• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
CaliGirl Cooking
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Kids & Baby
  • Meal Planning Services
  • Shop My Amazon Store
  • Contact
×

Home » Kids & Baby » Baby- and Kid-Friendly Recipes » Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Published June 5, 2019 | Updated Jun 17, 2020 by Robin Deem 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Once you try this easy recipe for Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwiches, you’ll never wonder what to make for lunch again!

A Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwich cut in half on a plate with produce behind it.

Sometimes the simplest things are the best things.

Does anyone else have fond childhood memories of tuna salad sandwiches? They’re a classic lunchbox staple – perfect for field trips and picnics – however, in our house they were usually reserved for the weekends because Dad worked during the week and, well, Dad made the absolute best tuna salad sandwiches!

On the rare weekend we were actually home relaxing and not at some volleyball tournament or dance competition, my Dad would pop out to the garage around 12:30 or so and come back with a trusty can or two of tuna to whip up some salad sammies in just a few quick minutes. They were simple, but they were oh-so-good. And they had one secret ingredient that I’m going to let you in on in today 😉

SO HOW DO YOU MAKE TUNA SALAD HEALTHY?

While my Dad’s tuna salad sandwiches were delicious, they definitely weren’t what I would consider “healthy.” The tuna salad had a decent amount of mayo, and I’m still quite sad that my unnecessarily strict relationship with food in some of my early teen years held me back from enjoying those sandwiches every time my Dad made them. BUT, one good thing that came out of those struggles with food was the idea that things like Dad’s tuna salad (and many other indulgences he made) could be lightened up by just a couple of simple swaps.

A Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwich held together with a toothpick with lettuce, tomatoes and slices of bread in the background.

It didn’t take me long to realize that plain Greek yogurt was a great stand-in for most mayonnaise-based salads, and it has become one of my favorite “lightening up” hacks to this day. For example, I’ve made a couple of great chicken salads that are lighter in calories than the original, like this Healthy Curried Chicken Salad with Apples and this Protein-Packed Healthy Chicken Waldorf Salad. And you want to know my secret? I still add in a little bit of mayonnaise!

I sometimes find the tang of Greek yogurt to be a bit too much, and I find myself missing the good stuff, so I still throw some in. I find it helps trick my brain into thinking I’m eating the indulgent version of something, with a lot fewer calories.

WHAT’S THIS “SECRET SAUCE”?

No, it’s not the Greek yogurt. I hinted earlier at a secret ingredient I felt really took my Dad’s tuna salad over the top and now I’m going to tell you what it is!

KETCHUP.

That’s right, my friends, we put ketchup in our tuna salad. Sacrilegious? No. Delicious? Yes.

It adds a slight sweetness and almost umami taste to the mix, and I honestly no longer like most tuna salads that don’t have this secret sauce. Give it a try, my friends. You won’t be sorry.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO MAKE A HEALTHY TUNA SALAD SANDWICH?

The easy answer: Not much!

A Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwich cut in half and ready to enjoy.

Seriously, the tuna salad itself uses just the four ingredients I’ve mentioned (tuna, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise and ketchup) plus a little garlic powder, salt and pepper. You can also add in some diced celery if you like, I’m just not a huge celery fan so I choose to omit it. But it’s so easy! You can’t afford NOT to make this ASAP.

The only other components you need to make these delicious Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwiches are some good bread (anything works, but I like soft sliced multigrain bread like Dave’s Killer Bread), sliced fresh tomato and crispy green lettuce.

And if you find yourself REALLY missing the mayo, go ahead and spread some on the bread. (Oooo…or for some extra creaminess, some nutrient-dense avocado!) I know there are strong camps on either side of the toasted bread equation, but I personally find a tuna salad sandwich on lightly toasted bread (not too crunchy, not too soft) the absolute BEST.

Do you have any secret ingredients you put in your tuna salad sandwiches? I want to know in the comments below!

A Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwich cut in half on a plate with produce behind it.

Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Once you try this easy recipe for Quick-and-Healthy Tuna Salad Sandwiches, you’ll never wonder what to make for lunch again!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 202kcal
Author: CaliGirl Cooking

Equipment

  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Spoon
  • 1/3 cup measure
  • Tablespoon
  • 1/2 teaspoon measure

Ingredients

For the tuna salad:

  • 2 5-ounce cans water-packed tuna, drained
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Diced celery (optional)

For the sandwiches:

  • 8 slices soft sandwich bread (I prefer Dave's Killer Bread) Lightly toasted, if desired
  • Lettuce
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Avocado (optional)

Instructions

  • Place all tuna salad ingredients in a medium bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.
  • Spread mixture onto prepared bread to make 4 sandwiches. Add lettuce, tomato and avocado (if using) to complete the sandwich and serve!

Notes

  1. DISH DENSITY: Low
  2. If the Greek yogurt is too tangy for you, feel free to increase the mayo as you decrease the amount of Greek yogurt. Just keep in mind that the mayo isn't quite the nutritional powerhouse that the yogurt is!
  3. This is a great option to make ahead for packed lunches during the week as it requires no reheating. 
  4. It's also great for baby-led weaning if your child does not have a seafood allergy.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 166IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CaliGirlCooking or tag #CaliGirlCooking!
« The Best Vegetable Preparations for Baby-Led Weaning
Creative Baby and Toddler Lunch Ideas »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renée Wink

    October 04, 2019 at 11:35 pm

    5 stars
    My trick is a quarter to half teaspoon of quality pickle relish or finely chopped crunchy pickles. A little is better.

    Reply
    • Robin Deem

      October 05, 2019 at 11:34 am

      Yes, this is a great addition!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Robin! I'm a busy mom, food blogger and online educator empowering other mamas to find their very own recipe for a balanced life through meal planning, easy recipes and organizational techniques. I look forward to getting to know you and teaching you my tried and true tricks!

Popular Recipes

Three jars of Oat Milk Chia Pudding topped with Blueberry Orange Compote on a wooden serving plank.

Oat Milk Chia Pudding with Blueberry Orange Compote

A mug of Sleepytime Lavender Milk is the perfect bedtime treat for a good night's sleep.

Sleepytime Lavender Milk

Three-Ingredient Calabrian Chili Spread | CaliGirlCooking.com

The Easiest Three-Ingredient Calabrian Chili Sauce

Spicy Poke Bowls | CaliGirlCooking.com

Spicy Poke Bowls

BEST MEMORIAL DAY RECIPES

Ginger Peach Cobbler

Easy Mango Salsa

Honey, Peach & Basil Two-Cheese Grilled Cheese | CaliGirl Cooking

Honey, Peach & Basil Two-Cheese Grilled Cheese

A big bowl of refreshing Watermelon Caprese Salad with Prosciutto. The perfect summer salad!

Watermelon Caprese Salad with Prosciutto

Copyright © 2020 CaliGirl Cooking · Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement

7 shares
7 shares