When I was a child, lunchtime on Fridays during Lent usually meant one of my mom’s tuna salad sandwiches served on Wonder Bread.
Mom’s simple tuna salad recipe included a spoonful of sweet pickle relish, celery, onion, and a dollop of mayonnaise. Her sandwich always had a leaf of iceberg lettuce, and she would add a handful of potato chips and some celery or carrot sticks to our plates. And back in the 1950’s no lunch would be complete without a dish of canned peaches or pears to round out the meal.
I still like a good tuna salad sandwich once in awhile, especially on Fridays, but I’ve “doctored up” the recipe over the years, and my addition of whole grain mustard takes my sandwich in a whole new direction!
The most important step in making any good tuna salad is the most obvious one…to use high quality tuna! Some people prefer fish packed in oil, and others (like me) prefer the water packed variety. Since my recipe contains mayonnaise, I don’t like the extra calories and the heaviness that comes with the oil packed fish. If you do choose to use the oil packed kind, make sure the fish is packed in a high quality olive oil, since nobody wants the taste of rancid oil to permeate their sandwiches! My current favorite brand is called Northern Catch Solid White Albacore Tuna Packed in Water, sold at Aldi grocery stores. (It’s really good and so is the price!)
RECIPE UPDATE – Oct. 2018 – Since I wrote this original recipe last year, I am no longer a “Mayo Snob.” I now use the store brand from Aldi Grocery Stores called Burman’s. It tastes every bit as good as my old standby Hellman’s…at a fraction of the cost. (If you can’t taste the difference..why pay the difference!)
Here are the ingredients I add to that can of drained tuna…
The best part about this quick lunch is just that. You can chop up the ingredients and stir it all together in about five minutes!
I serve it on thick, toasted Italian bread for an extra crunch. Add some fresh spinach leaves, slices of red ripe tomato, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and…
Lunch is served!
I hope you like my version…during Lent or all year long.
(And I bet my mom would like it too.)
- 1 (5 oz). can Solid White Albacore Tuna, drained
- 3-4 green onions, diced (use both green and white
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 2 Tblsp. fresh minced parsley
- 1/4 C. mayonnaise (I use Burman's Mayo from Aldi)
- 2 Tblsp.Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp. vinegar (I use either Apple Cider or Balsamic vinegar)
- 2 tsp. white sugar
- 1 tsp whole grain Dijon mustard
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
- Chill (if you have time) and serve
- I like to make a sandwich using a good quality, toasted Italian bread, tuna salad, sliced tomato and fresh spinach leaves. Or stuff the tuna salad mixture into a ripe, red tomato. Either way...it's a YUM.
Also one of my Mom’s favorites that we grew up on -on Fridays– still love it today and will be trying your few additions to one of my favorites — thanks
Linda
There is nothing like Hellman’s!!! I do a simpler version. Just Hellman’s, celery, onion, olives and or dill pickles (I’m a “tart” tastier), and usually eat it on Saltine Crackers nowadays. My husband like his fixed with Miracle Whip sweet pickles and onion. But, I’ll try yours. Except I’m not sure about the sugar and vinegar? What does that add to it? Especially if you don’t care for a sweet taste???
You’ll just have to try it to find out, Margie! If you like a more tart taste I would add more vinegar and less sugar, but I love the sweet and tart combination! ENJOY!
Have you tried Burman’s real mayonnaise from Aldi’s? I only liked Hellman’s too until my friend told me Burman’s taste like Hellman’s. So, I bought it and we both agree it taste like Hellman’s, just cheaper. I love Aldi’s. I’m not a big tuna fan, but your recipe and photos look so good, I believe I’ll be trying this one. Thank you.
Good Morning Dynna! You won’t believe this…but I just had a conversation YESTERDAY about Burman’s mayo! I told my daughter in law that I love all the Aldi’s brands but I have never tried Burman’s….and Sara told me they use it all the time and they love it. So guess what? I think I’ll be buying a jar when my Hellman’s jar is empty next time. Thanks again for your comment…and stay tuned for my review of yet another awesome Aldi product. (And no…this is NOT a sponsored post for Aldi…but I wish it was!) 🙂
XOXO
Meemaw
Okay it is 11:37pm and I found you on FB under the Aldi page, from there you told me about your blog where you had a recipe for a dry rub seasoning and here I am!!! My husband works the early morning shift so it’s often that I will try to make him something to brown bag to work. I decided to make your tuna fish salad what can I say????? OMG this is the BEST recipe I have ever had in a tuna salad. I made one batch and it will go with him tomorrow to work. I turned around and made a second batch to keep at home for my lunch tomorrow but I ate a sandwich while making this because it is so tasty!!! I love the crunchiness and the slightly sweet flavor I catch while I bite into this. This will be my go to tuna salad from now on. My kitchen is well stocked that I had all the ingredients available to make this. I might make a batch for my adult daughters to give them a taste of this wonderful recipe – MANY THANKS!!!!
LOL! Thank you from the bottom of my heart Grace! Your comment literally made me laugh out loud! (I was reading in early this morning while I was still in bed…and I woke my hubby when I laughed!) 🙂 I started writing my blog to leave our family recipes and stories as a legacy for our grandchildren…but I am thrilled when readers like you take the time to let me know you read and enjoy the content. (BTW…since the time when I wrote that blog post I have ceased being a “mayo snob” and I have been converted to Burmans Mayo from Aldi. It’s fantastic…and tastes exactly like Hellman’s. I’ll update the info right now.) I welcome ALL my Dear Readers with open arms. So join me on the road…and in my kitchen. (There is ALWAYS something cooking for this old Meemaw!) 🙂 And thank you again for my first laugh of the day today!!! 🙂
I totally agree with Aldi’s Burman Mayo! So good IMHO better than Hellman’s!
Thanks for your comment Ronald! I say why pay more when you don’t have to! I’m just sorry I was a “mayo snob” for all those years…especially since I’ve been a loyal Aldi shopper since the 1970s!!!
XOXO
Meemaw
Your recipes looks delish but curious about the Panko breadcrumbs. Is this just for texture? 🤔
Thanks for your question Lori! I add the Panko crumbs for two reasons. The coarse crumbs add some bulk to the mixture and they “stretch” that little can of tuna just a little more. Always on the lookout for making more with less! 🙂
XOXO
Meemaw