Best 4 Tuna Pecan Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful Tuna Pecan Salad, a classic dish that tantalizes taste buds with its harmonious blend of flavors and textures. This versatile salad showcases premium tuna, crunchy pecans, crisp celery, refreshing red onion, and a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. Served chilled, it's a refreshing and satisfying meal, perfect for a light lunch, a summer picnic, or as a side dish to grilled meats. This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating this timeless salad, along with variations to suit different preferences. Discover how easy it is to elevate your culinary repertoire with this timeless classic.

**Variations:**

- For a tangy twist, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash of white vinegar to the dressing.
- To incorporate a touch of sweetness, consider adding dried cranberries or chopped apples to the salad mixture.
- Craving a spicy kick? Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeño to the dressing.
- For a vegetarian alternative, substitute the tuna with chickpeas or white beans for a protein-packed twist.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

APPLE PECAN TUNA SALAD



Apple Pecan Tuna Salad image

I grew up eating tuna salad made with sour pickles, onions, and mayonnaise. When I married, my m-in-law made a delicious tuna salad with apples as one of the main ingredients. I LOVED it and began to use that recipe. My husband likes pecans (Texas' state nut) in everything, so I always add a handful, but they are optional. It's better to begin with the chopped apple so you can sprinkle lemon juice over the pieces to keep them from turning brown. I also prefer unpeeled apples. I am saying this makes 6 servings because we like THIN sandwiches. I also sometimes make my sandwich ingredients the night before because allowing to set a while makes the flavors blend.

Provided by BDH9556

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 30m

Yield 6 sandwiches (thin), 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 small granny smith apple, unpeeled cored and chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice (or however much needed to coat apple pieces)
1 (5 ounce) can tuna fish, drained (do not use foil packaged, too fishy)
2 celery ribs, cleaned and chopped
1 tablespoon onion, grated (sweet kind is best)
5 tablespoons mayonnaise (we like the flavor and texture of "Real" better than "Lite")
1/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)
1 pinch sugar, to taste
1 pinch salt, to taste
12 slices whole wheat bread, sandwich sliced

Steps:

  • Chop unpeeled Granny Smith (or any tart, crunchy apple -- Fuji and Gala are also good).
  • Sprinkle lemon juice (fresh or bottled) over apples and toss to coat evenly.
  • Add drained tuna fish and flake, mixing with apples.
  • Add celery, onion, and mayonnaise. Amount of mayonnaise may be adjusted according to texture preference. More crumbly (less mayonnaise) is better to eat with a fork on a lettuce leaf. More "pastey" texture is better for sandwiches.
  • Taste, and add a pinch of sugar and salt if needed. (Some apples require a tiny bit of sugar).

TUNA PECAN SALAD



Tuna Pecan Salad image

An elevated version of the classic tuna salad. This is a great lunch as a sandwich or a great snack with crackers or on top of a salad.

Provided by Cindy Douglas

Categories     Salads

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 can(s) albacore tuna - 6 oz.
3/4 c toasted pecan pieces (toast 350/10 mins)
1/2 c water chestnuts-chopped
1/2 c finely diced celery
1/2 medium squeezed lemon
1/4 tsp black pepper. to taste
3/4 c mayonnaise

Steps:

  • 1. Mix all. Can eat as a sandwich on whole grain bread or on bib lettuce drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.

NEIMAN MARCUS TUNA PECAN SALAD



NEIMAN MARCUS TUNA PECAN SALAD image

Categories     Fish

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 cans (6 oz. each) chunk white albacore tuna in spring water, drained
1/2 C finely diced celery
1/2 C sliced (1/4 inch) water chestnuts, drained
3/4 C mayonnaise
3/4 C coarsely chopped pecan pieces, toasted
Salt and pepper to taste
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, lightly break up the tuna with a fork. Add the celery, water chestnuts, and mayo, and stir well to combine. Fold in the pecan pieces, and season to taste with salt, pepper, and a squirt of lemon juice, if needed. Because the nuts can get soggy, serve immediately over a bed of greens or in sandwiches.

ORANGE PECAN TUNA SALAD



Orange Pecan Tuna Salad image

This recipe makes a nice light tuna salad. The orange and pecans add a pleasantly sweet and nutty effect, and there is no mayo! It tastes great on sandwiches, with saltines, and even plain!

Provided by BakingLizzy

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Tuna Salad Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (12 ounce) can water packed tuna, drained and flaked
1 tablespoon fat free sour cream
½ tablespoon mustard
1 ½ tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
¼ cup chopped pecans
garlic salt to taste
onion powder to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Mix together the tuna, sour cream, mustard, relish, orange juice, pecans, garlic salt, onion powder, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 221.7 calories, Carbohydrate 6.6 g, Cholesterol 34.4 mg, Fat 8.2 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 30.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 260.4 mg, Sugar 3.9 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality tuna. Look for tuna that is packed in water or olive oil, and avoid tuna that is packed in brine.
  • If you don't have any pecans on hand, you can substitute walnuts or almonds.
  • To make the salad more creamy, add a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise or sour cream.
  • If you want a more tangy salad, add a tablespoon or two of lemon juice or vinegar.
  • Serve the salad over a bed of lettuce or spinach, or use it as a sandwich filling.

Conclusion:

Tuna pecan salad is a delicious and easy-to-make salad that is perfect for lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover tuna. With its creamy texture, crunchy pecans, and tangy dressing, this salad is sure to please everyone at the table.

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