• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Family Food Kitchen logo

  • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Dinner
    • Sweet Stuff
      • Cakes
      • Dessert
      • Snacks
    • Holidays
  • Easy Dinners
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Sheet Pan Dinners
    • One Pot Meals
    • Slow Cooked Dinners
    • Soup
    • Salads
    • Sides
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • About
    • Work With Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers
  • Dinner
  • - 30 Minute Meals
  • - Sheet Pan Dinners
  • - One Pot Meals
  • - Slow Cooked Dinners
  • - Soup
  • - Salads
  • - Sides
  • Sweet Stuff
  • Holidays
  • About
  • Work With Me
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Dinner » Salads » Mexican Tuna Salad (Ensalada de Atún)

    Mexican Tuna Salad (Ensalada de Atún)

    Sep 11, 2023 · 2 Comments

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    JUMP TO RECIPE

    This Mexican Tuna Salad recipe is a great twist on a traditional tuna salad. So easy to make, simply combine lime juice and creamy mayo with cilantro, tomatoes, cucumbers and diced jalapeno for a touch of heat. Perfect for meal prep, lunches, sandwiches and wraps - this will be your new family favorite salad. 

    A white plate topped with Mexican tuna salad served in individual salad leaves with a wedge of lime set alongside.

    This healthy Mexican tuna salad recipe is packed with creamy dressing and crunchy vegetables. Serve with lettuce wraps for a low carb option or liven up your tuna salad sandwiches! Tuna Mexican salad is my favorite thing to make with canned tuna and the kids will even request this too - served as a tuna salad wrap.

    Why You'll Love This Mexican Tuna Salad (Ensalada de Atun)

    • This easy tuna salad can be prepared ready to enjoy in just 10 minutes.
    • You will likely have most of the ingredients in your refrigerator and larder at home.
    • Tuna is an oily fish and this tasty Mexican salad recipe is a great way of getting kids to enjoy seafood.
    • Perfect for meal prep you can make this ahead of time and allow the flavors to intensify.
    • A great gluten free and low carb option for a healthy lunch or light meal.
    • Try some of my other favorite salad recipes:
      • Arugula Burrata Salad with Balsamic
      • Beet & Yogurt Salad
      • Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
      • Easy Quinoa Caprese Salad
      • Fall Kale Salad
    A glass bowl filled with canned tuna and mayonnaise being mixed with a fork, and fresh limes and jalapeno pepper set alongside.

    Mexican Tuna Salad Ingredients

    Find the full list and quantities in the recipe card below.

    Tuna Fish- use any variety of canned tuna, in oil, or spring water, whichever is your preference. I love Wild Planet.

    Mayonnaise - I use store bought mayonnaise, but you can use homemade mayo if you have it - or cut the mayo with yogurt for a lighter version.

    Vegetables- I've added a combination of finely sliced red onion, tomatoes and cucumber. Use any other veggies you enjoy like celery, bell peppers or corn.

    Herbs - I chopped through some fresh cilantro, but parsley would also work in this salad. 

    Chili - I've added a finely chopped jalapeno pepper, this is entirely optional and you can leave it out if you prefer.

    How to Make Mexican Tuna Salad - Step-By-Step

    Find the full printable recipe below. 

    Flake the drained tuna into a mixing bowl then add lime juice and mayonnaise to the bowl and mix well until all ingredients are coated evenly. 

    Add more mayo if you want a creamier consistency.

    Add the diced red onion, tomato, cucumber and jalapeno pepper (if using).

    A glass bowl filled with canned tuna and mayonnaise being mixed with a fork.

    Stir through chopped fresh cilantro. 

    Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the amount according to your preference.

    A glass bowl of Mexican tuna salad topped with freshly chopped cilantro.

    Serve the Mexican Tuna Salad on lettuce leaves. You can also use it as a filling for tacos, wraps, or sandwiches if you prefer.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is tuna salad healthy?

    Yes, tuna salad is a healthy salad, as tuna is an oil fish, something we should all be enjoying in our weekly diets.

    I add fresh vegetables to the tuna salad which as well as adding crunch and texture, are packed full of healthy nutrients. If you want to reduce the amount of mayo you use it's fine to sub in regular or non-fat plain greek yogurt too.

    What is the best kind of tuna to use for tuna salad?

    I recommend using a good quality canned tuna, in either spring water or oil, whichever you prefer.

    What can I use as substitute for mayonnaise in tuna salad?

    My favorite substitute for mayonnaise in tuna salad, is Greek yogurt, a thick natural yogurt, or sour cream, all of which will give the same thick texture and just a touch of acidity.

    What can I make with leftover canned tuna?

    Leftover canned tuna can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use it in your favorite sandwich or tuna salad wrap.

    Great to stir through some cold pasta, with salad vegetables and a vinaigrette dressing to make a tuna pasta salad. Or swap the pasta for a can of mixed beans, to make a tuna and bean salad.

    A white plate topped with Mexican tuna salad served in individual salad leaves with a wedge of lime set alongside.

    Variations & Substitutions for this tasty Mexican Tuna salad

    • If you don't have red onion, a shallot or green onions are the best alternative.
    • I've used freshly chopped cilantro, but you could also use fresh parsley with tuna.
    • Lemon juice is the best substitution if you have no lime juice.
    • If you don't have romaine lettuce you can use iceberg lettuce. Tostada shells or tortilla chips are also great to serve alongside this 
    • I've added a jalapeno pepper with the seeds removed. If you prefer your tuna salad milder, leave it out. Or if you prefer it spicier, don't remove the seeds.
    • You can add tons of fresh veggies to this mix. Corn kernels and diced red bell pepper are also great. Similarly black olives work well too.
    • For an even more high protein salad, add in black beans.
    • For a bright flavor and some spice, add some hot sauce.
    • Avocado tuna salad is also delicious - just make sure you use ripe avocados and stir them into the mix.

    Tips & Tricks For Making Tuna Mexican Salad

    You can serve this straight away but if you have time to make this 30 minutes in advance you'll find the flavors meld together nicely.

    Add some more mayo and/or sour cream and you can use this as a Mexican Tuna Dip.

    How To Serve Mexican Style Tuna

    I've chosen to serve this Mexican salad as an easy appetizer on fresh salad leaves which add great texture and crunch.

    This Mexican tuna salad recipe also makes the tastiest tuna salad sandwich, or tuna salad wrap.

    How to store leftover Tuna Salad?

    If you have leftover tuna salad, place it in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

    Pin This Mexican Tuna Salad (Ensalada de Atún) Recipe For Later

    A pinnable image with recipe title and a white plate topped with Mexican tuna salad served in individual salad leaves with a wedge of lime set alongside.

    What Do You Think?!

    I'd love to know what you think about this recipe! I'd be so grateful if you scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a star rating and comment.

    Don't forget to go over to Facebook and Instagram and make sure you're following me so you can join in the chat. And remember to save this recipe to your Pinterest too!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    More Easy Salad Recipe Ideas

    • Burrata & Prosciutto
    • Beet & Yogurt Salad (Patzarosalata)
    • Arugula Burrata Salad with Balsamic
    • Roasted Delicata Squash Salad with Tahini Dressing (Vegan)

    Printable Recipe

    Mexican Tuna Salad (Ensalada de Atún)

    This Mexican Tuna Salad recipe is a great twist on a traditional tuna salad. So easy to make, simply combine lime juice and creamy mayo with cilantro, tomatoes, cucumbers and diced jalapeno for a touch of heat. Perfect for meal prep, lunches, sandwiches and wraps - this will be your new family favorite salad. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Share Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Ingredient, Salad, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 234 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 10 oz Canned Tuna - drained
    • ½ Lime - juice only
    • ⅓ cup Mayonnaise
    • ½ cup Red Onion - finely diced
    • ½ cup Tomatoes - finely diced
    • ½ cup Cucumber - finely diced
    • ¼ cup Fresh Cilantro (Coriander) - finely chopped
    • 1 Jalapeno Pepper - seeds removed, finely chopped (optional)
    • Sea Salt and Black Pepper - to taste

    To Serve

    • Fresh Salad Leaves

    Instructions
     

    • Flake the tuna with a fork into a mixing bowl.
    • Add lime juice and mayonnaise to the bowl and mix well until all ingredients are coated evenly. You can add more mayo if desired for a creamier consistency.
    • Add the diced red onion, tomato, cucumber and jalapeno pepper (if using).
    • Stir through the chopped fresh cilantro,
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the amount according to your preference.
    • Serve the Mexican Tuna Salad on lettuce leaves. You can also use it as a filling for tacos, wraps, or sandwiches if you prefer.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 17gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 388mgPotassium: 281mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 265IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be taken as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and the Family Food Kitchen can't guarantee the accuracy of this information.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Easy Bavette Steak (Flank Steak)
    Burrata & Prosciutto »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carol says

      September 28, 2023 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      Quick & easy lunch store cupboard ingredients. The children love it, such a good way to get them to eat fish

      Reply
      • Jo Keohane says

        September 28, 2023 at 3:18 pm

        Thanks so much for your comment!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Jo Family Portrait

    I'm Jo. As a recipe developer and busy mum of 3, I can help you eat well when time is short! This blog contains loads of delicious, fast and easy-to-achieve recipes. Follow along and feed your family with less stress.

    Browse by Category

    Latest Recipes

    Red Chimichurri - Chimichurri Rojo

    Burrata & Prosciutto

    Mexican Tuna Salad (Ensalada de Atún)

    Easy Bavette Steak (Flank Steak)

    Easy Tofu Bolognese with Mushrooms

    Easy Lamb Jalfrezi

    Footer

    About

    • About The Family Food Kitchen
    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimers

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me

    Copyright © 2020 The Family Food Kitchen