This Tuna Cabbage Salad recipe is the perfect solution for quick, budget-friendly meals. Whether you're making it for lunch or meal prep, it’s sure to satisfy your taste buds while keeping your grocery budget in check.
Recipe: $5.08 | Per Serving: $2.54 | Servings: 2
With just a few simple ingredients, it brings together the perfect balance of crunchy cabbage, tangy Greek yogurt, and the savory goodness of tuna.
This Tuna Salad recipe is one of our favorite go-to meals for busy days when we need something quick, light, and filling. Best of all? It's completely customizable to your tastes. With the flexibility to add extra ingredients like corn, apples, or pickles, this salad is as unique as your cravings.
Tuna is an affordable and versatile protein, making it a fantastic addition to your meal plan. If you're a fan of quick and easy tuna recipes like this one, you’ll also love our Spicy Tuna Sandwich, Air Fryer Tuna Melt, and Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole.
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🍯 Why This Recipe Works
- Minimal prep: This Tuna Salad is fresh, frugal, and fast. You can throw it together with pantry and fridge staples, making it perfect for busy days. All you need is a knife and a bowl.
- Frugal and filling: Tuna is a budget-friendly protein that delivers big on flavor. This salad feels light yet keeps you full, and with so many ways to customize it, you'll never get bored.
- No cooking required: Just chop, mix, and serve. Perfect for hot days or when you need a quick, fuss-free meal.
🥘 Ingredients
Cabbage and Carrots- You can use a fresh head of cabbage and large carrots, or keep it simple by buying a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix.
Red Onion: For a touch of sharpness and depth of flavor as well as a slight touch of sweetness.
Canned Tuna: I recommend using canned tuna in water, with the water drained, of course.
For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.
🧾 Substitutions
Greek Yogurt: You can swap Greek yogurt for mayo for a richer flavor or use a combination of both.
Honey: If you prefer, you can omit the honey and add a splash of maple syrup for a different sweet twist.
📖 Variations
This recipe is easily customizable! Try adding diced apples for a sweet crunch, or mix in some pickles or olives for a savory kick. If you’re craving extra crunch, throw in some sunflower seeds or chopped nuts.
You could even add in some finely diced apples or canned corn (drained). The possibilities are endless!
🔪 Instructions for Tuna Cabbage Salad
Step 1: Add the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, sliced red onion, and drained, flaked tuna to a large mixing bowl. Set aside. (Image 1).
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Image 2).
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the cabbage and tuna mixture. (Image 3).
Step 4: Mix well until everything is evenly coated. (Image 4).
Step 5: Serve immediately, or cover and chill for 15–30 minutes before serving, if desired.
Enjoy!
🍴 Recipe Tips
- The chilling step adds flavor! Letting the salad sit in the fridge lets the flavors meld together for a more robust taste. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip the chilling and enjoy it right away!
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning. If you like a tangier flavor, add more lemon juice or mustard.
- No reheating necessary. This Tuna Salad is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If you have leftovers, simply store them in the fridge and enjoy them the next day without reheating. The flavors only get better as they sit!
🥗 Side Dishes
Pair this salad with some crunchy whole grain crackers, a side of fresh fruit, or serve it on top of a bed of mixed greens for a more filling meal. If you want a more substantial bite, serve it between two buns or pieces of bread for a crunchy filling sandwich. (This is my favorite way to eat it!)
⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the salad up to a day ahead of time. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors will develop overnight, making it even tastier the next day!
👩🏻🍳 Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. It’s best when enjoyed within a few days, as the cabbage may become a little soft after prolonged storage.
🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
Customize your tuna salad with fun mix-ins! Try diced apples or canned corn for sweetness, or add pickles, green onions, or olives for a savory punch. For extra texture, toss in sunflower seeds, crushed nuts, or a bit of shredded cheese.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes! Feel free to swap out the tuna for chicken, chickpeas, or hard-boiled eggs if you prefer.
Coleslaw is usually a side dish, but when you mix in a can of tuna, it becomes a filling and tasty meal.
A tuna sandwich can be just plain tuna or anything with tuna. A tuna salad sandwich has a creamy tuna mixture, usually with mayo and mix-ins like celery or onion.
Both work, but it depends on your taste and goals:
Tuna in water is lighter, lower in calories, and lets the other flavors in your salad shine.
Tuna in oil is richer and more flavorful, with a silkier texture.
If you're going for a lighter, fresher tuna salad, go with water-packed. For a more indulgent or Mediterranean-style salad, choose oil-packed.
❤️ More Delicious Sandwich Recipes
If you tried this Tuna Cabbage Salad, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Tuna Cabbage Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounce coleslaw mix (or ½ head cabbage+2 large carrots) ($2.18)
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced ($0.25)
- 1-2 cans tuna in water, drained ($0.88)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (can use mayo) ($0.55)
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard ($0.08)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice ($0.15)
- 1 teaspoon honey ($0.10)
- Salt and pepper *to taste ($0.01)
Optional add-ins:
- ½ cup canned corn
- 1 chopped apple for sweetness
- Chopped pickles or olives
- Crushed nuts or sunflower seeds for crunch
Instructions
- Add the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, sliced red onion, and drained, flaked tuna to a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage and tuna mixture.
- Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve immediately, or cover and chill for 15–30 minutes before serving, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make it your own: Add diced apples, pickles, or sunflower seeds for extra flavor and crunch. Taste the salad and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preferences. Swap the Greek yogurt for mayo or add a touch of Dijon mustard for a spicy kick.
- Let it chill: For the best flavor, chill the salad for 15-30 minutes to allow the dressing to marinate.
- Storage: Store leftover tuna salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nicole Durham says
I love the combination of creamy, crunchy, tangy, sweet and savory in every bite!