Protein Tuna Salad

If you’re looking for a high protein lunch option, this Tuna Salad Recipe with cottage cheese packs a whopping 35 grams of protein per cup!

It’s really easy to customize the ingredients to your liking as well.

I’ve been on a journey to get more protein in my diet on a daily basis. When it comes to lunches, I’m looking for quick and easy, preferably able to make ahead, and of course – delicious.

Tuna Salad is just what the doctor ordered.

Tuna Salad with Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is added to a classic tuna salad to practically double the amount of protein in each serving.

If you’re not a fan of the texture of cottage cheese, feel free to blend it along with the mayo to get a smoother consistency. But to be honest, you wont even notice the texture of the cottage cheese with the tuna.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need in order to make this tuna salad recipe. As always you can find the full list of ingredients located in the printable recipe card below.

• Tuna – canned tuna, drained
• Cottage cheese – low fat or whole milk, large or small curd, all work great.
• Celery – great for that added crunch in each bite
• Purple/Red Onion – adds great flavor to the tuna
• Mayo – for that classic creamy texture and taste
• Dijon Mustard – adds a bit of zip to the salad
• Parsley – a fresh herb brings out a nice balance

How To Make Tuna Salad

Simply combine all the tuna salad ingredients in a bowl and gently stir it together until it’s all combined.

See how easy that is?

Best kind of Tuna for Tuna Salad

When it comes to making tuna salad, you have a few options in canned tuna. There is Solid White Albacore Tuna, Chunk White Tuna, and Chunk Lite Tuna, packed in water or oil.

Solid White Albacore Tuna is best for salads because it’s mild in flavor and firmer in texture. This tuna holds up well when mixed with other ingredients, and perfect for those looking for a tuna that is not too “fishy”. But this option can be bit more pricey.

Chunk White Tuna is also made with Albacore tuna, so it’s more mild in flavor, but broken up into smaller pieces, great for salad. The cost of this can will be right in the middle.

If you are wanting a more tuna-forward flavor, try using a Chunk Light Tuna (skipjack) packed in water. It’s softer in texture, so pairing it with more crunchy ingredients can help with overall consistency in the salad. This is the cheapest can of tuna typically.

Tuna Salad Additions

The best thing about tuna salad is that you can make it super simple with just mayo, onion, celery and tuna… or jazz it up with whatever ingredients you have in the fridge.

Tangy

I love adding a bit of tang to my tuna salad to brighten up each bite. Things like – chopped dill pickles, capers, horseradish mustard or a little bit of lemon juice can add a punch of flavor.

Sweet

Adding a bit of sweetness to the savoury tuna can be a scrumptious change. Ingredients like – chopped apple, sweet pickles, crisp grapes or dried cranberries can add a surprising pop in each bite.

Spicy

Looking for a bit of a kick to your tuna? Try adding something like – chopped jalapenos, a couple dashes of tabasco, Sriracha or a few shakes of crushed red pepper to your salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Tuna salad can be made up to 3 to 5 days ahead of time, when stored in an air tight container in the fridge.

I love using these small double compartment snack containers for packing tuna salad and crackers for lunch on the go. So convenient and an easy way to hit those protein goals!

Can You Freeze Tuna Salad? I do not recommend freezing tuna salad because the mayo in the salad will separate when defrosted and it wont have the best consistency. You can, however, freeze the tuna without any add-ins if needed.

More Salad Recipes

You know I love me some creamy salad recipes. Here are a few more must-make recipes I think you’ll really enjoy.

• Classic Chicken Salad Recipe – seriously the best with grapes in each bite!
• Creamy Crab Salad – packed with protein, fresh lemon and dill.
• Lemon Caper Egg Salad – the mix of creamy goodness with zesty capers is unstoppable.
• Chicken Apple Salad Wraps – sweet cranberries and apples pop with the creamy and cool chicken.

You’re going to LOVE this classic tuna salad recipe and that extra punch of protein!