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The best tuna sandwich doesn’t have to be boring, nor does it have to be complex! Celery, scallions, lemon, and Dijon do the trick.

Close up of a tuna sandwich with lettuce on white kitchen counter.

Jazz up That Tuna Sandwich, Will Ya?

I love the simplicity of a tuna sandwich, but the tuna sandwiches I made myself when I was younger needed some serious zhuzhing up. Still, I didn’t want to overcomplicate things; a tuna sandwich should be easy.

This recipe adds just the right things to your standard tuna sandwich to make it creamy, a little crunchy, and really bright in flavor. Served on  slightly toasted bread or with crackers for scooping, and you’ve got yourself the perfect lunch.

Easy Peasy Ingredients

  • Bread
  • Canned tuna, packed in water
  • Mayonnaise
  • Celery
  • Scallions
  • Dijon mustard
  • Lemon
  • Sea salt and cracked black pepper
Opened can of tuna next to pinch bowls of scallions, celery, mayo, Dijon, and a halved lemon.

Shopping for Tuna Responsibly

Check out my Fish & Seafood to learn more about shopping sustainably.

Which Brands of Canned Tuna Are Safe and Sustainable?

According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch list, the following brands are your best choice for sustainable tuna:

  • American Tuna
  • Fishing Vessel St. Jude
  • Mind Fish Co.
  • Ocean Naturals
  • Safe Catch
  • Wild Planet
  • Whole Foods 365

Here’s How to Make the Best Tuna Sandwich

  1. Drain the tuna, then pop it into a small mixing bowl along with the mayonnaise, chopped celery, sliced scallions, Dijon, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir until it’s thoroughly mixed. Taste and add more salt if necessary.
  2. Lightly toast some bread.
  3. Spread half of the tuna salad over a slice of toasted bread, then top with some nice mixed greens.
  4. Serve with a side of chips and a pickle for the ultimate lunch plate :)
  5. Alternative: snub the bread and scoop the tuna salad up with some nice whole grain crackers.
Black pottery bowl full of tuna salad mixture.

Useful Tools for This Recipe

Recipe Tips + Tricks

  1. If you prefer to use tuna in oil, you can. I recommend tuna in water because it’s a lighter option.
  2. When shopping for tuna, be sure to read the labels and look for certification labels.
  3. This recipe keeps in the fridge for 3 days, tops. I recommend making small batches.
SIde shot of tuna sandwich with greens on plate with pickles and chips.

Have You Made This Recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR rating & commenting below with feedback!

You can also show off your creations on Instagram by tagging @killing__thyme

Other Canned Tuna Recipes You’ll Love:

5 from 9 votes

The Best Tuna Sandwich

The best tuna sandwich doesn't have to be boring, nor does it have to be complex! Celery, scallions, lemon, and Dijon do the trick.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
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Ingredients 

  • 4 slices of bread, lightly toasted
  • Mixed greens
  • 1 5 oz can of sustainable tuna in water, drained
  • 2 TBSP mayonnaise
  • 1 rib of celery, roughly chopped, (approx. 3 TBSP)
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced, (approx. 2 TBSP)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • Sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Place the drained tuna into a small mixing bowl and flake it. Then add the mayonnaise, celery, scallions, Dijon, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
  • Stir everything well until thoroughly mixed; taste and adjust salt if needed. Set aside.
  • Lightly toast some bread, and spread half of the tuna salad over a slice. Top it with some mixed greens.
  • Serve your sandwich with a side of chips and a pickle for the ultimate lunch plate!
  • Alternatively, you can snub the bread and enjoy the tuna salad by scooping it up with crackers. Or, make it a wrap!

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 418kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g
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5 from 9 votes (1 rating without comment)

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16 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is really good! I usually just make a sandwich the first time around and then I eat the leftovers for a day or two with Wasa crackers :)

  2. 5 stars
    This is such a yummy tuna sandwich! Perfect when I want to do something a little extra special for lunch, I’ll definitely be making this one again. Thanks for the recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    Love the crunch and flavour of the celery in this sandwich and so quick and delicious too.

  4. 5 stars
    A tuna sandwich is a classic and always enjoyed for lunch! I never added lemon to it before but really loved it! This recipe definitely took this sandwich up a notch!

  5. 5 stars
    I had this scrumptious tuna as a sandwich yesterday and then today wrapped in lettuce as a tuna wrap – I think it would be great in pita bread also. The Dijon really gives it a nice flavor.

  6. 5 stars
    I love a good tuna sandwich; this combo is light and fresh and lets the flavor of the tuna shine through.

  7. 5 stars
    This was everything a gourmet sandwich should be, and then some! Quick, easy and delicious; definitely, a new favorite recipe!