’s the bomb. I got too carried away and ate way more than i should have. I especially liked the add of apples it makes this salad so fresh and delicious. Thank you!
Yes!! I’m so happy you discovered it and loved it :). I just sent a screen shot of your comment to my sister (since this is her recipe). Thank you!
Making this salad second day in a row (didn’t have tuna today so used a can of mackerel). Made lavash wraps cut into bite size rolls. Also, used plain Greek yogurt in place of mayo. It came out amazing! Thank you, Natasha, to you and your sister 🙂
Inna, thank for such a nice review and great job improvising the recipe .😁
This stuff is awesome! Thankyou for this great recipe and so very healthy! Thank your sis too she made perfection:) I even made tuna melts and you cannot go wrong with this its just amazing! For anyone who is doubting this you will be surprised when you try it out you will fall in love with it…… I did:))
Thank you so much for the awesome review! I will share that with my sister 🙂
Tell your sis she got some talent in creating salads like these! I made exactly as the recipe says, and couldn’t believe what the green apple, avocado, and almond slivers could do to TUNA! Amazing! Got guests to try it, so we will see how they like it. I will make them guess what are all the secret ingredients in it. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I’ll make sure to tell her. This was all her creative genius! 🙂 thank you for the awesome review!
Question: we all know avocado turns brown. How does it hold up here? How long can you store the salad without discoloration?
Hi Sasha, I’ve had it look pretty good at day 3 before we finished it off. The avocado has a coating of mayo and lemon juice so it does not really discolor.
Ohhh…your salad looks SO good! I’m such a fan of avocado in tuna salad. I usually add cucumbers, cilantro, avocado, red onion and ton of lime juice (no mayo at all). It’s so good 🙂
Oh wow that sounds like a nice healthier spin on it!
Made just like your directions, how many servings? Is the nutrition info for the entire bowl?
Hi LeAnne, this recipe makes for 8 servings that nutritional info is based on 1/8 of the recipe. I hope that helps.
My tuna salad is boring compared to this. Just tuna, celery, onion, lemon juice, S & P.
Love the addition of avocado, toasted almonds and apples.
This salad makes clean eating a pleasure!
I hope you try those add-ins. It really makes the salad pop!
The only way my kids eat avocado is in tuna salads or smoothies. Lol I will have to try with the apple and almonds. Btw, have you tried making your own mayo? It’s so easy and tastes much better 😁😋
I have not tried making my own, mostly because it’s so easy to just buy it. Now that I know it tastes better, I will definitely be trying it! Thanks for sharing that with me. 🙂
I’m a HUGE fan of tuna, and this recipe will taste absolutely DELICIOUS on croissants!! I’ve already subscribed to your channel on Youtube, and pinning your recipes on Pintrest. 🙂
Thank you so much for subscribing and sharing my recipes on Pinterest! I really appreciate it! I love your idea of putting this tuna salad on croissant’s. That sounds so delicious!
LOL Love your ‘accent’!! 😀
Thank you kindly 😉 ha ha I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I know what I’m making RIGHT NOW!! Looks delicious! Luckily, I have everything. LOVE when that happens 🙂
Me too! That’s the best! I hope you love this recipe 🙂
Wow… definitely will try it tomorrow.
I ate tuna salads with celery, grapes, shrimps but never with avocado and apple… Off to store to buy an apple and almonds.
Thanks for sharing.
You’re so welcome. I hope you love it! 🙂
ok I made a little bit different to try how does it work tuna salad with Avocado, and it was delicious…
Thank you so much..
I have all the ingredients. I should give it a try. My kids love anything tuna.
Oh awesome!! My son was never a fan but my hubby and I both love it :). I hope you all enjoy this recipe!