Avocado Tuna Salad

This is what to make when there is nothing in the house. Tinned tuna and a ripe avocado are both things you can keep on hand, and together they are a genuine meal.

Drain the tuna hard. That single step is the difference between a creamy salad and a wet one.

MyAvocadoTree Editorial TeamPublished 4 September 2026Updated 4 September 2026
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Bowl of tuna and avocado salad with red onion and lemon

Prep

5 min

Cook

No cooking

Total

5 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Cuisine

International

  • High protein
  • No cooking
  • Gluten-free

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1

    Drain the tuna thoroughly, pressing the lid down firmly to squeeze out the liquid.

  2. 2

    Mash the avocado in a bowl with the lemon juice, salt and pepper.

  3. 3

    Flake in the tuna and fold, keeping some texture rather than mashing it smooth.

  4. 4

    Stir through the onion, celery, parsley and chilli flakes if using.

  5. 5

    Serve on toast, in lettuce cups, with crackers, or stuffed into a tomato.

Recipe tips

  • Tuna in water gives a cleaner result here. Tuna in oil works but you will need less avocado and more lemon.
  • Chill for ten minutes before eating if you have time — it firms up and tastes less flat.
  • For a keto lunch, serve in lettuce cups or a halved cucumber rather than on bread.
  • A teaspoon of capers or chopped gherkin lifts it noticeably.

Nutrition (approximate)

Estimated per serving from the ingredient quantities above. Treat these as a guide, not a measurement — ripeness, brands and portioning all shift the numbers.

Calories
320 kcal
Protein
28 g
Carbs
8 g
Fat
20 g
Fibre
7 g

Storage

Keeps one day in the fridge in a sealed container with film on the surface. Fish and avocado both deteriorate quickly, so do not push it further.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use tinned salmon instead?

Yes, and it works well. Drain it just as thoroughly and remove any bones and skin if you prefer.

Do I need mayonnaise as well?

No. A ripe avocado binds the tuna on its own. If yours is firm, add a spoon of curd rather than mayonnaise.

Is this suitable for a low-carb diet?

As written it is about 8 g of carbohydrate per serving, most of it fibre from the avocado. Served on bread, that changes.

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