Mexican Tuna Salad

Mexican Tuna Salad spices up a classic, for a high-protein lunch or snack. Tomatoes, avocado, taco sauce, sour cream and lime juice help make this salad a hit.

I don’t make it often, but tuna salad is one of my favorite things to make for lunch. And Mexican is my favorite “theme” to serve for dinner (if I had to choose). So it makes sense for me to combine the two. Turns out, Mexican-style flavors work really well with tuna. I enjoyed this Mexican Tuna Salad scooped into an avocado half, served with corn tortilla chips for dipping. This is a tasty, healthy lunch or snack option that can work for those who are carb-conscious too. Simply replace the tortilla chips with sliced red bell peppers for dipping.

Ingredients for Mexican Tuna Salad Recipe

• Wild Caught Albacore White Tuna – use two, 6.4 ounce pouches; there is no need to drain them
• Mayonnaise – I like Duke’s or Hellman’s the best
• Sour Cream – lightens the dressing a bit instead of using all mayonnaise, plus goes along with the Mexican theme
• Taco Sauce – Taco Bell Mild Sauce is the absolute best taco sauce, in my opinion
• Lemon Juice – the lemon juice adds flavor and helps to prevent the fresh avocado from turning brown
• Lime Juice – the lime juice pairs well with the avocado, lime, cilantro and taco sauce for a familiar, Mexican-style flavor
• Pickled Jalapeno Peppers – I use the canned slices of jalapeño that are commonly used as a topping for nachos
• Salt
• Avocado – use one small avocado; here is a helpful tutorial for how to cut an avocado
• Tomato – use a sharp knife to help finely chop the tomato

How to make Mexican Tuna Salad

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, taco sauce, lemon and lime juices and salt until smooth. Add the finely chopped jalapeño pepper and stir until combined.

In a larger bowl, add the tuna and use a fork to break it up. Add the chopped avocado and tomato. Add the mayonnaise and taco sauce dressing and stir until well combined.

This salad can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

Do I have to use cilantro?

Genetics are why people either love or hate cilantro. If you are one of those who are turned off by cilantro because it tastes like soap, definitely skip the cilantro in this recipe. It will still taste delicious without it.

How many calories are in a 1/2 cup of tuna salad?

In 1/2 cup of my recipe for Mexican Tuna Salad, there are about 194 calories. I personally like a more generous serving, so the recipe card is calculated for 4 servings, which is a generous 3/4 cup. So if you divide this recipe into four servings, it’s 258 calories. Either way, it’s a relatively healthy meal that is packed with protein.

Is tuna salad a good source of protein?

Yes! A 4-ounce serving of water-packed, Albacore (white) tuna contains about 26 grams of protein. And the addition of fresh avocado to this tuna salad recipe increases both the protein and healthy fat content per serving.

Kitchen Tips

• Tomatoes not so ripe at the store? Here’s three ways to ripen a tomato at home.
• My favorite pairing knife for chopping tomatoes.
• Chef’s knife for helping to prepare the avocado.
• Brand of tuna I use in this recipe.

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More Mexican Recipes

• Air Fryer Mexican Pizza
• Mexican Rice and Bean Soup
• Slow Cooker Taco Soup
• Chicken Soft Tacos
• Air Fryer Chimichangas